Chapter 72
“Stop right there.”
Before Julius’s hand could even reach me, a cold, calm voice cut between us.
At the moment I recognized the cynically twisted tone, someone pulled me back.
Everything about the touch felt familiar, yet I deliberately lifted my head to look at the man who had pulled me.
“…Ethan?”
Ethan, who had left saying he had something to discuss with Theodor, was now back by my side.
“When… did you get here?”
But Ethan didn’t answer my call.
Suppressed by his silence, I quietly looked up at him.
He wore a rare expression of genuine anger.
“This is as far as I’ll be lenient.”
“… …”
“You should know that the only reason I’m restraining myself now is because Yunis harbors feelings for His Highness.”
The grip of Ethan’s hand around mine tightened.
As he said, it seemed he was suppressing his emotions—a rather frustrating sort of restraint.
Unable to speak, I gently held his hand back.
At that moment, Ethan flinched awkwardly.
I worried I had provoked him unnecessarily, but he remained silent, simply holding my hand.
I didn’t pull away, choosing to wait.
‘…I can’t let him lose control in front of Julius.’
It was a promise I had made to Ethan.
So that was why.
Ethan held my hand and stepped closer toward Julius.
It was as if he was blocking Julius’s gaze from reaching me.
“This is problematic, Your Highness.”
“Hm. Problematic, you say?”
“You crossed the line after I was lenient because my fiancée has a gentle nature.”
As Ethan’s cynical warning fell, I instinctively glanced at Julius.
No matter how easygoing he was, I wondered if Julius might cower before Ethan this time…
“Oh? Crossing the line, you say. Intriguing words.”
…My worries instantly felt pointless.
To my dismay, Julius laughed at Ethan as if nothing was wrong.
‘Judging by that, Julius doesn’t seem completely sane either.’
I wasn’t exactly treating Ethan casually, but I wasn’t at the level to boldly provoke him and mess with his mind like Julius.
“…Hah.”
Ethan sighed heavily, as if thinking the same.
In response, Julius took a step toward Ethan.
Unlike Ethan, who wasn’t startled by the sudden move, I visibly flinched.
“What a shame. If I knew the Duke would be lenient, I might not have restrained myself.”
“…Do you consider that a joke?”
“Not at all. Who would dare take the words of Duke Clovis as a joke?”
…?
As their conversation paused, I tilted my head.
‘Why are they looking at me?’
Both of them were staring at me simultaneously.
And just moments ago, their eyes had been fierce—but now, as if in unison, their gazes were annoyingly sharp.
“…Why are you looking at me?”
“Because I think that remarkable person is here.”
“For once, we’re on the same page, Crown Prince.”
…They’re teasing me, definitely.
Seeing Ethan’s infuriating expression, I was certain of it.
I pouted slightly, intending to glare at Ethan… but then I turned my head.
‘…I have no idea what he might do if I anger him.’
So instead, I decided to glare at the slightly more approachable Julius.
But it seemed that my attempt to avoid provoking Ethan backfired.
“Ugh, what the—!”
Just as I glared at Julius fiercely in my own way, Ethan pulled me closer.
“Who are you looking at, Yunis?”
“…?”
“Someone else catching your eye instead of me?”
“…Why are you saying that line?”
I looked at him in confusion, expecting an explanation, but the furious “mad dog” ignored me.
He leaned in close, whispering so only I could hear.
“You keep looking at him like that, and that bastard might make a move without realizing it.”
“…Is that an introduction?”
“What?”
“Ah, nothing.”
Clearly, it was Ethan making advances that were more intense than anyone else.
I couldn’t bring myself to say that to him, so I just peeked at him nervously.
‘…Someone save me.’
Even as I endured Ethan’s overwhelming presence, I felt subtle eyes watching us from the side, and it was driving me crazy.
“Ah, ah?!”
Just as I felt like a shrimp caught between warring whales, someone grabbed my wrist.
Ethan relaxed, letting go of me at the sudden touch.
“If you’re going to fight, Yunis, let’s leave you out of it.”
The usually irritating voice felt surprisingly reassuring today.
“…Theodor?”
I called out in confusion, and he gave a faint, relaxed smile.
“You’ve been acting strangely lately, Yunis. What happened to the skill that could take down the mages of the Tower and manipulate the Tower Master?”
“Pardon?”
“Why just watch this frustrating situation instead of acting?”
…Wow, he’s strong.
I had momentarily forgotten there was someone here just as unhinged as Ethan and Julius.
The two of them were seriously confronting each other, yet Theodor openly called it frustrating.
I lacked the courage to clap in front of them, so I awkwardly laughed.
Thanks to Theodor’s quick thinking, we could escape this uncomfortable situation.
It was nice to see him acting competent for once.
“Tsk. Looks like I’ll have to scold you this time, Yunis.”
“Eh?”
But that thought didn’t last long.
Theodor suddenly grabbed my hands in both of his.
Strong magical energy flowed from his hands, warming me deeply.
“See? Your red mana is surging again. I told you to be careful.”
