If rumors spread that I, Loar, had such a relationship with Gongja-nim, the Princess would not believe me. Even if she believed, she wouldn’t be able to keep me by her side due to her dignity.

That man I had secretly admired appeared in front of me with such a stupid and dreadful plan. I couldn’t believe it.
Rokard was on his way back to the Second Imperial Palace but soon realized that he had taken the wrong path. He had come this far during the brief lapse of his concentration.

In a faint state of confusion, he headed towards the Third Imperial Palace, which seemed close by.

When Rokard suddenly visited, Hwinid became tense. However, when Rokard sprawled out on her makeshift bed, she continued what she was doing.

“How is Miss Loar?”

“She’s recovering. Still sharp as ever.”

“Oh, I see. That’s to be expected.”

Although Rokard commented that her judgment was sharp, Hwinid understood it as a remark about Loar’s mood.

Hwinid said sympathetically, “You were lying there for two days due to an unfortunate accident. Competitions can be really…”

Upon hearing this, Rokard immediately got up and went to the chair.

‘Youth…’

Hwinid thought he might feel embarrassed about his careless behavior, causing her face to blush slightly. It was because she felt embarrassed to sit where his warmth still lingered.

But Rokard, preoccupied with thoughts of Loar, didn’t notice Hwinid’s delusions.

Her determination, will, and the difference in their positions they had just confirmed.

Slowly, he realized that his attitude, considering her as an ally for the future, was one-sided.

Around him were only those who tried hard to catch his attention. He had never considered rejection because everyone around him was making an effort.

So, a moment ago, he felt like he had been slapped in the face by Loar’s reaction.

‘Why, Gongja-nim? Why do you think I would entrust my life and future to you?’

He gritted his teeth with a sinking feeling.

He knew he would never forget her gaze when he asked her to believe in him. At that moment, it felt like she was saying, ‘How dare you!’

‘Why won’t you trust me?’

Rokard was aware that he was a mess in Loar’s room earlier. If this were a battle, there would have been no such defeat.

He couldn’t become a convincing playboy, nor could he persuade her.

His attempt to do both at the same time was a mess from start to finish. He had never tried pretending to be a ‘man’ intentionally.

He bit down on his molars, feeling increasingly frustrated.

He knew he’d never forget Loar’s eyes at that moment. It felt like she was saying, ‘How dare you!’
Lorisha Loar was a type of person he had never seen before. Her unfamiliarity was enchanting, and now Rokard felt like he had to witness the outcome she would create up close.

Whether that intense desire was curiosity or a collector’s instinct, he reserved judgment. It wasn’t important right now.

‘After saying she considers me the only noble one!’

Recalling her words, Rokard felt a strange sense of defeat.

When she made that statement, she compared him to her father, Count Loar. Being placed next to the third lion was, in a way, flattering.

However, those words might have been merely packaged to sound good, possibly indicating that she didn’t see him as a man at all. After all, wasn’t the third lion her father?

“How old do I even look!”

As Rokard clenched his fist, muttering, Hwinid cast an uneasy glance.

However, he decided to observe a bit more. In recent days, Emperor Kaidel seemed different from his usual self.

Rokard was starting to feel anger towards Lorisha now.

‘To swing me around like this!’