HTNSA 108

Chapter 108

Watching her now, it was hard to believe that this was the same person who had caused such a scene in the shop just a while ago.

The way she looked so happy over a single dessert was almost absurd.

To top it off, the young master was looking at his lover with eyes overflowing with affection.

As Yetien watched this scene, he suddenly recalled what the young master had said earlier:

“Whatever you’re expecting, it will exceed that. I guarantee it.”

‘Even so, you didn’t say it would be this much…’

Feeling resentful for having spent the entire day anxious and in the dark, Yetien shot Felix a glare full of blame.

But whether Felix noticed or not, he remained focused on Eila, chatting away.

“So, do you feel better now?”

“I was never in a bad mood to begin with. You know it was all an act.”

Felix chuckled softly, sliding another dessert plate toward Eila.

“You say that, but you looked pretty convincing when you were angry.”

At his words, Eila blushed and lowered her gaze.

“Oh, come on. It was nothing.”

“I almost fell for it halfway through.”

“No matter how upset I get, I wouldn’t lose my temper that badly.”

Eila let out a carefree laugh.

She looked so bright and cheerful that it was hard to believe she was the same person who had terrified the owner of Flor’s shop.

“By the way, you were really good, too. You didn’t even flinch and acted so naturally.”

At Eila’s praise, Felix cleared his throat, looking a little embarrassed.

“I was actually really nervous, so I’m glad it didn’t show.”

“Thank you for today. You too, Sir Yetien…”

Eila turned her head with a gentle smile and met Yetien’s gaze, his eyes sunken and weary.

After a long silence, he finally spoke in a faint, almost dying voice.

“So… it really was all an act?”

He looked worn out and drained. Eila opened her mouth, looking flustered.

“Oh… I’m sorry. I must have shown you something strange out of nowhere. It must have startled you.”

Yetien nodded reflexively, then hurriedly shook his head.

“Y-yes… Ah, no, not at all.”

Seeing his reaction, Eila’s expression turned even more apologetic as she began to explain.

“I’m sure you’ve noticed, but I’m preparing a separate business right now. I had to meet someone crucial for that business, which led to this act.”

“…”

“I should have told you beforehand, and I’m really sorry. But if you had known it was an act, you might have slipped up… I had no choice.”

Seeing Eila worrying about even a subordinate’s feelings made Yetien let out a deep sigh.

He could understand her position.

How realistic he must have seemed to others, turning pale and panicking behind her without knowing anything.

It was probably far more convincing and natural than if he had tried to awkwardly act along with them.

Regaining some composure, Yetien looked at Eila with new eyes.

‘Now that I think about it, even her attire today was for the act.’

Though it was hard to forget the scene of her raising hell in the shop, the person before him now was far more composed and kind than he had imagined.

She was humble yet carried herself with dignity.

‘And the way she handled that woman, Yuria, earlier…’

She had instantly grasped what the other party wanted and led the negotiation with uncanny precision. It was so sharp it sent chills down his spine.

It was hard to believe she was just a student at the Academy. She was so skilled and composed that it was almost flawless.

He felt embarrassed remembering how he had initially judged her by her appearance and attire alone.

‘I was too hasty.’

Yetien reflected on his actions as he looked at Eila.

Only now did he understand why Felix was so taken with her.

If she stayed by the young master’s side in the future, the duchy’s future would undoubtedly be bright.

‘Now I understand why His Grace told me to take good care of her.’

Yetien silently scolded himself for ever doubting his master’s judgment and making reckless assumptions.

He needed to make up for his rashness, even now.

With deep remorse, Yetien bowed his head low to Eila, putting all his sincerity into the gesture.

Eila looked at him, surprised.

“Sir Yetien…?”

Yetien raised his head and spoke, his voice heavy with sincerity.

“Please continue to take good care of our young master, Lady Eila.”

* * *

Spring breezes found their way even into the Empress’s chambers deep within the Imperial Palace.

But her expression as she looked down upon the fully bloomed garden was far from bright.

‘How is it that every single one of them insists on doing as they please…’

Throughout her life, the Empress of the Empire had held only one goal in her heart:

To ensure that her kind and intelligent son would take the place he deserved.

She had never imagined it would be so difficult. The more she tried to grasp it, the more everything slipped away like sand between her fingers.

‘…’

Eliza quietly swallowed a sigh and lifted her teacup.

Just then, a knock came from the door, and a maid silently approached, bowing her head.

“What is it?”

The maid did not answer. Instead, she took a letter from her bosom and placed it on the table.

Eliza stared down at it for a moment before her voice turned cold.

“Thank you. You may go.”

The maid bowed deeply and slipped out like a shadow. Silence settled over the room as the Empress quietly opened the letter and read its contents.

But the more she read, the colder her expression became.

The benevolent facade she usually wore vanished, replaced by a chilling aura.

“I told her to lie low for a while…”

She had given clear orders, yet that woman was acting on her own again.

Just as she, with a face contorted with anger, was about to crumple the letter in her hand—

Someone moved within the bedroom, stepping up behind her.

“What’s the matter, Your Majesty?”

She placed the letter down and slowly turned her body to face him.

“…Lian.”

“Has someone done something amusing again?”

“…Read it yourself.”

With clear displeasure on her face, the Empress handed him the half-crumpled letter.

After scanning its contents, the man named Lian let out a knowing chuckle.

“Just as expected. There’s no way she would stay quiet in a situation like this. You knew that when you decided to work with her.”

“But I didn’t expect her to act out like this. What if our connection to her is exposed? What if Eila ends up dead because of her mistake?”

“…”

“Right now, Rosia is cornered. We don’t know what rash actions she might take and ruin everything.”

Eliza furrowed her brows.

Until recently, she had believed Rosia would easily gain control over the Blanche Duchy.

For a mage of Rosia’s caliber, brainwashing a few ordinary people shouldn’t have been difficult.

However, Eila Blanche’s unexpected actions after leaving the duchy had disrupted Rosia’s magic, rendering it ineffective.

Lian lightly placed and released a hand on her tense shoulder.

“Even so, you know we still need Rosia. If we try to suppress her too much, it might backfire.”

“Are you telling me to just stand by and watch this mess?”

“Of course not. We should prepare a safety net on our side as well. This situation might even be a good opportunity for us.”

“…Do you have something in mind?”

“Send Prince Darian to the subjugation campaign.”

“Send Darian?”

The Empress’s face twisted in displeasure as she turned to look up at the man behind her.

“In a moment of crisis, people will turn to the one who saves them, no matter who that person is.”

“…”

Lian lifted his hand and gently caressed her cheek, making the Empress flinch and turn her head away.

“What if Darian gets hurt in the process…?”

“Send someone trustworthy to protect him. If you’re that worried, I can go with him myself.”

The Empress’s chest rose and fell heavily, her mind conflicted, before she let out a deep sigh and nodded as if she had finally accepted it.

“Very well. I’ll speak to him myself.”