Albert massaged his throbbing forehead as he looked down at Roa.

He couldn’t think of a good way to dissuade the Miss who desperately wanted to go out.

Even the perfect Albert faced a problem he couldn’t solve.

“I will contact the master and mistress.”

Albert decided to pass this troublesome concern to someone else.

Roa nodded, thinking that even her father wouldn’t be able to refuse.

Albert stopped his paperwork and moved. Roa followed him closely.

The servants smiled motherly at the scene that looked like a chick following a mother hen.

None of the servants knew that this peaceful scene was a path to hell.

It was a smile that would never appear if they knew about Roa’s blackmail. Only Albert, who knew everything, had a headache.

“Ah. And we’re planning to dismiss Hannah Yoen, Miss.”

“Huh? So suddenly?”

Roa was startled at Hannah’s name coming from Albert’s mouth and opened her eyes wide.

Being dismissed from the Grand Duke’s household was equivalent to being told to starve to death.

No noble would accept a maid who had been expelled from the Grand Duke’s household for wrongdoing.

Roa frowned, feeling confused and displeased about the situation that had gone strange without her knowledge.

Albert, walking ahead of Roa, didn’t notice her frowning and added:

“I heard from Hannah Yoen.”

“Are you talking about her lying to me?”

“Yes. Even though you said you would let it go, using your feelings to act according to her own will is an insufficient attitude for someone serving you, Miss.”

Roa shook her head, recalling Hannah who had confessed her sin and chosen dismissal despite Roa saying she would forgive her.

While Roa had been distracted by Yvaine, a bloodbath had been brewing among the servants.

A very trivial matter was about to ruin someone’s life.

Now she understood Hannah’s behavior of avoiding her for the past few days. Roa pressed the sunken part next to her eye and said:

“It’s fine. I’ve resolved it. Don’t dismiss her.”

“Miss, we cannot keep someone untrustworthy by your side.”

“I am not a child, Albert.”

At Roa’s firm tone, Albert stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Roa, who had grown enough to meet his eyes.

The young mistress who used to cling to his trouser leg and act spoiled now knew how to strongly assert her opinions.

Albert felt an emotion that didn’t fit this situation.

“I take responsibility for my actions. I decided to forgive Hannah and give her another chance. Hannah is already my person.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Even if it’s you, Albert, you can’t dismiss my person as you please.”

Albert silently looked at Roa after her final words.

It was true that he should follow the orders of the person he served, but she was like a daughter to Albert.

He couldn’t leave her in danger. But in Albert’s eyes was trust in Roa.

“If she betrays me, then I’m the one who can’t judge people. It might hurt a little, but that will help me grow in its own way. So trust me, Albert.”

A smile spread across Albert’s lips.

“I made the wrong choice. I’ll handle it as you said, Miss.”

Albert bowed his head in respect at Roa’s words.

Roa gave him a playful wink, and Albert couldn’t help but smile at his young mistress’s aegyo.

“We’ll be late. Let’s hurry and tell Mother and Father, Albert.”

“Yes, Miss.”

* * *

“Ah, I’m ruined. It’s too late to go back and get it.”

With 30 minutes left until the meeting time, Roan was overwhelmed with frustration about the missing document from his briefcase.

Roan hadn’t slept properly for three days and nights for today.

But one mistake had turned all his efforts into bubbles that disappeared. Emptiness and a sense of loss dominated him.

“Aaaaargh!!”

Roan screamed. He had realized this important fact at an awkward time to go home.

The imperial palace and mansion were quite a distance by carriage, so it was too tight to send servants to bring it.

Roan had come to the garden to escape Yvaine’s gaze, but ended up clutching his head and collapsing on the spot.

Roa, watching from behind, shook her head at his dazed state.

“I knew this would happen. How unlike you, brother, to make a mistake.”

Roan responded to Roa’s voice that shouldn’t be heard in the imperial palace. Roan’s expression as he turned his head was just one thing.

‘Why are you here?’

Roa waved the document she had brought while looking at the bewildered Roan. That explained her business.

Roan immediately recognized what it was just by seeing the document envelope. He got up and approached Roa.

She was like an angel sent by God so he wouldn’t be bullied by the demon. He let out a sigh of relief after confirming that the document she brought was the one he had written.

“Roa!”

“Eek, brother!”

Roa screamed. Roan was so happy that at this moment, he couldn’t hear Roa’s scream. Roan smiled from ear to ear.

