MILWTG 87

~Chapter 87~

Mari hurried to explain herself, but Marik lowered his head slightly with an extremely kind expression and replied,

“Because she’s someone worth it?”

“Oh, no. That’s not what I meant.”

“Really?”

“…”

Marik looked at her in silence for a moment, his eyes infinitely gentle.

“I’ve delivered the message, so I’ll be going now.”

Glen, standing beside him, bowed politely to Marik.

‘No, I can’t let him leave like this!’

As Marik turned to go, Mari clutched the hem of her dress nervously.

The young viscount from the Mackie family, the Count of Carencia she saw at the White Count’s estate…

Of all the men she’d seen recently, Marik was by far the best.

She thought he was the kind of man who could truly satisfy her standards.

Feeling urgent, Mari spoke quickly,

“Count!”

“…?”

“As Riden’s friend, wouldn’t it be rude not to offer you tea when you visit the estate? I’d like to serve you some.”

Marik hesitated for a moment, then his lips curved slightly.

“Then shall we?”

Marik stepped into the ducal estate, thinking about Mari Hern whom he had just met.

Her eyes had shown a certain restlessness.

It was the feeling of someone who wanted to monopolize everything for herself—someone who nurtured a snake in her heart that would eventually consume even herself.

‘Why would the young lady… with someone like this…’

Marik recalled a conversation with Samantha.

“She’s a pushover.”

Remembering his mother’s words, he chuckled to himself.

Our pushover is fine, but I can’t watch her get taken advantage of by someone else.

Marik knew Glen had been investigating Lady Mari Hern’s recent activities—and that the investigation wasn’t going well.

“I’ll have to help.”

He continued walking inside, greeted by the household staff.

Leaving the Empress’s private quarters, Riden let out a long breath she hadn’t been able to take due to nerves.

‘It’s already shocking enough to suddenly have a chaperone… but for it to be Her Majesty the Empress?’

Their first meeting was brief—or at least, it felt brief because she was so tense she barely remembered it.

The message was simple: at Duchess Kenwolf’s request, the Empress would be Riden’s chaperone.

‘Wow… I’ll be debuting with the attention of the entire world!’

“….”

But Riden preferred whispers from the background over being the center of attention.

She tapped her cheeks lightly to relax and walked down the palace’s grand hallway.

Now that she had finished the meeting, she had to deliver the item Marik had entrusted to her for Ethan.

At the end of the hallway, a page appeared.

“Excuse me.”

He stopped and bowed politely.

“How may I help you, milady?”

“Could you tell me where the Holy Knights are?”

For a brief moment, an expression of deep annoyance flickered across his face before vanishing.

Riden narrowed her eyes slightly.

‘What was that just now?’

“The main headquarters of the Holy Knights, I assume?”

“Yes.”

He smiled politely.

“Go straight down this hall, then take the large staircase down. You’ll find it next to a small chapel with beautiful stained glass—it should be easy to find.”

As she thanked him and was about to leave, he added,

“The knights’ area is restricted, so you’ll need the gatekeeper’s permission to enter.”

“Yes, thank you.”

He gave a small pump of his fist.

“Good luck.”

‘So that’s what he meant.’

Riden understood his words when she arrived at the Holy Knights’ headquarters.

In front of the garden stood several noble young ladies.

They pretended to pass by by chance, slowly circling the building, each holding an embroidered handkerchief.

It was obvious—they would stare at the windows whenever they opened, then disperse in disappointment when they saw nothing.

Now, all eyes turned to Riden.

Their looks said, You’re here for the same reason, aren’t you?

Riden wanted to shake her head hard, but she was holding a very obvious pink gift box—the one Marik had asked her to deliver to Ethan.

Ugh, please!

‘Count, I already know your younger brother is popular. He’s the male lead, of course he is!’

Was this strategy?

‘Look, Lady Riden McCreary. Ethan Kenwolf is a man many women want—so if you let him slip away now, you’ll regret it!’

Riden eyed the pink box.

‘I’ll just give it to him later.’

She doubted it was anything important—Marik’s tone hadn’t implied urgency.

Though she liked Marik and wanted to do anything he asked, today… she wanted to rebel. She would just go home!

She turned to leave—

“Do you think His Grace will show himself today?”

“I wish I could see him in training… but we can’t…”

The ladies gossiping about Ethan suddenly went silent.

From the third floor of the headquarters came the sound of a window opening.

Ethan appeared, leaning against the frame with a stack of documents.

“Du—!”

One lady started to call out but covered her mouth.

Ethan turned his head, frowning slightly.

‘…Even when he’s frowning, he’s ridiculously handsome.’

It had been a while since Riden last saw him—that night under the full moon.

Now, his serious, work-focused expression was new to her.

While she was staring up at him without realizing it, Ethan’s gaze found her in the crowd.

His expression slowly relaxed into something warmer, as if pleasantly surprised.

And then… he smiled.

“…Gasp.”

The ladies around her whispered in shock—they’d just seen Ethan Kenwolf smile.

“Stanley.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Ethan, unaware of the stir he’d caused, spoke to his aide in the captain’s office.

He knew Riden wasn’t there to see him specifically… but seeing her face made his mood lift.

“Bring her to me.”

The faint smile still lingered on his lips.

The captain’s window closed, and the buzz among the ladies faded.

Riden, however, was caught in an odd feeling.

From the moment their eyes met, her heart had been pounding so loudly she could hear it.

When he smiled, her grip nearly failed, and she almost dropped the gift box.

‘He’s the main character… the most handsome man in the world… so of course…’

It was natural to feel a dopamine rush when seeing something so perfectly crafted.

Anyway, it seemed impossible to get through the crowd to give Ethan the gift. She should just leave—

“His Grace the Duke!”

One young lady shouted.

Following her gaze, Riden saw Ethan vaulting over the wall, his cloak billowing.

Her mouth fell open in disbelief, while the crowd of ladies swarmed toward him.

‘I guess I never realized… the male lead’s daily life is this dynamic.’

Still stunned, she heard a familiar voice.

“Lady McCreary!”

By the slightly open main gate, Stanley peeked out.

“This way, please.”