IHRM 47

Chapter 47

 I Will Choose Misunderstanding Instead

Ella looked around the room, and when she saw everyone clamping their mouths shut, she let out a laugh instead.

“Why can’t anyone say anything? Was my question really that difficult?”

“It wasn’t rude at all. We were simply curious and asked…”

“If this situation isn’t rude, then what is? So, if I were to report what happened today directly to His Majesty, there would be no problem, correct?”

At that, even the young lady who had been trying to argue fell silent. As if she had expected this, Ella continued.

“After regaining my health, I started training my body. Since then, I’ve been close to the knights, receiving much help from them.”

She wasn’t outright lying. During her time in Zebenica, she had indeed kept a fairly close relationship with the knights.

“That’s why I went to visit Sir Vandel—with his permission beforehand. I wanted to see the knight order. Of course, I won’t say I had no intentions at all.”

Her calm words brought another heavy silence. Finally, turning her gaze to Shenil, Ella added:

“But I didn’t know Lady Shenil thought of it that way. Honestly, it makes me feel as though I’m forced to explain myself, which I don’t find pleasant.”

When Ella made clear her displeasure, the other ladies began sneaking uneasy glances at each other.

And when the arrow was aimed at her, Shenil hastily waved her hands.

“No, no. I was only flustered because the other ladies brought it up, that’s all. I had no such intention. I only meant to thank you. Isn’t that right, everyone?”

At her prompting, the others quickly nodded. They had nothing to gain from escalating this further.

“Of course.”

“Absolutely.”

But they had left out the most important thing. Ella’s tone grew sharp.

“Then shouldn’t an apology come first in this situation?”

“We’re sorry, Your Highness.”

“We’ll be more careful so this won’t happen again.”

“I’ll accept your apologies. But I expect never to hear such talk again. I don’t want this to spread in Zebenica and become a scandal. Though, of course, that will depend on circumstances.”

Ella used her title as princess without hesitation, firing the warning at them. As expected, the young ladies bowed their heads quickly.

But Shenil wasn’t ready to retreat so easily.

“I didn’t know you had been training like that in Zebenica, Your Highness. Truly impressive.”

“After recovering, every day has felt new, so I’ve been more mindful of myself.”

Like a hyena pouncing on every word, Shenil leaned forward, her tone feigning admiration.

“Hearing you say that only makes me more curious about the skills you’ve been training in.”

At that suggestion, Ella’s hand froze for an instant.

She looked across at Shenil, who was still smiling just as before. But the implication was obvious—

If she was so interested in the knights, surely she ought to prove herself somehow.

So that’s how you want to play it.

Harris, looking indignant, stepped in to defend Ella.

“She already said her body only just recovered! Right now—”

Ella quietly reached for Harris’s hand beneath the table, stopping her.

That touch silenced Harris, and when their eyes met, Ella gave her a reassuring smile.

“Of course. Everything I’ve said is true. I’d welcome a chance someday to show it—so this matter never comes up again.”

“I’ll look forward to that day as well, Your Highness. I can’t wait.”

Their gazes clashed, filled with different kinds of anticipation. Neither was willing to look away first.

The conversation moved on to other topics, and thankfully the gathering ended in a harmonious mood.

Ella reluctantly parted ways with Harris.

“It was really good to see you today, Ella.”

“Me too. And thank you so much—for taking my side.”

“Of course. But wasn’t it ridiculous? Pretending innocence on the surface while slyly cornering you. I honestly wanted to overturn the whole tea table. Are you really alright?”

Harris still looked furious at the ladies’ behavior. How could they make such absurd accusations?

“I’m fine. I half-expected this, so don’t worry. Next time, I’ll invite you to the palace. Just the two of us.”

They promised to meet again, and Harris’s carriage rolled away.

After the other ladies had left, Ella was also about to return when a voice called her from behind.

“Your Highness.”

Shenil approached carefully, her expression demure.

“I think I may have said too much earlier. I was just overly excited… Please forget it.”

But Ella could feel the mockery hidden in those words.

It was obvious: If you swallow your pride and back down now, I’ll let this slide.

Of course, Shenil had never believed a word Ella said.

Ridiculous. As if you could ever do such things. Even that training you claim—surely all lies.

Seeing her openly scornful expression only hardened Ella’s resolve.

