Chapter 31

Freyer had gone several days without a wink of sleep. He had gritted his teeth and barely won his duel against Ivailo—but he couldn’t endure any longer.

 

“Ugh…”

 

He clutched his throbbing head. The migraine was the result of severe exhaustion and a battered body. Freyer didn’t dare close his eyes. He was afraid of seeing his mother in his dreams. Clues surrounding her death were beginning to unravel, but nothing was clear yet.

 

Knock, knock—

 

A knock sounded, and Derek walked into the study.

 

“Your Highness. I came because there’s something I must say.”

 

Freyer nodded. Derek approached and opened his heavy mouth.

 

“Must you really keep that man, Jaybil, by your side? He could very well have ulterior motives.”

 

“If he did, he wouldn’t have revealed the truth of this item.”

 

Freyer stared at the pendant in his hand. Derek’s concern was justified.

 

“We can’t be certain. What if this is part of Silvertone’s scheme?”

 

Derek raised his voice. Freyer shook his head and spoke quietly.

 

“I know exactly what you’re worried about. But the clue Silvertone brought is something that can lead me to the truth behind my mother’s death.”

 

“But, Your Highness—”

 

“He’s a necessary ally for uncovering the rest of the truth.”

 

“…….”

 

“And if Silvertone’s agent approached me with malicious intent, I may very well already be dead.”

 

Freyer’s calm words made Derek explode.

 

“How can you say something so horrifying so casually!”

 

Freyer smiled at Derek’s reaction. Having someone he could trust fully—he was grateful for Derek.

 

“That’s why I’m fond of you.”

 

Derek’s expression stiffened awkwardly. Right then, Jaybil’s voice echoed from outside the study.

 

“I’m coming in!”

 

Jaybil entered, straightening his clothes.

 

“Sir Derek, why the long face?”

 

“…….”

 

“Wait—don’t tell me it’s a woman problem?”

 

Jaybil grinned widely and slung an arm over Derek’s shoulder.

 

“We’re comrades now. Tell me anything. I’m quite experienced in romance. Hahaha.”

 

“Don’t act friendly with me.”

 

Derek frowned in distaste. Jaybil only smiled at him.

 

“Sir Derek, frown like that and you’ll look older.”

 

The corner of Derek’s brow tightened even more at Jaybil’s teasing. “Women won’t like it if you look older,” Jaybil muttered.

 

‘Terrible chemistry.’

 

Freyer shook his head at the two of them bickering. Then he asked Jaybil,

 

“The guest?”

 

“Ah! Lady Baimery is waiting in the drawing room.”

 

Since he already knew Freyer had been looking for her, he didn’t question it.

 

“Good.”

 

Freyer placed the pendant in his first desk drawer and stood.

 

“Sir Derek has been troubled lately. Perfect. Learn some romance advice from Jaybil.”

 

“…What?”

 

Derek’s eyes widened. Jaybil beamed and patted Derek’s shoulder.

 

“I knew it! Sir Derek, trust me with anything romance-related.”

 

“Remove your hand.”

 

Freyer passed by them and added,

 

“I trust you, Sir Derek. Use this chance to get along with Jaybil.”

 

Derek looked conflicted. Freyer headed toward the drawing room.

 

“I’ll be back.”

 

 

***

 

 

“How… how is this here?!”

 

I didn’t want to believe it.

 

Creak—

 

At that moment, the drawing room door opened. A maid pushed in a serving wagon. I flinched and shoved the ribbon back into the jewelry box, sitting down abruptly.

 

“Haha…”

 

I forced an awkward smile and placed the jewelry box on the table. The maid approached with the wagon.

 

“I dropped a plate while carrying the tea set, so I’m a little late. I’ll set the tea and pastries right away.”

 

As she placed the teapot on the table, she caught sight of the jewelry box. Her face instantly paled.

 

“Oh…”

 

Her reaction was as if she had seen something forbidden. I frowned. She picked up the jewelry box with both hands.

 

“This shouldn’t be here. Did someone accidentally leave it while cleaning…?”

