Chapter 08
At those words, Iana was genuinely taken aback.
Have I met Erez before?
No matter how hard she racked her brain, all that remained in her memory was Erez as an adult. This was the first time she had met him as a boy.
Moreover, Erez had an expression that looked deeply upset and regretful.
As if he had been waiting to see Iana again.
“I-I’m sorry… Have we met before…?”
At her reply, Erez grew even more dejected. He was completely different from when they had faced each other in the dungeon.
“I met Lady Iana at Lord Ibex’s birthday celebration last year.”
Erez said “last year,” but for Iana, it was a memory from over a decade ago.
The birthday celebration… She had indeed attended. But she had spoken with so many people back then — at least several dozen. It seemed Erez had been among those dozens.
“I’m sorry, Sir Erez…”
Iana apologized in a small voice. Seeing that, Erez seemed flustered.
“N-No, there were so many people that day. It’s only natural you don’t remember.”
He spoke hurriedly, as if trying to soothe Iana. Erez nervously bit his lip and stole glances at her.
His cheeks and the back of his neck were flushed red. Anyone could see he was clearly shy. For a moment, Iana was speechless.
Surely this guy doesn’t have feelings for me.
No matter how she looked at it, the boy before her was simply lovestruck. Perhaps he was just exceptionally shy.
But he remembered Iana. Even though they had only exchanged a few words.
At the very least, it seemed obvious that Erez harbored some favor toward Iana. It was quite disconcerting to see the man who would later try to kill her acting like this.
Still, this was an opportunity.
I might be able to use this.
There were times when a knight or general cut off the enemy commander’s head, but there were also times when the one who took that head was his wife. It wasn’t unheard of for an undefeated legendary hero to end up dead in his bed.
The more cards, the better.
Seeing Erez’s reaction, Iana put on a look of apparent deep emotion.
“Thank you so much for saying that. I’ve heard a lot about your character, Sir Erez — that you’re truly kind.”
“Really? You have?”
Erez was beside himself with joy. Who knew that iron-masked man could have such a wide range of expressions?
“Yes. I’ve often been told that you take after Lord Ansgar — benevolent and brave. I’ve wanted to meet you, so it’s an honor to see you like this.”
Hearing the words coming from her own tongue, Iana smiled. It struck her as funny how accomplished she had become at lying.
Benevolent and brave? Words like ‘cowardly’ and ‘deceitful’ suited Ansgar far better.
“I-I’m the one… After the birthday celebration, I wanted to see you again, Lady Iana…”
Watching Erez blush and beam with joy at her lies, she felt a strange churn in her stomach.
The boy before her now was just a lovesick youth. A boy who didn’t know that Iana was after his father’s head.
But the tingling sensation soon evaporated. Even now, Ansgar was probably plotting how to wipe out the Rihaf family.
“Um, I… Lady Iana.”
Erez struggled to open his mouth. His face was so flushed that the blue lobelia behind him looked red by comparison.
“If you don’t mind… Next week, when I go hunting, I’d like to invite you—”
“Lady Iana.”
A familiar voice came from behind. A low, quiet voice. Iana turned around. Diapel was standing under the camphor tree in the garden.
The tree’s shadow fell over Diapel. Perhaps it was because he stood in the shade. Although it was a clear, cloudless day, he somehow gave off a gloomy impression. Then Diapel smiled faintly, and the sense of pressure vanished.
“I’m sorry for interrupting your conversation.”
Diapel bowed his head in apology. Iana shot him a sharp glance.
Did he come to watch?
Erez had been just about to say something important. Of all times, he had to interfere.
She felt like cursing him out, but held back. In front of Erez, she had to play the role of a sweet, lovable girl.
“I was in the middle of talking with Sir Erez.”
Her tone was slightly sulky. With her lips pressed together and her glare fixed on Diapel, Iana looked quite adorable, like an angry rabbit. Seeing her like that, Erez quickly interjected.
“I-I can talk anytime!”
“But…”
Iana looked up at Erez with a dejected expression, as if regretful. Erez’s face instantly burned crimson.
How ridiculous. To think I’d ever see Erez like this.
She felt so incredulous she could have laughed out loud. Iana hid her feelings and bowed her head toward Erez.
“I’m sorry, Sir Erez. My guard was rude.”
“It’s alright, Lady Iana.”
Erez smiled brightly. Then he glanced back at Diapel. His voice had turned cool.
“You are Lady Iana’s guard?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“What business do you have?”
The shy boy from a moment ago was gone. A composed man now stood before Diapel.
“You had been gone a long time, so I came to find you. Lady Pleita has arrived at the banquet hall…”
Iana wanted to send Diapel away and continue talking with Erez, but with Pleita here, it was impossible. Erez seemed to have the same thought.
“I’ve been keeping you from my sister’s guest. I’m sorry, Lady Iana.”
He put on a somewhat apologetic expression. He also seemed genuinely regretful.
“Not at all. I enjoyed talking with you, Sir Erez.”
“I was heading to the banquet hall as well. Shall we go together?”
Iana smiled brightly, as if delighted. Soon, the three of them entered the banquet hall.
The atmosphere was even livelier than when Iana had left, thanks to a woman at the center of attention.
Her name was Pleita Rosell. The eldest daughter of House Rosell. A woman like a dazzling, haughty rose. Her red dress suited her image perfectly.
