“Can you tell me more about what’s going on between you two?”
“Marquis Retan…”
As if she’d never been shy, Levina began chattering about him. Her stories about their small, everyday moments poured out. Though I knew most of it, hearing it from her perspective felt fresh. She went on and on.
“He’s so big, but when he fumbles in front of me, it’s—forgive me—adorably endearing.”
Like a flower blooming under sunlight and water, she radiated the charm of a woman cherished.
“You like Marquis Retan, don’t you, Levina?”
“…Yes.”
She nodded shyly. If things continued this way, the man who once tried to abduct her would vanish, replaced by someone better.
“Are you happy?”
“Yes.”
Her smile was dazzlingly beautiful.
“I’m glad, Levina.”
“Could you spare a moment?”
An unwelcome face blocked my path as I headed to meet Sys in the palace.
“I’m on my way to see His Highness.”
“I know.”
“Knowing that, you still dare to be so rude?”
“It’ll be quick.”
Her face was resolute, as if she’d made up her mind. Used to her tearful expressions, this new demeanor piqued my interest slightly.
“If it’s brief, I’ll hear you out, Lady Daysha.”
We couldn’t talk in the corridor. Reluctantly, I followed her to her quarters. The Duke of Daysha was absent.
“What do you want to say?”
“I love Siri… I mean, His Highness!”
“I love Sirius!”
A bitter laugh escaped me. Her words yanked me back to that moment.
She hadn’t changed a bit. Back then, she’d shouted her love for him too, even as I grabbed her hair, leaving scratches on her face. She’d stood her ground.
I felt as if I’d been doused in filth.
“And?”
“…What?”
She blinked stupidly. Whatever she’d hoped to achieve with her confession, my reaction clearly wasn’t what she expected.
“What do you expect me to do about it?”
“Well, I…”
“If you’ve nothing else to say, I’ll take my leave.”
“Wait!”
She grabbed me urgently. I paused, sitting back down.
“Let’s make this quick, Lady Daysha.”
“Give me… Sirius.”
Her childish demand, like begging for candy, was absurd. Even a fool would seem wiser.
She’s worse than I remember.
If memory served, she hadn’t been this ridiculous back then.
“You’re mistaken.”
“What…”
“How can His Highness be handed over like an object?”
“…”
“You should at least grasp the basics of human decency.”
I lost all desire to continue. Without bothering to excuse myself, I stood. Talking to her was a waste of time.
“He said he loves me too!”
Her words stopped me mid-turn. I faced her again. Her amber eyes, brimming with tears, glared at me with resentment.
“Sirius is mine! Give him back!”
She leapt up, shouting. I strode toward her.
“I don’t know what gives you the audacity to say that to my face.”
Though we were similar in height, my heels gave me the advantage, letting me look down at her. I was quite pleased with my choice of shoes today.
“How could His Highness belong to you? And you claim he loves you?”
I twisted my lips into a sneer.
“Even children know better than to spout such lies.”
“It’s not a lie!”
I crossed my arms, glaring at her coldly.
“If it’s not a lie, did His Highness confess his love to you directly?”
“N-No, but…”
Momentarily cowed by my intensity, she rallied, shouting with a wronged expression.
“He definitely loves me!”
“What?”
“My father said Sirius will marry me!”
My rising anger cooled instantly.
Was the duke’s scheming just to place her at Sys’s side?
It didn’t add up. His actions and her words pointed to that goal, but my instincts told me there was more.
Have I overestimated him?
No answers would come from pondering now. I pushed thoughts of the duke aside.
That’s not what matters now.
I focused on Lady Daysha. She trembled with fear but held my gaze defiantly.
I’d ignored her so far because she wasn’t worth my time. With Sys showing no interest, she was irrelevant.
But if she insisted on provoking me, I was ready to make her suffer worse than before.
If words won’t get through, I’ll treat her accordingly.
I’d fought her over Sys for years. I knew her better than anyone. She was impossible to reason with—talking only hurt my throat.
Words were for those who understood them. No amount of explanation would pierce her delusional bubble.
“Watch what comes out of your mouth, my lady.”
I smiled down at her. She stepped back, startled. I closed the distance. Her eyes quivered.
“There are things you say and things you don’t.”
I twirled a lock of her sky-blue hair around my finger, the soft strands coiling like thread.
“The price for careless words is steep.”
“Ugh!”
Her groan escaped as I tugged her hair.
“S-Siri…”
I yanked harder, mercilessly. Her pained scream filled the room. A few strands came loose in my hand.
Back then, I might’ve ripped out her hair entirely, but now, reason restrained me. I’d hurt her without leaving obvious marks.
I opened my hand, letting the strands drift to the floor in a blue arc.
“You don’t seem to understand words alone. Getting it now?”
She collapsed, tears streaming, her confused eyes showing she couldn’t comprehend the situation.
I’d had her dismiss her maids and knights before entering. Even if they heard her scream, it’d take time to reach us.
“Calling a name without permission isn’t wise, my lady.”
I bent to meet her eyes.
“I believe you’ve been warned multiple times. Your learning ability seems lacking.”