 

She tilted her head.

 

“His Highness treasures this dearly.”

 

My jaw dropped.

 

‘He… treasures it?’

 

I desperately hoped she meant the box. But even a trance spell couldn’t justify that delusion. I wanted to grab my hair out of sheer panic.

 

‘If he treasures the box… that means what’s inside is precious too, right?!’

 

Someone please tell me I’m wrong.

 

“I-I suppose the jewelry box must be expensive?”

 

“The Emperor gifted it to him when he was a child.”

 

That meant he treasured the box. Relief washed over me.

 

“That must be why he keeps it so carefully.”

 

But only for a second.

 

“Or so I thought. But His Highness seems to treasure what’s inside far more.”

 

My lips trembled uncontrollably.

 

“I’ve always wondered what he keeps inside. But His Highness dislikes anyone touching the box, so no attendant has ever seen it.”

 

“Haha… I wonder what kind of item is inside…”

 

I really, truly wished I didn’t know.

 

“Right?”

 

The maid laughed and slid the jewelry box under the wagon.

 

“I should return this quickly. Let me finish preparing things first.”

 

She hurriedly arranged the tea and pastries. I sat frozen, screaming silently inside.

 

‘She must be wrong. There’s no reason he’d treasure my garter belt…’

 

Even if it sounded absurd, I had to believe it. Otherwise my brain would explode. As soon as she left the room, I grabbed my head.

 

“Please let this be a dream…”

 

Everything had been going smoothly. I had even succeeded in bringing Freyer and Nazlee closer. Despite my plan derailing a bit, I was relieved to know they liked each other. Naturally, I assumed things would progress between them.

 

Then suddenly—the garter belt incident.

 

‘If he remembers that night… why does he have my things and treasure them?’

 

I had genuinely believed he invited me for tea. He hadn’t shown any sign of remembering me. That belief let me relax enough to visit the palace. But now that I knew the truth, I had no idea what would happen if we talked.

 

I shot to my feet.

 

“I need to leave. Right now.”

 

I wasn’t strong enough to hear whatever he might say. I ran toward the door—

 

Creak—

 

And like a cruel joke, Freyer walked in.

 

‘I’m. Done.’

 

But he staggered, bracing himself against the doorframe, his eyes shut tight. The instinct to help him overwhelmed my urge to escape.

 

“Your Highness? Are you alright?”

 

I rushed to support him.

 

“Lilithia…”

 

He sounded like he meant to add something after my name, but didn’t. He looked too exhausted to care.

 

‘He looks terrible…’

 

Dark shadows hung under his eyes. His half-lidded gaze was unfocused. He looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

 

“Here, Your Highness. Sit first.”

 

I helped him, though our height difference made it awkward, guiding him onto the sofa where he slumped back.

 

“You look extremely tired today. You should rest a little.”

 

“……”

 

His half-closed green eyes stared at me. The way he looked at me for several seconds made me feel strange, so I snapped myself out of it.

 

“I—I’ll take my leave now.”

 

I had to stick to the plan. As I turned to go, Freyer, nearly lying on the sofa, caught my wrist. His warm grip startled me right down to my toes. Then he murmured:

 

“…Don’t say anything. Just stay here for a moment.”

 

His fragile, pleading voice left me stunned.

 

“Your Highness…?”

 

“Just for a moment…”

 

His long, black lashes trembled as his eyes finally closed.

 

 

***

 

 

“It won’t come loose…”

 

While Freyer slept, I tried to slip out of the drawing room. But even asleep, he held my wrist tightly. I couldn’t escape.

 

“He isn’t uncomfortable?”

 

He hadn’t even shifted once, sleeping soundly on a sofa too small for his frame.

 

“Must be a good dream.”

 

A peaceful smile played on his lips. I never imagined I’d see my favorite character sleeping in front of me.

 

“He really is handsome…”

 

This was no time for staring—but I still lacked immunity to his face, and in the end, I surrendered.

 

“That’s just unfair…”

 

Unable to keep standing in an awkward position, I finally plopped down onto the rug with a soft thud.