Chapter 18

Ivailo stared coldly at Lilithia, who was heading out of the banquet hall.

 

‘From start to finish, she is a woman I don’t like.’

 

Failing to focus on the dance with the Crown Prince and stepping on his foot. Or standing up the Crown Prince, claiming urgent business. It must be a truly extraordinary reason.

 

The desire to sever her neck returned once more. Ivailo ordered the attendant standing beside him.

 

“Follow Lilithia Baimery and find out who she is meeting.”

 

The attendant bowed his head at the Crown Prince’s command and followed Lilithia out. Ivailo brushed off his hands, which had touched Lilithia Baimery.

 

‘I touched something dirty.’

 

All he wanted was to strip Freyer, who dared to dream of hope, of everything he had. But he regretted having to go to such lengths just to inflict pain on Freyer.

 

‘Just bear with it a little longer. I’ll cut off her head the moment I become Emperor.’

 

Ivailo smiled arrogantly and was about to move to another spot. However, taking advantage of Lilithia’s departure, young ladies swarmed around Ivailo, causing his brow to furrow.

 

“Your Highness the Crown Prince. How was the Northern subjugation?”

 

“Your Highness. Do you perhaps remember me? We danced together at the last banquet…”

 

“Your Highness the Crown Prince. It is an honor to be able to attend such a banquet thanks to you!”

 

“Your Highness the Crown Prince. Could you perhaps dance with me?”

 

The buzzing voices of the women, trying to seize the opportunity, echoed in his head like tinnitus.

 

Ivailo gritted his teeth, holding back the urge to immediately swing his sword at the subtle power struggle between the young ladies who regarded each other as rivals.

 

‘Annoying bunch.’

 

The countless young ladies who poured out words without noticing his discomfort tested Ivailo’s patience. But Ivailo held onto the last thread of rationality, forced a smile, and said.

 

“I apologize. I’ve only just returned from the subjugation and wish to rest.”

 

“But you were just conversing and dancing with that other young lady…”

 

“I apologize for disappointing you.”

 

One young lady’s grumbling remark incensed the already angry Ivailo. But clenching his fist, Ivailo spoke with the firmness of a solid wall. The young ladies’ shoulders slumped in disappointment.

 

Passing the now quiet area, Ivailo slowly sat down in his seat on the dais. The Emperor was not in sight, having presumably left the banquet hall, and the Empress was busy talking with the nobles nearby.

 

Ivailo pressed his throbbing temples and picked up a wine glass from the nearby table to wet his mouth.

 

“Hah… I can finally breathe.”

 

Perhaps thanks to the slight alcohol, his mood calmed a little. Ivailo looked down at the banquet hall with hazy eyes.

 

“The day I rule over them is not far.”

 

As Ivailo was twirling the wine glass with his finger and lost in thought, the attendant cautiously approached him.

 

“I have returned after investigating the matter outside, as per Your Highness’s command. Miss Lilithia Baimery was with Miss Nazlee Idarand.”

 

“That woman didn’t go out to meet Freyer, but to meet Nazlee Idarand?”

 

Lilithia Baimery had glanced at Freyer’s location every time she spoke. That’s why he thought she was going to Freyer.

 

“That’s unexpected.”

 

“However, there was a disturbance where Miss Nazlee Idarand was attacked by an assailant.”

 

“……?”

 

“Court knights nearby prevented it, and Miss Lilithia Baimery coincidentally arrived at the scene then. And Miss Nazlee and Miss Lilithia have moved toward the carriage storage, seemingly preparing to leave the Imperial Palace.”

 

Was it truly a coincidence that she went there?

 

Ivailo narrowed his eyes. He had been briefed before the banquet about the Duke Idarand’s lost only daughter, Nazlee. Since she was a person of no interest, Ivailo had dismissed the matter.

 

‘She left in a hurry, as if she knew Nazlee Idarand was going to face trouble.’

 

Ivailo slowly stroked his chin.

 

‘What did she know?’

 

Ivailo gestured for the attendant to retreat with his index finger. The attendant bowed and left the area. As he was lost in thought, swirling his wine glass. Freyer entered through the side door. It was obvious who Freyer was looking for.

 

‘He’s looking for Lilithia Baimery.’

 

Freyer, who was scanning the surroundings, made eye contact with Ivailo and bowed his head in greeting. Ivailo smirked.

 

‘Lilithia Baimery isn’t here either. Should I fan the flames a little?’

 

Ivailo crooked his index finger, summoning Freyer. Freyer hesitated and approached Ivailo. Ivailo asked casually, as if he knew nothing.

 

“Who are you searching for so desperately?”

 

“No one.”

 

“Wouldn’t telling me make it easier to find them? I only asked because you looked urgent. Tell me.”

 

At Ivailo’s question, Freyer bit his lip hard before opening his mouth.

 

“I am looking for the young lady who danced with you, Brother.”

 

“The young lady who danced with me? I don’t know who you mean…”

 

“……”

 

“Ah! Are you referring to Miss Lilithia?”

 

“…Yes. I have something urgent to tell Miss Baimery.”

 

Ivailo twirled the wine glass in his hand and said to Freyer.

 

“Unfortunately, it seems you won’t be able to deliver that message.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

Ivailo smiled, filled with a sense of wicked pleasure, and said.

 

“Because Miss Lilithia is waiting for me in the Crown Prince’s palace bedroom right now.”

