Ruben’s incredulous gaze, as if questioning what I was doing, poured down on the crown of my head.

The stares of Edan’s subordinates and Dante’s subordinates, who had been facing off, all focused on me.

Every single one of them had eyes that couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

The moment that felt like time had stopped was resolved by Dante’s calm voice, emerging a beat late.

He withdrew his hand that had been lingering in the air, and I signaled with a nod for him to step back further.

“…….”

Dante looked at me intently, then glanced toward Edan.

I know this isn’t the situation for it, and I know their subordinates’ gazes are fixed on us, but please, spare me.

I know he’s a kind person, but what I needed right now wasn’t his manners.

Please, just back off—I put force into my eyes, and Dante slowly took a large step back.

Only then did I stand up from my spot and brush off my backside.

The translucent thin gown I was wearing was covered in sand, making my back feel gritty.

I wanted to take off the gown and shake it out, but I couldn’t because I was conscious of my attire.

Moreover, the gown was made of a very thin, see-through material, so it was obvious everything underneath would be visible.

It was fine when I was with the other maids, but seeing Edan and Ruben, wrapped up tightly from head to toe, made me feel… what’s the word, extremely embarrassed, awkward, and somehow like I was on Dante’s side, the one barely clothed.

The fabric I was wearing and the overall vibe of my attire were similar to Dante’s, after all.

And Edan’s eyes, which surely noticed this, were cold. Even though we were in the same place under the scorching desert sun, it felt as if a winter blizzard was raging only around Edan.

“Come along, Your Highness.”

Though a bit late, Dante bowed politely, showing proper courtesy.

Edan ignored Dante and raised his arm to pull down the cloth covering his face to below his chin.

From the top of my head to my face, shoulders, chest, stomach… he slowly swept his gaze over me.

I know. I know what I look like. But you don’t have to stare so menacingly.

It’s not like I wanted to be kidnapped.

The more blatantly heated Edan’s gaze became, the more I inwardly resented Dante.

Saying “come along” isn’t the right move right now!

In the suffocating atmosphere, all I could do was roll my eyes and gauge the situation.

Edan, after obsessively scanning me from head to toe, finally turned his gaze to Dante.

“You didn’t do this to tell me to come along, so are you mistakenly saying you want me to kill you, Duke?”

“No way. You arrived so noisily that I thought you meant for me to welcome you.”

At Dante’s softly spoken, slightly sarcastic words, my eyes widened. What? This isn’t right. Didn’t you say you were going to apologize?

I looked at Dante in confusion, and he glanced down at me before continuing to address Edan.

“What brings you here?”

“What brings me?”

“Yes, this is an unexpected visit.”

“Have you lost your senses from the heat, or are you just pretending?”

Edan let out a wry chuckle.

“You steal what’s mine and still have the nerve to talk.”

Edan drew the sword from Ruben’s waist and lightly tapped it on the sandy ground a couple of times.

“You raise your head without permission and put your hands on what’s mine.”

Edan, visibly growing more irritated, was losing even the mocking smile he’d held.

“They’re a person.”

“What nonsense is that? Have you forgotten how to converse?”

“I’m talking about Latieana. It’s not pleasant to call a person an object.”

Hmph. What’s with this? Is he upset because I rejected his escort? Or is he in a bad mood because the scene at the city walls was worse than expected? Dante, who had been acting mannerly all along, suddenly provoked Edan.

Thud. The sword Edan had been tapping on the sand stopped dead.

“You’re even giving me advice now. How far do you have to go to come to your senses, Duke?”

Edan’s sharp eyes, dripping with sarcasm, slowly turned toward me.

The moment our eyes met, I blinked.

Edan’s sword shot up into the air, spun once, and in an instant, about a dozen of Dante’s nearby subordinates collapsed.

“Argh!”

As if on cue, they all clutched their throats and rolled on the sand.

Dante, turning to check on his subordinates, had a vein faintly bulging on his forehead.

“Are you coming to your senses now?”

“…Your Highness.”

“Since you’re still holding your head high, this must not be enough. Let’s end the games here.”

“…….”

“How many do I have to kill for you to come to your senses, Duke?”

Despite his calm smile and composed conversation, something in Edan’s eyes seemed unhinged.

Dante stared at Edan, then lightly bowed his head.

