Chapter 17

“Lady Shaterian.”

When she turned her head, Shaterian found herself locking eyes with Eched, who had apparently been watching her for some time. His silver-gray eyes were always emotionless but unwavering.

Are you just going to look at her foolishly again? Are you going to let it slip by like that again?  

She erased the question from her mind, knowing she could never ask it outright.

“What’s the reason you decided to graduate early, despite saying you’d never do it? And why did you suddenly stop sparring?”

Eched asked abruptly.  

It was unclear whether he had been waiting for the right moment to ask or if the question had just occurred to him. Either way, Shaterian couldn’t provide him with a clear answer.  

“I just… I just thought it was all stupid. One day, I realized I could never beat you, no matter how long I tried.”  

“Just because of that?”

“Just that?”

For Shaterian, defeating Eched had been her life’s goal and guiding principle.  

Even if, to him, she had been nothing more than an annoying fly.  

“It’s not just that. Beating you was the reason I kept going.”  

She wasn’t sure what kind of expression she was wearing, but she knew it wasn’t her usual one.  

Eched’s expression, too, was different from usual as he stared at her intently.

“I misspoke.”  

‘At least he’s quick to admit his mistakes.’  

This straightforwardness was something she liked about him.  

“Eched.”  

Now seemed like the right time. She finally felt brave enough to ask about that day.  

“That day… The rumor about us kissing in the garden. Is it true?”  

Eched let out a faint sigh.  

He turned his head slightly, his face clearly troubled.  

“You started it, Lady Shaterian. You were drunk… and you kissed me.”  

“So the rumor was true…”  

And on top of that, it was she who initiated it.  

To be honest, she had expected as much.  

If they really had kissed, it would have been her, drunk, who made the first move.  

‘But I started it…?’  

“What do you mean I started it? Does that mean there was a second time? Then who initiated it the second time?”  

His eyes quivered.  

For the first time, Shaterian saw Eched genuinely flustered.  

“Hey. Where are you going all of a sudden?”  

She chased after him as he strode away.  

“Did we kiss again after that?”  

“…You started it, Lady.”  

“No! That’s not the point!”  

“I did nothing wrong.”  

‘Sure, I might have started it, but…’  

She had kissed Eched. Not once, but twice!  

“So, it was twice? Once me, and once you?”  

“…”  

“Could it be… three times…?”  

“…”  

The silence was strange.  

Let’s revise that.  

She had kissed Eched. Not once, not twice, but multiple times!  

“Did anything else happen in your bedroom that night?”  

“That didn’t happen.”  

“Then why won’t you tell me how many times we kissed?”  

“Hah… Let’s stop this.”  

“No. Was it three times? Four? Or more than that? Why…?”  

“…”  

“Then from the third time onward, who started it? Was it you or me?”  

“…”  

“Say something.”  

“Enough.”  

Eched pushed her forehead with his hand, forcing her to step back and regain her balance.  

He gestured toward the area behind them. When Shaterian turned her head in annoyance, she realized they were standing in front of the aide’s office.  

“…”  

The employees inside, visible through the open door, were staring at them with wide eyes.  

“Um…”  

When had we even gotten here?  

She had been so preoccupied with Eched that she hadn’t noticed.  

Now, she had no idea how to explain this situation.  

‘I’m doomed.’  

And not just a little doomed—completely and utterly doomed.  

Maybe reincarnation wouldn’t be such a bad idea after all.  

Not that it would help her save face now. She tried to cover her face with her hands and sneak into the office.  

But Eched grabbed her.  

“What…”  

She silently signaled for him to let go, but he, as usual, remained oblivious to her intentions.  

Instead, he simply reached out to her.  

Eched’s large hand brushed over her head, starting from her crown and moving down to the ends of her hair.  

The tips of his gloved fingers lightly grazed the nape of her neck.  

When he pulled his hand back, he was holding a flower petal that matched the color of her hair.  

Having removed the petal from her head, Eched entered his office without a word.  

He could’ve just said something instead of touching me.  

The spot on her neck where his hand had brushed tingled unbearably. Her face heated up in an instant.  

Rubbing her neck absentmindedly, she entered the counseling office.  

***

Imperial Year 550.  

The first day of the Founding Festival. The streets, bathed in spring sunlight, were livelier than ever.  

Merchants lined up with their bundles, and spectators filled the streets.  

The scent of flowers carried by the spring breeze mingled with the aroma of street food, filling the air.  

‘Smells delicious.’  

Shaterian clutched her growling stomach.  

Even the most beautiful sights are better after a meal… 

Her wandering feet threatened to lead her astray.  

In contrast, Eched, walking beside her, kept his eyes fixed straight ahead. He seemed utterly indifferent to the violins or harps being played nearby.  

