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Detheus underwent incredible fancies as he observed Estiya gracefully sipping her tea. His lower abdomen tingled as he gaped at her fine red lips.
‘I like it.’
Detheus sent Kaylan, Ether, and Eyla a glance before rolling his eyes in contemplation of an excuse to be left alone with Estiya. It was frustrating how nothing came to mind.
“Estiya, if you were visiting the Imperial Palace, you should have let me know in advance. I would have sent a carriage.”
An uninvited voice…
“Oppa! Was there a guest?”
In addition to a clear, familiar call. Delia, the younger sister of Detheus and the Imperial Princess, smiled broadly as she waved her hand. Beside her was Rodrigo, enduring an unpleasant expression.
“Delia, what brings you here? Long time no see, Lord Rodrigo.”
Detheus presented his displeased expression.
“The rose garden in oppa’s palace is beautiful. I’m here to show it to Lord Rodrigo.”
Delia seized Rodrigo’s forearm. In consequence, Rodrigo graciously fell into Delia’s paws.
Crackle.
The teacup was crushed upon. This teacup wasn’t Estiya’s, but Eyla’s.
“Oh, it’s all wet! Do you have any burns? Oh my God. What do I do?”
As Delia made a fuss over the sudden incident, Estiya quickly pulled out her handkerchief. Eyla shook her head and casually brushed off the rubble of the destroyed teacup to the floor.
“I had to smash the precious teacup. I’m a little pissed off.”
Eyla did not hide the fact that breaking the teacup was intentional.
“Estiya, this sister would rather us return. I don’t want the irascible horny *dogs/bastards sniffing at you.”
*TL/N: I’m also confused with this one, I know of ‘dog barking’(talking nonsense) but sniffing… It might have something to do with one clinging to someone? If you have any suggestions, please feel free to let me know!
Eyla positioned in a way that only meant for her whisper to reach Estiya, but no one failed to hear her comment. It was as if she were suggesting they hear. Detheus’s brows knitted. It wasn’t because of the dog part. Detheus knew himself better than anyone. And he admitted it wholeheartedly.
It was the plural expression, ‘irascible horny dogs’, that went against his nerves.
‘Is there anyone else besides me, someone who is aiming for Estiya?’
His eyes reached Rodrigo.
“It’s been a while, Your Royal Highness. May the Goddess always be with you.”
Rodrigo calmly greeted Detheus as he secured eye contact with him amidst the sudden disturbance.
“Yes, may the Goddess…”
“Estiya, what brings you to the palace? Yesterday’s letter didn’t mention that you were visiting. Let me know in advance when you’re coming. We could have come in together or I’d at least send a carriage.”
Before Detheus could return the greeting, Rodrigo lightly shook off the Princess’s hand and stood before Estiya.
‘The irascible horny bastard was Rodrigo.’
Detheus raised the corners of his mouth venomously. Rodrigo presented a cool smile and wrapped his hands around Estiya’s cheeks.
His movements remained slowly paced as they moved from the tip of Estiya’s chin to her cheeks. His eyes were cold, opposite of his warm hands. His actions raised Estiya’s apprehensiveness.
What have you been doing with the Princess? Are you in a much closer relationship than I envisioned? I’ve been working so hard, for the result to be taken by a person I hadn’t intended for.
I was protecting Rodrigo to give him to the female protagonist, not the Princess.
“You never said you were coming to the Imperial Palace, Rodrigo. If you said you’d come, we would have entered together.”
“Sorry, I returned home too late yesterday.”
“My parents did hold on to me for quite a while. We broke too soon, is that right?”
I could see the corners of Detheus’s lips twitching. Our conversation was not at the level where we could simply be acquaintances. I intentionally created the attitude and atmosphere. Rodrigo and I were putting on our best performance to attest ‘we are not in a normal relationship’.
“Everyone, sit down.”
Detheus’s voice sank terribly.
“We’re leaving now.”
Eyla was already on her feet. She seemed vexed at the fact that Rodrigo, her precious sister’s lover, wandered that palace alongside the Princess. The same was true of Ether.
“I seemed to have forgotten today was the day I was going to dispose of the demons, Your Highness.”
Cartina’s contribution to the safety of the empire was great. The management of the western border and the area where the monsters appeared was entirely under Cartina. As in the past mythological era, the Cartina’s and Palemon’s were still assisting each other while vassals. Cartina defended the empire from the devil, therefore Palemon turned a blind eye to Cartina’s atrocities. Hence, Detheus was unable to capture Cartina.
“Then I must leave in addition. Estiya, would you like me to accompany you home?”
Rodrigo reached out his hand. However, Delia stepped in between us before I could accept his offer.
“Sir Rodrigo, let’s go to the rose garden, okay?”
Delia tucked her head right below Rodrigo’s chin and shone her eyes. What to do.
Delia clung to Rodrigo’s arm when he didn’t respond. Rodrigo didn’t glance at her and frowned, seeking to shake off her arm.
“Sir Rodrigo, sir Rodrigo.”
Her behavior was childlike and rude, but no one stopped her. She was a Princess and Detheus, who could have rebuked her by now, in fact, favored Rodrigo being so troubled. At this time, there was only one person who could and was obligated to step up.
“Princess.”
