He wanted to sever the arm that had just pulled up the Emperor’s daughter.

Then, Iris coughed up water violently. Her trembling body indicated she was still in panic, unable to discern whether she was in the water or not.

‘It’s cold…….’

As Iris gradually realized her breaths were no longer wet, she began to breathe more heavily, as if trying to grasp the reality more clearly.

Then, instead of the cold water, the chilly night air enveloped them. Suddenly feeling fear again, she instinctively grabbed onto the warm forearm supporting her.

Reus stopped walking and looked down at the woman clinging to his arm. Iris also lifted her drooping head.

Her blurry vision, flickering between clarity and obscurity, captured only the silver hair.

Following that, the man’s face imprinted itself in her sight. His clear grey eyes, smooth nose, sharp jawline, and the strong neck that followed.

At that moment, a definite change occurred in Iris. It was a change that was meant to happen, a natural course. However, it didn’t flow in the intended direction.

Unfortunately, Iris was utterly unaware of this.

She should have been in the arms of Casien Ersian, not Reus Rocheter. She was oblivious to the fact that the piercing grey eyes held a colder emotion than her own eye color.

Thus, Iris, unknowing, faced the destined change alone.

Right. No need to heed the Empress or her faction of nobles.

‘There was one more person besides Casien…’

Obviously excluding Reus, I stared blankly out the window.

Reus looked at Iris in his arms for a moment, then soon called over the palace knights standing nearby and handed the princess over to them.
Once alone again, nobles who usually had some dialogue with Reus crowded around him. Reus responded noncommittally while shaking off the water. The nobles hesitated and gradually stepped back.

Easily escaping the crowd, Reus brushed back his hair and looked around. Soon, his gaze fixed on my location.

At the exact moment our eyes met, I involuntarily flinched.

‘Is it his battle-hardened instincts that make him so alert?’

While I was inwardly surprised by this man who was extraordinary in every way, suddenly someone forcefully turned me around, causing me to stagger.

“Ah…!”

“Roel!”

“My apologies, Your Highness…!”

“Roel. Really, just for a moment, okay? Please, just a short talk….”

Dewin, who had just gotten up from the floor, hurried into the lounge and tried to forcefully separate Casien and me.

“Please, do not trouble Her Highness any further!”

Casien, unable to hide his frustration, grabbed Dewin’s collar in his stubbornness.

“Didn’t you hear me say get lost?”

“You’re the one who should leave, not me, Lord Ersian!”

Despite the threatening aura, Dewin tried hard to protect me. However, Casien forcefully shook off Dewin’s hold, causing him to tumble to the ground again. With the obstacle removed, Casien grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the lounge.

“Let go, Casien! Let go of me…!”

I struggled to free my wrist, but my strength was insufficient against his. Eventually, without managing any real resistance, I was pulled along by Casien.

But as we neared the door, Casien abruptly stopped.

Looking up, I saw Reus standing right in front of the door. Before I could process any thoughts, Reus forcefully knocked Casien’s hand away.

“Have I been too genteel until now? Why can’t you understand when I tell you to get lost?”