Under the dim light of the banquet hall, Ardion reappeared, showcasing a sharp intellect. He quickly grasped the intricacies of the books he had read, and his perceptiveness stood out.
“It seems the sorcerer in the black cloak is absent. He’s always shadowing you, yet now he’s left you to your own devices?” Ardion remarked.
“Ardion, that’s not your concern, is it?”
“Wasn’t it you who preferred to speak through magic rather than words? Attempting to harm an innocent servant was quite telling.”
A mory of Ardion’s declaration three years ago flickered to mind. He had been powerless then and had to follow Rowell’s commands.
Yet now, he bore a striking contrast to his past self.
As the atmosphere at the banquet grew tense, a voice broke the silence with a cheerful interjection. “Ah, this wine is made from grapes near the frontier, isn't it? Life struggles to erge from dead earth to create such a vintage.”
Clinking glasses echoed as everyone took a sip.
“It’s delightful, isn’t it, Serina?” one person ventured.
“Yes,” she replied, her tone clipped and unengaged.
Just then, a chair scraped back, and Ardion’s polished shoes vanished from view. “I’ll take my leave now. Though this seat was prepared for , the mories of the frontier make queasy.”
His words pointedly referenced Rowell.
Amidst the silent room, Serina spoke up. “I too must depart. My swordsmanship practice remains unfinished.”
“After all the preparations, you should stay a little longer out of courtesy,” Rowell murmured.
“It’s not just nausea. I need to find soone,” he replied.
His shoes brushed dangerously close to mine, barely avoiding a collision, as the sound of his wine glass hitting the table echoed.
“I’ve had my fill. I’m leaving.”
With Ardion's departure, Rowell slamd his palm on the table, causing to flinch.
Suddenly, the banquet hall’s tension thickened while I hesitated, lingering for a few more minutes. Fortunately, everyone else seed to be engrossed in their discussions, oblivious to my presence.
I hurried towards the exit, almost breaking into a run, until soone bumped my shoulder, causing my wine glass to spill onto her dress.
“Aren’t you going to apologize?” the woman exclaid, her eyebrows knitting in disbelief.
I sighed softly. “I apologize.”
Despite her intentional shove, I only wished to escape the situation.
“Sorry?” Her incredulous voice pierced the air, silencing the surroundings.
I felt the pressure rise. Not wanting to linger further. I feigned fought-back tears, knowing that a servant’s tears usually elicited so leniency from aristocrats, but this woman seed unmoved.
“Do you think crying will absolve you of your mistakes? How many people have suffered to create this dress?”
A quiet sigh escaped . I regretted ever stepping into this place. I lifted my gaze, remorse written on my face. “I’m truly sorry.”
She looked down at , her face flushed with indignation. “Do you think repeating the sa words will better the situation?”
Anger radiated from her, her hands trembling in fury.
Resigned, I extended my hands toward her dress and said hesitantly, “Perhaps I could—”
Her hand shot out towards , but they halted midair as soone grabbed her wrist. Had this person not intervened, I might have been slapped.
Her hand shook beside my cheek, trembling with suppressed rage.
At that mont, Derol sprang from my pocket and sank his teeth into her wrist.
“Ah! What’s this?! A rat!” she shrieked, her composed deanor shattered as she stomped about in panic, scrambling to escape the rodent.
I bent down to grab Derol, and my gaze caught a pair of familiar polished shoes—Ardion's. My heart raced. To encounter him in this chaos…
I wished for a hiding place. Suddenly, a gentle touch on my shoulder jolted upright.
Our eyes t—his were a vivid green, reminiscent of a lush forest.
As I blinked in surprise, he smiled. “It’s been a while, Laila.”
I couldn’t muster a response. Gratefulness bubbled within , yet the circumstances felt so surreal.
“Your Highness, do you know this servant?” the noblewoman asked, her voice suddenly subdued. Shock painted her features at the realization that Ardion recognized , and her deanor instantly changed.
“She was the only one who showed the beauty of the world when I was young.”
The atmosphere shifted, and all eyes turned to . In an instant, heat crept up my cheeks as I instinctively tried to distance myself, only for Ardion to draw closer.
He glanced disdainfully at the woman, then gestured to a nearby knight. “You’ll compensate for that dress, and you’ll face consequences for laying hands on my servant.”
“W-what? Y-your servant?!” she stamred, her expression faltering.
As she was led away by the knight, a distant clamor arose, yet no one attempted to intervene.
In my daze, Ardion whispered, “Let’s go, Laila.”
I hesitated, but he leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. “Laila, are you going to stay here? Everyone’s watching you.”
I raised my head and saw the gazes fixed on us. Ardion, having just returned from battle, was the center of attention, drawing whispers and speculation.
He seed unwilling to release , his grip firm as we moved towards the banquet hall’s exit.
Once outside, I tried to slip away, but he stepped closer, a surprising ease in his stance.
I wanted to leave before running into him.
I hadn’t expected to run into Ardion like this. Still, grateful for his earlier help, I quickly said, “Thank you, Young Master. I should—”
He stepped in front of . I looked up in surprise.
“Um, Young Master…”
“I’m no longer your young master.” He grasped my hand, his gaze intense, filled with an unspoken longing. He hadn’t been this forward when he was younger, and now his touch felt unexpectedly warm.
I instinctively pulled back, only to realize I was pressed against the wall as he moved closer, his breath warm against my skin.
Ardion’s expression changed, a mixture of softness and the rigidity of his princely role evident on his face.
It suddenly dawned on that he was the only prince here. Had he not stayed at Duke Orchid's mansion, I would have never crossed paths with him.
“I’m sorry for what happened back then,” I managed to say.
I regretted the circumstances of our last parting. I should have used my water magic against the duke and Rowell.
“If you’re sorry, stay by my side.”
His unexpected words left montarily speechless as he pulled along.
“Wait, where are we going, Young Master…?”
I still hadn’t found Derol, but Ardion was leading deeper into the palace.
Holding my hand firmly, he stopped at a grand door. “Not a day passes without thinking of you. Even on the battlefield, you were in my thoughts.”
I slowly looked up. Our eyes t before I instinctively lowered mine. Sothing was odd. His words felt final.
I recalled the original heroine. Serina must be around here sowhere.
Gathering my courage, I said, “I appreciate your feelings, but we’re no longer in the sa relationship.”
His expression darkened, but I pressed on softly. “I’m just a commoner…”
“I can grant you a title whenever you want.”
“But—”
Sudden footsteps approached. A knight was nearing with a rustling sound.
I spotted Derol, the small black rat, trapped in a cage.
“Derol!” I exclaid. I reached for him, but Ardion blocked my way.
The knight whispered to him, and he nodded.
With a cold deanor, Ardion looked down at . “Laila, Derol bit a noble’s hand, but that was justified. He also stole cheese from the palace’s storeroom, which ans the owner should be punished, but… I’d prefer not to go through with that.”
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