/
Killian also had the designers and people from the dressing room get their work in order and go home.
Sophia hesitantly followed Kylian as he left the room.
Suddenly, Killian stood in front of the door and turned to look at her. He furrowed his brows.
“Shouldn’t you change your clothes and come out?”
“Pardon? The Crown Prince is coming?”
At Sophia’s words, Killian’s eyes narrowed, and one of his eyebrows rose.
It was an expression that asked what the prince’s coming had to do with going out wearing that dress. (T/L: Someone is jelly, fufufu.)
“I should go out wearing nice clothes!”
Especially when the Crown Prince is coming.
Upon hearing that, an irritated expression crossed Killian’s face.
“That’s too much.”
“Well, really? But still, if I want to go out looking pretty
”
“Is there a need to look particularly pretty in front of Your Highness?”
“
For the sake of power?”
Sophia raised her eyes and spoke as if testing the waters.
Killian’s expression grew even more irritated.
Why
 Isn’t it true that the Crown Prince holds power? The Crown Prince is higher than the commander of the military police, isn’t he?
“You don’t have to worry about that. Change your clothes and come out.”
Killian gestured with his eyes to the maids and left the room first.
***
Translator: HaileyFranchette
read on moonlight novels only
Wearing a casual everyday dress, Sophia went out to the main entrance with Killian.
By now, the sun had set, and it was getting twilight.
Garfield held a lantern, illuminating the path as he waited for Mikhail’s imminent arrival in front of the main entrance.
Killian glanced at Sophia, standing beside him. Fortunately, she had changed out of the flashy dress from earlier into more ordinary clothes.
There was a subtle hint of a smile on her cheek, as if she were eagerly anticipating Mikhail’s arrival.
Killian recalled the quite intimate conversation the two of them had at the palace before.
“
Is it really that good?”
“Is there anyone who doesn’t like meeting the future emperor?”
Sophia shrugged her shoulders.
Though Kilian seemed to have been close to him since they were young, he seemed unaware of it. But who wouldn’t wish to spend time with Mikhail? (Sophia)
Then Killian glanced at her with a slightly displeased expression.
Sophia took a moment to interpret his expression.
Translator: HaileyFranchette
read on moonlight novels only
‘Could it be that he’s jealous of me waiting for Mikhail right now?’
After blinking for a moment, she realized.
His expression was clearly discontented.
In the original novel, Killian rebelled to take Estelle for himself.
Now, with Sofia and him having kissed twice, there is no guarantee that Sophia will not end up playing Estelle.
‘Could it be that, because of me, he would seize the throne or something like that?’
Sophia imagined a burning empire and lowered her head.
“Of course, I dislike those in power. I really dislike them! It’s overwhelming. You know, I used to live in that attic room? Being involved with an Emperor or something like that would be a bit tiring for someone like me
’
Not wanting to contribute to a throne seizure, she quickly withdrew her foot.
At that moment, Killian’s expression became somewhat serious.
“You dislike people in power?”
Ah, the Grand Duke is also someone in power, isn’t he?
Embarrassed, Sophia rolled her eyes
“I don’t know, it would be nice if Killian decided to live a simple life!”
At that moment, a white horse came galloping from a distance. There were attendants following behind.
A splendid gentleman could be seen riding the white horse, the road clearly covered in dusk.
Sophia was momentarily captivated by the sight that perfectly reproduced the image of the prince on the white horse.
Mikhail was wearing a white shirt, a lightweight cravat, and a neat blue jacket.
Sophia thought that she too should have worn a glamorous dress.
Neither Mikhail nor Killian were dressed in formal attire, but in her eyes, they still looked splendid enough.
In the realm of aesthetics between the two individuals, Sophia, wearing a plain and modest dress, felt excessively ordinary and shabby.
However, it was too late to change my clothes now.
The white horse, which had run with its white mane flying, came to a stop in front of the Grand Duke’s main entrance.
“Killian.”
Mikhail dismounted and greeted Killian with a friendly smile.
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
As Killian bowed deeply, Mikhail opened his arms and embraced him.
Mikhail lightly patted Killian’s back.
Without any complaints, Killian accepted his embrace, a familiar greeting.
It was a quite different atmosphere from when they had embraced at the palace before.
After their embrace, Mikhail turned his gaze towards Sophia, who was standing beside them. (T/L: Now it’s Sophia’s turn to be hugged.)
“Hello, Your Highness.”
“Lady Sophia Fraus.”
Mikhail politely kissed the back of Sofia’s hand.
Wow, a hand kiss! His noble and dignified gesture truly resembled a romance novel’s male lead.
After the greetings, Mikhail walked side by side with Killian, passing through the garden towards the Grand Duke’s residence, while Sophia quietly followed along, observing the two of them.
