Chapter 8
In that moment, a murderous aura filled the carriage.
Nanael froze, startled. It was the first time she’d seen Alferen reveal his emotions so openly.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Barely withstanding the oppressive air, Nanael feigned ignorance.
Truthfully, she hadn’t anticipated Alferen and Adrian’s appearance either.
She should’ve been more vigilant.
That innocent, grinning Ferris girl had irritated her so much that she’d acted on impulse.
At least there was no evidence she’d pushed her, and with Rodellia clearly intoxicated, there was plenty of room to wriggle out of blame.
‘No wonder he agreed to my request so readily.’
Realizing his intentions too late, Nanael felt a surge of displeasure.
Meanwhile, Alferen didn’t press Nanael further, despite her blatant denial.
He’d never considered her someone worth reasoning with in the first place.
Honestly, the moment he saw Rodellia tumbling down the stairs, it felt like time had stopped.
Normally, he would’ve immediately used telekinesis to catch her.
But seeing Rodellia fall, his body moved before his mind could catch up.
He’d cast a protective spell too late, unable to fully shield her from the impact of the roll.
As a result, a scratch marred the delicate back of Rodellia’s hand.
‘That fragile body I worried might break if I held it too tightly.’
Had he known this would happen, he would’ve stopped her from provoking the princess.
He’d already pieced together why Rodellia was antagonizing Nanael.
How could he not? She’d been diligently campaigning for their engagement’s end for eight years.
Her methods were so creative and endearing that he hadn’t stopped the viper from opening its jaws.
It was obvious Nanael had pushed Rodellia on purpose.
Alferen didn’t care if Nanael flirted with other men or indulged in extravagance.
Their engagement was never about desire—it was a formality, nothing more.
If not for his father, he would’ve broken it off long ago.
She likely knew that, which was why she acted so recklessly.
But today, he realized how naive that indifference had been.
Princess Nanael had crossed a line, targeting someone she shouldn’t have.
If Rodellia had been seriously hurt…
The mere thought sent a chill down his spine.
The fact that Rodellia had provoked Nanael first no longer mattered to him.
In Alferen’s eyes, Nanael was nothing more than a hunter tormenting a small, adorable creature.
His mind now cold and sharp, Alferen spoke in a low voice.
“You’ll soon find out, Your Highness, the price you’ll pay for what you did today.”
“It was an accident,” Nanael protested, her face incredulous. “Are you seriously suggesting I pushed Lady Ferris on purpose? Without any proof?”
Her words faltered under Alferen’s even colder, piercing gaze.
For a moment, an overwhelming sense of dread silenced her.
“Take care.”
As if he’d never exuded such menace, Alferen politely closed the carriage door.
Only after the carriage began to move did Nanael manage to exhale.
“Ha!”
A mage sending such a menacing aura toward a civilian?
Nanael touched her chilled neck, breathing heavily.
“Was he trying to kill me just now?”
It was an utterly disrespectful way to treat his fiancée.
Frankly, Alferen Ainluk was a dull man.
Unlike her, who flitted from lover to lover, he had no scandals and practically lived in the mage tower.
She’d even wondered if he was gay, given how often he was glued to his friend Adrian.
And yet, this man was getting so worked up over his friend’s little sister nearly getting hurt?
“What’s so special about her?”
Truthfully, when Alferen had rolled down the stairs with Rodellia in his arms, even Nanael had a moment of panic.
She’d thought no one was around to witness her actions.
To make matters worse, Adrian Ferris was there too.
Thankfully, he didn’t seem to know she’d pushed her.
The problem was Alferen Ainluk.
He was convinced she’d done it on purpose.
“Hmph!”
As she gradually regained her composure, a strange sense of unease settled in.
‘That’s an overreaction for just a friend’s sister.’
The thought sparked a growing irritation with Rodellia Ferris.
Alferen Ainluk was a man her brother and mother had carefully cultivated.
His power was essential for her brother’s bid for the throne.
It didn’t help that the Ferris family supported the crown prince, making them all the more aggravating.
She’d always assumed she’d one day become the next Duchess Ainluk.
Seeing Alferen dote on his friend’s little sister more than his own fiancée sparked a fire in Nanael’s eyes.
And the fact that it was Rodellia Peris of all people made it sting even more.
She looked every bit the frail, delicate noblewoman, so weak and fragile.
The way she smiled cluelessly, seemingly oblivious to the malice directed at her, made her no different from any other naive young lady.
“You made a mistake, Duke.”
Nanael’s eyes glinted sharply. Glaring at the departing carriage, she muttered under her breath.
“I’m not the type to let someone take what’s mine.”
Upon arriving at the palace, Nanael flung her accessories to the floor and snapped an order to her trusted handmaid.
“Put someone on the Peris estate.”
The next day.
“Ow, ow, ow.”
The inevitable hangover hit, drawing a groan from my lips.
“Ugh, I’m dying.”
Had I ever suffered a hangover this bad in my life?
My whole body ached, and nausea kept me from doing anything. Mei handed me a glass of honey water while launching into a lecture.
“Why did you drink so much when you know you can’t handle it?”
“Well, Her Highness Nanael kept pushing drinks on me.”
“And why did you just take every single one she offered? Honestly, someone like you could’ve politely refused!”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
I mumbled sheepishly, downing the honey water in one gulp.
Mei wasn’t wrong—I’d been reckless.
The memory of tumbling down the stairs sent chills down my spine.
If Alferen hadn’t saved me, I’d have at least a broken bone to show for it.
That woman pushed me and laughed, I’m sure of it!
Recalling her eerie smile made my skin crawl all over again.
Mei, ever dramatic, rambled on about yesterday’s events.
“Do you remember being carried on the young master’s back? His face was so scary, I’m still shaking just thinking about it!”
I had no memory of anything after getting into the carriage. I must’ve passed out from shock, falling into a dead sleep.
“Anyway, stay away from alcohol for a while. You’re lucky the duke and duchess are away on their trip, or the whole estate would’ve been turned upside down.”
“I’m not planning to drink like that ever again. Just the smell of wine makes me want to throw up now.”
I pressed a hand to my churning stomach, grimacing.
Even talking about alcohol made it feel like I could smell it.
I hadn’t been able to eat anything but water for a while when Alferen showed up.
Judging by his formal attire, he’d stopped by briefly before heading to work.
“How are you feeling? Any injuries?”
“Thanks to you, no injuries, but the hangover’s got me feeling rough.”
I muttered weakly, and Alferen looked at me with pity.
“You look it.”
“Are you okay? You took a fall saving me.”
My gaze drifted to his wrist.
It was wrapped in bandages, which didn’t exactly scream “fine.”
“Just a light bruise.”
“Still, it’s because of me…”
“Delly, can I see your hand?”
Before I could react, Alferen gently took my hand and poured a healing potion over the scratch on its back.
Only then did I remember the scratch even existed. I mumbled awkwardly.
“Is it okay to use expensive healing potions like that?”
“You’re worrying about potions in front of a mage?”
Alferen let out an incredulous laugh.
It was a bit absurd to worry about potions in front of someone from the Ainluk family, a lineage of renowned mages.
