Chapter 17

“Was it not here…?”

 

I wandered through the banquet hall garden, searching for Nazlee. The area under the tree I had glimpsed upon entering the banquet hall was not the scene of the incident, and I only witnessed the affectionate actions of another noble couple.

 

I circled the area, searching for a place where Nazlee might be.

 

“It definitely said it was a big tree in the corner of the garden…”

 

Having reached a secluded spot, my eyes widened at the scene unfolding before me. Nazlee was there, sniffling on the ground, covered in dirt. In front of her stood two court knights holding down a masked man.

 

“Where is Freyer?”

 

I doubted my own eyes. No. I must be seeing things. I rubbed my eyes several times, but the situation of Freyer’s absence was the reality.

 

According to my plan, Freyer should have rushed here upon hearing a scream. I looked up at the banquet hall building where the terrace was visible. But no matter which terrace I looked up at, Freyer’s silver hair was nowhere to be seen.

 

‘Perhaps he’s on his way and that’s why he’s not visible yet?’

 

I tried to hide myself so as not to run into Freyer, who would be arriving late. I was walking cautiously on tiptoe to avoid making any sound.

 

Snap—

 

The sound of a small twig breaking echoed loudly. Hearing the sound, Nazlee and the court knights turned their heads. I, who was crouched down like a petty thief, made eye contact with them.

 

I’m doomed… Nazlee’s eyes were moist with tears, and she called out to me with a pathetic voice.

 

“Miss Lilithia…”

 

Transparent tears streamed down her cheeks.

 

My initial surprise at the eye contact was brief, and I quickly approached Nazlee. Nazlee instantly embraced me.

 

“I was so scared.”

 

“It’s okay. It’s okay.”

 

I stroked Nazlee’s back, trying to reassure her. But my mind was too complicated; it had gone blank.

 

‘What on earth happened? How?’

 

It was different from my expectation. I clearly thought Freyer would save Nazlee. Why did court knights suddenly apprehend an unfamiliar masked man?

 

My plan had completely gone wrong. While clutching my head with both hands and suppressing my feelings, patting Nazlee’s back, one of the court knights spoke.

 

“We found and apprehended the man attempting to harm the young lady. We were going to escort her to a healer, but as she kept weeping without saying anything, we stayed here to guard her. Since someone she knows has arrived, may we leave with peace of mind?”

 

“Of course.”

 

Upon hearing my answer, the court knights took the unconscious masked man and departed. As they left, Nazlee buried herself deeper into my arms.

 

‘Something is very wrong.’

 

 

***

 

 

“Miss Nazlee, are you alright?”

 

Nestled in Miss Lilithia’s arms, her feeling of anxiety subsided significantly. Nazlee pulled out of the embrace to answer Miss Lilithia’s question and said.

 

“Thank you. I think I’m okay now. I was just so surprised…”

 

Seeing Miss Lilithia’s worried eyes made her heart swell.

 

‘If Miss Lilithia hadn’t been here, I would have been really scared.’

 

Nazlee smiled brightly at Lilithia out of gratitude. Then, seeing the shoulder of her dress soaked with her tears, Nazlee’s face crumpled.

 

“Miss Lilithia. Your dress is ruined because of me…”

 

Lilithia had helped her so much, and in return, she’d only inconvenienced her at the ballroom, and now she had even ruined her dress…

 

Nazlee bowed her head deeply out of guilt.

 

“I’m sorry… I feel like I’m constantly inconveniencing Miss Lilithia.”

 

“Not at all. A dress can be fixed with dry cleaning. I’m more worried about whether Miss Nazlee is okay.”

 

Nazlee cautiously looked up at her. Miss Lilithia looked at me and carefully asked.

 

“May I ask what happened?”

 

Perhaps because of my expression, Miss Lilithia looked confused and waved her hand.

 

“I guess that was an unnecessary question.”

 

She must have asked because she was worried. She is truly a kind person. Seeing Miss Lilithia reassured Nazlee greatly.

 

But it’s too embarrassing to talk about falling for Prince Freyer at first sight. Nazlee, who decided to speak without mentioning Freyer, fidgeted with her hands and began to speak.

 

“No, it’s not. Actually…”

 

After talking with the Empress and hearing her father’s advice, Nazlee descended the dais, tilting her head.

 

“Be cautious of Her Majesty the Empress. What does that mean?”

 

At her father’s words, Nazlee recalled the Empress’s appearance. The Empress, with her gentle smile, was a person whose refined dignity was evident.

 

‘My father is being too overly protective.’

 

She could somewhat guess the reason why her father vaguely advised caution toward the Empress. He was worried about her, who had returned to the Duchy after decades.

 

The image of her father who came to find her while she was living in the orphanage, weeping and apologizing, “I’m sorry it took me so long to find you,” was vivid before her eyes.

 

Since returning to the Duchy, her father had cherished her dearly. He maintained the dignity of a Duke in public, but as a doting father, he couldn’t let go of his worries.

 

“Oh right… Where is Prince Freyer?”

 

She was so disappointed that she hadn’t been able to finish her conversation with the Second Prince.

 

‘Is His Highness waiting for me?’

 

Nazlee excitedly headed to the place where she had talked with Freyer.

 

“He’s not here…”

 

Nazlee pouted her lips in disappointment. Just then, hearing footsteps approaching, Nazlee quickly scanned her surroundings. Young gentlemen she hadn’t seen before approached and spoke to Nazlee.

