Chapter 5 (Part 7)

“We meet again, beautiful lady.”

Yuliana met the golden eyes of Rybid, who had approached her.

“You are…”

He was the mysterious man who had approached her at the tea house with Selenia, asking to test her divine power. Yuliana tilted her head in confusion.

“I am Rybid G. Agathaine from the Holy Kingdom. I would appreciate it if you could tell me your name, my lady.”

“I am…”

Yuliana couldn’t finish her introduction. Anthus, who had approached, pulled her into his arms.

“What business do you have with my lover, Your Holiness Rybid?”

Anthus asked, glaring at Rybid with a very displeased expression.

“If you ask what business, I was asking a woman I fell in love with at first sight for a dance, Duke Rockbellion.”

Anthus glared at Rybid with overtly hostile eyes.

The atmosphere around them turned cold in an instant. Anthus was more than just displeased.

“I clearly introduced her as my lover, Your Holiness.”

“Lover? So what?”

Anthus discovered that when he got extremely angry, his vision turned white. Rybid looked at him as if it was no big deal.

“You look like you’re about to kill someone just for asking for a dance.”

“I’m glad you recognize that.”

The two men exchanged sharp glares. Yuliana quickly tugged on Anthus’s lapel.

“Yan… Just a moment.”

Since Rybid had introduced himself, etiquette dictated that Yuliana should also state her name.

“Hello. I am Yuliana of the Loengrin family from the Sirius Empire. Thank you for the dance request, but I only intend to dance with my lover and family. Therefore, I must respectfully decline your dance request, Your Holiness.”

“Yuliana… What a beautiful name. Is your nickname perhaps Yuli? Lia?”

Yuliana realized that Rybid was someone who couldn’t be reasoned with. Anthus’s eyes grew even more hostile, while Rybid looked at Yuliana with a gentle smile like a spring breeze.

“I clearly said she is my lover, Your Holiness.”

Anthus had worn a matching outfit with Yuliana, entered the terrace with her for all to see, and danced with her. He thought he had shown everyone that he, Duke Rockbellion, was Yuliana’s man. He didn’t expect anyone to dare approach her, but the Pope of the Holy Kingdom was a different story.

The Pope of the Holy Kingdom inherits divine power from his parents, meaning the Pope can marry.

“Lia!”

Breaking the tense atmosphere, Selenia called out to Yuliana. Selenia greeted Anthus and Rybid.

“I am Selenia of the Levin family. I need to fix my makeup, so I’ll take Lia with me.”

Selenia took Yuliana’s hand and led her away.

“See you again, Lia.”

At Rybid’s words, Anthus bit his lip harshly. He glared at Rybid with cold eyes, showing no emotion.

“After introducing her as my lover, do I take it as a sign that you intend to make the Rockbellion house your enemy by calling my lover by her nickname without permission?”

“You speak so harshly.”

“Do not call my lover by a nickname without permission, Your Holiness.”

Anthus’s eyes were filled with nothing but anger towards Rybid.

“Duke Rockbellion, you are truly frightening. You could kill someone with just your gaze.”

“Is there something that scares even you, Your Holiness?”

“I just told you that you frighten me.”

“Knowing that, but you still approached my lover?”

“It’s quite unsightly to be so jealous over a mere greeting and a dance request, Duke Rockbellion.”

“To me, it’s not mere. Next time, don’t ask my lover for a dance, don’t call her by a nickname, or better yet, don’t approach her at all.”

“Are you warning me, the Pope?”

“Yes. This is a warning in the name of Rockbellion.”

“Well… I’m not the type to back down from such warnings.”

Rybid showed a relaxed and nonchalant expression.

“Duke Rockbellion, I’ve thought about it… I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear your warning…”

Although Rybid spoke in a somewhat admonishing tone, it meant he intended to ignore Anthus’s warning.

Anthus glared at Rybid as if he wanted to kill him right then and there, then turned coldly and left the scene.

* * *

The Pope of the Holy Kingdom, Rybid, had asked her for a dance, and Anthus had gotten angry at the sight.

“Thank you, Selenia. Thanks to you, I could get out of that uncomfortable situation.”

“The jealous Duke was terrifying… It felt like a window had suddenly opened, and a snowstorm blew in.”

“I’ve never seen him like that before.”

Yuliana had thought Anthus’s jealousy would be very cute, but she was mistaken.

