Chapter 18
“First off, Lianus.”
Cartia chose to calm Lianus down first.
“I get that you’re upset—well, actually, I don’t understand at all—but for now, could you step aside? Jerban and the young lord of House Ivia came to apologize to me.”
“Apologize?”
Lianus’s well-defined brows furrowed.
Even with that scowl, he still looked annoyingly handsome. Despite being just a boy, his looks were more than enough to make anyone fall for him—assuming they weren’t too obsessed with clinging to life like she was.
“Yup. So, for the sake of the Imperial Knights and House Ivia’s honor, could you step outside for a moment? Wouldn’t it look a bit undignified to be apologizing in front of a young heir from House Tristan?”
Kaian, displeased once again by something in her words, glared at Cartia.
Now that she thought about it, Kaian too looked striking even when frowning. Despite his young age, there was a certain chill in his gaze and a cool demeanor that hinted at the man he would become.
At this point, Cartia considered just leaving the two boys be—she could simply enjoy the view while they sulked.
Was she really weak to good-looking faces?
“Understood. I’ll wait outside then.”
Lianus offered Jerban a polite bow before stepping back.
Watching him leave with slight regret, Cartia suddenly noticed that Lianus had never once acknowledged Kaian.
“Hmm. Young lord of Ivia, did you do something to offend Lianus?”
As soon as Lianus exited, she asked Kaian directly, making him frown again.
At this rate, he’d develop permanent wrinkles.
“I’ve never interacted with the young heir personally.”
“Oh? But he seems to dislike you.”
“I couldn’t care less whether he does or not. He’s not the only one who does…”
“So you’ve got a bad personality, huh?”
That was strange. The Kaian she remembered was always dependable and gentle. Sure, he’d been a bit rebellious as a child, but he had matured with age and was popular among noble ladies.
“Anyway, back to what we were saying earlier.”
Cartia turned to Jerban.
Even if she were to accept his apology, it didn’t look like it’d be that simple. She thought for a moment, then clapped her fist into her palm with a bright idea.
“Let’s do this. Jerban, if you really are sorry, do me a favor. And Lord Kaian, you’ll apologize to me properly.”
Jerban nodded solemnly and turned his stern gaze to Kaian.
Kaian hesitantly took a step forward, clearly reluctant, and couldn’t bring himself to speak. As Jerban’s expression grew darker, Cartia finally broke the silence before another scolding could happen.
“Because of your actions, your oh-so-respected father and Duke Ivia bowed their heads to me. Surely you have thoughts about that. If you can’t take responsibility for your actions, the least you can do is apologize.”
“But…!”
Kaian started to protest, face flushed with frustration, but stopped himself. Though still young and hot-blooded, it was commendable that he had enough restraint to hold back.
She found it heartwarming to see this side of Kaian—back in her first life, he had always been impressive and dignified. It was strange to witness his earlier, messier self.
“I know. My attitude toward the duke was rude, and that’s why you’re angry.”
Kaian’s eyes widened.
Was he really that surprised she understood? Most people would be furious if someone acted like her, fully aware of how wrong they were.
“But listen, young lord. I’m the sole heir to the Vastid Empire. And I’m living on borrowed time.”
Jerban’s face crumpled. Kaian looked stunned.
“So since I could die any day, I’m going to live as I please. I was born into the highest rank, so I’ll look down on everything from the top. Since I can’t dream of the future, I’ll do whatever I want right now.”
A lie. There was no one more desperate to live than her.
She wanted to live—live and love those dear to her, cherish her life and her future.
But she couldn’t explain all that, and she refused to let Kaian grow attached to her.
“And right now, I expect an apology from you. Otherwise, I might just treat the Duke and Jerban even worse.”
She was saying, Hate me. I’m a reckless, arrogant person. It was her way of protecting him.
Because no matter how much Kaian might come to hate her, she would still love him.
“Your Highness…”
Jerban tried to intervene, but Cartia raised a hand to stop him.
After a pause, Kaian finally managed to speak.
“…I apologize.”
“For what?”
“For being disrespectful to Your Highness…”
His eyes were red with frustration. But his sealed lips and lowered gaze told her that her plan had worked.
“I trust you’ll reflect on it. You may go now, young lord of Ivia.”
That was it.
Kaian gave a slight bow and stormed out.
Jerban started to say something about his continued rudeness, but Cartia stopped him.
“Save your family scolding for outside, will you?”
She meant, Why do you keep reprimanding him in front of me? Give the boy some dignity.
“I apologize for what you had to witness. Kaian isn’t normally like that…”
Jerban bowed repeatedly, clearly distressed.
“Never mind that. If you really feel bad, then grant me the favor I mentioned.”
“Please, name it. If it’s something I can do, I’ll see it done.”
“Lift the ban on me entering the palace. Convince my father.”
Jerban’s face showed clear discomfort.
Even as the Commander of the Imperial Knights, that was a tall order.
She wasn’t expecting much—just that he’d try.
“…I’ll do my best to persuade His Majesty.”
His face was now set with steely resolve.
Hopefully he wouldn’t get himself killed doing it. Surely the Emperor wouldn’t go that far… right?
“Good. I believe in you.”
Cartia gave him a sweet smile, swinging her feet lightly.
Just as Kaian stepped out of the room and began to walk away, he locked eyes with Lianus.
There was a subtle wariness in Lianus’s gaze.
Lianus Tristan.
He had heard the name before and had once seen him at an event he’d been dragged to by his mother, Minail.
They’d barely exchanged greetings, having no interest in each other.
So why was Lianus looking at him like that?
Not that Kaian cared much. He was about to walk away when—
“What exactly did you come here to apologize for?”
Kaian’s brows furrowed.
“What’s it to you?”
His tone was rough, stripped of all courtesy.
Lianus’s expression darkened.
“Did you speak to the princess in that same manner?”
“Hah. You sound like you’re my superior.”
“Seems like no one ever taught Lord Ivia some manners.”
Kaian, his temper flaring, raised a hand toward Lianus—
“Young lords.”
The knights guarding Cartia’s door stepped in between them.
“This is the royal palace. Please maintain decorum.”
Kaian looked at the knights blocking him.
They were all from the Imperial Knights.
Not just any knights—those under Jerban’s command. They were likely intervening before the son of their commander made things worse.
Knowing that, Kaian gritted his teeth and forced himself to calm down.
“I apologize for the rudeness, young lord.”
Lianus spoke first, but his eyes betrayed no remorse.
That only infuriated Kaian further, and he stormed off with heavy steps.
Everything had pissed him off today.
Any time Cartia was involved, nothing ever went right.
Her childish tone, those emotionless eyes, her carefully chosen heavy words. The sudden hostility from Lianus. His grandfather and father, who doted on the princess.
“So since I could die any day, I’m going to live as I please. I was born into the highest rank, so I’ll look down on everything from the top. Since I can’t dream of the future, I’ll do whatever I want right now.”
Her words, as if she didn’t expect a tomorrow, clenched at his chest like someone had grabbed it tight.
Kaian’s quickening steps soon turned into a full sprint.
He didn’t even know the layout of the royal palace—but he couldn’t bear the suffocating feeling inside and had to run.
