CH 167

“Of course.”

“What do you mean of course? How is this of course?

It was obvious for him. He’d heard from a servant that Eris and Dylan already went back to the mansion. He said they’d gone back because of something urgent. How could both have emergencies at the same time? Of course, Ridrian wouldn’t let me go alone if they aren’t here!

Would it be better if I went with Kraman instead?

On our way back in the carriage, I glanced at Ridrian’s face. He didn’t look angry now, but maybe I was mistaken. He hadn’t said a word since he got on the carriage.

He must be angry, I thought. Of course—I’d hit his hand after he’d been nice to me.

I shook my head.

This is better. He’ll get together with Eris anyway.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes. I might feel better if I slept on my way to the mansion.

Just then, the carriage stopped.

“Master, we’re here.”

Ridrian’s eyes flickered open.

Ah, right. My house is only five minutes away from the palace. by carriage.

Suddenly, I wanted to move to the suburbs.

“Iona”

Ridrian got off and gave me his hand. I hesitated for a moment, then grabbed it and climbed down from the carriage.

I frowned. Something about the mansion didn’t feel right.

Why is it so quiet?

It hadn’t been a long time since I’d last lived here, but it was the first time the mansion was so quiet. It seemed quieter than the first day I’d been here.

Did someone intrude?

I clutched my chest, my heart suddenly fluttering with anxiety. There was a divine barrier on the house, but Piett might have sent a human intruder. I grabbed the hems of dress and dashed for the door.

“Iona?”

“I think something happened here.”

“No—wait!”

I kept running, not bothering to glance over my shoulder. There were normal people like Lina and the attendees in the house. They shouldn’t be involved in this!

They can’t get hurt!

“Lina! Eris! Dylan!”

I nearly broke the door down in my mad rush into the house. The house was as quiet as it could be. I darted around the mansion, my heart in my throat.

“Is no one here?”

I could feel myself growing more anxious. There was no one around. Just what had happened? Why was no one here? There should be so many attendees! Where was everyone, including Eris and Dylan?

“Calm down, Iona.”

“How can I! Something might have happened!”

“No—I’ll explain.”

I avoided Ridrian, who was trying to grab me, and kept opening the doors to the rooms. All empty. Not a single soul in sight. My blood running cold, I headed for the dining room.

If no one is here…

I opened the door. “Is no one here?”

There was a flash of light, and something exploded. With a scream, I covered my ears and dropped into a crouch.

“Happy birthday!” came several deafening cheers.

“Iona?”

Ridrian hugged me. He summoned the sword right away, and I squinted to see what was going on.

“My lady?”

“Your Majesty?’

There were a lot of people in the dining room, including Dylan and Ravis. They all held something familiar in their hands, blank looks on their faces. As I glanced around, the dining room suddenly transformed into a highly decorated space, as though a celebration was going on.

I froze in surprise. Everyone came over to my side.

“My lady, are you okay?”

“Miss Iona—are you okay?’

I stood up, blinking at them. “What…what is this?”

Lina beamed and shook the firecracker in her hand.

“It’s your debutant and birthday party!” she exclaimed.

“Birthday…party?”

“Yes!”

“Do you like it?” Lina and Eris looked proud of themselves. As I stood there, still frozen, Ravis sidled up to me and congratulated me, a big grin on his face.

“Miss Iona, congratulations on becoming an adult,” he said.

Then everyone started to follow, and the dining room became rowdy again.

“My Lady, congratulations on officially inheriting the title!”

“Iona, congratulations on your inheritance and your birthday!”

“My Lady, congratulations on your twentieth birthday!”

I could feel my eyes tearing up as everyone congratulated me.

“You all prepared for this?”

“I suggested it. It felt like no one was going to do it, and I thought it would be a shame to just pass it by. I’m good at this.” Eris winked at me.

It suddenly occurred to me that I was clenching Ridrian’s sleeves.

“Ah, s-sorry.”

“I’m okay with that,” he replied, “but are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m a little surprised, but I’m okay.”

I gazed around again at the fancily decorated dining room.

How did they prepare all this without me knowing?

Then it hit me: everyone had been acting a little weird in the morning. I’d figured it was just in my head. But to think that this was the reason Eris and Dylan had gone home without me and Ridrian had suggested a walk…

“Did you also prepare with them?”

“The only thing I did was keep you from going home. The young lady Deron let me know about the plan after you ditched me. I figured it wasn’t a bad idea, so I let them be.”

But then…

I realized when that was. And I remembered their conversation.

“How is it?”

“I think it’s good.”

“Right? I’m good at this.”

I’d misunderstood the whole thing.

“Th-then you two didn’t kiss?” I blurted.

My hands flew to my mouth, but it was already too late. Both Ridrian and Eris looked at me as they had when we’d first met. The only difference now was the bewilderment and anger in their eyes.

“Kiss?”

“What do you mean?”

I shook my head desperately. Eris put her hands on her hips and shot me a revulsed look. “Don’t say scary things like that! I can swear to God that I didn’t do anything like that with His Majesty the t—tyrant!”

Ridrian seemed to have not minded being called a tyrant and stepped closer to me. He brought his face up close until we were merely inches apart. His voice was quiet but laced with anger.

“What are you talking about?” he asked. “I’d rather jump into fire than kiss that woman. Iona, do you want to see me angry?”

I covered my mouth and shook my head.

I see. It was a misunderstanding.

Relaxed, I began tearing up. It had been foolish of me to try to give my way to Eris. I’d been fooling myself when I said it was for Ridrian, when I told myself it was the right thing to do.

I’m glad. No, I shouldn’t be—but I’m glad.

My greed might be enough to change the trajectory of this novel.

“I-Iona?”

As I welled up tears of embarrassment and gratefulness for the surprise party, they hurried to comfort me.

“I’m sorry for scaring you. Please don’t cry!”

“Are you alright? Was I too harsh?”

Ridrian and Eris, people who were more precious to me than in the original novel. I smiled at them both.

“I’m okay,” I said. “Just… happy.”