Then why am I walking through this noisy street with Eched?  

It was all because of the news Orgon had brought to the counseling office the day before.  

***

“Terry. Gusto Avidita has escaped.”  

It was absurd news.  

That morning, several guards stationed at the prison where Gusto was held had been found dead, and the sacred restraints placed on him had been shattered.  

The Holy Kingdom had been contacted, so they expected to find him quickly.  

“So we’ve decided to assign you a bodyguard again.”  

“Eurell?”  

“Yes, but… Vice Commander Eurell has been given a reward leave, so Commander Eched will be your bodyguard during the Founding Festival.”  

“…Who?”  

Orgon gave her an awkward smile, saying it couldn’t be helped, and then quickly fled the counseling office.  

When Eched came to the office at the end of the workday, Shaterian accompanied him to the Crown Prince’s palace.  

The head attendant of the palace greeted them.  

“Welcome, Lady Shaterian, Duke Astrea. The Duke’s bedroom has been prepared separately.”  

As she was about to head to her room, Shaterian froze.  

“We’re staying together…?”  

‘Why?’  

“Yes.”  

“But Orgon is here too… So there’s no need for you to stay, is there? It would be uncomfortable for you.”  

She tried to politely suggest he leave.  

During the Founding Festival, all imperial departments operated with minimal staff, giving most people time off.  

So, for just one day, she planned to stay in her room, except for attending the festival’s ball. She didn’t need Eched’s protection.  

“The more guards, the better.” 

Orgon said casually as he entered the hall.  

‘Of course.’  

“You’re completely useless.”  

She kicked Orgon’s shin and stormed off to her room.  

Thus, the Crown Prince’s palace became a shared living space, though Shaterian didn’t care.  

For that reason, Shaterian found herself having to accompany Eched.  

Then, her older sister sent a barrage of messages, urging her to visit the Seitrang Boutique in the central district to check on the dress she would wear to the ball.  

Since merchants were prohibited from entering the Imperial Palace due to security concerns, she had to inspect the dress in person.  

‘It’s annoying, but she’s offering three gold coins as pocket money. I guess I don’t have a choice.’  

With her purse now heavier, her steps became noticeably lighter.  

***

After resisting countless temptations along the way, Shaterian finally arrived at the Seitrang Boutique.  

As expected of a famous and popular boutique, it was bustling with people, and the selection of dresses was impressive.  

When she and Eched entered, both cloaked in black robes, the people inside flinched. Soon, curious expressions appeared on their faces as they noticed who had arrived.  

‘Well, of course, they’d find it strange.’  

Even she found their pairing unusual.  

“Welcome, Lady Shaterian, Duke Astrea. I am Seitrang, the owner of this boutique.”  

“I’m here to inspect the dress ordered by the Ducal Family.”  

“Yes, I was informed of your visit. Today, you may confirm the dress, and if there are no issues, it will be delivered to your desired location tomorrow.”  

“Then please deliver it to the Crown Prince’s palace.”  

“Understood. This way, please.”  

Seitrang guided Shaterian to the area where the dress was displayed, while another staff member led Eched to a sofa.  

As Shaterian prepared to follow Seitrang, Eched grabbed her arm and asked, 

“Will you be alright?”  

“Yes. We’re in the same shop, after all. I’ll be quick.”  

Thinking nothing could possibly happen in such a short time, she followed Seitrang.  

Beyond the curtain that Seitrang led her to was a dress that sparkled brilliantly under the lights.  

The dress was made of white fabric overlaid with green lace. Designed in a strapless style, it emphasized the shoulders and waistline, giving it a calm yet elegant appearance.  

When she put it on with the help of the staff, it fit her body perfectly without any discomfort.  

“I also created a matching hairpin while working on the dress.” 

Seitrang said and she placed a silver hairpin, shaped like a leaf, above Shaterian’s left ear.  

“I like it. Include this with the dress as well.”  

The hairpin wasn’t overly ornate, which suited her taste.  

Satisfied, Shaterian began to remove the green lace gloves when Seitrang stopped her.  

Then, with a glance, Seitrang signaled to the staff behind her.  

The staff moved swiftly, pulling open the curtains in unison.  

At that moment, Shaterian found herself locking eyes directly with Eched, who was seated just in front of her.  

“…”  

An awkward silence filled the air.  

Shaterian was dumbfounded, her mouth opening and closing as if to speak. ‘What on earth is this supposed to be?’

“Duke, what do you think? Isn’t she absolutely stunning?”  

‘Someone, find me a hole to crawl into.’  

These people… 

They were clearly under the impression that she and Eched were in a romantic relationship.  

The staff’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as they waited for Eched’s response.  

Just as Shaterian let out a deep sigh, about to say, ‘Enough,’ Eched suddenly stood up and strode toward her.