Chapter 65

Phyllis’s mouth slowly opened. He couldn’t comprehend the situation unfolding before his eyes all at once. Noah, unfazed by the chilling atmosphere, simply smiled brightly and gestured.

“Don’t just stand there, have a seat.”

Earl Herwin let out a small cough as if to cover for Noah’s attitude, which made it seem like this was his own home.

“There are circumstances that require His Highness to stay here for a while.”

Phyllis, who had been standing in a daze, belatedly understood the Earl’s words and turned his gaze toward him. If his earlier reaction had been out of confusion, this time, it was disbelief that rendered him speechless.

It had only been a few days since the trial ended, and now the Prince, who had been imprisoned as a traitor, was staying here. Although Phyllis knew he had been acquitted, it didn’t make the situation any easier to accept.

“Phyllis. You’re being too rude. I told you to greet him.”

“…I greet Your Highness, the Prince.”

However, regardless of what anyone said, Noah was currently the 2nd Prince of the Loterga Empire.

Phyllis swallowed the rebuttal rising to his throat and bowed his head toward Noah.

“I apologize for the discourtesy, Your Highness. It seems Phyllis was momentarily caught off guard.”

“It’s fine. If anything, I’m the one being discourteous.”

“What do you mean by that? As a citizen of the Empire, it is only natural to serve you, Your Highness.”

“Thank you for saying so. It must not have been an easy decision.”

Seated on the sofa, Phyllis attentively listened to the conversation between the two. Although he didn’t know the details, it seemed the Imperial Family had requested something regarding the 2nd Prince’s whereabouts.

Given that his father, a supporter of the Crown Prince, had accepted the request immediately, it was highly likely that the Crown Prince himself had spoken to him. While Phyllis didn’t know what benefits his father stood to gain, he personally found it entirely unwelcome.

The unpleasant memories of Noah that had accumulated in Phyllis’s mind flashed by quickly. But that wasn’t all. Ever since Noah had been put on trial, Karina seemed to have been looking for him.

‘There must be something between the two of them.’

Though he wanted to deny it, even Phyllis already knew the truth.

The man before him had, at some point, become someone special to Karina. With a heart that suddenly felt heavy, Phyllis turned his gaze away from Noah.

“So, where will I be staying?”

“We’ll prepare a space wherever you feel comfortable, Your Highness. There’s an annex at the back of the mansion, so feel free to look around and decide.”

In contrast to Phyllis’s heavy mood, Noah and Earl Herwin continued their conversation in a peaceful atmosphere.

“By the way… if it’s not too rude to ask, may I know how long you plan to stay?”

The Earl cautiously inquired. It seemed he, too, was unaware of the full context. Phyllis perked up slightly, finding some solace in that.

“Not for long. I just need some time to prepare.”

“Prepare for what…?”

“To prepare to lose everything I’ve enjoyed until now.”

Noah’s response was cryptic. The Earl could only nod without offering a reply.

Preparing to lose everything before ascending to the throne—it wasn’t an easy statement for anyone to understand. However, Phyllis felt differently. For a fleeting moment, he caught a subtle emotion in Noah’s eyes.

What, if anything, had Noah gained since leaving the North?

‘Noah!’

Oddly enough, the first thing that came to Phyllis’s mind at that moment was Karina. Karina, who had been chasing after someone desperately, looking uncharacteristically frantic.

“I’ll only impose on you until then.”

As Noah finished speaking, he looked at Phyllis for the first time and smiled peacefully. Phyllis couldn’t bring himself to smile back. His mind was filled with petty hopes that he couldn’t shake off.

***

Karina paused as she reached for the doorknob. Her left hand, wrapped in bandages, caught her eye belatedly.

‘I keep forgetting.’

Even though it was a hand she rarely used, moments like this reminded her of the inconvenience.

When she opened the door and stepped into the hallway, no one was there. Karina headed straight to the first floor.

“Miss, you’re down early.”

It seemed breakfast preparations were nearly complete. Becky guided her to the inner side of the dining table. Because of her injured hand, the food placed before Karina consisted mostly of dishes she could eat with a spoon and fork.

Before long, Asillis and Laura also sat at the table.

“Will you be able to eat on your own?”

“I’ll be fine. If it’s too difficult, I’ll ask Becky for help.”

“Alright. Be careful not to spill anything.”

Unlike Laura, who expressed concern, Asillis simply glanced at Karina occasionally and began eating without a word.

‘I wish he’d just scold me.’

Though he was clearly furious about her sneaking out and deceiving everyone, he couldn’t bring himself to express it. Karina sighed inwardly and quietly picked up her utensils.

Using only her right hand was slightly inconvenient, but after a few days, she had somewhat adapted to it.