“….”
“Even your fiancée just watched as you got into this state, huh?”
…Well, I guess I should be grateful.
I had intended to praise Theodor, but paused.
‘It was my fault for feeling safe with three of the most insane people in this world.’
Two crazies were staring at me, and now Theodor openly spoke dangerous words.
I frowned at him, then glanced at Ethan.
‘He looks really irritated.’
Ethan seemed to immediately understand who Theodor was targeting.
And Julius was staring at me with an intrigued expression.
In other words… it was a dangerous situation in every sense.
‘Theodor, please be aware.’
I looked at Theodor desperately, but he lightly ignored my gaze.
“I warned you, Yunis. Don’t approach strong mana. It could get even more dangerous.”
As soon as his voice cooled the air, everyone—including Ethan and Julius—fell silent.
Who was he speaking to?
Ethan, who nearly consumed me with his mana?
Julius, who immediately noticed I was in danger because of the mana?
Either way, it was dangerous to reveal anything here.
I tightened my grip on Theodor’s hands and looked up at him.
“Relax your body. You could get hurt.”
“…Yes.”
The usually carefree Theodor looked serious, and I couldn’t defy him.
Whether he knew it or not, Theodor calmly let his mana flow into me.
As it circulated through my body, I felt lighter.
It seemed Ethan’s mana surge had been real.
Once Theodor finished channeling his mana, he released my hands without hesitation.
“Now, it’s best if the unwanted guest leaves. Come with me, Crown Prince.”
Theodor guided Julius away naturally.
Even sly Julius didn’t resist, though he looked a little troubled.
“Ah, I was just getting started, but if the Tower Master says so, I have no choice.”
Julius whispered past me as he moved according to Theodor’s plan.
“Next time, I’ll escort you more discreetly, my lady.”
For a fleeting moment, his voice sounded dangerously close.
I forced a calm expression and simply watched Theodor lead Julius away.
Once they were gone, I glanced at Ethan.
He wasn’t paying attention to their departure at all, focused solely on me.
From his intense gaze, it seemed he expected me to submit without resistance.
“Um… so…”
“Speak plainly. Don’t stall.”
Ethan, who had been silent, responded instantly to my voice.
“What… did you talk about with Theodor? It seemed to take quite a while.”
“Well… what do you think we talked about?”
Ethan’s tone, flipping the question back at me, was sharp.
If I said the wrong thing, I’d be the one in danger.
I answered with a shaky, awkward voice.
“I… don’t think it was anything good.”
“You know me well. That damn intuition of yours… why is it only effective in places like this?”
“…Ahaha. It’d be nice if you were a little less perceptive sometimes, right?”
I tried to soothe Ethan’s irritation, but he remained unmoved.
He frowned, pressing his face closer, driving me crazy.
“Why do you make such a scary face?”
“I don’t like it.”
“Don’t like what…?”
Ethan raised my chin with elegant fingers, forcing me to meet his intense gaze.
“Brought these damn flies to the Tower because they annoyed me, yet the Tower isn’t all that safe either.”
“Flies… Are you talking about the Crown Prince?”
Ethan didn’t answer, but I immediately understood his meaning.
Instead, he gently tapped my head so it wouldn’t hurt.
“You’re sharp where it’s useless.”
“Is that a compliment or an insult?”
“Up to you to decide.”
Yeah, definitely an insult.
I accepted that and focused on soothing the irritable Ethan.
“Ethan, are you upset?”
“….”
Though he said nothing, I instinctively understood.
“…Why are you upset?”
When I persistently asked without backing down, Ethan let out a low sigh.
Reaching the limit of my patience, I pressed my lips together.
I had to soothe our mad dog gently.
“You’re unusually perceptive today. Have you been pretending not to notice usually?”
“….”
“Is it my fault for being fooled by those sparkling eyes, pretending not to know anything? Huh?”
“…Ah, really! I can’t take it anymore!”
I immediately abandoned my attempt to soothe him.
His annoying voice scratched at my patience, and I couldn’t endure it.
Smack.
I lightly struck Ethan’s hand and grabbed his broad shoulders rather roughly.
Instead of pushing me away, he calmly watched me.
That relaxed attitude made me even more annoyed.
“Say what you mean! Don’t beat around the bush!”
“Really?”
“Huh?!”
“You seem confident. Acting so brazenly.”
“…?”
Ethan noticed my confusion and lifted one corner of his mouth coldly.
“Hah. I thought you were clueless, but you were pretending and running away all along.”
“Huh?”
“You even know how to defy me slyly.”
“No, that’s not it…”
I had only reacted instinctively in the moment, but in his mind, it seemed I was already grabbing his collar.
Before I could calm him, he spoke first.
“Yes, I’m upset.”
“….”
“Because that Tower Master brat was completely right.”
“…What?”
Did I hear that correctly?
Instead of raging, he openly admitted Theodor was right?
I looked at him in disbelief, but he continued without concern.
“I’m upset because of you.”
“….”
“I’m upset.”
