Chapter 005
“Why do you have that expression?”
Demian’s already fierce expression twisted even more as he looked at my face.
He strode over and pointed a finger at my shoulder.
“What is this?”
Demian reached out and snatched something from my shoulder.
What he tore away was the outer garment that Sioden had given me.
“Why are you wearing this?”
With an obviously furious face, Demian shook the garment violently. The metal attached to the men’s attire clashed together, making a loud noise.
The sound, the sight, the situation—everything was violent, making me instinctively shrink back.
“Hah, I was wondering why that bastard Raslet was here…”
Demian muttered as he brushed his disheveled hair back.
“You were with Raslet all this time?”
His golden eyes, similar to my father’s and Iswen’s but much more emotionally glistening, pierced through me.
“Did that guy come onto your terrace? Was it him who brought you down from the terrace? When the servant lit the fire, he said no one was there except for you. Did you hide him?”
The questions, spewing out like a machine gun, began to feel humiliating.
Was it wrong for me to take a walk with someone, that I deserved this interrogation?
Of course, it was my mistake to have a personal relationship with the Duke of Raslet.
But right now, it seemed like Demian was angry not because I was with ‘Duke Raslet’ but because I was spending inappropriate time with a stranger.
It was clear from the specific parts he was probing into.
“Why aren’t you answering! What happened!”
In the end, unable to contain his anger, Demian shouted.
I squeezed my eyes shut and answered him.
“I—I said it was okay for him to stay.”
My face began to flush.
Tears welled up in my eyes reflexively, and my stomach churned.
I didn’t understand why I had to make such an excuse, but it felt unfair that I had to.
“He came in without knowing I was there while the servant was getting a drink. He was going to leave, but I said it was okay.”
My breath became increasingly shallow. I hastily wiped away the tears that had gathered and continued my explanation.
“So that person did nothing wrong…”
“Shut up.”
Demian cut me off before I could finish. He grabbed my wrist and spoke through clenched teeth.
“I’m about to lose it, so don’t side with that bastard.”
Demian dragged me back to the palace.
Entering the hallway where the royal family had guest rooms, he opened the door prepared for the Rowen family.
He shoved me inside and snapped at me.
“The banquet is over. I’ll tell your brother and father, so you stay put in here.”
He handed Sioden’s outer garment to the fidgeting servant beside him.
“Burn this.”
It was absurd to casually suggest burning someone else’s borrowed clothes, but Demian’s face was so fierce that I couldn’t bring myself to speak.
Once the servant took the garment and disappeared, Demian turned back to me.
“Forget what happened today.”
He shouted.
“Whatever conversation you had with Raslet, whatever he said to you, completely forget it. Do you understand?”
I nodded before he could cause more of a scene.
Only after Demian saw that did he turn his back.
Bang.
The door he slammed shut made a loud noise.
It was only after I heard his footsteps fade away that my legs went weak. Leaning against the door, I sank down and looked at my hands, which I had been tightly gripping.
“My name is Sioden Raslet.”
As he said, the brooch made of blue jewels was engraved with a shield.
It was the emblem of Raslet.
* * *
I have to return the brooch.
All through that night, I couldn’t sleep with that thought in my mind.
If I kept it any longer, the servants would surely find out. It wouldn’t be long before it reached Demian or Iswen’s ears.
Yet, I couldn’t think of anyone suitable to entrust it to for its return.
The servants of Rowen were practically the eyes and ears of the family.
There was one person who thought of me first… but that person was currently at the Rowen mansion, not the palace.
It would have been nice to be able to think more carefully, but I had no such luxury.
Sioden probably wouldn’t stay in the palace for long.
The Harvest Festival banquet was scheduled to last for seven days, but those who came from afar often left early.
Sioden would likely do the same.
Raslet originally didn’t come out much from the north. If Sioden hadn’t inherited the family and needed to pledge loyalty, he probably wouldn’t have come all the way to the capital.
The next day, as night fell and the banquet began, I had to stay in my room. Since Demian had already told everyone I was unwell, I couldn’t go outside.
