Chapter 30
El studied him carefully. Suspicious, rough in manner, and the way he reacted just because she happened to overhear something… he had to be a soldier.
So she asked.
At her question, Randol’s expression shifted in a strange way.
A noblewoman—attending his party—yet she didn’t know who he was?
Then she was either a countryside noble lady who didn’t recognize the Crown Prince’s face…
Or a very convincing assassin.
“I work at the palace. It’s been quite a while.”
“I see. Then… I’ll be on my way.”
Still searching for her shoes beneath her skirt, El hurried to slip them on. She dipped a quick curtsey and tried to escape.
But Randol had no intention of letting her go.
He’d said she wasn’t a spy, but he didn’t believe his own words. For all he knew, she was acting.
“May I ask your name?”
“My… name?”
“I am Amethyst Gore, Viscount of the Gore family. And you are, my lady?”
El froze.
The name Moora might have fallen, but the family itself was still noble. If someone looked for it, they could find something.
If Kalen learned she had attended this party, she’d be in real trouble.
Her palms grew damp, and she clasped her hands together.
“I’m… Laura.”
She said it without thinking.
Her mother’s name.
Too late to take it back—Randol smiled and repeated it softly.
“Laura. A lovely name. Lady Laura, what family are you from?”
“Well… it’s, um… from a faraway countryside village. A family so humble you wouldn’t know it even if I told you.”
In other words: I don’t want to tell you.
A family name could be discovered sooner or later. He would eventually know whether she was a girl obsessed with Duke Kalen Elias, a foreign spy, or perhaps an assassin someone sent.
“You must like Duke Elias very much.”
“What—me?”
Her voice shot up without control. Randol gave her an odd look, so she panicked and spoke even louder:
“Yes! Of course! I like him very much—truly, very much!”
“Hmm. I can see that. Coming all the way from some tiny rural village to Kienariton couldn’t have been easy.”
“It really wasn’t easy.”
Her sigh sounded so sincere that Randol actually hesitated.
Her dress and jewelry were far too expensive for a humble countryside lady.
Yet her way of speaking was too casual to belong to a refined highborn noblewoman.
And earlier, when she danced—she moved like someone perfectly trained.
What is her true identity?
She might really be a spy.
Randol decided he needed to investigate her further.
“Then shall I introduce you to Duke Elias?”
“What?”
“If you only stare from afar, the busy—no, the oblivious—Duke Elias will never notice you. You should at least greet—”
“No! No, that’s fine!”
“You came such a long way. It’d be a waste to leave without—”
“I’m staying in the capital for a while! I can meet him later. Yes. I’ll… wait for the right moment and greet him myself.”
The words spilled out of her mouth before she could think.
She just needed to get away—now.
“I’m very shy. I’m not prepared yet. Please, just pretend none of this happened.”
“Duke Elias is not an easy man.”
“I know. That’s why I watch from far away.”
“Like a stalker.”
“No—! That’s not—!”
How had she gone from a secret admirer to a criminal so quickly?
“Even if you just greet him once—”
“No. Duke Elias is an impenetrable wall. A single greeting won’t change anything. Please just go about your business. Please.”
The more they talked, the more amusing she became.
If she truly liked Kalen, would she reject a perfect chance to meet him?
Her expression looked more like someone desperate to escape.
“Very well. I won’t insist.”
“Phew… Thank you.”
“Then shall we talk about compensation for your injury?”
“Injury? C-compensation?”
“Even if it was a misunderstanding, I did injure your wrist and neck. I can’t deny that. Naturally, I must compensate you.”
His gaze dropped to her neck.
Earlier it had been fully exposed, but now a ribbon covered it.
He knew a bruise was forming where he’d pressed her throat.
Feeling his stare, El quickly covered her neck.
“No, no—there’s no need. The bruise will fade in a few days. Don’t worry about it.”
She just wanted to leave.
The moment he disappeared, she would go straight home.
She had seen Kalen dance with the princess—that alone completed her mission tonight.
But Randol was relentless.
Every step she took back, he took forward.
“As a gentleman, I cannot ignore this. I will visit the place you’re staying and deliver compensation personally.”
“You’ll… come see me?”
“Yes.”
El nearly fainted.
She had to escape this.
Please, somebody—anybody—show up so I can run!
“Where are you staying?”
“Well, the place I’m staying is… Ah! A mouse!”
“What?”
“There! It ran that way!”
Randol immediately looked down at the floor, squinting in the moonlight.
Nothing was visible.
While his attention was on the ground, El spun around.
This was her chance—the chance.
But fate was cruel.
Her shout attracted someone else.
A man approached, sword drawn.
“Who goes there?”
El froze. Randol answered first.
“Barrett Ross, Viscount.”
Barrett Ross?
Oh no.
Even Barrett Ross was here.
Avoiding Kalen wasn’t enough—Barrett would surely recognize her if she wasn’t careful.
El mentally hit herself for her pathetic lack of information.
“Who…? Oh, Ran—”
“Barrett, my friend! Hahaha! Bored with the party as well, I see!”
Before Barrett could say his real name, Randol quickly strode toward him and slung an arm around his shoulder. He whispered in Barrett’s ear:
“Do not reveal my identity to the lady. I am Amethyst Gore right now.”
“But—”
“You had something to tell me?”
“What?”
Randol nearly groaned. Barrett was so rigid and oblivious that he feared the man would accidentally expose the truth.
“What did you need to tell me?”
Barrett finally caught on when Randol practically blinked a message into his skull.
Ah—so he had intruded on something secret.
“A-ah… Duke Kalen Elias asked me—no, asked Viscount Amethyst Gore—no, asked the viscount… to look for you.”
“I see. Duke Elias is looking for me.”
Listening from behind, El’s knees almost buckled.
Thank goodness Barrett didn’t recognize her.
Randol decided it was safest to leave before anything else went wrong.
“It seems I must go. Duke Elias awaits.”
“Yes, you should! Please, go quickly!”
“And about your compensation—”
“It’s truly fine. Just a little soreness. I’ll take care of it myself. Really, please don’t worry.”
El forced a smile, praying he would leave.
“Very well. I hope to see you again.”
“Goodbye!”
She bowed quickly, almost pushing him away with her enthusiasm.
Fortunately, Randol walked off with Barrett without further discussion.
Once the two disappeared, El collapsed onto a bench.
“Haah… Humans shouldn’t have to suffer like this. I’m going home. Immediately.”
With trembling legs, she headed toward where her carriage waited.
***
Kalen had already finished dancing with Ruena.
As Leo approached Ruena, Kalen looked around him subtly.
But Leo was alone.
Noticing his gaze, Leo asked,
“Are you looking for someone, Your Grace?”
“No.”
He answered curtly, his expression returning to its usual unreadable calm.
“I was searching for the Crown Prince.”
Leo chuckled softly.
“Well, His Highness doesn’t care for parties.”
Then Randol approached them.
“Where have you been?”
“Oh, just saw an interesting rose.”
“An interesting rose?”
“I’ll explain later. Baron Leo Healy, enjoying the party?”
Randol smoothly changed the subject.
“Quite well, thanks to you. And it seems you and Duke Elias are enjoying yourselves too. Even dancing, I see.”
Leo’s words held thorns.
Kalen met his gaze, expression blank and cold.
