4. The First Revenge

“Sirh…”

Ir, who was about to call out to her in surprise, quickly shut her mouth.

‘Even if I called out, she wouldn’t recognize me in this appearance anyway.’

Standing more in the corner, she observed Sirha. Not just Ir, but everyone in the store was stealing glances at Sirha.

The women’s gazes were full of disgust or contempt, while the men pretended to be uncomfortable, clearing their throats, yet rolling their eyes to look her up and down. Sirha’s clothes were shocking enough to warrant such reactions.

First, it was so tight-fitting that it revealed every line of her body. Moreover, it exposed not only her shoulders but up to her chest. While such dresses weren’t unheard of at formal parties, anyone could tell this was made with more sinister intentions.

Furthermore, the gaudy and tacky decorations that seemed deliberately eye-catching made the wearer look even more vulgar.

The kind of clothes people commonly referred to as brothel women’s clothes. Sirha was wearing such clothes while keeping her head down.

‘Why is Sirha wearing clothes like that?’

Ir had met Sirha several times before. Sometimes Sirha would visit the Knight Order with her siblings to meet Shulat.

Shulat, who had three younger siblings including Sirha, had said with an awkward face:

“My siblings are really proud that I joined the Imperial Knights. Our parents passed away all at once, and since the eldest was always away working as a mercenary, I guess they were constantly anxious.”

Then Shulat would endlessly brag about his siblings.

“Though all three are wonderful, Sirha is definitely the most admirable. How hard must it be to attend school while taking care of two younger siblings? I try to help with housework when I’m home, but when I’m away on long missions, Sirha has to take care of everything… And you know what? Sirha’s top of her class! She’s the only smart one in our family! She says she’ll look for work right after graduation, but now that I’m in the Imperial Knights, I want to convince her to go to a higher school since money won’t be an issue. Ah, but because she’s pretty, worthless guys keep hanging around…”

He had then expressed relief and pride that since becoming an Imperial Knight, no one dared bother her anymore.

The knights would look at such a Shulat with endearment.

That’s why on days when Sirha and her siblings visited the Knight Order, the members would deliberately buy lots of snacks and fruits, insisting they had extras and telling them to take them home. Each time, Sirha would feel awkward but eventually thank them with repeated bows and smiles.

That was the kind of person Sirha was, and yet….

‘How is she still in the capital? And why is she wearing such clothes here?’

All members of the 9th Knight Order were branded as traitors. Their families and relatives were said to have been exiled far away. However, under imperial law, such punishment only applied to adults.

The Holy Sword disappeared last winter. Though Sirha would be an adult now that the year had changed, she must have been a minor at the time, probably allowing her to remain here with her siblings.

Even so, why was she wearing such clothes here?

Ir could imagine what kind of treatment the children, as family of traitors with nowhere to turn for help, must have endured. They probably had difficulty finding proper work.

‘But knowing Sirha’s character, she would have chosen menial labor instead.’

From their few conversations, Ir had learned that Sirha had an extremely strong moral compass and upright personality. Such a Sirha would have chosen to scrape by with meager earnings rather than sell her body.

Either way, Ir needed to find out about Sirha’s situation. Just as she was about to approach her while pretending to be a stranger:

“Sirha, found anything?”

A man approached from the side, calling out to Sirha. Then he naturally wrapped his arm around her waist.

“…!”

Sirha’s body jerked violently at the man’s touch. Her fine eyebrows contorted and her body trembled. By any measure, it was the reaction of someone who deeply despised the other person. But Ir was the only one who noticed this. Others were still busy whispering among themselves about Sirha’s attire.

And watching this scene, Ir was surprised by another fact.

‘That bastard is definitely Kilim from the 3rd Knight Order!’

The man with his arm around Sirha’s waist was Kilim, whom she had seen several times in the palace.

‘He got thoroughly beaten by Shulat at the Knights’ exchange meeting.’

Though called an exchange meeting, it was really more like a power struggle between Knight Orders. The commanders’ meetings were none of their business, and all attention was focused on the duels conducted under the name of skill improvement.

Naturally, the 9th Knight Order showed overwhelming skill in the exchange meeting duels. But they would deliberately lose to their opponents in the end. If they didn’t, other Knight Orders would harass the 9th Order with all sorts of excuses.

“The noble ones can’t stand losing to commoners. Let’s bow our heads appropriately. Those high and mighty ones are so narrow-minded that they’ll stew over losing to lowly ones like us for an entire year.”

