IVFV 24

Chapter 24

“Your Highness!”

Eva called out desperately to Arabel. But Arabel didn’t even twitch an eyebrow.

‘Even if she felt cornered, she shouldn’t have said that last part.’

It might look like Arabel was cutting her off and running for now, but later she could have helped her.

After all, this was the Duke’s estate—not the Imperial Palace.

This wasn’t a place where Arabel could act completely as she pleased, so she had likely stepped back for the moment.

But by accusing the princess, Eva had destroyed even the slightest chance of recovery.

She had deeply offended Princess Arabel.

“Leave this house. And never return.”

After Eva was dragged away, Karayan spoke to the princess.

“Isn’t this happening because you keep delaying your decision? If you had accepted my proposal right away, would I have had to go through all this trouble?”

“Hmph.”

Arabel made a sulky expression. Karayan’s reaction was cold.

“I always reject your proposal. I will never marry you.”

“What a funny joke. I—Arabel Piaget Epagonizomai Philoneikia von Rembrana—am your marriage partner. There’s no way that would happen.”

Her confidence was overwhelming.

Karayan openly looked disgusted.

Lumina silently agreed. If she were Karayan, she would have reacted the same way.

“In truth, I came today to have a long talk with you. About our future plans.”

Karayan’s expression grew increasingly miserable. Arabel continued regardless.

“But it seems Duke Hart has brought something interesting into his house.”

Arabel’s gaze fixed on Lumina.

Brilliant silver hair.

Sharp eyes lifted like a proud cat’s.

Violet eyes mixed with hostility and curiosity.

Everything about her radiated noble blood.

For such a woman to stare so intently at her was a bad sign.

Just then, Karayan stepped in front of Lumina, blocking her from view.

“The Duke will return soon. Do you think he’ll be pleased to hear about this mess you caused?”

“Hm. Perhaps today isn’t the best day for conversation.”

Arabel showed a hint of reluctance.

Sensing her hesitation, Karayan suddenly grabbed Lumina’s hand and pulled her along.

“Let’s go.”

He seemed to be escaping, but because Lumina had difficulty moving, it was hard for her to keep up with his pace.

Karayan frowned deeply.

“Why are you so troublesome?”

I never asked you to touch me…

Lumina had just been thinking that he was the one who insisted on helping, yet now he was complaining.

‘Huh?’

Her body suddenly lifted into the air.

Before she knew it, she was in his arms—carried in a princess carry.

Karayan, clearly unwilling to deal with Arabel any longer, ran.

He was so fast that the strong wind brushed against her still-damp cheeks.

“She won’t follow us this far after causing trouble like that.”

His steps gradually slowed.

When they reached the room assigned to Lumina, he carefully checked behind them.

“You can put me down now.”

“Ah.”

So worried about Arabel following them, he seemed to have forgotten he was carrying her. Karayan looked slightly flustered.

Hurriedly, he set her down.

Tap, tap.

Finally standing on her own feet, Lumina straightened her wrinkled clothes.

Karayan stared at her, looking somewhat embarrassed, and opened his mouth.

“You.”

He seemed to have many things to say.

But when their eyes met—hers clear and not avoiding him—he let out a sigh.

“Never mind. Wash up first. You’ll catch a cold like that.”

‘From just this?’

It wasn’t even winter. He was exaggerating.

Still, being drenched in tea was uncomfortable, so she obediently went inside to wash.

She had intended to bathe quickly and didn’t need assistance.

But Karayan had already pulled the bell rope.

Soon maids arrived to prepare her bath.

‘Strange. I don’t see Olivia.’

Olivia, Lumina’s personal maid, would never miss something like this.

Yet ever since she had gone to look for Karayan, their paths hadn’t crossed.

“Olivia isn’t here. Have you seen her?”

“You mean Lady Olivia?”

“Lady Olivia?”

Was Olivia a high-ranking maid? She hadn’t seemed like it.

Lumina hadn’t been told otherwise.

When Lumina repeated the title in surprise, one maid subtly nudged the other.

“We’ll look for her.”

“Please do.”

Something was odd.

Sensing something suspicious, Lumina washed thoroughly and changed her clothes.

“What about the Young Master?”

“He’s been waiting outside the door.”

“Perhaps he felt shy waiting inside while you were bathing.”

Shy? With that personality?

Not quite believing them, Lumina opened the door slightly and peeked out.

She had taken quite a while to wash and dress, so she assumed he must have left.

But Karayan was still there, leaning against the wall in a crooked posture.