“But why did you ask for dinner, Your Highness?”
“Do we need something to happen between us in order to have a meal together?”
Mikhail laughed and playfully nudged Killian. “As usual, just relax, Killian. There’s no need to be formal just because your fiancĂ©e is here.”
Perhaps in public, they addressed each other as “Your Highness” and “Grand Duke,” but in private, they seemed like brothers.
“I came here with the intention of giving you some rest, since it seems like you’ve been going through a lot lately.”
“Then you should have invited me to the palace.”
Killian’s words became more comfortable before I knew it.
“You’ve been busy with military police affairs lately. Why bother calling you and making things tiring?”
Indeed, the palace was a sensitive place, and entering and leaving could be quite cumbersome.
Mikhail must have thought it better to come to the Grand duke’s mansion, where he was comfortable, instead of burdening Kilian with any inconvenience.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, personally taking care of my fatigue—I don’t know how to repay such kindness.”
When Killian responded with a proper gesture, Mikhail lightly nudged his side with his elbow and chuckled.
Sophia couldn’t help but feel pleased watching them interact.
Seeing them together like this is truly heartwarming.”
The sight of the two of them conversing in a friendly manner, illuminated by the red glow of the lanterns, was like a beautiful painting.
Then suddenly, thoughts of the future of the original story came to her mind.
To think that such affectionate brothers would wage a civil war over the throne.
Sophia looked at Killian, who was gazing at Mikhail with a smile. Looking at Kilian, who was gazing at Mikhail with a smile, Sophia couldn’t believe he could become a villainous character.
“I wish that smile was genuine.”
If you’re not truly a bad person, that would be nice.
What could be hidden behind that smile?
Sophia couldn’t figure out how to truly treat Killian.
* * *
Translator: HaileyFranchette
read on moonlight novels only
The dining hall of the Grand Duke’s residence wasn’t as grand as a banquet hall, but it was spacious enough to comfortably seat up to ten people.
Through one open side, a picturesque view of the garden could be seen, while on the opposite wall above the fireplace, beautiful candlesticks, a clock, and a painting symbolizing abundance adorned the space.
On the table, navy-coloured tableware with golden rims was set, and white seasonal flowers decorated the centre of the table, fitting for spring.
“Wow
”
Sophia unintentionally let out a small exclamation at the clean yet elegant atmosphere of the dining hall.
Mikhail noticed Sophia’s admiration and tilted his head slightly to look at her.
“The dining hall of the Grand Duke’s residence has a particularly nice atmosphere. By the way, is this your first time here?”
“Ah, yes
”
It had been several days since I arrived at the Grand Duke’s residence, but I had never dined with Killian even once.
Sophia’s meals were brought to her room by the butler and maids.
Due to various incidents keeping him busy, Killian rarely had the chance to come home and have a meal.
“Oh my, Killian. You’ve never properly treated your fiancĂ©e to a meal?”
Mikhail’s gaze turns to Killian as if to scold him. Killian couldn’t deny it and fell silent.
It wasn’t intentional that Sophia was left out, but things got complicated, and that’s how it turned out.
“It’s been almost two months since you got engaged. I thought things might have changed a bit, but it seems not, Killian. Should I step back even now?”
Mikhail gestured with his hand towards the door.
Upon seeing this, Killian quickly grabbed Mikhail’s hand that was pointing outside and gestured for him to sit down.
His abrupt gesture was undoubtedly the teasing gesture of an older brother towards his younger brother.
Knowing him well, Mikhail chuckled and obediently took the seat Killian had arranged for him.
Killian sat next to Sophia, opposite to Mikhail.
As the seats filled up, the servants filled the glasses with water and wine and prepared light appetizers.
“Time flies so fast. To see your fiancĂ©e sitting in the seat next to you.”
Mikhail opened his mouth as if lost in reminiscence.
“When we were young, even having a meal like this with you was difficult,” he brought up Killian’s childhood stories that Sophia didn’t know.
Mikhail mentioned how he thought Killian couldn’t speak because he didn’t talk much when he first came to the palace.
After their parents passed away, Killian seemed to have kept his heart closed for quite some time.
“Back then, he was a sensitive, delicate, and small boy,”
Mikhail said Kilian was a younger brother who didn’t even reach his chest height when they were young.
He seemed weak, as if he could break with a light touch.
He would cry easily, sometimes causing trouble for Mikhail.
‘This person
?’
Sophia looked at her fiancé sitting next to her.
He was tall, as if he could touch the ceiling, and his shoulders were about twice the width of Sophia’s.
It was hard to imagine that he was once a small and delicate boy. (T/L: Why I feel bad.)