Curled up alone on the bed, I could faintly hear music coming from afar.
By now, Sioden must be among them.
Maybe he is looking for me. From what I saw yesterday, he seemed to have a very kind nature. He would likely be concerned since I disappeared without saying goodbye.
Or perhaps he has already met Demian and discovered that I am the Rowen Young Lady.
If he learned the truth, would Sioden dislike me? Would he just resent me?
However, we met without knowing that we were from Raslet and Rowen. So, the feelings we built without knowing each other’s true identities might still be preserved.
Even if we can’t become closer from now on…
As I approached the slightly open balcony, the sound of music grew louder. The sky was darkening as night approached, and the air felt a bit damp, as if it might rain.
I glanced down at the balcony below. It seemed a bit lower than the terrace I had jumped from yesterday.
If I was careful… I could probably get down by myself.
Of course, even if I went outside my room, I wouldn’t be able to meet Sioden.
But I could catch one of the palace servants and ask them to deliver the brooch.
It was a flimsy plan. Someone might recognize me, and if luck wasn’t on my side, I could easily be caught by Demian or Iswen.
If there had been another way, I wouldn’t have attempted this.
But I had no other means.
Once I made up my mind, I had to act quickly. With that thought, I hurriedly put on my outer garment.
I covered my hair with a shawl and checked the height of the balcony once more. Suddenly, I felt that I was doing something very reckless.
It might be too much of a risk to return just one brooch.
However, if I wanted to leave a memory of last night, I had to make sure to finish it myself.
Otherwise, sooner or later, the brooch would catch the attention of Demian or Iswen, and then it could cause trouble for Sioden as well.
I closed my eyes tightly and grabbed the railing of the balcony. The damp breeze touched my cheek.
* * *
The palace garden, laid out like a maze, was not very crowded. Perhaps many others, like me, thought that it would rain soon.
Thud.
A cold droplet fell on the tip of my nose.
I could hear murmurs from the bushes, as if some others were feeling the same thing.
I carefully searched for a servant to whom I could entrust the task, making sure not to attract the attention of those entering the building.
They couldn’t be of high rank. If they were, the chances of them recognizing my face would increase, and they might inform Aiden.
Such people were difficult to silence with jewels.
As I hurriedly scanned the surroundings, I suddenly spotted a familiar figure in the distance, almost like a miracle.
“Den.”
It was a name I called out unconsciously, but somehow, Sioden turned around immediately.
It seemed that Demian hadn’t said anything to him. If he had, Sioden wouldn’t have approached me so cheerfully.
“Ella?”
His deep blue gaze briefly dropped to my feet. He must have remembered that I had hurt my heel yesterday.
It was a habit for him, but it felt too unfamiliar to me, this attentiveness.
The man I had thought was beautiful even in the dark was truly handsome in the bright daylight. His features were neat and delicate, and his eyes were much deeper and prettier than I had imagined.
Something hot surged up inside me. It was truly upsetting that I had to shatter that face, which was filled only with concern and kindness.
“Is your foot okay? Why didn’t you just…”
“I don’t have time.”
I took his hand and returned the blue brooch I had been holding onto all along.
“My name is lella Rowen.”
The gentle expression on his face stiffened instantly. The kindness that had been there vanished like a wave sweeping away sand on a beach.
I felt like I might cry, but I held it back and continued speaking.
“My father is Capren Rowen.”
“……”
“So, please forget what happened yesterday.”
‘No matter what conversation you had with Raslet, or what that guy said to you, just completely forget it. Do you understand?’
Demian had said that.
At that moment, I wanted to argue with him.
But seeing Sioden’s frozen expression, I felt that Demian was right.
It was better to forget what happened yesterday.
I am Rowen, and he is Raslet.
It was an obvious fact, and I felt embarrassed for having such foolish expectations.
“I’m sorry.”
I bowed my head and hurriedly turned my back.
Before long, a heavy downpour began to pour down.