Since there wasn’t even prize money for winning anyway, the 9th Knight Order chose practicality. Of course, not being particularly good-natured, they would suddenly sit down claiming their legs hurt, or pretend to be hit when they weren’t and dramatically fall down. It was a leisurely attitude that showed they could win if they wanted to but were choosing to let it go.

But not Shulat. Ignoring the seniors’ instructions to pretend to lose, he thoroughly thrashed Kilim, who was his opponent in a match between the youngest members.

“You lowborn bastard! I won’t let this slide!”

Ir still clearly remembered the sight of Kilim being carried out by other knights with his face in shambles. Even after that, Kilim continued to harass them by picking fights over every little thing.

And now that guy was standing next to Shulat’s sister.

Ir moved closer. Meanwhile, Kilim’s hands continued to caress Sirha’s waist. Then they slowly moved lower. Just as his hands were about to grope Sirha’s bottom, Ir deliberately bumped into the two of them.

“What the?”

When Kilim glared at her with a frown, Ir quickly cowered, pretending to be pitiful.

“Oh my. I’m sorry, Sir Knight. I stumbled…”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing.”

Kilim, who was about to intimidate her, immediately straightened his posture and smoothed his voice when he saw an unfamiliar beauty lowering her eyes and bowing her head.

Watching Sirha take a breath of relief as Kilim’s hands fell away, Ir smiled brightly.

“I’m glad. Is your companion alright as well?”

“Ah, I’m… fine.”

Perhaps because Ir was right in front of them, Kilim couldn’t grope Sirha again. Thinking that at least that much was fortunate, Ir spoke to Kilim again.

“Are you from the Imperial Knights? I thought I recognized the uniform…”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m Kilim of the glorious 3rd Knight Order. And you are…?”

“I’m Ishtar. And…”

Ir glanced briefly at the stairs above while speaking.

“I came here with His Highness Prince Nergal, the Fifth Prince.”

At those words, Kilim’s face stiffened.

‘She came with Lord Nergal?’

He had heard people whispering Nergal’s name when he came in. He wondered if something was going on but didn’t pay much attention. He figured he’d just ask after returning to the palace since there was no way Nergal would come here anyway.

But now this woman says she came with Nergal. At first, he thought it was nonsense, but seeing her breathtaking beauty, he began to wonder. Moreover, the same people who had been clicking their tongues at Sirha were now all whispering about this woman in much more subdued voices.

“I… I see.”

“Yes. He should be coming down soon, and it would be nice if you could exchange greetings. And your companion…”

“No, that won’t be necessary. This person needs to leave soon due to circumstances… Though regrettable, I’d like to pay my respects another time. Then, excuse us.”

Kilim hurriedly grabbed Sirha’s hand and went outside. Ir immediately dropped her smile and went near the door to watch the two through the glass window. Kilim took Sirha to the entrance of the street and soon returned alone.

Then he met with knights wearing the same uniform and entered an alley beside the store.

Ir immediately turned and told the staff member standing behind her, “I’ll be down soon, please wait here,” before going up the stairs and entering a room with an open door. Fortunately, the room was empty. After locking the door, Ir immediately approached the window and carefully opened it.

Thankfully, the window must have been well maintained as it opened quietly, and through the gap, she could hear men’s voices talking in the alley between the stores.

“Why are you alone? You said you’d show her to us?”

“She was with me until just now. I brought her wearing the clothes you guys picked out.”

The voice full of irritation clearly belonged to Kilim. Ir continued eavesdropping while holding her breath.

“So, where is she?”

“I sent her back.”

“Why?”

“Why do you think? His Highness Prince Nergal is here right now.”

“We heard. People were talking about it. That’s why we were waiting out front to pay our respects.”

The Imperial Knights must unconditionally join and provide security when a member of the royal family is nearby. Only when the royal family member says they don’t need security can they leave.

“Sh*t, if Prince Nergal finds out that I brought that woman here, he won’t let it slide. Especially if he learns she’s the sister of a traitor I’m in charge of, he’ll immediately summon me and order an investigation into what happened. Other Knight Orders might keep their mouths shut somehow, but you know the Prime Minister’s faction won’t show any mercy.”

After saying that, Kilim spat on the ground and continued in an irritated voice.

“Ah, sh*t. I was planning to f*ck her today, what bad luck. She needs to pay with her body for her brother’s arrogant behavior.”

At Kilim’s vulgar words, Ir clenched her fists. What the f*ck was this bastard saying?