“No. Don’t forget, Lady Shenil. Don’t forget any of the words you spoke today. I certainly won’t.”

“But still—”

“Oh, I had something to ask you too. I couldn’t say it in front of the others.”

“…What is it?”

“What were you so afraid of?”

Ella’s cold gaze pierced her. Unconsciously, Shenil took a step back.

But Ella stepped closer, pressing her with words like a weight.

“Everyone here knows your position. So what were you so afraid of that you had to say such things?”

As long as you’re by His Majesty’s side, none of this means anything. So what are you so scared of?

Shenil suddenly felt bound, unable to move.

What is this feeling?

And why, at this moment, did Elle’s words from before echo in her head?

Desperate to escape, Shenil abruptly collapsed to the floor as though fainting.

“What on earth—”

Ella could only gape at the sudden fall.

She reached out, but someone else had already rushed in to hold Shenil.

“Shenil!”

“Terban?”

Somehow, Terban had arrived. He supported Shenil, quickly checking her condition.

“Are you alright? What happened?”

“Her Highness… must have misunderstood something. I just panicked, that’s all.”

At that, Terban turned his head toward Ella. His eyes were colder than she had ever seen.

Ella was startled for a moment, but then quickly calmed.

That look was familiar to her—and she could already imagine what he was thinking.

Shenil collapsed on the ground, frightened, while Ella stood looming over her.

Obvious what it looks like, isn’t it.

Ella was certain Shenil had orchestrated this.

After making sure Shenil was unharmed, Terban turned to her.

“What exactly is the meaning of this?”

So it comes to this after all.

Shenil tried to soothe him quickly.

“No, Terban. It was my mistake toward Her Highness…”

“Mistake or not, you could’ve been hurt. You must always be careful.”

He spoke gently to Shenil, then looked back at Ella. But Ella did not avert her eyes.

She had done nothing wrong—she had nothing to hide.

“Why are you silent, Princess? I think this situation calls for an explanation.”

At his tone and gaze, Ella decided not to bother.

To explain now would only make her sound like the guilty one. Besides…

“Would Your Majesty even believe me if I did?”

When he failed to answer, Ella laughed faintly—as though she had expected this.

And without looking away, she spoke clearly.

“I don’t think you would. So what meaning would my words even have here?”

“Princess Ella.”

Terban’s voice was low, but she remained unshaken.

“If that is how it is, then I will choose to be misunderstood instead. I don’t care what you think of me. I’ll take my leave now. For the details, ask Lady Shenil.”

With that, she bowed and turned away without hesitation.

Even Shenil hadn’t expected Ella to confront Terban like this, and she was shaken.

It was Terban who moved first.

“Wait here.”

“Terban!”

Shenil called after him desperately, but he was already following Ella, leaving her behind.

Ella kept walking straight ahead until a strong pull turned her around.

There stood Terban, emotions running higher than before.

But she simply glanced at the hand gripping her wrist and asked calmly:

“Do you have more to say to me, Your Majesty?”

“What kind of insolence was that?”

His grip was so tight it hurt, yet Ella answered evenly, word for word as before.

“For details, ask Lady Shenil. I have nothing further to say.”

“This is not Zebenica, this is Lubein. And Shenil—”

Seeing him about to speak for Shenil, Ella could no longer maintain her composure. Her voice rose.

“Did you just call me insolent?”

Her sharp tone stopped him cold.

“Insolence was what you showed, Your Majesty. Instead of asking what had happened, you judged as if I were already at fault. If you had asked first, perhaps…”

Perhaps my answer would have been different.

The thought made her heart ache. Maybe she had hoped—hoped that even if Shenil slandered her, Terban would at least not doubt her. If he had, maybe she would have gladly told him the truth.

She needed to say this now, clearly, before the emperor.

“I suppose my quiet conduct has made you forget, Your Majesty. I am a Princess of the Zebenica Empire. Any insult against me is no different than an insult against Zebenica itself. No one is exempt.”

At those words, his grip weakened. Ella pulled free and walked away.

This time, Terban did not follow.

No—he couldn’t. Because in that brief moment, he had seen something too clearly in her eyes.

Resentment.

“…Why… do you look at me like that?”

Ella, sensing he wasn’t coming after her, stopped. She looked down at her wrist where he had gripped her.

The skin was already red and bruised.

She wrapped her other hand over it, stood silently for a moment, and then continued walking.