“Yes, I acknowledge it. It’s my fault. I was rude, startled by your excessive force. I’ll withdraw all my subordinates.”

To show his sincerity, Dante turned around.

“Everyone, retreat.”

Dante’s subordinates widened their eyes. Their opponent was Duke Edan, the empire’s strongest, steadfastly guarding the most dangerous northern frontier. They knew this, but he had broken the city walls and struck their throats so hard they could barely breathe. And now, suddenly, they were told to leave? Were they hearing correctly?

“Hurry.”

Dante issued the command again, and with a deep sigh, they all retreated inside the city walls.

Not a single one remained, completely vanishing from sight.

Only then could I finally catch my breath.

Now he’ll properly apologize, right? With desperate hope, I couldn’t help but fix my gaze on Dante’s face.

“Ahem.”

Ruben cleared his throat.

At the sound, I snapped back to reality and looked at Edan.

“…….”

Menacing, so menacing. Really.

His gaze was languidly lowered, but his eyes were filled with pure murderous intent. If anyone could kill with a look, it would be this man.

“I sincerely apologize. It’s not an excuse, but let me explain. Please, come inside.”

Dante was now even extending an invitation.

With a sneer, as if finding it absurd, Edan handed the sword to Ruben and slowly removed his hood.

As he fully took off the connected robe, a black shirt and harness belt were revealed.

Holding the robe in one hand, Edan walked toward me and extended his arm a couple of steps away.

And then, a slight gesture.

Once, briefly. Without a word, he moved his hand.

I slowly approached him.

As soon as I stood beside him, Edan flung the robe into the air and draped it over me. Tightly.

The robe, which reached Edan’s waist, came down to my knees.

“Edan, it’s hot.”

It wasn’t the first thing to say to an angry man I hadn’t seen in two days, but it was really hot.

Even though the northern robe wasn’t for winter, it was thick and perfectly suited as a windbreaker.

It was the best outerwear in the north, but not here.

There was a reason everyone here was stripping off their tops.

How could they stand there without a drop of sweat, looking so composed? Questions about the northern knights surged within me as Edan leaned down and whispered in my ear.

“Lati.”

A heavy, low tone that sent chills down my spine in this sweltering place.

“Answer carefully.”

Suddenly? Answer what carefully?

His voice was colder than when I’d been caught escaping, and I nodded.

“If you answer wrong, I might lose it.”

It already seems like you’re halfway there… I thought, but I nodded obediently again.

I know Edan wouldn’t hurt me, but in moments like this, he’s terrifying.

Imagining all sorts of scenarios in my head, I resolved to give whatever answer Edan wanted.

“Why are you dressed like that?”

…I suspected, and sure enough, that’s what made him angry.

Being told I’m “dressed like that” stings a bit, but I couldn’t fault Edan’s way of expressing it.

I shot a glance at Dante.

His tanned, thick neck had several gold ring necklaces, one with a stunning green emerald in the center. His muscular arms, with veins popping even at rest, had three or four bracelets on each side.

And aside from that, he wore nothing on his upper body.

He was practically shirtless.

And while I was wearing pants and a gown, it was as if my chest was barely covered by a single piece of cloth.

To this obsessive man who saw this…

Sigh. I really felt I had to answer carefully.

If he truly lost it, he might destroy everything around here.

As I racked my brain to come up with an answer that wouldn’t provoke him, a dry, hot wind blew from the desert.

The tiny, invisible grains of sand stung my eyes, and the hot air dried my throat.

“Well…”

Blinking, I met Edan’s gaze.

“Speak.”

Edan’s heavy, single word came with restrained patience, as if he was holding back as much as he could.

“So…”

Blinking again, I looked over my shoulder at Dante and Ruben.

Since we were speaking so quietly, they didn’t seem to know what we were talking about.

I grabbed Edan’s shirt collar with both hands.

I tugged him slightly toward me.

Edan, maintaining his icy gaze, easily let himself be pulled closer.

Matching my height, he leaned down, and I whispered very softly into his ear.

“Everyone dresses like this here.”

I don’t know what Edan was imagining, but when there’s nothing else to say, stating the truth is the solution.

So I told it as it was.

“Ha.”

After a brief silence, Edan let out an incredulous scoff.