“Oh, Lady Iana. And Erez as well.”
At Pleita’s words, everyone simultaneously turned to look at Iana. Iana politely greeted her.
“Lady Pleita. It’s an honor to receive your invitation. I apologize for being away so long.”
“It was my fault for detaining Lady Iana. I’m sorry, sister.”
Erez said hastily. Pleita silently observed the two. For a moment, her gaze seemed to darken.
This woman, unlike Erez, seems just the same as in my past life.
After Iana became regent, she had once coincidentally encountered Pleita at a social gathering.
She hadn’t forgotten Pleita’s startled expression when she saw her. She had radiated hostility toward Iana.
What was it Pleita had said back then? When they were alone, Pleita had whispered in Iana’s ear:
“I thought you were dead, but you’ve been hiding well? Spreading your legs for that imbecile to survive. If I were you, I’d have killed myself.”
Iana had promptly slapped her across the face. That day, the social gathering turned into chaos, and Iana’s reputation worsened even further.
Even now, Pleita was smiling elegantly, but there was venom in it. She brushed back her beautifully crafted, enamel-like hair.
“I see. I do hope my brother hasn’t been too much of a nuisance.”
Pleita smiled sweetly. Iana smiled back.
“Not at all. Thanks to Sir Erez, I had a lovely time.”
“That’s good to hear. By the way, Lady Iana. I’ve heard the news of your engagement to Mel Ibex.”
At that, the surrounding women let out little gasps of admiration. The engagement had happened only recently, so the news hadn’t spread far. By tomorrow, all of high society would know.
“Congratulations on your engagement. When will the wedding be?”
“Nothing has been decided yet. Thank you for your congratulations, Lady Pleita.”
Iana smiled brightly, as if truly grateful. Everyone, including the two women, had smiles on their lips.
In the midst of this harmonious atmosphere, the only composed ones were Diapel, and the only visibly unsettled was Erez.
Pleita glanced once at her younger brother and then didn’t speak to him further. Then, as if struck by an idea, she turned to Iana.
“Ah, come to think of it, we haven’t set a date for the next party. How would you like to host it, Lady Iana?”
At that, the other women gasped again, this time with envy. For Pleita, the queen of high society, to propose that someone host — it was a great honor.
In her past life, Iana had received the same offer. She had been so overjoyed she could barely contain herself, on the verge of tears.
Now, she was still smiling, but her feelings were different. Iana sensed danger.
What is she up to?
The attack on the Rihaf mansion had occurred a week after the party. It was possible that someone had snuck in during the party.
If that really is the case, then Pleita likely knew about the attack as well.
And yet, seeing her smile so brazenly, Iana couldn’t help but feel furious.
But Iana smiled. Just as in her past life, with a face full of thrilled joy.
“What? May I really invite everyone?”
“Of course. If you invite me, I would be delighted to attend.”
“I’m so happy! You must come, Lady Pleita!”
Pleita nodded. Iana, her cheeks flushed pink, also encouraged the other women to come. Watching this, Pleita gave a light, “Hmph,” and smiled.
“I have to step away for a moment. There’s someone I haven’t yet greeted.”
“Of course. Don’t mind us.”
Pleita trailed her blood-red dress and left. Iana silently watched her go.
Stupid bitch. You think you’re playing with me right now.
As Iana swallowed her laughter, Erez approached her side. His voice was far weaker than before.
“You’re… engaged.”
Erez spoke with a complicated expression. Iana gave him a bitter smile.
“Yes. It’s recent. I didn’t expect Lady Pleita to know already.”
The boy was silent for a long time. Then, perhaps feeling the eyes around them, he quickly composed his expression.
“Congratulations.”
Still, Erez’s voice trembled. Even that one word of congratulations seemed difficult for him to say. His turquoise eyes shimmered with sorrow.
“Well, I have business to attend to… I hope I can see you again another time.”
Erez fled the banquet hall as if running away. Soon after, the party came to an end.
Iana breathed a sigh of relief and left Rosell Castle. She was glad to have escaped with her body intact and back in the carriage.
Diapel climbed into the same carriage. The lamp hanging inside illuminated the two of them. For a while, only the rattling of the carriage was heard, until Diapel broke the silence.
“Did you enjoy your date?”
Diapel smiled. Iana spoke sarcastically.
“Oh, yes. It would have been even better if someone hadn’t interfered.”
“Because I dislike love stories.”
“Love? Between me and Erez? That’s nonsense.”
Iana frowned as if she’d heard a terrible joke. Diapel chuckled and continued.
“I dislike love stories, but thanks to it, I saw something interesting. Who knew Erez could make such a face?”
It was indeed a rare sight. It was hard to imagine what would make that shy boy grow up the way he did. Iana thought it couldn’t be helped.
Just as she had gone from being a naive fool to an avenger, war must have turned that boy into an iron-blooded lord.
“It seems I made the right choice in giving Lady Iana another chance.”
Diapel crossed his legs and rested his folded hands on his knee. He questioned her, as if testing her.
“So, did you find what you were looking for? You said you came to Rosell Castle to find something.”
“Yes.”
At her crisp reply, Diapel looked surprised.
“You found evidence that House Rosell is planning an attack, within such a short time?”
“I didn’t find evidence. But I found a way to persuade my father.”
Saying this, Iana grinned. Her cold eyes fixed on Diapel.
“Diapel, kiss me.”