 

“Why…?”

 

“Why, you ask? It’s not something a younger brother should concern himself with, regarding a lady’s private life.”

 

Ivailo stood up and patted Freyer’s shoulder.

 

“I should go to Miss Lilithia now too. Enjoy the rest of the banquet.”

 

 

***

 

 

The carriage arrived at the Duke’s residence, and startled servants approached the suddenly arrived carriage from outside. Nazlee smiled brightly and said to me.

 

“Thank you for coming with me, Miss Lilithia. I will tell them to escort you back to your residence, so please stay in the carriage.”

 

“You really don’t have to go to this much trouble.”

 

“I want to repay you, Miss. Please drive safely, and let’s definitely have a tea party together next time!”

 

Nazlee smiled sweetly and got out of the carriage. After speaking to the butler, the carriage door closed a moment later.

 

“Drive safely!”

 

Nazlee waved to me, and I was quickly able to return to my manor. My skirt was covered in dirt, and my shoulder was stained with tears.

 

Seeing me return to the manor in the Duke’s carriage, Norman and Winnie looked surprised.

 

“Miss, your clothes!”

 

“Save the nagging for next time…”

 

I quickly prepared for bed, ignoring Norman and Winnie, and lay down. Lying down, I stared at the ceiling with the pattern etched into it, lost in thought.

 

“Why didn’t Freyer appear…?”

 

I thought that if I kept the Crown Prince occupied, Freyer, who would appear late according to the original story, would save Nazlee. But I didn’t even see a strand of Freyer’s hair in the garden.

 

“Did this happen because I tried to change the novel?”

 

It might be a punishment inflicted by the original author, enraged that a mere extra dared to interfere with the novel. But I couldn’t stand by and watch the Crown Prince fall in love with Nazlee, as the author had set the plot.

 

“I wanted to prevent Freyer’s sad ending…”

 

What will happen now?

 

Should I, an extra, continue to interfere? What if I keep interfering and deviate from the plot of the novel I know?

 

If so, could I still create a happy ending for Freyer?

 

The uncertainty made the future seem dark.

 

“Freyer. I’m sorry, it seems to be beyond my ability.”

 

It might have been a problem from the start for a mere extra to try to intervene in the novel. I had to accept my reality.

 

“Don’t try to interfere anymore, Lilithia Baimery…”

 

 

***

 

 

Freyer clutched his aching head in the study. After the banquet, clues about her magically poured in all at once.

 

The Baimery family was a Baron family that ran a small trade guild in the busy district. The Baroness had died early due to poor health.

 

The Viscount was abroad on trade business, and Miss Lilithia was currently the acting Guild Master, overseeing the trade guild’s operations in the busy district.

 

“But the truth of what my brother said was unknown.”

 

“Because Miss Lilithia is waiting for me in the Crown Prince’s palace bedroom right now.”

 

For days and nights, his brother’s words filled his mind. Freyer ordered Derek to find out the truth, but time passed without any incoming information.

 

“If my brother’s words are true… what should I do?”

 

It would be ridiculous to claim that he had been desperately searching for her first. She had the freedom to decide whom she gave her heart to.

 

Even if she chose his brother, he had nothing to offer. The difference between his brother, who held the position of the Crown Prince, and himself, the hidden Second Prince, was vast.

 

Should he even show himself to Miss Lilithia? Freyer turned his head and looked out the window at the scenery of the rising dawn.

 

“I’ve stayed up all night again today.”

 

Freyer ran his hand through his hair with a frown.

 

‘If my body were tired, would this thought go away…’

 

Following that thought, Freyer slowly rose from his chair and headed toward the training hall.

 

Swoosh—

 

The blade, which had sparkled in the dawn light, now shone golden under the midday sun, slicing through the air.

 

His breath came in gasps, filling his throat, but Freyer tightly shut his lips and swung his sword toward the empty air.

 

“Your Highness!”

 

At Derek’s voice calling his name, Freyer stopped his movement and turned his head.

 

Derek, who was breathing heavily as if he had run in a hurry, continued his words.

 

“Hah… I looked for you in a hurry because you weren’t in your bedroom.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Did you not command me to find out if Miss Lilithia visited the Crown Prince’s bedroom?”

 

Freyer’s eyes flashed at Derek’s words.

 

“There was a person who saw Miss Lilithia and Miss Nazlee leaving the palace together that day.”

 

“What does that mean…”

 

“Are you sure the Crown Prince said ‘Miss Lilithia’…?”

 

Freyer’s mind was in turmoil at Derek’s words. He had definitely said Lilithia Baimery. But the Crown Prince’s words and the information Derek brought back didn’t align.

 

‘Then, someone is lying.’

 

“Your Highness?”

 

Derek tilted his head, looking at the silent Freyer.

 

Could it be Derek…?

 

Freyer shook his head, looking at Derek. Derek, who had been by his side since childhood, wouldn’t tell such a lie. He was the only person he could truly trust in the barren Imperial Palace.

 

‘Then, it must be a lie from the one who gave the information, or the Crown Prince’s lie.’

 

Who exactly was lying, and for what purpose? He couldn’t come up with a clear answer.

 

But now that he knew the possibility that she might not have visited the Crown Prince’s palace, his past hesitation vanished instantly. He had to meet her.

 

“I will go to the Baimery Trade Guild immediately.”