Chapter 06
So much had happened in just a few days. Though the days had passed in a whirlwind, Illyana was grateful even for that.
Meanwhile, even after receiving the one-sided notice of engagement cancellation, her older brother Jeffrey had said nothing.
He was the commander of the royal knight order. At just twenty-three, he had become the youngest commander ever, thanks entirely to his exceptional swordsmanship and leadership. Yet, rumors whispered that it was because he carried the name Critia. Perhaps because of that, Jeffrey devoted himself even more to his duties in the order.
His first leave had come because of Illyana’s accident. As soon as he confirmed she had regained consciousness, Jeffrey returned immediately, finally reaching home only after several days.
For the first time in a long while, the two siblings sat across from each other at the long, vertical dining table. For him, it had only been a few days, but for Illyana, even this brief moment was a source of happiness.
“Not hungry?”
That was Jeffrey’s first remark, feeling the unwavering gaze of his sister. He had paused in scooping up some soup and simply looked at her. Her eyes were pure and clear, filled with worry despite the absence of any wind or disturbance.
“Sorry, I was staring too much,” she said.
Quickly, she lifted her spoon and began eating the clear soup before her. But it had cooled in the meantime.
With a snap of his fingers, Jeffrey called the chef standing behind him. The chef hurried over, took Illyana’s soup, and soon returned with a steaming fresh bowl.
“I’m fine.”
“The more you’re sick, the more you need to eat.”
“Thank you,” Illyana said with a smile at his small gesture. Seeing her bright face, Jeffrey finally began to eat his own portion.
But after a few spoonfuls, Illyana set her spoon down again. When the clinking of dishes stopped, Jeffrey, too, paused. With a look even more pitiful than before, he gently took his sister’s hand.
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.”
“Huh?”
“…About the engagement cancellation.”
Jeffrey opened his mouth with effort. He had wanted to say this many times, but he had worried more than anyone about his sister’s wounded heart, making it hard to speak.
When a sister who had always been happy said she wanted to cancel her engagement, there had to be a reason.
Of course, he already had an inkling of that reason, but until now, Jeffrey had never spoken. He had neither the confidence nor the ability to defy their father.
So he had pretended not to notice. On one hand, he had hoped she would escape this house. Maybe then his burden would be lighter.
“I’ll go see Marquis Piaget. I’ll handle it before Father arrives, so you…”
“Brother.”
“Speak.”
“Don’t.”
“No. I’ve done nothing for you properly. Leave this to me.”
“You’ve already done enough.”
“What have I done? Even if I had done something, it could never outweigh the fact that you saved my life.”
Jeffrey answered with a faint smile. Illyana quietly held his hand in hers. Warmth slowly spread from his fingertips. She understood perfectly what he meant.
Her memories drifted back. That day when she was six had been bright and radiant, just like now. She had wandered the streets, not even realizing she was an orphan. Not always—at first, she hadn’t been alone.
The monastery where she had lived had burned, killing most of the children and the headmistress. From then on, Illyana begged for her survival. One day, climbing the mountains to gather roots for food, she found Jeffrey bitten by a snake.
Having secretly read the books the monks kept, she followed what she had learned and sucked the poison from his wound with her mouth. Thanks to that, Jeffrey survived—and she had narrowly escaped death.
When she opened her eyes, she was not on the cold floor. Lying in a soft bed, a woman gently stroked her head and asked:
“What’s your name?”
“Illyana. People call me Lina.”
“What a beautiful name. Lina, if it’s alright, would you like to come with me?”
She had never seen anyone so beautiful. With dazzling eyes and a flowing ivory dress, the woman seemed like a goddess descended from the heavens.
Enchanted, Illyana nodded. From that moment, she took the name Critia. Her mother, who would embrace her tightly when she had nightmares and tell her she was loved, made those eternal moments feel like a dream.
“Afraid Father will scold you? Don’t worry. I’m here.”
She smiled quietly at him, though he said it firmly, knowing she could do nothing. The responsibility to protect the family, and the faith that sincerity would someday be recognized, kept him rooted in the time when she was a child.
‘He’ll probably stay like this forever.’
A tender-hearted man, incapable of acting. Moreover, in a previous life, he had given his life to protect her instead of the father who abandoned her.
That alone was enough. So now…
“Do nothing.”
I’ll handle everything from now on.
“What are you planning? Are you really going to cancel the engagement?”
“I know my place in this house.”
