Eclise raised his eyebrow and turned Rodi toward him.

Despite asking with a grin, Rodi felt a very deep killing intent.

“Hehe, boss, I need to go to the b-bathroom. I really need to pee.”

Realizing her mistake, Rodi tried to cover it up with a foolish smile, but Eclise easily brushed her off with a snort.

Soon, a terrifying voice flowed out.

“Spread rumors and you’re dead.”

“No, I won’t spread rumors. There’s no way I would. Really!”

“Yeah, right. Your mouth is already fully prepared.”

“No! I’m on your side, boss! I’m being loyal to you. Look, loyalty!”

While hanging there, Rodi raised her hand and even gave a salute.

She showed an innocent face that she would absolutely never do such a thing, but this didn’t work either.

“Lick your lips before you speak.”

“Tsk.”

Eclise carried Rodi toward the office desk.

No matter how much she stretched her feet downward, they couldn’t reach the floor.

Rodi finally failed to escape and went limp, tucked under Eclise’s side.

It seemed he wouldn’t let her go until the conversation was completely over.

As she pouted and raised her head, her eyes met Lili’s strange gaze.

Soon a quiet voice was heard.

“If you’re going to talk nonsense, find someone else. I’m not as idle as some people.”

“Why? Aren’t I good enough? There’s nothing lacking about me.”

Lili moved a little closer to Eclise.

From Rodi’s perspective, it was rather puzzling that Eclise showed no reaction.

She couldn’t understand why he would refuse when such a pretty imperial princess was asking to marry him.

‘What’s different about the adult world?’

Rodi thought she should definitely ask Padrid about this later.

“I don’t know where your confidence comes from, but no, it’s not fine. Because I have high standards.”

“That’s exactly it. If you have high standards, you should choose me. Wealth, power, beauty, even age—what’s missing? Right?”

It might have seemed somewhat brazen, but it couldn’t be said to be wrong.

Rodi looked back and forth between Lili and Eclise.

She found it fascinating how Eclise was responding while keeping her tucked under his arm and checking the remaining documents with his other hand, not even giving Lili a glance.

But she wondered if it was okay to speak like that to someone who, as an imperial princess, was known to be among the highest-ranking people in the empire.

When she used to go out begging, she had once seen an imperial procession carriage.

Even though not a single face was visible from outside the carriage, people all bowed their heads deeply and respectfully saw off the procession.

Only after the carriage had completely disappeared did people return to their original paths, and Rodi realized how high the position of the emperor and the imperial family was.

Eclise, who had been quietly listening, took a step closer to Lili.

A flash of confusion briefly appeared and disappeared in Lili’s widening eyes.

Eclise, who had approached right up to her face, slightly lowered his head to match Lili’s height.

As Eclise’s face came close enough that only a palm could fit between them, Lili’s cheeks began to flush.

“Haven’t you been told you lack awareness before?”

“…What did you say?”

“You’re not my type.”

Lili’s face turned bright red.

Eclise straightened his posture.

Then, as if nothing had happened, he touched the documents.

Rodi tried to quietly wriggle out of his arms during that moment, but because her waist was completely held, she failed spectacularly.

Instead, as Eclise raised the arm holding Rodi, she became like a perfectly fitting cushion.

“Then what is your type? I can match that much.”

“A dirt-poor commoner.”

When Eclise looked at her indifferently, Lili’s brow furrowed.

“Stop joking. I’ll match it. Or we could at least go on a date. Who knows? You might actually like me.”

“I wonder.”

“Don’t just say things like that. Through me, you could get the necessary information much more easily. Really, aren’t you even a little interested in me?”

“No.”

“I’m being serious right now.”

“That’s another mismatch. I’m light-hearted about everything.”

“Stop joking. If you marry me, everything I have will become yours too. Tell me honestly.”

Regardless, Eclise was busy playing with Rodi’s chubby cheeks, stretching them as she tried to escape from his arms.

Lili also felt the urge to touch Rodi’s soft, stretchy cheeks, but she suppressed it and called out to Eclise.

