Chapter – 22
This kind of stimulus was new to him, and Evren gripped Lilian’s hand more firmly.
Should he keep making her talk about what they were about to do?
Maybe he could enjoy this strange feeling a little longer.
“Is this really that fun? It’s not even yours, anyway.”
“The process is a bit tiring, but the effect is immediate.”
“Hmph.”
“It looks nice, and it helps others too.”
He didn’t know… the values this woman was talking about weren’t anything Evren considered remarkable.
Still, he let Lilian guide him to examine the workbench.
Perhaps because it was an environment familiar to her.
Lilian was talking more than he had ever seen her do.
“The princess’s guardian was far more unbearable than I expected. Brainwashing a child? Brainwashing.”
“A method someone might use if they lacked ability and wanted to live as a parasite.”
“He will definitely try to interfere with me. Let him.”
“Come to think of it…”
Evren glanced around the room.
“If we leave it like this, it’ll be easy for thieves to get in.”
The artifacts that required much attention were expensive.
And for royalty, the added ornamental gems weren’t cheap either.
The problem was that this room had been provided by the temple, so its basic security wasn’t very strong.
“We should station more shadows.”
“Hmm…! No.”
Lilian shook her head.
“It’s better for the shadows to leave small gaps. I’ll set up a mousetrap.”
“Mousetrap?”
“Your Highness, could you give me the cores of the remaining monsters? The freshest ones…”
“…”
“Those just caught.”
She asked for the monster cores as if she were picking out fish. They had met because of these monsters, after all.
Still, he handed over the dry, walnut-sized cores without hesitation.
He couldn’t tell what this woman would do.
“This is a Class 1 hazardous material, you know?”
Lilian inhaled sharply.
“Monsters store visual information not in the brain, but in the core. So… like this!”
She pressed the hollowed part of the core with her thumb, which contained a control stone.
Zhiiing…
After a vibrating sound, Evren understood her intention.
He frowned and smiled.
“If I asked how you knew this, you’d say it’s because you’re from Tillard, right?”
Predictable.
But Lilian defied his expectations.
“Hmm… no.”
She smiled brightly.
“I just know because I’m a little crazy.”
The more he talked to her, the more unknowable she became.
How had he ever imprinted on a human like this?
“But, Your Highness…”
“Yes?”
“I’ll need both hands to work now.”
“…”
“…Ah, yes. I suppose the work can wait for thirty minutes.”
“Good decision, young lady.”
Evren tightened his grip on her hand.
What a petty woman, holding someone’s life in her hands.
The next day.
Princess Meliora visited the temporary workshop herself.
“It’s my artifact, so I came to see it.”
“Of course. Please, come in.”
The princess’s attendant following behind wore a serene expression.
Makes sense, they couldn’t hide their tone in front of Lilian.
‘Still clumsy at keeping her identity hidden.’
The princess studied the necklace under repair carefully.
Then, as if testing the waters, she wandered around the workshop.
“The daughter of Tillard.”
“Yes.”
“Why… why are you helping me like this?”
The princess looked anxiously at Lilian from behind her veil.
“You’re clearly more skilled than Iris.”
“I’m honored.”
“But showing skill isn’t what you’re expecting in return, right?”
“…”
“I know that much. People always want something from me.”
Lilian smiled faintly.
Right. Would anyone approach a princess with nothing to gain?
‘It’d be good if she became an external force favorable to me.’
For now, Lilian bowed slightly and whispered.
“Dismiss the count, Your Highness.”
“…!”
“He only intends to use you to increase his estate in the future.”
Iris might help the princess when the story starts.
Thanks to her, the Kingdom of Tenebrin praised her as a “symbol of peace.”
But what would happen to the princess after that?
‘She’d already become the count’s puppet.’
Securing her succession rights would only throw her into a deeper abyss.
At first, the kingdom had high hopes for the talented princess.
‘Even when learning royal studies, she seemed capable.’
But they were disappointed seeing her yield to her guardian.
It didn’t matter what she was told by her guardian.
‘Iris will live well in the empire, but this side will be in trouble.’
The princess bit her lips at Lilian’s words.
It was a natural reaction when something hit close to home.
“The coun… no, he’s necessary to me!”
Yes, denial and anger were natural reactions.
“He’s my guardian, he protects me—”
“From your brother? Preventing assassination attempts? Saving you from a fall?”
“…!”
Her eyes silently asked how Lilian knew.
Lilian cast a discreet glance toward the princess’s attendant.
Judging by the look, she understood.
‘Good, she’ll leak the information.’
The bait was set well.
Lilian calmly studied the now-quiet princess.
“Your Highness, there are times in life when you must make choices in relationships.”
“…”
“I know, it’s easy to say ‘cut ties.’ But even if you intend to do that, actually executing it isn’t simple.”
Starting tomorrow, she won’t trust.
Starting tomorrow, she won’t care.
It’s easy to say, but the heart doesn’t always follow.
“Still, regrets should be as brief as possible. Let the pain be intense but short.”
It may sound preachy, but it’s advice on life.
The princess fell silent, then nodded quietly.
“…I’ll heed it. Come see me again when it’s repaired.”
“Yes.”
But before sending her off, Lilian narrowed her eyes.
‘I have a bad feeling.’
The thing that had blindsided her in life was enough, even just by phytoncides.
‘No, there’s also the villain’s imprint.’
From now on, Lilian could only respond preemptively.
“Your Highness, could you extend your hand for a moment?”
“…?”
Late at night, the shadows gathered, their excitement rising.
“So, the lady played the recording stone for that princess?”
Jeanne centered the conversation, recounting what Lilian had done.
“The part where Iris Tillard threatens to use the lady!”
“Ooh…!”
“Her expression completely changed! That necklace I was working on turned out to be designed by her!”
“Wow!”
The shadows clapped and shook their drinks.
There had been little in their lives to bring them small joys.
Having joy with a master around was already tough…
Margaret leaned against the wall quietly, then slipped out.
Feeling utterly left out.
Once, all the shadows relied on Margaret…
‘Her rank is lower than mine.’
Margaret was an A. Lilian was a B.
‘And she’s fixing a foreign princess’s things?’
The prince’s rampage could be stopped by luck.
But foreign affairs? Isn’t that diplomacy?
‘What if we all get into serious trouble because of Lilian Tillard?’
“Ha… are you part of Miss Tillard’s group?”
“Yes? Yes…”
It was confidential that Lilian was the prince’s fiancée.
Margaret awkwardly just nodded.
Count Joseph deliberately wore a solemn expression.
But inside, he ground his teeth.
‘That damn incompetent woman is seducing the princess?’
