At his unexpected words, I put down the bread I had unnecessarily gripped tightly and lifted my head toward Killian.

He sat with one long leg crossed over the other, hands resting atop them, keeping a slight distance from the dining table.

Though he had summoned me to dine, he himself seemed utterly uninterested in the food.

Right, of course. He didn’t actually call me here to eat together.

“Trade? What trade?”

As I picked up a nearby napkin to wipe my hands and asked, Killian’s gaze drifted to my hands, then rose to meet my face.

The moment our eyes locked, I involuntarily twitched my brow. Even the first time we met, I sensed Killian possessed an aura that overwhelmed others merely by locking eyes. Caught off guard, I instinctively flinched—but immediately straightened my posture, refusing to be intimidated.

“You must have heard that Her Majesty the Empress was informed about Ivy’s matter?”

“Yes. I heard it from the Grand Priest.”

“That shrewd old man—you managed him well. You extracted and concealed your true identity flawlessly, spinning quite the convincing tale.”

I replied calmly.

“But Your Highness, you yourself never revealed that I am the Grand Holy Maiden.”

Seeing his silence, I added another jab.

“Whatever your intentions may be.”

I gave him a forced, awkward smile with my eyes alone. Killian slowly closed and reopened his eyes, then leaned his elbows on the chair’s armrests and interlaced his fingers. As if my provocation meant nothing to him, he spoke with an air of leisure.

“Last time I saw you, you seemed quite afraid of coming to the temple.”

“…….”

“You can’t deny it. I saw it myself.”

He was right. That was—and still is—my weakness. If I go to the temple, I’ll never see Edan again.

To hide my inner turmoil, I met Killian’s gaze head-on without flinching. Surely he didn’t summon me out of concern for me—what’s his real motive?

“So you called me here just to scare me?”

“I said I want to make a deal with you.”

Killian spoke slowly, deliberately, as if he wouldn’t repeat himself.

“If you stop healing Edan, I won’t stop you from avoiding the temple.”

I had resolved to stay calm no matter what he said, to endure with composure. But hearing those words, my fingertips instantly tensed. Anyone with half a brain should understand—surely he knows what kind of relationship I have with Edan, yet he dares call this a “deal”…?

“You can’t deny it’s not a bad offer for you, can you?”

Just how arrogant can you get? What a conceited man. How little must he think of me…?

I hadn’t even responded yet, but Killian looked utterly at ease, as if certain of my answer.

“I genuinely don’t understand why you think I’d accept such a deal.”

At my clearly displeased reply, Killian smiled leisurely.

“Isn’t your personal conviction more important to you than the man you like?”

My personal conviction? Was he mocking my original reason for avoiding the temple? True, I initially avoided it because I disliked healing through physical contact. But now, that’s not the only reason.

“Are you stopping Lord Edan’s healing because you want him to suffer?”

“Yes.”

So he’s not even pretending to hide his intentions anymore.

“Why?”

Though the silence lasted only a moment, my lips felt parched. Whatever his answer, I doubted I could ever accept his reason for wishing Edan pain—but for the first time, I prayed.

He’s the brother Edan loves. The Killian who once saved Edan’s life. Please, whatever it takes, give me a human answer.

But—.

“I want that brat to suffer. As bitterly as I suffered from betrayal.”

His words chilled my blood. What betrayal? You were the one deceived by Siela’s lies and betrayed Edan.

“He’s your younger brother, Your Highness. What do you gain by tormenting the Duke like this?”

I barely stifled the curse rising to my lips as I threw out the question. Killian responded with a sneer, his eyes filled with disgust.

“Pleasure.”

What?

“Do you need a better reason than that?”

I was momentarily speechless. I’d suspected this man wasn’t sane, but he’d surpassed even my expectations.

Though it happened months ago, I can still vividly recall it.

Edan writhing in agony from the side effects of his ability. A man brave enough to charge sword-first at a monstrous beast without hesitation—yet reduced to helpless suffering, unable to regain his senses.

Before meeting me, trapped in the past, he must have endured such pain countless times.

Struggling for years, trapped in agony only healing could relieve.

And you call this “pleasure”?

Killian couldn’t possibly be ignorant of that suffering. Even as Crown Prince, safely sheltered his whole life, every ability-user has experienced it at least once—he must have suffered it too.

If anything, Killian should understand Edan better than I do. And yet… still…

By now, the sunset outside the window had completely faded. The red glow of the sun, which had streamed across the table, was gone. Gazing at the silverware glinting under the chandelier’s light, I calmly asked,

“Is this because of Princess Siela?”

Even without looking at his face, the sudden silence told me Killian had been shaken for the first time. I lifted my gaze, which had been lowered as I gathered my thoughts, and met Killian’s eyes.