Sensing her presence, he turned first.

Their eyes met. He made a subtle expression—then quickly turned his head away.

‘…What’s wrong with him?’

Is he really shy?

The same Master Hart who had been unpleasant since their first meeting?

Impossible.

“You had something to say to me, right? Please come in.”

Karayan entered obediently.

Worried he might feel uncomfortable, Lumina dismissed the maids.

Now they were alone.

Though he clearly had something to say, he didn’t speak immediately.

“I didn’t get to say this earlier, but thank you for helping me.”

“It was nothing. More importantly, that leg of yours—what’s going on?”

Karayan had finally noticed her difficulty walking.

“I had a minor accident recently. Don’t worry. I recover faster than others. In a few days, I’ll be able to run.”

Lumina shrugged lightly.

‘Come to think of it…’

She would be seeing Karayan often from now on.

Just like with Duke Hart, it would be much more advantageous to build goodwill.

‘If I gain Karayan’s favor, the Duke’s trust will naturally follow. Two birds with one stone.’

The boy hated his father.

But the father cherished his son more than anyone.

Smiling sweetly, Lumina asked,

“Were you worried about me?”

“W-What? Of course not!”

“Really?”

Lumina slowly stepped closer.

Fresh from her bath, she smelled pleasant and looked soft.

With that gentle face and lovely smile, Karayan—who had no resistance to such things—didn’t know what to do.

“Anyway! That’s not what I wanted to talk about.”

His cheeks slightly red, he changed the subject.

The agitation in his golden eyes settled.

“I’ll give you one piece of advice. If you want a peaceful life, don’t get involved with this family.”

“But I’m already the Duke’s ward.”

“Didn’t you hear me? Cancel that ward nonsense and leave as soon as you’re fully healed.”

It wasn’t something that could be canceled at will.

And Karayan misunderstood one thing.

It wasn’t Lucius who approached Lumina with a purpose.

It was Lumina who had approached first.

Her life was already far from peaceful. She had deliberately chosen to get involved.

So his concern was unnecessary.

But she pretended not to know.

“Why? I’m not foolish enough to leave just because you tell me to without a reason.”

Looking frustrated, Karayan lowered his voice like he was sharing a secret.

“I don’t know what your purpose is in becoming my father’s subordinate, but I’ll tell you this.”

“……”

“Don’t trust Duke Hart.”

Calling his father by title was one thing.

But telling someone not to trust him?

It wasn’t something a normal son would say.

“Do you know why my mother died?”

“No.”

Lumina shook her head.

Karayan’s eyes grew cold.

“My father killed her.”

“…What?”

“On the day he massacred the Legions. That devil didn’t kill only Legions.”

But the Lucius Lumina had seen still refrained from smoking because his wife disliked cigarette smoke.

Such a man killed his wife?

“Even if you can’t believe it, it’s the truth. I saw it myself.”

Perhaps her thoughts had shown on her face, because Karayan spoke firmly.

Then, as if he had nothing more to say, he stood and left.

“Olivia, where were you? I was looking everywhere.”

Olivia returned long after Karayan had gone.

“Something came up. It took time. Did you meet the Young Master?”

Lumina nodded.

“Thanks to him, the princess left sooner than expected. She’s unpredictable, so I don’t know when she’ll come again—but it should be fine.”

Lumina hoped so too.

The princess with the breathlessly long full name was not someone Lumina could easily handle.

After that, time passed without major incidents.

“I’m glad you’ve recovered so quickly. You can walk on your own now.”

Olivia said while checking Lumina’s leg.

“You said you’d return home once you’re fully healed, right?”

Lumina nodded.

Though she had slept for four days, it hadn’t been long since she arrived at the estate.

Yet it was already almost time to leave.

Lucius hadn’t called for her separately. He seemed busy.

‘I even wandered around the estate under the excuse of taking walks, but I didn’t run into him.’

Since she had already treated Karayan, perhaps there was no need to see her again.

She was essentially living a leisurely, well-fed unemployed life.

But Lumina wasn’t satisfied.

‘He’s pretending otherwise, but he hasn’t let go of his suspicion and caution toward me.’

The Duke’s maids were kind.

They clearly tried their best to treat her well. One couldn’t see any trace of suspicion or wariness.

But sharp-eyed Lumina knew.

They were deliberately acting that way to ease her tension.

They were waiting for her to slip.

“Olivia.”

“Yes?”

Lumina smiled brightly at her.

“My leg is better now, so I want to go out.”

If the other side only built walls and watched, then she simply had to approach first.