Chapter 66
[Warning!
Character identities are being shaken!
One of the main characters is suspicious of you.]
A rotten smile almost escaped me.
Could it really be because of the shell?
A shell?
Was that really it?
No matter what I said—or didn’t say—Kalzen’s face twisted slightly as he spoke.
It seemed that this man, who liked Hilaria, had confessed before and waited all this time, wanted to show off that he knew her best in this very moment.
“Rotten… no. Even if you don’t get along with the head of the magicians, such expressions are embarrassing for the listener, Your Majesty.”
I saw sparks of energy crackling around Kaithis.
Surely all the Awakened had witnessed it.
So they were probably sending Kalzen a silent “Shut your mouth and just eat your meal” look.
Yes, I was feeling the same.
Kaithis asked mischievously with his eyes glowing blue:
“So… Kalzen, do you think the Duke has changed?”
My heart dropped.
Why is the conversation going this way again?
I looked at Kaithis with narrowed eyes.
A man who had his gaze on me, asking a question to Kalzen.
What exactly… does he want to know…?
Everything became uneasy.
‘This is maddening.’
As I remained silent, Kaithis shifted his gaze toward Kalzen.
Perhaps sensing the awkward atmosphere, Kalzen’s expression became ambiguous.
I forced myself to stare firmly.
“Please, no unnecessary words. Someone’s heart is on the line here, alright?”
“My lord, it seems the Duke’s tastes have changed since you last observed him. How many years have passed since you left here?”
“…Our head of the family probably struggled with life in the capital.”
Apparently, Kalzen wasn’t quick on the uptake, because his voice grew even more polite.
He also switched to addressing me as “Head of the Family.”
Alright, that was acceptable.
But the Emperor was persistent.
“Does the Duke’s personality seem the same to you? He’s known to speak coldly even to me. I wonder if that was the same in the past.”
“He doesn’t give his attention easily.”
“…I see, that part is the same? I wonder if it was like that in childhood too.”
“People’s personalities don’t change that easily.”
[Warning!
Character identities are being shaken!]
I pretended to focus on my spoon and chewed the food.
Louis, perhaps the quickest to notice things in the room, grabbed my sleeve and shook it as if sensing something was wrong.
No, it’s fine.
I shook my head at the child.
I broke the flow of the endless conversation that seemed directed at me.
“Your Majesty.”
The icy gaze turned toward me.
“Stop showing unnecessary interest.”
I scanned those watching me, sending a warning glare to Kalzen as well for drawing the Emperor’s attention.
“Now, let’s just eat.”
Luckily, perhaps my desperate look had some effect.
“….”
A dark silence followed.
Yet my heart was far from calm.
That dark man wouldn’t let this pass easily.
His suspicion had turned into certainty.
Kaithis was still unsure whether what he saw at the Gate was really me.
“Hilaria!”
I quickly ran toward my room in the Duke’s castle but stopped in the middle of the hallway.
Thankfully, the magicians following me hadn’t noticed my foul mood.
There was one person who hadn’t been so perceptive.
“Hilaria, wait!”
I turned around, and Kalzen came running, gasping.
How do I get rid of him?
“Kalzen.”
“Wa… wait. I want to talk.”
“What is it?”
“Uh… haah.”
He brushed his sweat-soaked hair back and looked at me cautiously, almost nervously.
“I’m sorry about earlier.”
“For what?”
“You’re angry now. I must have made a mistake.”
Though awkward, I softened slightly as I saw the affection in his eyes.
A serious gaze that seemed to say he wouldn’t get angry no matter what I said made my tension loosen.
‘Hilaria… you’ve had someone who loves you.’
In all my past lives, it was strange to have someone love me.
I envied Hilaria a little, and that made the man in front of me feel even more irritating.
I am not her.
“Why did you behave like that in front of the Emperor?” I demanded.
Kalzen’s eyes trembled slightly.
He answered carefully:
“I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to anger you. It’s just… it’s been so long. You’ve changed so much since I last saw you…”
He probably meant my dress.
‘Why is everyone so interested in my clothes? Someone might think Hilaria is the female protagonist.’
I sighed.
I noticed he flinched slightly but said nothing.
Kalzen added while watching my reaction:
“I was jealous. You and His Majesty seemed too close. He seemed to show interest only in you. Is there any other reason? Could it be that he—”
“Tch.”
What nonsense.
Feeling jealous because the Duke and the Emperor look close in broad daylight?
I laughed coldly.
“There’s nothing more ridiculous than that.”
His handsome face twisted in a mix of indignation and disbelief.
“It’s not ridiculous! You may not notice, but the way His Majesty looks at you is clearly… like a man toward a woman.”
“Kalzen.”
“….”
I fixed my coldest expression on the man who had closed his mouth.
“I don’t even remember what you and I were like before.”
“Hilaria!”
“I warn you.”
I stomped my foot.
“Stay on topic.”
“Hi… Hilaria.”
“And that name.”
The man widened his eyes in shock.
“You dare call the Duke by his name? Do you think I am simply your childhood friend? Who do you think I am?”
“I…”
“You are tarnishing my honor. Is that what you want?”
“…!”
I revealed my teeth, letting the cold warning words fly naturally despite my racing heart.
“No! That can’t be it.”
“Then clearly separate business from personal matters. You still think I’m the former noble girl without a title?”
“…I…”
His handsome face clouded, making it painfully obvious how people can be tormented by someone’s expression.
“I’m sorry.”
I narrowed my eyes, and Kalzen spoke with a sad expression:
“…I was wrong. Yes, I know. I’ve made many mistakes. Calling you by your name in front of everyone, undermining your dignity… I just… I didn’t like the version of you I didn’t know.”
He bowed his head, as if trying to say more.
“I apologize, Head of the Family.”
“….”
“I crossed the line. I forgot my position as a representative of the estate and was rude in front of outsiders.”
Seeing him act thoroughly as a subordinate, conscience-pricked as it was, it was better than showing a clumsy side to others.
“Good.”
“….”
“From now on, be careful. Until the Imperial guests leave, clearly separate business from personal matters. Understood?”
“Yes, understood… then, have a pleasant evening.”
“….”
After Kalzen bowed and left, his gaze lingering with regret, I turned and walked back the way I came.
At the end of the corridor, I rounded a corner and reached a pillar, taking a deep breath.
‘Here he was.’
In the empty space, I waved my hand.
The air was icy.
‘As expected.’
Kaithis, the man, had been here until just a moment ago.
‘Why?’
The cold air, the flow…
It was definitely his energy.
When did the chapters open!??