#52:
As soon as Roni left the barracks, Biana glared at Freddy with a piercing look. Seeing her openly displeased expression, Freddy let out a low sigh inwardly.
“Please make it quick.”
The moment Freddy sat down, Biana spoke coldly. She clearly wanted this meeting to end as soon as possible.
In truth, Freddy hadn’t come with any particular business. He was merely curious about how she was doing and had come under the pretense of delivering something.
He had already heard through the knights that Biana had been visiting the Armis family since leaving the palace.
By chance, he had even seen Allen during that time. He already knew Biana had an interest in him, though unfortunately, her relationship with her fiancé seemed good.
Freddy glanced at the direction Roni had disappeared and spoke.
“Why are you trying to help them? Didn’t you like Sir Allen?”
“Are you investigating me now?”
Biana shot him a tired look. He hadn’t paid her any attention while she was in the palace. Even though he knew the Empress tormented her, he had pretended not to notice. Now suddenly taking interest in her felt unpleasant.
Though her mother was different, Biana had wanted to get along with her siblings. That’s why she had approached him freely. But all that came back was the Empress’s schemes and Freddy’s indifference. If she could go back, she wouldn’t associate with him.
“Do you still resent me?”
“Of course not. You mean nothing to me.”
Freddy gave a bitter smile at her firm words. He wondered how their relationship had gotten so tangled. No, he actually knew exactly when it had started—but he had neglected to untangle it himself.
Freddy took a small box from his pocket and handed it to Biana. She frowned as she looked at its contents.
“Give this to the Queen. It’s holy water to restore her vitality.”
“…Are you joking with me?”
“Wasn’t it necessary? I already knew you were looking for this. It was hard to obtain, so don’t refuse it.”
“Why are you acting like this all of a sudden? Do you still have plans to use me?”
“…I’ve never used you.”
Biana glared at him. The idea that he had never used her struck her as laughable.
She fiddled with the box. Though she disliked Freddy, she really needed the holy water. With it, her mother’s condition might improve.
Recently, the Queen had been losing strength and often losing consciousness. The doctors said it was an unexplained illness and suggested purifying the evil energy.
Biana, suspecting that the Empress had something to do with her mother’s condition, wasn’t exactly pleased with him offering the holy water. She felt like he might already know.
“Does my mother’s illness have anything to do with the Empress?”
“I know what you’re thinking, but absolutely not. I guarantee it.”
“What reason do I have to believe you?”
“It’s really not the case. You must also know that the Empress’s power has already been greatly reduced.”
Freddy let out a deep sigh, revealing his frustration. Even outside the palace, it was obvious that his relationship with the Empress had soured.
“If I misunderstood, I apologize. I’ll make good use of the holy water.”
Seeing Biana accept it willingly, Freddy stood up, ready to leave. Since she was uncomfortable, he intended to disappear from the room. Before leaving completely, he added:
“Biana, I know it’s presumptuous, but give up on Sir Allen. He’s more sly than you think.”
“…Really presumptuous advice. Goodbye.”
Biana’s expression showed her annoyance at Freddy’s words, and he felt slightly embarrassed, thinking she had probably already rejected him.
Scratching his head as he left the barracks, he wondered if his last words had been unnecessary.
As Ian said, Roni had gone to bed early. Even after some time had passed, no insect noises could be heard.
Just when she thought she’d been tricked by Ian, she heard the quiet sound of a window opening and sensed someone’s presence.
Roni squinted, intending to see who it was, but then quickly shut her eyes in surprise. Sitting on the window was Allen.
‘What? Why is Allen here? Should I get up?’
Her heart raced at his sudden visit. Trying not to let him know she was awake, she turned her face away.
Even with her eyes closed, she felt Allen suddenly take her right hand. His careful touch felt awkward, making her body tremble slightly.
Then, something soft touched the back of her hand, followed by a moist sensation that drew in her skin deeply.
It felt similar to the kiss Allen had given her palm in the past, and Roni couldn’t hold back any longer.
“W-what are you doing!”
Their eyes met, and Allen smiled at her.
‘So he already knew I was awake.’
Roni pulled her hand back. The back of her hand had already turned red.
‘So it was you, the “insect.”’
Only then did she understand Ian’s question and blushed deeply. She hadn’t expected Allen to sneak in every night to do such mischievous things. They had kept their distance until now.
It was also her first time seeing a kiss mark. No wonder Ian had asked about her romantic experience. Roni glared at Allen, her face bright red.
“How rude! You didn’t even ask my consent!”
“You kissed me without my consent too, Roni.”
“What?”
Allen said it so confidently that she had no idea what he meant.
‘Did I ever kiss him? No way.’
She had no memory of such a kiss. Even if it had happened, it would have been Allen’s choice, not hers.
Seeing Roni flustered, Allen started speaking out of nowhere.
“You like pink.”
“What?”
“You want to be as innocent as Biana.”
Roni was utterly confused. Strangely, his words felt familiar, and suddenly a forgotten memory flashed in her mind. It seemed like she had said the lines herself.
“!!”
Roni, shocked as she recalled something she had forgotten while drunk, realized Allen was mimicking her words.
“Do you know how suffocating this feels?”
“W-wait, stop it, Allen.”
“Why are you trying to seduce someone like this?”
Allen repeated the line she had said that day and moved closer, looking very pleased with himself. It annoyed her.
Roni tried to lean back, but he closed the distance again.
“Acting like you don’t remember even though you do.”
“I-I…”
“It’s cruel. It was my first kiss, you know.”
“What are you talking about! I never did that.”
Roni shouted in protest but already felt flustered. She buried her face in her hands in despair.
‘Crazy. Kim Sohee. What have you done?’
Unable to face him, Allen held her hands down and whispered sweetly:
“If you don’t remember, shall we try again?”
“What?”
“Now, you definitely can’t say you don’t remember.”
At the suggestion of another kiss, Roni’s eyes went wide. Allen’s gaze was intense, filled with genuine desire.
His violet eyes deepened, the longing within unmistakable. It felt sincere.
If she allowed it, he would have kissed her immediately. Roni murmured, avoiding his gaze:
“I-it was a mistake.”
“Then can I make a mistake too?”
“No!”
She pushed him away as he approached, his voice even more captivating than usual. She almost wanted to agree.
In this room, it was just Allen and her, and it was nighttime. Two young people alone at night was a dangerous situation.
She didn’t understand why her heart was racing. Gripping her chest in distress, she felt Allen grasp her hands firmly.
“Look at me, Roni.”
Unable to refuse, Roni met his gaze. His serious, earnest eyes made her heart flutter.
She couldn’t look away. As she gazed at him, Allen breathed heavily and said:
“I like you.”
Her heart stopped at his confession. She hesitated, stunned by his words. His intense gaze softened, now looking at her lovingly.
A very sweet smile accompanied it. Somehow, it seemed a little bittersweet, as if he already knew her answer—but he couldn’t stop.
Once again, he spoke sincerely:
“So stay by my side. From now on, always.”
