IHRM 26

Chapter 26

Comrades and Friends

Harris, having completely opened her heart in the meantime, continued her sharp criticism of Shainel even in front of Ellea.

“People say Lady Shainel is the kind of noblewoman others should emulate, but I never felt that way. I saw how she hides her true self behind that facade and manipulates others to fulfill her ambitions.”

Harris spoke candidly about what she had seen and felt about Shainel. And soon, that honesty turned into curiosity toward Ellea.

“But I am curious. Why do you distance yourself from Lady Shainel yet trust me, someone you’ve just met today?”

“Well, maybe it’s because I saw the same things you did, Lady Harris.”

If Ellea had known nothing, she might have thought Harris was just jealous. But Ellea did know. What Harris had noticed was the undeniable truth.

Relieved to find someone who shared her thoughts, Harris began to speak more frankly about her own situation.

“After Lady Shainel sensed that I disliked her, all the noblewomen who used to be friendly with me started avoiding me. I’m sure it was all according to her plans. That’s why it means so much to have someone take my side like this.”

Ellea felt a flood of emotions as she looked at Harris’s expression.

‘She must’ve gone through a lot.’

To have all the people she trusted suddenly turn their backs on her and end up alone… even if she didn’t show it, it must’ve been incredibly painful.

“I’m new here too, and everything felt unfamiliar, so I’m really grateful that you approached me first.”

“We only spoke briefly, but I felt like you and I would get along well. So, would you like to be close friends? Just call me Harris, casually.”

With that, Harris held out her hand to Ellea.

Seeing her so open and honest about her feelings, Ellea smiled and took her hand.

For the first time since coming here, it felt like she had made a friend.

“Then call me Ellea too. I like you as well.”

“I knew it! I like people who are straightforward like you. Oh, by the way—this is random, but… are you already acquainted with His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Not particularly. Why do you ask?”

Hearing Ellea say she didn’t know Terban well didn’t match the impression Harris got earlier, so she tilted her head in puzzlement.

“When I saw you dancing together earlier, it didn’t look like you were strangers. Actually, it was the first time I saw His Majesty make that kind of expression—other than with Lady Shainel.”

“Really? I didn’t notice anything.”

Ellea had thought she was just having a casual conversation, so she never imagined how others might interpret it.

Everything had happened so suddenly, and she had been so focused on dancing that she hadn’t had the presence of mind to notice her surroundings.

After getting to know Ellea better, Harris felt relieved they weren’t already close. That was because the look on Shainel’s face while watching Ellea and Terban had not been pleasant.

“Ellea, I’m sure you’ve heard about His Majesty and Lady Shainel’s relationship…”

“I have. Thank you for your concern. And I don’t plan to just sit quietly, either.”

“Good. I guess I was worried for nothing.”

Even with just that brief exchange, Ellea understood what Harris had been worrying about—that getting close to Terban would put a target on her back.

Of course, she didn’t expect that to happen, but even if Shainel did go that far, Ellea had no intention of backing down quietly.

“Well, then, let’s meet again later.”

With that, Harris left with a cheerful farewell and disappeared into the crowd.

Though Ellea had been a bit worried since Harris was a marquess’s daughter, all that doubt faded. She really did like her. Especially her disregard for Ellea’s status as a princess.

‘She seems like a good person.’

Now left alone again, Ellea looked around the ballroom with a much lighter heart than before.

And then she spotted Shainel, who was now talking with Terban.

Ellea was watching absentmindedly when suddenly their eyes met.

It was as if he had sensed her gaze. His blue eyes locked onto her even from afar, and Ellea, stunned for a moment, quickly turned her head.

‘How did he know?’

She calmed her startled heart and looked back—but Terban had already resumed his conversation with Shainel.

“It must’ve been a coincidence.”

“Your Highness.”

Startled by the voice calling out to her, she turned to find Bandel standing before her.

Seeing Bandel in the ballroom made Ellea unexpectedly glad, and she greeted him.

“Sir Bandel. Shouldn’t you be by His Majesty’s side? Especially in such a crowded place, extra caution is…”

She was unconsciously speaking to him like she was giving orders. She stopped mid-sentence when she heard his faint laugh.

“What is it?”

“You speak like… like you’re my superior, Your Highness.”

“Me?”

It was only then that Ellea realized she’d instinctively acted like her old self.

