I wore a sullen expression as Yujin sighed deeply, then answered my question with diligence.

“The mother of Princess Sabina was highly favored by His Majesty the Emperor. Since her end wasn’t good, His Majesty felt compelled to treat Princess Sabina better as compensation. Indeed, after Princess Sabina was officially titled, Esrenche’s goods began being supplied to the royal palace.”

“I see.”

Items supplied to the royal family were classified as Royal Guarantee, granting them exclusive selling rights at guarantee shops throughout the country.

But ultimately, this story boiled down to one thing.

“It’s all because of money.”

Letting his children suffer for the sake of money.

‘He really was a worthless person.’

I clicked my tongue and silently cursed the late Count, whom I had never met. Yujin hid his expression under the towel, his shoulders trembling slightly.

‘Is he laughing? No, that can’t be. Is he actually laughing?’

I couldn’t imagine Yujin bursting into laughter at what I said. Instead of lifting the towel to check, I pretended not to notice and looked away.

I decided to assume he was shivering from the cold. That would be more comforting.

After remaining in the shadows for a while, Yujin raised his hand to indicate that I didn’t need to dry his hair any longer. He crumpled the wet towel carelessly and continued his response.

“Of course, that wasn’t the only reason. Looking back now, I suspect there might have been more personal motives… Whether that’s true or not, I don’t know. Father never explained it to me.”

“He’s a bad father.”

“I can’t deny that.”

Yujin nodded. His demeanor was so reminiscent of a puppy that I couldn’t help but smile.

When I chuckled softly, Yujin’s eyebrows rose slightly.

“Why are you laughing?”

“It’s just surprising to hear you talk so much today.”

“It does seem that way.”

He rubbed his chin with his palm, as if unfamiliar with the sensation. I shrugged with a small smile.

“Today, you feel strangely approachable. Like an old friend I haven’t seen in a while.”

“That’s an honor.”

It wasn’t just flattery; it was genuinely the most comfortable conversation I’d ever had with Yujin.

I sat down beside him, continuing our chat in a relaxed manner.

We started with casual topics like news from the capital, the Crown Prince’s marriage, and Esrenche’s business. Eventually, we moved on to traces of the brothers visible in this villa.

“There’s a mark next to the fireplace. It looks like a height measurement.”

“Indeed.”

“Now that I think about it, you’re a bit taller than Yuri.”

“Am I?”

“What kind of answer is that? You keep repeating yourself.”

“Well…”

Yujin grimaced. Someone who didn’t know him might have mistaken it for displeasure, but I understood. He was actually feeling awkward.

‘Why does he feel so familiar?’

When I first met him, I thought there couldn’t be anyone ruder, but now it felt strange that he seemed so familiar.

‘Could we have known each other in a past life?’

He had secluded himself early due to his terminal condition, so we wouldn’t have met directly.

But still, you never know…

“Here.”

Just as I was about to ask if he was close with the Marquis of Sardena, Yuri returned to the room and tossed a shirt and pants to Yujin.

I turned to look at Yuri, who extended his hand to me.

“Get up, Titi. It’s best to give Yujin some space to change.”

He was right. As I grabbed Yuri’s hand, he pulled me up with a firm grip.

It was at that moment.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Before I could say I’d step out of the room for a moment, Yujin took off the shirt that clung to his damp skin. Startled, I hid behind Yuri.

Yuri, with a sharp tone, mocked Yujin.

“I didn’t know you were so sociable, taking off your clothes in front of others,” Yuri remarked.

“There’s no need to go back and forth unnecessarily,” Yujin replied.

“Is that the reason you’re giving?” Yuri asked again, brushing his hair back with irritation.

“What are you here for?” Yuri pressed.

“I told you, I’m here to rest,” Yujin answered calmly.

“You didn’t rush over because you couldn’t stand the thought of us being here, did you?” Yuri mocked.

“Even if I did, what’s the problem?” Yujin responded as he buttoned his shirt.

