“Compared to that, isn’t it more suspicious to doubt Lady Grobal, who seems unable to even learn proper standing etiquette?”

Lily’s gaze was fixed on the female protagonist’s neatly folded hands. Everyone else was looking too.

“Gasp.”

“Oh my, look at that.”

A woman who had been watching with interest pointed openly with her fan.

When folding hands, the right hand should be placed on top, but the female protagonist had her left hand on top.

There was a reason Lily had put me through special training on social etiquette and manners, saying they were extremely important. I never expected people would react this strongly.

Dietrich, who was strict about etiquette, couldn’t say anything and just squirmed uncomfortably.

“Have I been mistaken about the Knight Commander all this time?”

Adding fuel to the fire, my senior let out a sigh conveying deep distress.

“To think that the Knight Commander, whom I always believed to be upright without doubt, would take the side of someone who acted wrongly—it pains my heart.”

“Your Highness.”

“Moreover, Knight Commander, you didn’t even greet me when you saw me.”

“I, Your Highness.”

Dietrich let go of the female protagonist’s hand, whom he had been escorting, and turned his body completely toward my senior. Such loyalty to the imperial family, greater than his affection for the female protagonist!

“I was just on my way to pay my respects—”

“—I don’t know when the Knight Commander became someone who makes such petty excuses.”

Turning pale, Dietrich quickly knelt before my senior. Inwardly cheering, ‘Senior, well done!’ I let out a groan.

“Sob, ugh. My heart hurts so much…!”

Seth supported the back of my neck, allowing everyone to clearly see my face trembling pitifully.

“If I receive an apology from Lady Grobal, ugh, I think I’ll feel better.”

I pressed my forehead, pretending to be a pitiful woman, and the female protagonist bowed her head. I definitely heard it just now. A grinding sound, like teeth gnashing! Did the female protagonist just grind her teeth while looking at me?
How could the female protagonist… Suddenly, something flashed through my mind about the description of the female protagonist. I had only described the female protagonist as a noticeably beautiful woman, only describing her appearance without mentioning her personality. Not a single word. So, there’s no rule that the female protagonist has to be kind.
Also, did I ever write that the male protagonists find salvation when they meet the female protagonist? The female protagonist eventually leaves them all behind, doesn’t she? My mind cleared instantly.

“I apologize to Lady Hailey for my rudeness.”

“It seems Lady Grobal’s sincerity is lacking. I still feel pain.”

I saw it. The female protagonist’s cheeks trembling.

“I’m truly sorry.”

The female protagonist finally bowed deeply, and only then did I pretend to breathe normally.

“Your Highness, I will support Lady Hailey and withdraw first.”

“Do so. And Knight Commander, stay with me for a moment.”

Dietrich rose from his kneeling position. Although his head was still bowed, his gaze was directed toward the female protagonist.

“Titiana, just—”

“—Are you saying a woman comes before me when I’m right in front of you?”

“I apologize, Your Highness!”

Titiana. Another piece of evidence that Lady Grobal is the female protagonist. That woman seemed to take it for granted that Dietrich would prioritize her while also showing her displeasure at the situation. Either she was unfamiliar with such situations or she was displeased that things weren’t going according to her plan. Either way, it wasn’t good for me.

“Your Highness, please forgive my early departure.”

I bowed to my senior, pretending to be someone who knows noble etiquette despite being in pain. As if to show the female protagonist.

“Let’s go, Chancellor.”

Seth was embracing me, but his gaze was fixed on Titiana. I took his white-gloved hand, wanting him to look at me. His red eyes then turned toward me. Look at me, Seth.

I can’t give you to a woman like her. The reason I was waiting for the female protagonist was because I believed she could heal the wounds I created in you. But even if the female protagonist finds happiness, you all—you won’t have a happy ending.

You’ll be abandoned again, hurt again. I can still vividly see you kneeling and crying. I can’t let you do that again.

You know, Seth. I thought this wasn’t my place, that I was just visiting here temporarily. But when I returned home, I kept thinking about this place. To the point where my original home felt like a dream.

I came back to confirm what my feelings were, but I still hesitated, remaining an observer.

But just imagining ‘If I leave this place, will you go to Titiana?’ makes my chest ache and my stomach churn. I’m the one who only realized clearly after Titiana appeared. That I don’t want you to be with that woman. And not just her—I don’t want to see you with anyone other than me.

Because… I came here because I wanted to see you again. Seth carried me out of the hall.

“Where should we go? The First Princess’s palace? Rose Palace?”

“Milan Manor.”

Looking surprised, Seth widened his eyes.

“Rose Palace would be better.”

Afraid he might leave me behind and go to the female protagonist, I tightly gripped Seth’s collar. He silently helped me into the carriage. He sat down beside me.

“Why, Master?”

“Is Milan Manor not acceptable?”

His large hand easily removed mine. Fearing separation, I tried to embrace Seth, but he interlaced his fingers with mine.

“It’s fine, but it could be dangerous.”

“Why?”

Are you trying to call the female protagonist?

“Oh my, master.”

Seth pulled my arm back swiftly. I was drawn into his embrace, and the man who rested his chin on the crown of my head whispered. “You really have no tact.”

That’s not true. I’m pretending to be tactless, but I’m actually quite perceptive. But since I am indeed less perceptive than Seth, I kept quiet.

“Let’s go to Rose Palace.”

“Why? Are you going to leave me and go to that woman from earlier?”

I pulled away from Seth and looked into his eyes as I asked. Those crimson eyes whose true feelings I still couldn’t read.

“Would you like me to go?”

I shook my head. “No. Don’t go, Seth.”

“How greedy you are, master.”

I liked Seth enough that such remarks didn’t bother me, and I wrapped my arms around his waist, afraid he might jump out of the carriage. I heard him inhale sharply. Soon, I felt hands embracing my back and waist.

“You have a bad personality, too.”

Unable to agree with this statement, I frowned and looked up at Seth.

“I don’t want to hear that from you.”

Despite my obvious display of disagreement, Seth was smiling broadly about something.

“Do you dislike me going to that woman?”

“Yes.”

“What about the Knight Commander or the Tower Master? Will you bring them along?”

“Those who’ve already left can go live there.”

“How cold.”

Despite his words, his tone was tinged with amusement. “Do you need me, master?”

“Yes.”

Very much. I buried my face in his chest, which had the scent I loved, while muttering inwardly. A soft laugh settled on top of my head.

“Then I won’t go.”

Then? Then?!

“Were you planning to go if I hadn’t said I needed you?”

As I lifted my head again and spoke accusingly, Seth shook his head.

“Of course not. I told you before.”

He smiled as if he had never treated me formally like Lady Hailey. “I want to live happily with my master for a very long time.”

Obviously, I wouldn’t go to someone else. With those quietly added words, my anxiously beating heart gradually calmed down.

Senior is a person who has escaped the story. Although he returned to the position of Crown Prince, he now makes all decisions by his own will. So I’m not worried. But Seth, even though you’re a person from inside a book, you say you won’t leave my side. Entirely of your own will.

When I told him about what happened in the hall while we were heading to Milan Manor, Seth made an ‘I thought so’ expression.

“Seth, do you know anything about Lady Grobal?”

“Just that there are many more provocative stories than what the First Imperial Princess said?”

So the investigation is already complete.

“What kind of stories are there?”