In a way, it had been a wise choice. If her right hand had been injured instead, she wouldn’t have been able to manage even this much.

“Don’t forget that the doctor is coming this evening.”

“Yes, I know.”

Despite it being a scheduled appointment, Laura carefully reminded Karina again. For Karina, who was receiving treatment for a self-inflicted wound, it was somewhat embarrassing.

But there had been no other choice. At the time, she couldn’t think of any other solution. And since then, a white-masked figure had even passed near Ron. So, it hadn’t been a completely fruitless action.

Karina comforted herself with that thought as she hurriedly finished her meal.

“Are you already done?”

“That’s enough for me. I’ll head upstairs now.”

Lingering at the table only brought back memories of worrying her parents, filling her with guilt. As she tried to leave quickly, footsteps echoed from the direction of the front door.

It was the butler, Shumian. He alternated glances between Karina, who had risen from her seat, and the two people behind her, before bowing his head.

“I apologize for interrupting your meal, Your Grace. Someone has come to see Miss Karina…”

Even as he spoke briefly, Shumian kept glancing toward the outside, looking nervous. His uncharacteristically restless behavior prompted Asillis to ask with a suspicious look.

“Who is it? What business do they have with Karina?”

“Well, it’s… Young Lord Phyllis.”

At the mention of an unexpected name, the atmosphere shifted subtly. The most startled person, of course, was Karina. When she turned around, she saw her parents’ expressions harden.

But unlike before, they couldn’t simply reject him outright. After all, it was Phyllis who had carried the unconscious Karina back to their mansion that day.

Ron, who had suffered severe injuries, couldn’t be moved by human hands. In the end, Phyllis had given up his own carriage for Ron and carried Karina himself.

‘We were so worried. I hate to admit it, but… at that moment, we were grateful to Young Lord Phyllis.’

Even Becky, who usually glared at the mere mention of Phyllis’s name, had said as much. That said it all. If not for Phyllis, they might not have received help so quickly.

Everyone present was aware of this, which made them hesitant to speak. After a moment of deliberation, Karina finally opened her mouth. She had a reason to meet Phyllis.

“Please guide him to the parlor. There’s something I’d like to ask him.”

Phyllis was the only one who knew what had happened afterward.

Asillis and Laura looked visibly displeased but didn’t stop her.

“Yes, Miss. I’ll escort him to the parlor immediately.”

After sending a servant to the front door, Shumian led Karina to the parlor. Once there, Karina sat on the sofa and composed herself.

Soon, the sound of the door opening reached her ears. Phyllis walked in and sat on the sofa across from her, speaking first.

“…I’m sorry for coming unannounced.”

“It’s fine.”

“I wanted to tell you something about what happened that day.”

“I thought you might. Go ahead.”

Karina deliberately responded in a mechanical tone. Phyllis nodded without much reaction.

“I happened to hear that someone named Kaya is injured and receiving treatment.”

“Kaya? Where?”

Karina instinctively asked, only to realize belatedly how foolish the question was. Kaya was Noah’s closest confidant and, from what she had heard, a member of the Knight Order.

“I don’t know the details, but I heard she’s staying in the Imperial Palace.”

It was only natural for Kaya to be staying in the palace, having fled from the same danger. Karina felt relieved to have at least heard the news.

As she processed this reality, one person came to mind.

Noah. Perhaps Phyllis knew something about him as well.

“Karina?”

“Oh, yes. I’m listening.”

“You don’t need to worry too much. I heard there’s no threat to her life.”

If anyone could know, it would be Phyllis, who frequented the palace. The thought naturally brought Cornell to mind, but Karina quickly dismissed it.

‘Even if I’m desperate, that’s not the way.’

Ultimately, Phyllis was her only option. Forcing herself to open her mouth, Karina asked.

“Just in case… do you know anything about Noah’s situation?”

Even to herself, asking Phyllis such a question felt pathetic. But Karina was desperate. She wanted to hear anything about him, no matter how small.

Phyllis blinked slowly before lowering his gaze. Then, he spoke in a measured tone.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know much.”

His response was firm, though tinged with hesitation. Karina’s lips parted slightly before closing again. It had been foolish to hope. Even though she hadn’t expected much, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

“If I find out anything, I’ll let you know. For now, I haven’t heard anything.”

“Alright, thank you. Then…”

Karina unconsciously tried to continue the conversation but caught herself and fell silent. At the same time, Phyllis seemed to realize the same thing, and his natural demeanor stiffened momentarily.

It was horrifying—it felt as though they had returned to their previous relationship. Karina consciously shut herself off emotionally and redirected her focus. It wasn’t difficult anymore.

“Please. There are still many things I haven’t said.”

When she looked at Phyllis’s face again, she was surprised to find she felt no strong emotions.

It was just Noah. Karina still wanted to know about him.