“The Viscount tends to speak lightly in front of friends.”

“I am not your friend, Your Grace. And I am light-hearted by nature. It would be better not to misunderstand that I become frivolous only with certain people.”

…What was this?

Reilly awkwardly smiled and observed the atmosphere between the two while under the oppressive killing intent.

Who knew there would be not one, but two people willing to kill over a single misspoken word.

“Haha, killing intent in the Imperial Princess’s palace… isn’t that a bit much?”

As if the word ‘Imperial Princess’s palace’ was a magic word, the killing intent pressing down on him suddenly disappeared.

Reilly couldn’t be sure if Killian’s reason for directing killing intent at him was truly just a simple slip of the tongue, just as he wasn’t sure about Casa showing excessive loyalty to Alicia despite having just met her.

‘I’ll leave when I see the right atmosphere. Since I’m not moving with Her Highness, Casa probably won’t grab me again.’

After leaving the dining hall, should he go see Alicia’s rose garden?

Could Alicia possibly be waiting for him there?

As Reilly thought this, he straightened his posture at Killian’s gaze, which was fixed on him even as he conversed with Casa.

He had a feeling he shouldn’t provide any unnecessary excuses.

“As expected of Duke Diaz! You really are as excellent as the rumors say!”

Reilly clicked his tongue briefly as he watched Casa raise her voice in excitement.

It was impossible not to notice Casa’s fondness for Killian.

‘It’s not just simple fondness, she seems to almost revere him.’

While she threatened her long-time classmate with death, she couldn’t hide her goodwill towards Killian, whom she had clearly just met today, her eyes sparkling.

Thinking this unfair, Reilly rose from his seat.

“What’s wrong?”

“It doesn’t seem like I’m needed for this conversation.”

When listening to Killian’s plans, Reilly had things to say.

However, when it came to the matter of Alicia’s escort, Reilly had nothing he could contribute.

It wasn’t that he lacked knowledge.

Even if one was closer to being a civil official, as a noble, one learned at least how to protect oneself.

But the work of an escort knight was not something one could meddle in with mere knowledge.

He had learned how to dodge an incoming sword, but escort knights learned how to block that sword with their bodies.

While Reilly understood why Casa had stopped him, simply listening to others’ conversation didn’t suit his personality.

“It’s over, so wait. I’ll escort you to the entrance.”

“…What are you planning to do while pretending to escort me?”

“I won’t do anything in Her Highness’s palace. It would cause trouble for Her Highness Alicia, the owner of the palace.”

“Are you saying you’ll do something outside the Imperial Princess’s palace?”

“I won’t do anything in the Emperor’s or Crown Prince’s palaces either, so don’t worry.”

Attempting anything there would be a capital crime resulting in beheading.

Reilly shook his head with an incredulous expression at Casa, who spoke as if she were doing him a favor by stating the obvious.

“It’s fine. I know the way out.”

“I’m sure you do. I’m saying this in case you try to sneak off somewhere else.”

“…Just what do you think of me?”

“Do you want me to tell you my thoughts?”

“…No, just shut up, please, Sir White.”

Ignoring Casa glaring at him, Reilly stood up.

Just as Casa was about to open her mouth again as if to stop his actions, Killian, who had been watching their exchange, spoke.

“I’ll move with the Viscount. Sir White, you should return to Her Highness’s side.”

“Yes, understood.”

“What about my opinion?”

“I’ll trust only the Duke.”

Casa rose from her seat with a bright smile, bowed politely to Killian, and then left the dining hall.

Reilly, watching her retreating figure with a dumb expression, suddenly noticed that Killian, who had already received his outer coat from a servant, was looking at him.

“Let’s go.”

“…Sure.”

The two men walking side by side down the quiet corridor after leaving the dining hall were silent.

Reilly, who had been hoping for a chance encounter with Alicia again, wore a face full of discontent, while Killian’s face remained unreadable as ever.

After a few minutes of only their footsteps echoing through the long corridor, Reilly spoke up.

“I don’t understand why Your Grace said you would return with me. Do you perhaps have something to say to me?”

“Why do you think I would have something to say to you, Viscount?”

“Because otherwise, there’s no reason for you to walk beside me.”

“A reason to walk side by side… I believe Sir White mentioned that.”

What had Casa said again?

After briefly recalling the conversation with her in the dining hall, Reilly spoke to Killian with a sour expression.

“Are you saying you’re walking beside me in case I try to sneak off somewhere?”

“Who knows?”

“If not that… is it because of what she said about me trying to cling to Her Highness?”

By now, there was a hint of sarcasm in Reilly’s tone.

He might have to endure such words from Casa since he had committed a sin against her, but not from Killian.