 

“I am Rydik of the Beytol family. Could you grant me the honor of having a dance with Miss Nazlee?”

 

“No. Why don’t you dance with me first, Miss? My name is Chelviro.”

 

“Dance with me!”

 

“No, with me!”

 

She came here to find Prince Freyer… Her head was spinning because of the young gentlemen who were speaking over each other, refusing to back down.

 

“Sir. Didn’t I say I was first?”

 

“I approached the young lady first. You’re trying to cut in.”

 

“I’ve been standing near the young lady all along!”

 

Nazlee wrung her hands, watching them having a staring contest and power struggle.

 

‘What should I do! They look like they are about to fight.’

 

Finding the Second Prince was the most important thing for Nazlee. But a physical fight seemed imminent. She had to stop the young gentlemen.

 

“Wait, just a moment!”

 

Nazlee squeezed her eyes shut and shouted at the young gentlemen. The young gentlemen, who were glaring at each other, looked at her. Nazlee slowly opened her eyes and said.

 

“How about dancing with me in order…?”

 

Nazlee’s eyelashes fluttered. At her appearance, the young gentlemen coughed awkwardly and blushed.

 

“Is that perhaps inappropriate behavior?”

 

“Inappropriate? It is an honor just to dance with you. I must have been too hasty.”

 

“I apologize for being rude to the gentlemen as well.”

 

“Haha. How embarrassing.”

 

The gentlemen chuckled awkwardly and apologized to each other, and Nazlee sighed in relief.

 

“That’s good. I thought I made a mistake… Then, with whom should I dance first?”

 

“Please come with me first.”

 

The gentleman who had first invited Nazlee to dance carefully extended his hand. Nazlee took his hand and headed toward the center of the banquet hall, thinking.

 

‘I’ll look for His Highness after I’m done dancing!’

 

However, Nazlee’s resolve couldn’t be realized immediately due to the endless dance invitations from the young gentlemen. Exhausted, Nazlee escaped the banquet hall as if fleeing.

 

“That spot looks good.”

 

It seemed to be a secluded garden of the Imperial Palace, as there was no crowd passing by. Nazlee sat down on the dirt ground, leaning her tired body against a large tree.

 

“Ugh, I’m tired.”

 

She had taken dance lessons at the manor, but she hadn’t expected to dance so much consecutively, and her whole body felt heavy. While dancing, she had looked around several times to find Prince Freyer, but she couldn’t find his bright silver hair.

 

“I wanted to talk to him…”

 

She was so disappointed that she had parted from Prince Freyer without finishing their conversation. Would she get a chance to talk to him next time? According to what she had asked the young gentlemen around, the Second Prince was rarely seen at banquets.

 

Meeting him in the busy district was truly a coincidence of coincidences. If His Highness and she shared a deeper connection than just coincidence, then they would surely meet again.

 

“But was I hoping for too much…?”

 

Nazlee looked up at the dark sky obscured by branches and closed her eyes.

 

‘I want to see Prince Freyer.’

 

Rustle—

 

Startled by a sudden sign of a presence and a sound, Nazlee shot her eyes open. In front of her, a stranger wearing a black mask was approaching her with a sharp knife. Surprised, Nazlee screamed.

 

“Kyaaaaaa!”

 

Nazlee frantically fumbled and picked up a branch on the ground. She immediately stood up and held it toward the masked man.

 

“D-Don’t come closer!”

 

“Nazlee Idarand! There’s nowhere to run.”

 

He didn’t care and slowly approached Nazlee. Nazlee wildly swung the branch in the air. The leaves attached to the branch fluttered, stirring up dirt.

 

Perhaps the masked assailant hadn’t expected this standoff, as he hesitated. Nazlee struck the approaching masked assailant with the branch and yelled.

 

“Don’t come closer! Don’t come closer!”

 

“Ugh… Ack!”

 

Hearing the scream and the groan, court knights from nearby came to investigate and apprehended the assailant who was being struck with a branch.

 

“And then Miss Lilithia came…”

 

The original story followed the same flow. Nazlee, utterly exhausted from dancing with several young gentlemen, sought out a secluded garden for rest.

 

Even if the Crown Prince saving Nazlee was my planned deviation, there was no variable that Freyer wouldn’t show up.

 

‘I clearly saw him fall for Nazlee at first sight…’

 

The green eyes, full of love, were directed at Nazlee. What on earth caused this to happen? Nazlee, seeing me frown in this complicated situation, cautiously asked.

 

“Miss Lilithia… If it’s not too much trouble, could you grant me a favor?”

 

What kind of favor? I was puzzled, but I nodded in agreement.

 

“Could you please come with me to the Duchy residence…?”

 

“The Duchy residence?”

 

Nazlee fidgeted with her hands and spoke carefully.

 

“Yes… I was very surprised and want to go back and rest, but I think my father would be very worried if I told him the truth. I thought it would be better to say that I’m going back to the residence to have a tea party with you…”

 

It was understandable that Nazlee, having experienced such an ordeal, would find it difficult to stay at the banquet. I brushed the dirt off and stood up, offering my hand to Nazlee.

 

“Yes. Let’s go together.”

 

My plan was ruined. And the episode was deviating from the original story. My mind was in overload.

 

I couldn’t predict what would happen next. In that case, taking Nazlee to her residence and contemplating this situation was my best course of action.

 

‘I need to get back quickly…’