‘I saw him in uniform and just…’

“I’m sorry. It’s just… I was reminded of my father, and it slipped out.”

She quickly used her father as an excuse to smooth things over. Fortunately, Bandel didn’t seem too bothered.

In fact, like last time, he could feel how deeply she cared about Zebrenica and her family.

“It’s only natural for Your Highness. Besides, my comrades are currently guarding His Majesty, so there’s no need to worry. I just came because I noticed you were standing alone.”

He had seen Ellea by herself and, concerned something might be wrong, had come over.

Realizing that he had come out of concern for her, Ellea smiled and reassured him.

“It’s nothing serious. I just don’t know anyone here. But I’m okay now—I’ve made a new friend.”

“Then I’m glad to hear it.”

As Ellea looked at Bandel, her gaze fixed on a small badge on his chest.

‘That’s…’

Seeing her silently staring, Bandel looked down and noticed her eyes were on his badge.

“Oh, I don’t think you saw this last time when I came to escort you. This badge.”

The blue badge was something Ellea knew all too well. Because—

“This badge marks the commander of the Imperial Guard, His Majesty’s personal knights. His Majesty granted me this title after I escorted Your Highness.”

“I see.”

That badge had once belonged to her. It had been her pride, and the moment she pinned it to her chest was still vivid in her memory.

‘So now you wear it.’

Though she had expected it, she felt a quiet relief that the badge had gone to Bandel.

Because it was a position that required guarding the emperor at his side, and she trusted Bandel to handle it better than anyone.

Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, Bandel brought up Ellea—or rather, “El”—as if unaware of her identity. Yet Ellea didn’t feel any discomfort.

“Actually, the person named El used to be the commander before me. I’ve succeeded them.”

Even though it should have been a happy moment, Ellea noticed that Bandel didn’t seem pleased. She forgot, even for a moment, that she was supposed to keep her distance.

“Are you not happy? It’s an honorable position.”

“That person meant a lot to me, so I wasn’t happy at first. And once I stood in this place, I realized just how heavy this badge truly is. It scared me, and I started worrying about what El would think.”

Ellea understood exactly how he felt. She had gone through the same thing.

She knew all too well the crushing weight of that position.

And since she had left so suddenly, she imagined her successor must’ve felt even more pressure.

The only thing Ellea could offer him now was words of comfort.

Words she had once wanted to say as El—but now, even like this, she wanted to say them.

“Don’t worry.”

Her soft voice made Bandel look up at her.

“El would believe in you, Sir Bandel. And you worked hard to get here. That time and effort doesn’t just disappear—it remains with you.”

For some reason, Bandel felt comforted by her words. It felt like El was speaking to him. He even thought, If she were still alive, she’d say this.

“I’m probably not the one to say this, having barely met you.”

“No, thank you for saying that. I must’ve caught you off guard with this sudden talk.”

“Hold your head high, Sir Bandel. His Majesty chose you because he believes in your ability—as the one and only knight to stand at his side.”

Hearing her sincere words, Bandel felt something stir in his heart.

He knew better than anyone what this position meant, and if he didn’t hold himself together, he feared he’d cry.

“Sir Bandel?”

She called him when he stood there silently. Startled, he fumbled out a response.

“Ah, no—it’s nothing. I’ll take my leave now. Please enjoy your evening.”

Like someone running from something, he quickly left. Ellea could only watch, not knowing why.

(continued in next message due to length)

(Chapter 26: Comrades and Friends — continued)

After Ellea was left alone again, it wasn’t long before a group of people came rushing over as if they had been waiting for Bandel to leave.

And, predictably, they began rattling off the usual empty chatter—introducing their families, their businesses, their supposed achievements.

But in the end, what they all wanted was clear: to form some kind of connection with Zebrenica.

“I figured this would happen.”

At first, Ellea smiled and engaged in conversation like a proper princess. But as it went on endlessly, she began to feel drained.

They only saw her status, only approached her for their own gain. It felt suffocating.

“If you have time, please visit our estate.”

“Our family has recently acquired some exceptional goods…”

“I would be honored if—”

It seemed it would never stop. So Ellea firmly cut them off.

“I think I need to get some fresh air in the garden. I’ve been inside too long—it’s getting a bit stifling.”

Leaving their disappointed expressions behind, she swiftly walked toward the entrance.

And as she did, beyond the crowd that begged for her attention, there were two pairs of eyes following her quietly from afar.