Chapter 13
“Honestly. You should think about your dignity as a noble. How can you behave so vulgarly?”
That was one of the things said. And also…
“She’s nothing but a temptress. As a woman whose engagement was broken off, she won’t even look at anyone who isn’t part of the imperial family.”
There were remarks like that too.
The source of these rumors was Illyana, but the one who made the situation worse was Rian. Should he feel even a shred of responsibility for that? He had been thinking about it the entire way to the banquet, but there was only one conclusion. Of course, if Erga heard it, she would immediately explode in outrage.
Still, using Illyana as a shield while pretending ignorance didn’t sit well with him either. Not that he intended to think about a future with her just for that reason.
He wasn’t stupid enough to throw himself into the fire just to save a woman.
Anyway, he needed to shut those pathetic people up. What would be the best way? Idly swirling his empty glass, he glanced at Illyana. She still had her head lowered.
Her downcast eyelashes caught the light, making her blue eyes shimmer faintly. Her pale skin was flawless. Despite her soft appearance, her tightly pressed lips suggested she wouldn’t easily allow others close. As Rian quietly observed her, his gaze fell on her excessively slender wrist. Wrapped in lace, it looked almost like bare bones.
Looking closer, her skin seemed dry as well. If not for the heavy makeup, the faint blue veins beneath would have been clearly visible.
Is she still not fully recovered?
Whether it was a proposal or not, she had to attend the banquet anyway. Of course, the fact that her partner was him had worsened things a bit—but still.
Even so, did she really need to keep her head down like a criminal? He suddenly wondered what she was thinking. Her wavy hair fell past her delicate shoulders.
If he brushed that tempting hair aside, he might see her more clearly.
“I’m fine.”
Just as his hand was about to touch the ends of her hair, Illyana spoke. She turned her head and looked straight at him. She still looked tense, but unlike before, she wasn’t trembling. She had already steadied her breathing and set her champagne glass down on the table.
As he was about to ask what she meant, he realized she wasn’t looking at him.
She was looking at the nobles behind him—those who didn’t even dare approach. When their eyes met Rian’s, they flinched and forced awkward smiles.
So they had been busy gossiping behind her back, and now they were trying to act friendly. Disgusting.
“I don’t mind.”
“His Majesty hasn’t arrived yet. You can go greet the others.”
“I’ll decide that.”
“If you’re worried about the promise, don’t be. I won’t move from here.”
A promise? A questioning look flickered across his face, but then he remembered what she meant. Rian let out a small laugh and pressed the empty glass to his forehead. No wonder his head had been aching—it was because of this woman.
Does she even realize who’s worrying about whom?
His laughter was drowned out by the loud music, but his shoulders continued to shake.
“Duke?”
Illyana called out, her eyes wide. Only then did Rian stop laughing and lift his head.
“I assumed you’d heard the rumors and had a general idea. But it seems you know nothing.”
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
He leaned closer to her. She tried to turn away, but he persistently followed.
“I don’t need them. Those fools—basically the Emperor’s dogs—are the same.”
Illyana stared at him in surprise. But her shock wasn’t from his crude words—her eyes held something closer to curiosity.
“Since you remember the promise, I’ll say it again. Just fulfill your role.”
“I only…”
“And one more thing.”
“…!”
“Not today. Today is not the day you get devoured by them. So don’t worry.”
He glared fiercely at the nobles still whispering behind them. Sensing the meaning in his cold gaze, they cleared their throats and turned away. Some braver ones still shook their heads, looking disdainfully—not at Rian, but at Illyana.
In response, Rian deliberately took Illyana’s hand lightly. Startled, she tried to pull away, but he didn’t let go.
Such physical contact wasn’t unusual at social gatherings—but it was usually done discreetly. Doing it so openly was rare. In the end, it was the nobles who looked away first, embarrassed.
“Let go.”
Illyana spoke sharply and pushed his hand away.
He had momentarily forgotten.
No matter how tarnished her reputation had become—
She was still a proud woman of Kritia.
* * *
Until she entered the banquet hall, Illyana couldn’t shake off her anxiety.
Even when she saw the red roses she hated most, even when the carriage wheel broke on the way—everything felt like a sign telling her not to attend.
Should she have backed out when she heard that her brother Jeffrey couldn’t come with her? It wasn’t as if today was the only chance to expose Cedric and Bella’s relationship.
But what if it becomes too late?
She didn’t know how much time she had left after being given this second chance. Perhaps the Tower Master might know—but she had no connection to him. And even if she did, she couldn’t suddenly explain her situation.
Still, Rian was by her side.
Even if it was only for tonight, that was enough.
If he hadn’t been there that day, what would have happened? She would have been trapped, forced to listen to those people’s filthy words.
Despite her ruined reputation, Illyana felt a small sense of gratitude toward Rian for extending his hand. And the moment she saw him standing confidently before the carriage, that gratitude turned into relief.
So she steadied her urge to run and took his hand.
As soon as she entered the banquet hall, all eyes turned to her—but she walked calmly. If she blocked her ears and closed her eyes, it would be enough.
Nothing held her back anymore.
Recalling her original resolve, she slowly raised her head and met Rian’s gaze. She told him she would be fine on her own now.
But his response was unexpected.
“I don’t need them. Those fools—basically the Emperor’s dogs—are the same.”
If not for his calm, composed voice, she might have mistaken him for Cedric.
She hadn’t come with him today because of threats or gifts.
Perhaps… she had hoped to see the pure boy he once was.
But everything he said now was cold, indifferent, and reckless.
And as if to show off, he grabbed her hand and waved it toward those who were insulting her—
As if to say, this woman belongs to me tonight.
“Let go.”
He shrugged as if he didn’t understand and smiled brightly.
The innocent little boy from her memories was gone.
A rogue.
A dangerous one who could easily destroy her.
Though slightly surprised, Rian obediently stepped back. She wondered briefly if she had been too harsh—after all, he had even waited for her.
But then—
“I wouldn’t even dare show my face if I were her.”
The whispers that had started when Illyana sat in a corner gradually grew louder. Thanks to Rian, the older nobles pretended not to notice—but the young ladies didn’t.
They simply ignored it to avoid trouble.
Go ahead and talk all you want. All you can do is gossip behind my back anyway.
But with the voices so close behind her, Illyana couldn’t focus on the banquet at all. She turned her head to find the source.
It was Sophie Katrina, someone she had met once before with Bella.
Dressed in a light cream gown, her long brown hair flowing, Sophie covered her face with a fan as she whispered—though not quietly enough.
The ladies beside her laughed awkwardly, sneaking glances at Illyana.
“This banquet is hosted by Her Majesty the Empress. If you didn’t come, how would you deal with the consequences?”
It was Chloe, the Count Versina’s daughter, speaking softly—her heavy makeup barely concealing the freckles across her nose.
“She’s right,” Greta added gently. She was the only daughter of Viscount Bonik, her tone as mild as her appearance.
But their words only fueled Sophie’s anger.
She snapped her fan shut with a sharp sound and scoffed.
“The Empress invited her to question her. She’s planning to humiliate her publicly. Once you fall out of favor in high society, marriage is over. Duke Rian? Not a chance.”
“Sophie, that’s too harsh—”
Greta tried to stop her, but it backfired.
Sophie openly glared at Illyana. At that moment, the music stopped, and so did the movement of the crowd.
“Kritia is finished anyway. The Duke will realize that soon enough. And when he does, what do you think that cunning girl will do? Mocking the imperial family has its limits. Just wait—next, she’ll try to force a marriage.”