“To think this lovely creature is my sister!”

Roan supported her bottom with his arms and lifted her into the air.

Roa, who now looked down at Roan whom she always looked up to, naturally placed her hands on his shoulders.

He would never drop her, but it was natural to be scared of the suddenly elevated view.

“Perfect timing, right?”

“Of course. Today’s meeting is led by His Majesty the Emperor, so it could have been a disaster.”

“What? His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Our Roa is nothing short of a savior to her brother.”

That’s how carefully he had prepared the document.

Roa was shocked to learn that the document she had brought was more important than she had thought. Instead, Roa’s hands and feet trembled.

The favor she had done just wanting to go out had preserved the family’s honor.

“By the way, did you come alone? How?”

Once his mind was settled, Roan had the leisure to look around.

Roan narrowed his eyes when he realized that Roa, who couldn’t go out alone, was in the imperial palace.

His good sister wouldn’t have run away, and the servants wouldn’t dare send Roa on an errand.

Roa met Roan’s gaze directly without avoiding it.

She had nothing to feel guilty about. Roan put her down on the ground, seeing her confident attitude.

“I came with proper permission. Father and Mother know.”

“That can’t be right.”

Roan was certain that their parents, who were more concerned about her health than anyone, would never allow Roa to come to the imperial palace alone.

Roa showed Roan the imperial token she had received from the princess, which had created this opportunity for her outing.

“Oh my, not trusting your sister. I don’t lie.”

Roan understood the situation when he saw the token proving she was a guest permitted by the princess.

He never thought that introducing the princess would lead to this situation.

Roan stared blankly at the imperial token. His ears had been itchy; it must have been the sound of his family cursing him.

“I brought your document on my way to meet the princess.”

“I brought this upon myself. I really did.”

“Hehe. I’m grateful to you, brother.”

Roan stroked Roa’s head with a look of enlightenment. He had no grounds to stop Roa when she said she wanted to see the princess.

He never thought he could suppress Roa’s freedom for life, but he never imagined that freedom would come so quickly.

“Thanks to my smart sister, I can hear the servants’ resentment all the way here.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

“It’s not a compliment.”

Roan pinched Roa’s cheek. No matter how pretty his sister was in the world, he couldn’t help but find her annoying.

Roa, who was in a good mood, burst into laughter with her cheek being pinched. The pain in her cheek couldn’t interfere with her joyful outing.

“Go straight home.”

Roan spoke as he walked beside Roa toward the imperial palace.

He knew full well his sister didn’t want to miss this opportunity—now that she was here, she’d be tempted to wander off.

Roa pouted at the lecture that had started without her saying a word, and Roan poked her jutted-out lips.

“Don’t pout, there’s a Slave Syndicate targeting nobles these days.”

Today’s meeting agenda was also about eliminating that Slave Syndicate.

That’s how systematically the syndicate was operating within the empire, kidnapping nobles to demand money, and selling them as slaves if they didn’t pay.

The Slave Syndicate, which was initially not taken seriously, had established itself quite deeply.

They were filled with arrogance as they could easily make big money without getting caught.

Recently, they didn’t hesitate to harm escort knights and send cut hair if money wasn’t given.

The emperor, angered by their terrible greed, declared he would root them out. A war between the emperor and the Slave Syndicate was about to begin.

Roa was disappointed by the serious matter from Roan, who was faster and more sensitive to news than her.

“A Slave Syndicate?”

“Yes. The knight commander and the intelligence department are investigating them now. So go straight home. You understand your brother’s feelings, right?”

Roa’s shoulders drooped at Roan’s concern. Having quite looked forward to going out, her disappointment was greater.

“But if His Majesty the Emperor is watching, wouldn’t the Slave Syndicate try to hide?”

“No. If they were that timid, they wouldn’t have done this in the first place.”

“……”

“Go straight home. Understand?”

Roan looked into her eyes. He felt sorry for the dejected Roa, but she had no choice but to nod.

However, on the other hand, Roa, who had lived in a leisurely world far from crime, also thought, ‘Surely such a thing wouldn’t happen to me.’

Roan sighed at his sister, whom he couldn’t trust. The freedom he had suppressed too much had nurtured his sister’s curiosity.

He could understand how interesting and fascinating the world she had little chance to experience was, but his worry grew day by day.

“Let’s go out together when the urgent matter is over. This time, I promise.”