Everyone’s eyes were on me.
“What is it?”
Delia replied in a distinctly different tone than when dealing with Rodrigo. Her coy and arrogant expression seemed as if she were glancing at a concubine. I felt slightly annoyed.
Isn’t he currently my lover?
The conversation between Rodrigo and I should’ve convinced the two about our relationship. Perhaps it wasn’t enough for Delia.
Or perhaps, was she pretending to be oblivious?
“Sir Rodrigo held a previous engagement with me.”
Did we?
Rodrigo lifted his eyebrows. He then smiled beautifully as he understood. I like how smart you are.
“That’s right, Your Highness. We’ve decided to meet the attendants of our mansion, Estiya. Thank you for not forgetting me.”
Meeting the attendants?
Not only entering and leaving the mansion but meeting the attendants meant there would be serious talk in the future. Delia’s face darkened. She presented her emotions like a child but managed to keep herself from making rude demands to ignore his previous engagements and have him play with her. Delia was foolish but not rude.
“Why don’t we put it off for a day?”
It was Detheus who was now being rude.
Stupid and tactless.
“The roses bloomed very beautifully. Beautiful things tend to fade quickly. What do you say, another cup of tea?”
Eyla and Ether could no longer remain. They had already thrown a tantrum about their dealings with the demons, so there was no other choice. I glanced towards Kaylan.
“I’ll stay. I can’t leave Estiya alone.”
“Brother, I’m fine.”
I hoped for Kaylan to leave with my sisters, but it didn’t go my way.
It’ll be difficult to keep Delia in check while keeping in mind Kaylan’s presence.
I was planning to knock the Princess out when she crossed the line.
However, it would become difficult to attack properly if Kaylan remained.
“No, Estiya. Brother isn’t going anywhere without you.”
Please go away.
Contrary to my heart, I produced a truly moved expression and nodded gladly.
“It looks like things are being sorted out. What do you say, Sir Rodrigo?” (Estiya)
“Will there be any difference with Estiya remaining? We should leave together.” (Rodrigo)
He replied meekly. But the unpleasantness behind his words poked at me.
Did you want to be alone with her?
No, never.
I will continue opposing the Princess, now that I have Rodrigo.
When Detheus declared he would move our location, the servants rushed busily. We then strolled to give the attendants time to prepare.
The Rose Garden sponsored by the Crown Prince was one of the most famous areas in the Imperial Palace. Unlike roses in other places that bloomed only in May, this rose garden was maintained with magic. Hence, it also began to bloom in May but remained until the end of the harvest in October.
“It mustn’t have been only today.”
Kaylan presented his discomfort.
“If a flower that was forced to bloom was beautiful, would it be as charming and captivating as a flower that bloomed in time?”
I could feel Detheus’s eyes on me. Rodrigo also looked my way. The expression in Detheus’s eyes remained strange. It was as if he knew that the relationship between us was fake, not real.
What is it?
I turned my head slightly. The strong smell of roses greeted us.
“Doesn’t it smell nice, Sir Rodrigo?”
Delia snuggled to Rodrigo’s side and chattered non-stop. Each time Rodrigo responded politely, but the answer was short. Everyone could see that Delia was the only one who didn’t know of his attitude towards her.
Or, was she also pretending to be oblivious?
“He isn’t a gentleman, Estiya.”
Kaylan whispered in my ear.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean Rodrigo. Look at him being so blunt towards the Princess. I’m sure he’ll act the same toward you.”
Kaylan was ready to pick out gaps in Rodrigo’s every little movement. His efforts to somehow find a fault in Rodrigo’s behavior and speech were constant. It was only then that a faint doubt sprang up.
Was it a coincidence that Rodrigo appeared with the Princess at the Crown Prince’s palace while I was meeting him?
I to Detheus, Rodrigo to Delia.
On the surface, Detheus and Delia were not bad partners for us.
Wasn’t this set up by Kaylan? That’s a very cute idea.
I chuckled. This isn’t unusual.
“Rodrigo is not rude to me. He is very sweet.”
I then underwent the most sexual imaginations I could think of. Blush, blush!
Kaylan’s eyes shook violently, whether my efforts paid off or not. Applause to me for perfectly playing the role of a blushing girl in love.
As I recalled the difficulty of having to get rid of Detheus, I believe Kaylan also deserves to rot inside.
“Uwah! Look over there. Isn’t it pretty? How beautiful!”
The red waves began to appear. Delia clapped her hands innocently in favor of the scenery.
I also stopped walking. The blooming red roses were ecstatic. My heart fluttered at the beautiful sight.
“Do you like it, Lady Estiya?”
Detheus didn’t miss my subtle changes in expression.
“Yes. It’s very beautiful as I heard.”
“I will send them home if you wish.”
By destroying such beautiful roses?
That can’t be. I politely refused.
“Everything has its place. The same goes for people.”
I took a step from Detheus and moved to Rodrigo’s side.
This is where I stand, so stop flirting with me.
Everybody shut their mouths.
For different reasons.
Delia was the only one who continued chattering.
She continued approaching Rodrigo even after I refused Detheus’s gift at once. Strangely, this time Rodrigo didn’t even give a decent short answer. It was an attitude that didn’t suit his evaluation of being a gentleman.