“Hey, I’m talking to you.”

This was the first time anyone had treated her, an imperial princess, like this.

Not replying to her letter, and being so indifferent even when she visited.

Honestly, it felt like her pride was being hurt.

“I’m listening.”

Eclise’s teasing only stopped after Rodi bit his hand hard to defend her cheeks.

Even so, he was busy reviewing the documents that Padrid had brought in the morning, without even a glance at the imperial princess.

“Excuse me, Eclise.”

“I’m busy. How long do I have to play along?”

Suddenly, a cold voice was directed at Lili.

“……”

When Lili could only stare without saying anything due to the abrupt change in atmosphere, Eclise put down the documents and let out a small sigh.

“You want my help, but you also want to maintain your pride as an imperial princess.”

“……”

As he suddenly attacked, Lili wore a blank expression.

“You’re afraid of finding someone strange if you look elsewhere, time is tight, and everyone you find is inadequate.”

“I don’t need someone else!”

“Right. There’s no one like me. I’m good enough not to be outdone anywhere, I live by my pride so there won’t be any trouble, and if lucky, there’s a possibility of receiving a title, so it doesn’t seem bad.”

“……”

“Plus, the title of Hikkerman’s illegitimate child could smear your father’s face.”

As Eclise spat out the words, Lili’s face turned pale.

“How……”

In contrast, Eclise looked as if he were observing an inanimate object.

His face showed not even a scratch from the bomb he had just dropped.

‘Illegitimate child?’

Actually, the most surprised was Rodi.

She was shocked not only by their sudden fight but also because the words “Hikkerman’s illegitimate child” came from Eclise’s mouth.

Rodi knew very well what an illegitimate child meant.

She had actually met an illegitimate child of some nobleman who had come to the orphanage.

His behavior was so unusual that she couldn’t forget it. As soon as they met, he called them lowly creatures and told them not to block his way, and even ordered Rodi around without warning.

Saying he was a nobleman, different from lowly orphans like her, he even poked Rodi’s head with his finger.

At that time, Rodi was so angry at this kid suddenly attacking her that she reached out and pulled all his hair.

Even though he started it, only Rodi got scolded, which made her even angrier.

Only later did she learn that he was a nobleman’s illegitimate child and what that meant.

And not long after, his mother came back and took him away.

‘Hmm, so what does this mean?’

Lexiard is Duke Hikkerman’s grandson, and Eclise is Lexiard’s uncle.

So that means…

Rodi began to reflect on a series of recent events.

“Grandfather kind of dislikes uncle.”

“But boss is family too. Why does he keep attacking family?”

“It’s because he’s too handsome, why else?”

“That’s a lie.”

“Our family is a bit complicated, Rodi. So you need to understand.”

I see…

So that’s why they attacked the boss? Because he’s an illegitimate child?

Rodi felt like she could now understand the meaning a little better.

“You’re incredibly cowardly. And shameless too.”

Rodi, who had been thinking deeply, raised her head.

“How did you know?”

“Then why did you come here, knowing what this place is?”

Lili, who had pretended to like Eclise quite well on the surface, couldn’t continue speaking after her mask was removed.

“You need to be spoon-fed to understand, and you’re stupid on top of that.”

“……”

Rodi saw Lili’s hands tightly gripping her dress.

She knew the boss had a bad personality, but right now it was beyond words.

He was absolutely terrifying.

It felt like his words were flying like fists, tormenting the imperial princess.

I should never mess with the boss in the future.

Of course, unless he teases her about her short legs or pulls only her cheeks.

But is it really okay to be like this?

“So please leave. Do you know how much of my time you’ve wasted?”

“I, I didn’t mean to say it like that, I just thought we might be on the same page.”

“You wanted to join hands?”

“Yes. I know you also have someone you want to get back at. Wouldn’t it be good for you to use me too?”

Eclise snickered. It was clearly mockery.

“I have all my limbs intact, so why would I?”

“What?”

“For people to join hands, there needs to be mutual interest. Wealth, power, age, face—there’s nothing I desire, so why would I?”