Roan held out his pinky finger to Roa.

Roa stared intently at that finger. Having been betrayed by that finger many times, her hand wouldn’t rise readily.

She wasn’t sure if she could trust Roan’s workplace, which had such a clear correlation, rather than Roan himself.

Before he could express his grievance at her suspicious gaze, the very person who had created the doubt between them placed his hand on Roa’s shoulder.

Roa turned her head at the weight on her shoulder and looked directly at Yvaine’s face as he was bending down.

“I’ll guarantee it this time.”

Roa’s lips dangerously brushed against his as he was bending down. Startled, Roa couldn’t say anything and froze awkwardly.

‘Did they touch?’

She was too confused to know exactly whether what had touched her lips was really his.

But one thing she felt was that it wasn’t an unpleasant feeling.

A shout that awakened her from such thoughts struck her ears.

“Your Highness!”

A small flame flickered in Roan’s eyes. Roa thought ‘oops’ as she saw Roan becoming the incarnation of jealousy when it came to his sister.

His burning eyes watched the close distance between Roa and the crown prince.

Roan became furious at the thought that his demon-like superior was taking his sister’s purity.

He swatted away the hand on his sister’s shoulder and pulled Roa into his arms. The scent of her roses hit Yvaine’s nose.

Yvaine felt his heart tickle with a tremor.

“Suddenly appearing like that is harmful to my sister’s heart.”

“Why? Am I that handsome?”

The siblings were left speechless at such confident self-assurance.

It certainly wasn’t a face one could call ugly.

The Helena grand ducal siblings were certain that people more handsome than the crown prince could be counted on fingers, but they didn’t want to affirm the crown prince’s words.

They couldn’t muster the courage to praise him with their own mouths.

‘Ah, how annoying.’

The siblings thought simultaneously. Yvaine scratched his cheek awkwardly at their reaction.

He was naturally intimidated by the siblings’ resolute response.

He thought they would agree with him even if it was just lip service, but they were more honest with their emotional expressions than they appeared.

Yvaine hunched his shoulders dramatically. They knew it was an act.

“I’m a person who gets hurt too.”

“I’m sorry for hurting your feelings.”

“It’s fine. It’s fine.”

The apologizing face showed no trace of regret. He was now used to their indifferent reactions.

Yvaine stopped acting as they didn’t respond and walked alongside them.

His final destination was the same as Roan’s anyway. Roa kept her mouth shut at Yvaine’s natural joining.

There wasn’t anything particular to talk about. She wasn’t close with Yvaine either. Roa walked silently.

“What brings you to the imperial palace today? Did you come to keep the promise we made last time?”

Yvaine spoke to Roa first as she remained silent. Roa recalled the promise they made in the carriage at Yvaine’s words.

At the same time, Roa remembered Yvaine’s face as he kissed the back of her hand and smiled. The emotion she felt then rose again.

Roa shook her head vigorously with a reddened face.

“No.”

“Roa came to see me. Not Your Highness.”

Roan expressed his sharp emotion again. He couldn’t know what promise it was. But he knew the crown prince was making a move on his sister.

Roan pulled Roa closer to himself. Yvaine paid no attention and stuck close to them.

“How do you know that?”

“I know everything about Roa!”

‘That’s not true.’

Roa objected to Roan’s words.

“Isn’t that beyond the level of being obsessed with your sister?”

“Your Highness is not in a position to say that.”

Roan, who knew Yvaine’s true nature, was surprised that him, who was more obsessive than himself, brought up the topic of obsession.

From Roa’s perspective, there wasn’t much difference between Roan and Yvaine. Roa sighed at the increasingly fierce atmosphere.

“Both of you, stop it.”

“But Roa, His Highness, to you……”

“Brother, don’t you trust me?”

“No, I trust you.”

I just don’t trust the wolf approaching you.

Roan swallowed his words. He might earn Roa’s hatred if he said one more word here.

“Thank you for the gift you gave me last time.”

“It was nothing.”

“And I inform you that I didn’t come to see Your Highness today.”

“Oh, that’s a shame. If you had come to see me, I would have given you an even better gift.”

Yvaine took Roa’s hand with a smiling eye. Roan was shocked at his superior’s eye smile, which he had never seen before, and grabbed Roa’s hand.

Roa, who had some experience, pulled her hand away from his.

“I decline excessive gifts, Your Highness.”

