CH 163

“Are you… tired?”

“Yes,” I said. “I worked all day. Please rest well in the guest room, Your Majesty.”

It was a way of me telling him not to come into my room tonight. Even though I knew well he can’t sleep well alone, I’d kicked him out. I bowed politely, then left the dining room.

“Iona!” Ridrian chased after me, grabbing my hand and pushing me up against the wall as gentle as he could.

“Did something happen?” he asked.

“No, I’m just a bit tired.”

“Is that…really all?”

I lowered my gaze at his question. Between the fact that he was grabbing my wrist and the familiarity of the scent, I felt uncomfortable. “I just want to rest tonight,” I told him.

“Iona.”

“I’m really fine, Your Majesty.” I turned around icily and went to my room. This time, he didn’t chase after me.

Lina looked surprised to see me walk into the room. “Iona?”

“Lina!”

The embrace came naturally, and when she pulled away, she eyed me with concern. “What is it?” she asked. “What happened?”

“It’s nothing.”

I hugged her one more time and let my head rest on her shoulder. It was hard. I hadn’t realized it hurt to like someone. I’d liked it when I realized he came to rescue me. I’d been happy using the same room as him. But when I realized that he would be doing all of those with someone else soon, it had become hard to even breathe.

Was it true that first love never came true?

I liked him, but I shouldn’t, and as I realized that he would be with someone else, my mind had simply became blank. I kept crying.

The male and female leads must come together. That’s correct.

But as much as I wanted to run away from all of it, I still wanted to be with him. Even though I knew I couldn’t handle seeing him smiling brightly by Eris’s side.

“Why am I an extra?” I repeated, sobbing quietly as I hugged Lina.

***

When the sun came up, it was the inheritance ceremony.

I couldn’t sleep at all, since I was thinking all kinds of things. Then at dawn, someone knocked on my door.

“Iona?”

It was Ridrian. He sounded like he hadn’t slept, either. As bad as I felt, I didn’t say anything.

“I need to go now.” He paused for a moment. Then he added, “I…I’ll see you in the palace.”

I listened to his fading footsteps, then buried my face into my pillow.

I don’t want to go.

If I went to the palace, he would definitely sleep with his arms around me. He would touch me and make my heart flutter with his smile. And I would fall deep into it.

I like you, Ridrian.

I wanted to run, but my desire to be wanted by him was too great. I was no more than an extra, and I had no right to want him. He should be with Eris. As I realized I couldn’t move forward, my feelings for him became clearer than ever.

***

The ceremony was held in the biggest hall in the Etherium palace. As they allowed the families of those who were being reinstated, quite a lot of people came.

“There are more people than I imagined.”

Eris gazed around, wearing the palace armor and holding a sword. Since she’d been allowed to attend the ceremony, the palace armor had really came at dawn. Dylan, wearing crusader armor, and Eris in palace armor were quite noticeable.

“Why do you look so down on such a joyful day?” Eris asked me.

She seemed lively today, for some reason. Probably that reason.

“I…I just couldn’t sleep,” I told her.

“Were you that excited?”

I smiled but said nothing.

“Maybe you’re not feeling well?” Dylan offered, a worried look on his face.

I shook my head quickly. “No, I’m good. Don’t worry.”

“You have to let us know if you’re not feeling well.”

“Okay.”

Eris smiled. “You look really pretty today, Iona.”

She wasn’t wrong. The so-called best tailor in the Empire really sent me the best suit. It was green, and it went nicely with my blonde hair and sky blue eyes. A short cape stretched from my shoulders. The sleeves of my suit were long, but well-ventilated, so it felt cool.

“Thank you,” I said. “You look good as well, Eris.”

“Really? Thank you. This is the first time I’m happy to hear that clothes fit me well!”

Eris beamed at me. The dark green suit with the symbol of the Royal family was quite stylish. It seemed thick, so it looked hot, but Eris truly seemed happy that it fit her well.

Maybe she wanted to become a knight?

Eris in the original novel had always worried about Ridrian, and had always wanted his attention. She’d also been true to herself, stated her honest opinions and tried to lead him as well.

A kind and confident female lead. I couldn’t help wondering what she would have become if she hadn’t ended up with Ridrian.

Dylan, who seemed displeased to see her overjoyed, scolded her.

“How about staying in the palace, since it fits you so well?” he said. “I alone can guard the Viscount.”

“You’re saying that again? I told you before, I’m not going back until I kill all of them. And I’m the one protecting Iona.”

She put her arm around my neck, sticking her tongue out. He frowned a little, but didn’t say anything.

When would these two ever get along?

It does seem quite fitting that she becomes a knight. But…since she’ll get together with Ridrian again, that’s just a foolish assumption.’