Jeffrey’s face instantly twisted. Furrowing her brows, she spoke sharply:
“My worth is to elevate the family through my marriage to Cedric.”
“Lina, that’s—”
“But sorry. I can’t marry that bastard.”
Jeffrey’s hand trembled. Those words were hardly fitting for his kind little sister. In that moment, he realized she knew everything.
In a trembling voice, he asked slowly:
“You…heard something?”
“I know that what he loved was not me, but the Critia wealth.”
“….”
“And I know there are many other things he loves besides me.”
Jeffrey could no longer respond. Even knowing it all, this had been all he could do. He had hoped that by stepping out from under their father’s shadow, she could feel some relief. Feeling guilty and helpless, he knew he had to convince her.
Otherwise, his sister, whose worth would vanish, would be abandoned. All he could do was offer her some material help to live alone. Seeing how their mother had worried for Illyana until her last breath, he could not allow even that to fail.
‘I must write to Grandfather.’
He would surely help Illyana.
Having understood her firm resolve, Jeffrey planned to quickly resolve matters before their father arrived. In his fluster, he roughly wiped his mouth with a napkin and rose. But then he stopped at her next words:
“I’m going to attend the social party next week.”
Turning her head, Bessie, who had been standing at the doorway, hurried over and handed a paper with a golden border.
“You don’t have to go. No, don’t go.”
“It’s from the royal family. If I don’t go, will Father leave it be?”
She hadn’t expected an invitation. Consumed by thoughts of her engagement cancellation, she hadn’t noticed. Even if she had, she didn’t expect it to come from the Empress. Usually, in such cases, one would deliberately be excluded.
“You know what this means. They intend to embarrass you.”
“I know. But there’s no way to not go. The rumors that I’m fully recovered have already spread.”
Illyana, reading what Jeffrey might say, quickly continued:
“And my partner is…”
‘I hope you’ll be my partner.’ She immediately pushed the thought of Rian from her mind.
“Please, Brother.”
No matter which choice, only Illyana would bear the consequences. Sighing deeply, Jeffrey finally nodded reluctantly.
The square she hadn’t visited in a long time was just as she remembered. Children ran around, chattering. Young ladies and gentlemen gathered in small groups to gossip. In the center stood the tall clock tower.
Everything was as Illyana remembered. Now that she had decided to attend the social gathering, there was suddenly much to do.
‘Would they complain if I altered it again?’
Jeffrey had offered to buy her a dress, but she refused. The money was from her brother, newly appointed commander—it wasn’t much.
She couldn’t use her father’s money either, not knowing what he might do upon return. Illyana decided to sell the cheapest of the jewels her mother had left her, part of the inheritance set aside as a dowry. Since her father didn’t know about this, he wouldn’t interfere.
Selling all the expensive jewels, however, might alert the jewelers to her father, and he could trace her money, taking her last assets. So she intentionally left Bessie behind in the mansion. Even with caution, if her father found out, she would be the first to be scolded. She didn’t want her punished too.
Pressing the jingling money in her dress pocket, Illyana hurried across the central square. There wasn’t much, but it would suffice for the alterations. Maybe she could even buy a cheap dress.
Carrying a large basket of clothes, she moved quickly through the square.
“Walking fast, aren’t we?”
Startled, she realized Rian had suddenly appeared beside her, nearly brushing her shoulder. She stepped aside slightly.
“Good day, Duke.”
“On your way to get a dress?”
Why did he always notice everything? Seeing the cloth covering her clothes rise slightly, she quickly pressed it down.
“I thought we were done with each other’s business.”
Although her answer didn’t match his question, Rian didn’t mind. He continued forward, pacing slowly, almost matching Illyana’s steps.
“I’ll go with you.”
“I’m fine.”
“To the salon, isn’t it?”
“I fail to see what concern that is of yours, Duke.”
“It is of concern.”
Standing face-to-face, Illyana stopped. So did Rian.
“If you have business this way, go ahead.”
“My business is right here.”
With a playful half-moon smile, Rian pointed at her with one finger. A truly reckless man.
Illyana glared and stepped back. The square was crowded today, leaving barely enough room for one person to pass behind her.
Thump.
Someone pushed her forcefully from behind. She lost her balance, leaning forward.
In that moment, a strong hand caught her shoulder firmly. Blinking in surprise, Illyana looked up. Rian’s amber eyes, calm yet piercing, reflected the light.
“This is why I have no choice but to accompany you.”