Seeing his angry face and the cold atmosphere for the first time, her heart sank with surprise. Anthus, who always smiled kindly, seemed so far removed from the gentle atmosphere of a puppy wagging its tail whenever he saw her.

“He’s usually so cute and kind… But just now… Even I…”

He looked like a fierce beast ready to tear apart anyone who invaded his territory.

“I felt chills all over. Lia, are you okay?”

Selenia rubbed her arms and shivered.

“Yes… I’m fine. Were you very surprised?”

Selenia patted Yuliana’s back to calm her down.

“Lia.”

With a knock, Anthus’s voice was heard. Selenia opened the door, and a gloomy-looking Anthus stood there.

“May I come in?”

“Duke, you came at the right time. I need to go see Louis, so could you stay with Yuliana?”

Selenia understood what Anthus meant by asking to come in.

“Thank you, Lady Selenia.”

After closing the door and leaving, only Yuliana and Anthus were left in the room.

“I apologize, Lia.”

Anthus’s eyes drooped as he spoke.

Today, seeing another man extend his hand to Yuliana made Anthus furious. The burning anger and frustration gnawed at his heart.

“Lia…”

Anthus cautiously looked up and met Yuliana’s eyes. Her clear eyes reflected only him.

“Even if you were angry, releasing the mana of a Sword Master is a discourtesy to others. Do you admit that you failed to control yourself?”

The aura emitted by a Sword Master can cause chills and fear in those with weak mana. Severe fear can even lead to fainting.

No matter how angry he was, releasing a Sword Master’s aura at the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet was undoubtedly wrong.

“I admit it, Lia. I apologize. I should have controlled my emotions better, but I was blinded by jealousy… I will be more careful in the future.”

Anthus rubbed his face with both hands, looking anxious.

Yuliana approached and hugged Anthus tightly. She wanted to comfort the dark shadow in his eyes, so she patted his back.

“Were you jealous?”

“Even though I said you were my lover, Your Holiness Rybid kept showing interest in you… I felt anxious and jealous.”

“I didn’t expect him to ask me for a dance either.”

Countless words rose from his heart, pressing down on Anthus. Yuliana’s soft white hand cupped his cheek. Her soothing voice tickled his ear.

“I think I understand a bit how you felt when you saw me jealous on the terrace earlier.”

“I won’t be jealous again, so please don’t abandon me.”

“Do you think I would abandon you? Do I seem like such an irresponsible person? You are my lover. It’s okay to be jealous of men who approach me. Just don’t get so angry in the future.”

“I understand. I’ll be careful. Will you forgive me?”

“You don’t need to ask for my forgiveness. You should seek understanding from the people at the banquet.”

“I will do that.”

“Come here.”

Yuliana smiled and opened her arms to Anthus. Anthus gently hugged her. Her words calmed his anxious and dizzy heart.

“I couldn’t control my emotions because I was worried that Your Holiness would keep trying to seduce you.”

“No one but you can enter my heart.”

Anthus smiled at Yuliana’s words.

“You have filled every corner of my heart, leaving no room for anyone else. How could any man enter my heart?”

“I did block every gap thoroughly.”

Anthus lightly kissed Yuliana’s forehead. The dark emotions he had experienced for the first time melted away sweetly with her smile and words, filling his heart with happiness.

“Lia, I’ll take you home right away.”

“Yes. Please take me home.”

Anthus wrapped his arms tightly around Yuliana’s waist.

“I’m afraid Pope Rybid will come after you again.”

“Seeing different sides of you today feels refreshing.”

“Different sides of me?”

“Yes, I didn’t know you could be such a scared puppy.”

“What will you do with a scared puppy?”

“I’ll pet you, hug you, and create a safe environment for you.”

“You missed one thing.”

“What did I miss?”

“A kiss.”

Anthus approached Yuliana and gave her a light kiss, like a bird pecking at food.

They kissed several times, confirming their feelings, exchanging sweet words, and hugging each other every time their eyes met.

Anthus lightly bit Yuliana’s ear, knowing that it would make her tense up.

“This is the powder room.”

“I’m a scared puppy right now. Please don’t scare me anymore… Woof!”

When he pleaded like a young animal, Yuliana couldn’t resist and gave him what he wanted. She wrapped her arms around his neck, accepting his affection. Although it was Anthus who had begged, she felt more at ease for accepting his affection.