Actually, I could go straight to the mansion if I wanted to. However, fearing the consequences ahead, I rejected Liliana’s offer to take me home.
‘At this rate, the mansion will be turned upside down.’
I didn’t like that. If that happened, I would have at least three bodyguards following me, and I might be grounded for a while.
I know I was being shameless. I washed up in Liliana’s room and waited for her.
“Is the baron going to be okay?”
“Fortunately, he has no serious injuries.”
Surprised when I heard an answer to my mutterings, I quickly turned my head. Liliana smiled at me as she came into the room.
“The Baron is resting now after contacting the duchy.”
Well, it must have been quite a shock. It wasn’t enough that I was attacked by assailants, so I was even chased by monsters.
I took a sip of the tea Liliana handed me. As I drank the hot tea, my body, which had been stiff, became relaxed.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I will treat your remaining wounds now.”
Liliana reached out and stroked my cheek gently. The warm energy that touched my skin spread to my cheeks.
“My Lady, how are you feeling?”
“I was attacked. I cut myself lightly in the process, but I didn’t know that I’d even encounter monsters.”
“That mountain has long been known for having many monsters, but it’s a relief that only one came out.”
I sighed at Liliana’s bright smile. I didn’t know whether to say I was lucky or bad.
In the meantime, Liliana, who had finished tending to my wound, reached out to my damp head. After a while, a warm wind blew over my head.
Her soft hand stroking my head and the warm breeze blowing made my body relax.
“You know, Lilliana. You said that before. His Highness and you will never be together.”
Liliana’s face in the mirror distorted mercilessly just thinking about the situation at the time.
“Yes. Never. And just in case you misunderstand what happened at the coming-of-age ceremony, everything I talked to His highness was about you. Don’t get me wrong.”
Liliana desperately clarified as if not wanting to be misunderstood.
“I know.”
It was something anyone could tell after a little thought. The two of them hated each other so much, so why was I so sure that the two would be together?
It was my mistake of blindly looking at the original work even though the plot had derailed.
And I didn’t even notice it.
“I know everything.”
“You finally found out.”
Liliana, who was quick-witted, understood what I was saying. I asked, looking at the face that was looking at me calmly.
“Did you know from the beginning? That His Highness has imprinted on me.”
“Yes.”
The answer came straight away, without any hesitation.
I see, so there was no chance for their relationship from the beginning.
It was already irreversible.
“I was the only one who didn’t know.”
Thinking how I foolishly tried to match them, my cheeks became flushed. Liliana, who misunderstood me, smiled lightly like a butterfly.
“Looks like there’s some progress between you two.”
“What?”
“The air around you has definitely changed.”
What are you talking about? As I cooled my heated cheeks, I bit my tongue at the automatically replayed memory. Sihael’s confession that he likes me, the time when he announced he had imprinted on me, and the kiss on the forehead…
I couldn’t bear to lift my face at the onslaught of memories. I squeezed both of my burning cheeks and loosened my stiff neck.
“There is no such thing. I just found out.”
“But His Highness doesn’t seem to have completely let go of you.”
“What?”
“He just contacted the Mage Tower. He has asked us to take good care of the lady.”
… Does he really know where I have gone?
He did say he could find me even if I ran away, but I thought he was just saying casually. If I run away from him, would he be chasing me even if I’m in hell?
If it was Sihael, he would still be there.
“He’s so obsessed with keeping an eye on you wherever you go. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“But I don’t feel bad…”
Involuntarily responding to Liliana’s half-serious, half-joking remark, I slapped my flushed cheeks with both hands.
‘Come to your senses. That’s not what’s important right now!’
I showed four petals to Liliana, who was surprised by my sudden slap on the cheek.
“Hey, Liliana. I want to see Miss Kariya while I’m here, but it must be too late, right?”
“Let me ask her.”
Liliana, who became serious with the sudden change of tattoo, hurried away.
Liliana, who told me to wait for a moment, returned shortly after.
“She said it’s all right. Let’s go.”
I was guided to Kariya’s room by Liliana.
Unlike at the banquet, her eyes were clear, perhaps because she hadn’t drunk today. I felt a heavy sense of intimidation in the eyes that were staring at me clearly.
“Is there something you want to ask?”
After answering with a small nod, I rolled up the hem of my sleeve and showed Kariya the tattoo.
“Do you know what this is?”
Kariya’s eyes widened slightly as she grabbed my wrist, but she quickly returned to her place.
“It is an ancient magic. It’s from a defense class. Where did you find this?”
“In the mountains, I got it by accident.”
Her hands, caressing my wrist and my tattoo, were cautious. A faint smile hung on her lips, as if she knew quite a bit about this tattoo.
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