“Are you referring to the political marriage with the Eastern Empire? If you know that much, our conversation will be easier.”

“…….”

“Just say you’ll stop healing Edan, and I’ll oppose the marriage too.”

Ha. What nonsense is this now?

“For whose sake?”

Killian gave a slight, dismissive jerk of his chin.

“Obviously, for your sake. Better than watching the man you love marry another woman, isn’t it?”

Ridiculous.

“Isn’t that decision for your own benefit, Your Highness?”

“What?”

He might explode in fury at these words. But I had to say it.

“Rumors say you were once rejected by Princess Siela.”

I deliberately paused, even adding a mocking smile, before delivering my next line.

“If that’s your reason, it’s cowardly. To abuse your immense power for something like this? Is this just you taking out past frustrations?”

The moment I finished speaking, a sharp crack echoed through the room. My eyes flew wide open—Killian had seized his glass and shattered it.

“Watch your words.”

Crimson blood streamed from Killian’s palm, still clutching the broken glass.

Frowning, I stared at it briefly, then met Killian’s eyes again. The calm composure he’d maintained until now had utterly vanished.

I’d deliberately provoked him, but could one word—“Siela”—really make him this sensitive? Does he know she lied?

“Your Highness, Princess Siela’s lie—”

I hesitated mid-sentence. It was a truth Edan had kept hidden. He’d told me, but for reasons unknown, he’d wanted it kept secret. Was it right for me to speak of it so carelessly?

As I faltered, Killian brushed off the glass shards and spoke.

“Go on.”

I clenched my fists tightly, then released them, steadying my breath.

“I heard Princess Siela was fond of Duke Edan. If that’s why you’re doing this—”

“You want to say it was a lie?”

Huh?

He let out two audible, hollow laughs, his jaw tensing until his neck flushed red, and glared at me fiercely.

“You think I didn’t know that?”

He knew? But Edan believed Killian didn’t know.

“Even knowing that, you still resent the Duke? Why? Was a woman more important to you than your only brother?”

Call me fearless if you will—but I had to say it. At my accusatory words, Killian’s face hardened into something terrifying.

“It wasn’t a lie.”

“……What?”

“I saw it with my own eyes—Siela, half-undressed, leaving Edan’s room in the dead of night.”

“That… that can’t be…”

“Of course, I barged in and confirmed Edan’s state too. What do you think it looked like?”

Killian’s previously monotone voice was now laced with hatred.

My heart, which had briefly calmed, began racing again.

So this is what he meant by “betrayal”? But anyone who’s observed Edan’s usual conduct should realize he’d never do such a thing!

“Did you properly verify it? The Duke would never—”

“Of course.”

Killian cut me off, his gaze sharp with murderous intent, as if reliving that moment.

“When I stormed in, Siela was crying, and Edan… said nothing.”

My pulse quickened. I gripped my dress tightly with both hands.

It can’t be true. The Edan and Siela I know weren’t like that. I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened them, locking gazes with Killian again.

There was no wavering in Killian’s eyes. This wasn’t a lie meant to unsettle me.

“Now, do you feel inclined to accept my deal? Or will you dismiss even what I witnessed firsthand as a lie?”

I released my grip on my skirt and spoke.

“I decline your proposal. No.”

“You certainly dislike a great many things.”

Killian laughed as if amused.

“I didn’t expect you to accept immediately—I’ll give you time.”

“No need. My answer will be the same no matter how much time passes.”

“Think again. Don’t make a foolish choice out of pointless stubbornness.”

“……What did you say?”

“You’re like a woman blinded by love. You should value yourself—your convictions, like you claim.”

Who are you to lecture me? You’re the one blinded by love, you XXX! If you weren’t the Crown Prince, I’d beat you senseless till dust flew on a rainy day!

Furious at his cold gaze, which looked at me as if I’d made the world’s stupidest choice, I stood up abruptly.

“I’m leaving.”

I turned and walked away as quickly as possible, as if fleeing from someone chasing me. Just as I grasped the doorknob, Killian added one last line from behind.

“Think again. I’ll contact you.”

Bang. I slammed the door shut, ignored the servants calling after me, and fled the palace.

Stepping outside into the garden, I gulped the cold wind—and felt slightly revived.

Killian’s words buzzed in my ears, tearing through my thoughts.

Edan and Siela couldn’t have done such a thing. Edan clearly hated Siela!

I quickened my steps toward where Ruben waited.

I feel suffocated. I need to escape. I’ll confirm this directly with Edan. I believe in him.

I hurried along the marble path, my own footsteps feeling frantic.

When the lights from the palace behind me had grown faint, a familiar voice called out to stop me.

“Hello, Lady Latieana.”

I spun around, recognized the unexpected figure, and my eyes widened in surprise.

“Lord Hillstain?”