There was no way he had committed any sin against Killian, and there was no reason to tolerate him saying such nonsense.

“I don’t know why I have to say this, but I’m neither frivolous nor lecherous. I’ve never approached Her Highness with impure motives, nor have I ever made her uncomfortable.”

“And?”

“I’m saying your misunderstanding is unpleasant.”

Even if he did harbor different intentions and feelings for Alicia, what business was it of Killian’s?

He was the one who had ignored Alicia’s feelings for so long, so was he now trying to show some kindness?

Didn’t he know that would only make her heart more miserable?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became.

“So you’re innocent?”

“Yes.”

“And you have no feelings for Her Highness Alicia?”

“Why should I tell Duke Diaz about that?”

At Reilly’s somewhat aggressive question, Killian stopped walking and turned his head slightly to look at him.

His face had been unreadable just moments ago, but now what was revealed on that handsome face was…

“Why are you angry?”

“I’m angry?”

“What, are you upset because someone without title or status like me said I’m displeased?”

“That can’t be. You’re nothing.”

Killian, who had fully turned to face Reilly, lifted one corner of his mouth.

“What could you possibly do that would make me angry?”

“What did you just…!”

“I just find you annoying, that’s all.”

Annoying?

Reilly’s face crumpled at the unpleasantness of that single word.

“You annoy me because you covet what’s mine without knowing your place. That’s all.”

Killian, his face returning to its indifferent expression, took his gaze off Reilly and continued walking in the direction they had been heading.

Reilly, glaring at Killian’s retreating back, bit his lip.

He was strangely angered by the word “annoying” that had fallen from Killian’s lips.

Was it because of his blatant attitude that didn’t even try to hide his disregard?

Or was there another reason that he himself hadn’t yet grasped?

‘What did he mean I coveted?’

What did Killian think he had in his grasp that Reilly coveted?

What was his to begin with?

For a moment, Alicia’s face flashed in his mind, but Reilly quickly shook his head, trying to erase the face that had appeared in his thoughts.

No matter how arrogant Killian was, he wouldn’t have referred to the noble Imperial Princess of Eregron as “his”.

‘But why does Alicia’s face keep coming to mind?’

As he recalled her beautiful sky-blue eyes, his heart began to beat as if it wasn’t his own, entangling with the words Killian had left behind.

Mine, Alicia, Killian.

As Reilly alternately recalled these three words, his purple eyes glowed darkly, buried in deep shadows.

The day for Imperial Princess Alicia to depart for the Tower of Sages arrived.

Although they had received an official letter, it was decided that Alicia would quietly slip out of the Imperial Palace to prepare for any contingencies, as they were moving in such a small group.

After hugging her family members who had come to her palace to bid her farewell and kissing them on the cheek one by one, Alicia boarded a carriage with no markings.

It was Casa who sat in the driver’s seat, wearing an old robe.

After confirming that Alicia had boarded the carriage and closed the door, Casa respectfully greeted the Emperor and the Crown Prince couple before driving the carriage out through the back gate of the Imperial Palace.

The rest of the party was planned to join them outside the outer walls.

“You mustn’t draw the curtains, Your Highness.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Please endure it a little longer, even if it’s stuffy. Sir White said he would move as quickly as possible.”

“Okay.”

Marisa, dressed in simple travel clothes like Alicia, spoke up to calm the princess who seemed somewhat anxious.

“Is this your first time leaving the capital, Your Highness?”

“Yes.”

It was a first in Alicia’s life, including before and after her regression.

An unmarried Imperial Princess was not allowed to leave the palace freely.

Although she had occasionally left the Imperial Palace using secret passages, she had only caught glimpses of a small part of the capital as she moved to see Killian’s face.

And this became even more restrictive after she ascended to the throne as Empress.

All her ministers opposed her going out, saying it would be a disaster if anything happened to the Empress who had not yet produced an heir.

Strangely, at that time, both the imperial faction and the noble faction agreed well.

‘In the end, I died inside the Imperial Palace too.’

She had never left the Imperial Palace from birth until the moment of her death.

For Alicia, who had never left the capital except for rare occasions when she had to go on inspections, this journey to the Tower of Sages was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

She didn’t have any special plans.

If she were to attempt anything special, the people around her would have to risk their lives for her challenge.

For her, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity simply meant a chance to take in as much of the scenery outside the capital as possible.

‘This will be the end of my travels.’

Unless she married into another country and left Eregron, she would never be able to embark on such a journey again.

So, let’s keep our eyes open and take in as much as possible.

With this resolve, Alicia clasped her hands together, hoping the carriage would soon pass beyond the outer walls so she could lift the curtains blocking her view.