Chapter 37: That Damn Yellow Eyes Again

“Your Majesty? What is it?”

“Lady Seiren is missing from the guest list.”

“Excuse me? Surely….”

Duhan furrowed his brows as he checked the list of invitees.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. It was my oversight for not verifying it thoroughly.”

Duhan bowed deeply in apology, but Ikhar clicked his tongue and stood up from his seat.

The autumn sky was high and clear, and the air entering the palace was crisp and refreshing.

Yet, Reneb couldn’t focus on the words on the page.

‘Maybe I ate a bit too much at lunch today.’

She placed a bookmark between the pages she was reading and yawned quietly.

A short walk might help wake her up. And afterward, she could have some coffee.

As Reneb set the book down on the table and rose from her seat, she froze.

“…!”

Her gaze unintentionally landed on something.

She hoped it wasn’t what she feared.

But it was no illusion—those yellow eyes on her shoulder belonged to the insect.

‘Stay calm, stay calm.’

Reneb repeated the words in her mind like a mantra.

‘I can’t lose my composure over something like this.’

She quickly scanned the surroundings, stiffening her body, unable to sit or stand properly.

‘Shake it off, act normal, just shake it off.’

Just as she took a slow breath and lowered her gaze toward her shoulder…

“Milady?”

A husky voice called from behind her.

Belcain, the Viscount, appeared in Reneb’s line of sight.

“Viscount!”

“What’s the matter?”

Seeing her awkward stance, Belcain asked.

“You came at the perfect time. Do you happen to dislike insects?”

“Insects? Why do you ask… oh.”

Belcain tilted his head, then let out a small gasp as he noticed Reneb’s shoulder.

“I’ll remove it for you.”

“That would be really appreciated.”

Reneb stiffly turned her head, trying to avoid the insect’s yellow eyes.

As Belcain approached, a large shadow fell over her face.

“Then I’ll take it off.”

When he placed his hand on her shoulder, the insect began sliding down toward her chest.

Once again, Reneb met its yellow gaze, her eyes widening to their limit.

Just as she was about to scream…

“Excuse me.”

With a swift motion, Belcain flicked the insect off her dress.

“Are you all right?”

His voice was calm and polite, his soft smile unchanged. Yet, the corners of his mouth trembled as though he was barely holding back a laugh.

Reneb cleared her throat, scratching her neck as she checked herself.

Fortunately, it seemed to have been removed properly.

“…Thank you. And feel free to laugh openly, it’s fine.”

She tried to remain composed, though her face burned with embarrassment.

“There’s no need to be shy. I used to be afraid of insects, too.”

Reneb stared at Belcain, trying to gauge whether he spoke sincerely.

His ears turned slightly red.

“By the way, are you going out?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Since she was about to take a walk, it counted as going out, and she nodded.

“Then come with me.”

Belcain smiled and led the way.

“How have you been? I was worried since I hadn’t seen you in a while.”

“I’ve been holed up in the guest quarters studying Bashker. After all, I’m here to study abroad.”

Reneb believed books were the most efficient way to accumulate knowledge quickly.

“That seems like a suitable way to spend your time.”

Belcain nodded in understanding.

“And how have you been?”

“I’ve been busy attending social events I was invited to.”

He fidgeted with the back of his neck, glancing down.

During this time, building ties with Bashker’s influential nobles would be useful once he returned home, and might even serve as a bridge between the two countries before any potential war.

“That’s impressive.”

Reneb’s words widened Belcain’s blue eyes.

“What do you mean by that?”

“In fact, both you and the princess are among the most powerful figures in your country. People like you aren’t easily seen.”

It was true.

If they were in their homeland, they wouldn’t be dragged around like this.

In other words, Bashker’s nobles and both of them were fully aware of their positions.

Hostages.

“Then, is that why you’ve avoided attending social events?”

“No. I have no pride in the Paradium Empire.”

Reneb shook her head as if disgusted.

She had long given up on the Paradium royal family.

In any case, Lucius would soon become emperor.

Why should she play the role of messenger between two nations for his sake?