“What?” Yuri asked, incredulous.

“Is there an issue if I came because I heard you two were here? As your family, can’t I come to check if everything’s alright with you?”

“Huh,” Yuri let out a sarcastic laugh, looking incredulous. He then took my hand and said, “Let’s go somewhere else, Titi.”

I was just as surprised by Yujin’s sudden actions. The villa suddenly felt like a bed of thorns.

However, it started to pour rain again.

Just a moment ago, the sun had been shining, but now dark clouds had rolled in, and heavy rain was pounding against the windows.

We should have left earlier if we were planning to go out. Now it was too daunting. I stared blankly out the window and muttered, “It feels like we might get struck by lightning if we go out now.”

At that moment, a flash of lightning illuminated the sky, followed by a loud boom of thunder. Yuri stood speechless for a moment, then covered his face with his palm.

“I’m the problem here. I didn’t expect it to turn out like this…” he muttered.

“Hmm?” I tilted my head, unable to understand what Yuri was saying.

***

Sabina sat with a doll-like, beautiful smile.

Her luscious golden hair was neatly tied in a half-up style, and she wore a white dress adorned with a mint ribbon, making her appear more demure and elegant than usual.

She was seated in none other than the banquet hall of the Imperial Palace.

It was the regular family meal where everyone gathered.

‘I mustn’t show any weaknesses today,’ she thought.

Even though she didn’t feel like smiling, forcing a smile made her cheeks twitch. Still, Sabina kept smiling brightly. She didn’t want to give anyone a reason to criticize her.

‘Father will pay attention to me again if I do this,’ she hoped.

Ever since Rosemary Morphe became pregnant with the Crown Prince’s child, everything had been a mess. The Empress, who had always seen Sabina as a thorn in her side, openly compared the two and belittled Sabina.

[They’re the same age, yet the princess still seems like a little girl. It might be good for her to learn some decorum from the Crown Princess.]

Such snide remarks had always been there beneath the surface, so they neither hurt nor bothered her.

The real issue was that even the Emperor, who had adored Sabina as if she were the apple of his eye, was swayed by those words.

Recently, an incident in the dress shop where Sabina had spoken rudely to Rosemary reached the Emperor. He was furious and imposed a ban on Sabina’s outings.

[There’s a limit to how much you can disgrace me. The princess shall not leave the palace until the national marriage is over.]

So, she couldn’t go out or even attend family meals. Today was the first time she was allowed to attend after the ban.

‘I have to show Father that I’ve reflected on my actions and restore our relationship,’ she resolved.

Thinking that made her tense up and sit even straighter.

As Sabina sat waiting, her family members arrived one by one. The Crown Prince, entering with Rosemary, didn’t hide his displeasure upon seeing Sabina.

“You’re always the last to arrive, but you managed to come early today?” he remarked.

“I used to take too much time trying to look pretty. Please forgive my childish mistake,” Sabina replied humbly.

When Sabina approached him humbly, the Crown Prince found it hard to criticize her further and took his seat. Next, the Empress and the Emperor sat down.

The Emperor spoke to Sabina in a detached tone.

“You’re here?”

“Thank you for allowing me to attend again, Father,” Sabina replied.

“Be careful from now on,” he advised.

That was the last conversation Sabina had.

After that, the entire discussion was about the national marriage, leaving Sabina with nothing to contribute.

‘I didn’t expect everyone to be so involved in the national marriage,’ she thought.

Even other royal family members were busy with tasks like decorating the flower arrangements and dresses for the event. Sabina, who had been under house arrest, was the only one without a role.

The sense of exclusion Sabina felt throughout the meal was finally punctuated by one comment from Rosemary.

“It’s going to be a wedding talked about for ages since Grand Mage Yujin himself will bestow a mage’s blessing.”

“…What do you mean? Who’s attending?” Sabina asked, confused.

“Grand Mage Yujin. He was your childhood friend, wasn’t he?”

When Yujin’s name was mentioned, Sabina’s smile froze.