“What? What gift?”

“It was a gift of apology.”

Roan asked Roa, but Yvaine answered. Roan felt something strange as he looked at him.

Yvaine’s attitude toward Roa was somehow twisted, considering he had never shown interest in any female creature.

Roa noticed Roan’s intention to confront Yvaine and held his hand. Roan’s expression turned serious.

“Roa, do you have a boyfriend?”

Unable to ask the crown prince directly, Roan looked at Roa.

Roa figured out what Roan was asking from his sudden question.

“No. It was just an apology for a mistake committed by your lover who was jealous of me.”

“What?! Who is whose lover!”

“But I heard the rumors are rampant in the imperial palace.”

That the crown prince wants to have a lover who likes his sister, so he’s tormenting the imperial knights.

Roa quoted Yvel’s words to Roan. Both Roan and Yvaine’s faces distorted simultaneously.

“It’s not like that. Me and this person as lovers.”

“The same goes for me, Your Highness!”

Who should be upset here?

They both made excuses and distanced themselves. Roa smiled with satisfaction seeing them act exactly as she had expected.

Having successfully stopped the two from fighting, Roa crossed the garden with a lighter expression. The two men followed her closely.

“Roa, you need to talk with your brother.”

“I want to let you know that it was all a misunderstanding.”

“Yes. No need to explain separately. By the way, Your Highness, when did you visit the carriage? The coachman didn’t seem to know.”

“That’s a trade secret. Won’t you think of me a little if I don’t tell you?”

Yvaine forgot that he had just been teased by Roa and flirted nonsensically. Roa’s brow furrowed.

‘What is this crown prince saying now?’

The rumor that the crown prince was so obsessed with work that he had never dated a woman was clearly false.

It was quite a talent to make someone think they should have ignored him in that fleeting moment.

Roa answered Yvaine firmly. In such cases, one should speak as clearly as possible so the other person doesn’t misunderstand.

“There’s no room in my mind for thoughts of Your Highness.”

“I’d be grateful if you could make that space for me.”

“What nonsense is that! Your Highness, stay away from my sister.”

Roan, who had been listening to their conversation, gritted his teeth. Sparks flew from his eyes, and one corner of his mouth trembled.

Yvaine smiled as he looked at Roan watching him with blazing eyes. For some reason, he enjoyed seeing Roan jealous.

Unaware that he was being used for Yvaine’s strange hobby, Roan continued his intense reaction.

“Your Highness, let’s have a serious conversation today.”

“I have nothing to talk about with you.”

“No. There’s definitely something.”

Yvaine had nothing to say, but Roan had plenty.

Roan was ready to fight no matter how high the rank of the wolf seducing his sister.

Roan hid Roa behind his back, out of Yvaine’s sight.

Roan’s alert state was activated.

Right now, Roan’s mind was filled with just one thought: getting Roa away from this place as quickly as possible.

So he made an unreasonable complaint.

“Don’t look at her.”

“My eyes are perfectly fine, so I can see the lady very well. I’m not blind.”

“You can close them.”

Roa was embarrassed by her brother. Her brother thought she was dating every man she talked to.

The severe case of overprotectiveness with no signs of improvement tormented Roa’s mind. Roa tapped his arm to signal him to stop.

Unfortunately, Roan interpreted Roa’s gesture as a distress signal.

‘Save me, brother.’

Roan’s ears were blocked by Roa’s screams in his head, making him unable to hear anything else.

“Roa, thanks for today. I’ll see you at home later.”

“Is it alright to let her go alone?”

“Your Highness doesn’t need to worry. Roa can go  well by herself. She’s a grown adult now.”

Without taking his eyes off Yvaine, Roan gently pushed Roa, urging her to leave this place.

Roa’s lips twitched at this mama’s boy’s stubbornness. Even she couldn’t stop Roan in this state.

‘Good luck, and escape well.’

In the end, Roa chose to bow her head and quickly leave the place.

This overprotective brother had the side effect of getting worse if she stood her ground.

Yvaine gave Roa an eye greeting, avoiding Roan who was pressing his face uncomfortably close and interrogating him.

However, even that eye greeting had to be withdrawn due to Roan’s sharp glare. Roa wanted to quickly escape this space, embarrassed by her brother’s behavior.

As Roa hastily left, she heard their voices rising in argument.

“Why is Your Highness friendly with my sister?! And what’s this about a gift?!”