“I just want to learn what’s better than Paradium and return.”

Belcain seemed genuinely surprised.

“Maybe I should stay in more and spend time accumulating knowledge as well…”

He paused mid-sentence.

“Wait a moment, milady.”

His gaze landed near Reneb’s collarbone.

Why now?

Reneb’s eyes dropped instinctively, and she stiffened.

Yellow eyes!

That damn yellow eyes again.

Ikhar, realizing Reneb’s name was missing from the tea party guest list, hurried to her quarters.

“She was reading here just a moment ago. Where could she have gone…?”

Kieren, noticing her absence, stamped his foot anxiously.

‘She didn’t go to a tea party she wasn’t invited to, did she?’

Still, Ikhar made his way toward the garden where the tea party was in full swing.

“…?”

Ikhar’s long legs suddenly stopped.

In the distance, someone was standing.

Even from behind, he recognized Reneb and quickened his pace.

But she wasn’t alone. Belcain was with her.

Then Belcain’s face tilted toward Reneb.

“Kya!”

Reneb let out a small scream.

At the same time, Ikhar’s face twisted.

He recalled the moment when the Paradium prince had forcibly kissed Reneb under the Seiren Viscount’s roof.

No way.

Though he didn’t particularly dislike Belcain, Ikhar never thought him shameless.

Still, one can never predict a man’s actions, and Belcain was a young man full of vitality, like Ikhar.

Previously, it had seemed Belcain had feelings for Reneb.

As Ikhar rushed toward them, half losing his composure, he threw a punch at Belcain.

Smack!

Ikhar’s solid fist cut through the crisp autumn air and landed squarely on Belcain’s face.

Belcain narrowed his eyes as he saw a yellow object on Lady Seiren’s dress.

“Wait a moment, milady.”

At first, he thought it was an insect, but on closer inspection, it was a leaf.

Before he could speak, Reneb let out a small scream.

“Kya!”

“It’s fine. It’s not an insect…”

Before Belcain could finish, the emperor of Bashker struck suddenly, his fist flying through the air.

“Ugh!”

It felt like his jaw had shattered.

The dull pain shook his brain, and he gritted his teeth.

Instinctively, he turned to retaliate—but Reneb, arms spread wide, stepped between him and the emperor.

Her slender arms trembled, but her legs were firmly planted.

“Your Ma-Majesty! How rude to suddenly attack someone!”

“Ikhar, step aside.”

Ikhar warned in a low voice, but Reneb refused.

“I-I can’t.”

Ikhar glared at Belcain with a terrifying look, though he didn’t seem intent on attacking again.

Sensing his hesitation, Reneb turned her body.

“Are you all right, Viscount? Let me see…”

Reneb inspected Belcain’s face with concern.

Seeing her worried expression, the anger he had felt from being struck by the emperor slowly subsided, despite nearly causing a diplomatic incident.

Reneb gently held his jaw, checking the wound carefully.

“Oh no! Your cheek is already swollen. It might bruise.”

“Ugh… it hurts.”

Belcain’s groan made Reneb frown.

“What should I do…”

“Stop whining.”

Ikhar muttered dismissively.

Belcain’s blue eyes, previously calmed by Reneb’s attention, flared up again.

“Your Majesty! Where in the world is it acceptable to beat someone suddenly?”

Reneb spun to face Ikhar sharply.

“Who said anyone beat anyone?”

Ikhar growled in reply.

Belcain closed his eyes, still holding his stinging cheek.

Reneb’s protection felt reassuring, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of being a child scolded by a parent after being hit by a friend.

She wasn’t someone meant to be protected.

“You two… stop it.”

Finally, Reneb, with a troubled look, turned to Belcain.

Belcain stepped forward, shielding her behind his back.

“I need to know why you hit me.”

Ikhar’s forehead veins bulged as he watched.

“What?”

“No matter if he is the emperor, he has no right to strike an innocent person. Unless he’s a tyrant.”

Belcain’s confident assertion drew a sarcastic retort from Ikhar.

“Innocent?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“Then what was that scream just now?”

Ikhar asked with a menacing look.