“I-I…”
Her mouth opened, but no words came out. It was unfortunate for her, but I had no interest in hearing more.
“Ignorant or brave?”
I dropped the formalities.
“You didn’t think I’d back down at your words, did you?”
I brushed the back of my hand across her pale cheek. My reflection smiled in her terrified amber eyes.
“I don’t know what gave you the nerve to provoke me, but tantrums depend on who you’re facing, foolish child.”
I leaned close, whispering in her ear.
“So know that everything from now on is your doing.”
I patted her cheek and straightened. Heavy footsteps approached rapidly.
“What’s going on?”
The door opened, and knights and maids rushed in. I gave them an awkward, embarrassed smile.
“Lady Daysha fell, and I tried to help, but she refused. Perhaps… she doesn’t like me.”
I paused, letting my voice trail off, like a delicate lady spurned despite her kindness.
It was a tactic Irene—Daysha—used to wield expertly. Unlike me, hers was natural, not an act.
“I see,” said the lead imperial knight, his expression knowing. He gestured to a maid.
“Help Lady Daysha up.”
The maids quickly lifted her. Trembling like a drenched bird, she looked fragile, but the knight’s face remained indifferent, unmoved by her pitiful state.
The same person, the same actions—yet their meaning shifts with context.
Back then, in this situation, the knight would’ve looked at her with pity.
And at me with disgust.
Back then, she was the victim, and I the aggressor, regardless of the truth.
But now it’s different.
Irene’s habit of calling Sys’s name was an open secret. Despite his public warnings, she persisted recklessly.
Even those charmed by her antics had limits. Her behavior was no longer seen as cute by many.
Though her beauty still swayed some, the situation had changed. Sys loved me openly, and unlike back then, my reputation was solid.
House Eliant, though reformed under Father, was a knightly family with a storied history of producing exceptional warriors. Many revered figures hailed from our line, earning me subtle favor among knights.
Between someone disrespecting the crown prince and a daughter of a respected house, the choice was obvious—no matter how much her beauty stirred protective instincts.
“She doesn’t seem hurt. That’s a relief, Lady Daysha.”
She flinched, stepping back. I tilted my head, feigning innocence.
“Are you in pain? It didn’t seem like a hard fall. Shall I call a physician?”
“You pulled my hair!”
She shouted, hiding behind a maid. All eyes turned to me. I looked bewildered.
“Could my sleeve have caught your hair when I reached to help?”
I examined my sleeve, adorned with small gems like most noblewomen’s dresses. The ruby-encrusted cuffs, covering my hands, were delicate enough to snag hair by mistake.
A maid, scanning the floor, spotted the fallen strands and signaled the others discreetly.
“I’m so sorry, my lady. I didn’t realize… I must’ve been careless. Does it hurt much?”
Ignoring the maids’ movements, I hovered around her, feigning distress.
“I’m truly sorry, Lady Daysha.”
Only a few strands lay on the floor—not enough to suggest I’d yanked her hair on purpose. Even those initially suspicious of me now looked at Irene with awkward expressions, their doubts fading.
A petulant child throwing a tantrum—that’s how they saw her now.
“Lady Eliant, Lady Daysha seems upset. Perhaps you could return another time?”
The knight, perhaps pitying my endless apologies, spoke up.
“But…”
“Do so, Lady Eliant,” a maid added.
“It’s for the best, my lady,” another chimed in.
I sighed, as if reluctant.
“Alright, I’ll leave for today. Please let me know when you feel better, Lady Daysha.”
Lingering, I made a show of hesitating before leaving the parlor. The knights and maids bowed.
“Take care, Lady Eliant.”
I passed through the pillared corridor and out of the palace, stopping only at the outer gates.
“Haa.”
My breath formed a white cloud in the cold air before vanishing.
“Meeting her, then or now, always drains me.”
I pressed my throbbing temples. Every encounter with her worsened my headaches. She remained as irritating as ever.
“Bee!”
My body felt heavy, like waterlogged cotton. I’d planned to send a message to Sys and return home. But unexpectedly, he called out, running toward me.
“Bee!”
None of his usual entourage followed. He’d clearly rushed ahead.
“Are you okay? I heard you went with Lady Daysha. She didn’t do anything, did she?”
His worried gaze scanned me sharply, searching for any sign of harm.
“Why are you coming from there?”
“I figured you’d leave straight away.”
“So you waited to ambush me?”
“Otherwise, you’d have gone without seeing me.”
I couldn’t argue—he knew me too well.
“Your face looks pale. Did something happen?”
“Nothing happened.”
He stared at me, then sighed softly.
“Good, but why bother with a woman like that? Just ignore her.”
Irritation crossed his face.
“What’s that crazy woman thinking?”
“Crazy woman?”
The question lingered in my mind, but didn’t escape.
I knew Sys’s affection was mine alone—his gentle tone, starlit eyes, and honeyed smile all belonged to me.
He loved me, not her.
But back then, all this was hers.
Her demand to “give him back” wasn’t entirely baseless. Back then, he was hers.
And just as he despises her now, he despised me then.
I knew things were different now. I had no intention of letting her take him. Even if he loved her, I’d rather kill them both than let her have him.
But seeing Sys’s anger, I couldn’t help feeling petulant rather than pleased.
“Mm!”
I grabbed his cheeks with both hands. His lips puckered like a fish.
“Wh-What?”
His eyes widened, and he mumbled, lips flapping. I squeezed his face mercilessly as he squirmed.
“Bee?”
I kneaded his face like clay. With his strength, he could’ve easily broken free, but he let me vent, as if encouraging it.
That just makes me angrier.
I stopped, pulling his face close. He let me draw him in. His face was inches away, our noses almost touching.
They said he resembled the late empress, and indeed, his face was strikingly beautiful for a man. He smiled, eyes crinkling, brightening the air around us.
No wonder I fell for him at first sight back then.
“Feeling better now?”
