HBTF 16

Chapter: 16

Completely Opposing Evaluations of One Person

It couldn’t be… right? No one from the imperial family would be that frivolous. Classie forced herself to push away the terrifying thought.

But it didn’t work. Once she started suspecting Dernick’s identity, all sorts of plausible doubts began creeping in.

Suspicion had a way of becoming more convincing the more one tried to piece things together. Suddenly, Dernick’s lies, his reckless behavior, his habit of giving orders left and right, and even his unnecessarily beautiful appearance—all of it started seeming like things only someone from the imperial family could get away with.

“Am I not allowed to ask?”

When no one answered her, Classie deliberately asked again.

“Why? Are you getting interested in me now?”

Dernick propped his chin on his hand and teased her, but this time, Classie didn’t get angry. She just felt scared. It was all because of the infamy surrounding the current Emperor.

Instead of rebuking Dernick in her usual harsh tone, Classie responded in a gentle voice.

“I just asked because you seem close to Sir Kishin.”

Dernick seemed to notice the change in her attitude. He dropped his hand from his chin and immediately teased her again.

“Miss Weapons Dealer, how many voices do you carry around?”

What a bastard! Couldn’t he just let it slide for once?

Classie struggled to suppress the grimace forming on her face. Whether this man was from the imperial family or not, she disliked him either way.

‘Who would ever marry someone like him? A man that self-indulgent would drive his wife mad dozens of times a day.’

Thankfully, the arrival of the food broke the tense atmosphere. Classie sighed in relief and quickly lowered her gaze to her plate, determined to ignore the person sitting next to her as much as possible.

Fortunately, Kishin helped distract her from Dernick.

“The Kalashi family has Maakei lineage, correct?”

“Yes, yes. That’s right.”

“I believe they have been established in Greengold City for generations.”

“Yes, yes! That’s right.”

Classie instantly pushed aside her worries about Dernick. Within just two questions, an entirely new concern had surfaced.

How does someone from the royal capital know so much about my family? Did he investigate us?

A wave of unease washed over her. The Kalashi family itself had no problems, of course. The real issue was the rumors that had spread after her eldest sister, Mary, died a few years ago.

The rumor that Classie had pushed her sister off a cliff and killed her. That very rumor had nearly destroyed her chances of marriage.

In the end, she had left her hometown and came all the way to the capital alone. But now, a man she found attractive seemed to know at least something about her family, and that made her heart pound in anxiety.

“How did you end up living in the capital with just your nephew, Miss Classie?”

Ah. So he doesn’t know about the rumors.

At the third question, Classie felt somewhat relieved—though not entirely. After all, the reason she had come to the capital was because of those rumors.

But now wasn’t the right time to bring them up. She wanted to share the story about her sister only when she could trust this man.

“There were… circumstances. But nothing major,” Classie answered, trying to sound casual, though she unconsciously lowered her gaze to her plate.

“I see. I must have asked an inappropriate question. My apologies.”

“No, no, it’s fine. There were some circumstances… And, um, I also just wanted to live in the capital. I came here once with my sister before, and it was a wonderful experience.”

She was rambling at this point, and before she realized it, she had mentioned her sister. The moment the words left her mouth, she almost bit her tongue in shock.

I was trying to avoid talking about her. Why did I bring her up first?!

But it was inevitable. Until the day she died, Mary had been woven into every part of Classie’s life, like blood running through her veins. Whenever she talked about her past, her sister’s name slipped out naturally.

“I see.”

Kishin showed no particular reaction.

But then, something unexpected happened.

“Sister Mary?”

Dernick, who had been quietly eating his crab dish, suddenly turned to her and spoke up brightly.

Classie was so startled that she dropped her fork.

“…What?”

“Your elder sister who came with you to the capital—she’s sister Mary, isn’t she?”

“Uh… yes, that’s right.”

Classie blinked in confusion. She had never imagined that Dernick would suddenly act like he knew her sister well.

It was true that she had traveled to the capital with Mary ten years ago, but it had only been a short trip. Neither of them had stayed for long before returning home. Of course, Mary had occasionally attended royal banquets in the capital, but still…

“Mary Kalashi is Dernick’s benefactor,” Kishin stated flatly.

“…A benefactor?”

Even after hearing the answer, Classie was even more bewildered. Since when has her sister had someone who considered her a benefactor?

“What kind of benefactor?”

Classie studied Dernick’s face. He looked to be around her age. As far as she knew, the only place Mary had ever done volunteer work was at an elderly care center.

“Oh, there’s a story.”

But Dernick was a frustrating man. He had no problem bombarding her with questions, but when she asked one, he refused to answer.

Yet this time, Classie couldn’t even curse at him internally—his eyes were sparkling too much.

“Sister Mary is the person who changed my life. She saved me and transformed me. If I had to name the light, I would name it after sister Mary!”

Dernick muttered excitedly, his expression fervent. He looked like a zealot worshiping his eldest sister.

Classie scooted a little away from him.

“I see.”

But Dernick didn’t stop there.

“I had something to ask you, Miss Classie.”

‘He switched from calling me ‘Miss Weapons Dealer’ to ‘Classie.’’

“What is it?”

“There’s something I’m looking for among sister Mary’s keepsakes.”

“Huh? And what is that?”

“It’s a bit embarrassing to say it out loud.”

“……”

Classie shot Dernick a suspicious and distrustful look. The way he phrased it was more embarrassing than the actual request.

If he hadn’t spoken with such a fanatical expression, Classie might have suspected that he had been her eldest sister’s lover.

“Even if it’s embarrassing, you need to tell me. Otherwise, how will I find it for you?”

Her voice automatically turned curt, but Dernick, still caught up in his excitement, responded without hesitation.

“If you show me sister Mary’s keepsakes, I can find it myself. Miss Classie, would it be possible for me to take a look at them?”

“No.”

“Did I ever tell you? Miss Classie, you’re like an angel. That day, the reason I got on your carriage was because it was glowing so brightly.”

“That’s not it. I just don’t have any of my eldest sister’s keepsakes.”

“At that time of night, the only carriage passing by was yours, Miss Weapons Dealer.”

Classie felt the urge to punch Dernick. Aside from Merran, it had been a long time since she’d met someone this irritating.

Then, she heard a quiet chuckle and turned her head. Kishin was smiling as he listened to their conversation. She had become a source of amusement for a man she wanted to make a good impression on.

Classie quickly glared at Dernick before forcing a smile, reminding herself once again that he might be a member of the royal family.

“Most of my eldest sister’s keepsakes were passed down to Merran. You know who Merran is, right? The two of you had a private conversation.”

Dernick sighed.

“Then I’ll have to ask Miss Merran. This is troublesome. That haughty lady is not easy to meet.”

Classie feigned indifference and resumed her meal.

If Dernick were a slightly better person, she might have invited him to her home to discuss the keepsakes with Merran.

However, after having her second date properly disrupted, she had no intention of extending such courtesy.

Kishin had intended to take Classie home in the guards’ carriage, but she refused, saying that the carriage she had arrived in was waiting nearby.

She didn’t mention that if she returned in the guards’ carriage, Merran would realize who she had been meeting, and that would lead to relentless interference.

As Classie’s carriage disappeared into the distance, Kishin and Dernick began walking side by side through the night streets. As if by unspoken agreement, they headed toward Kishin’s residence.

The topic naturally revolved around the woman they had just parted from.

“You know, I think Miss Weapons Dealer has fallen for you.”

Dernick teased, jabbing Kishin in the ribs with his elbow. Kishin didn’t budge an inch.

“What about you? You don’t have any feelings for her, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be having private dinners with her at night.”

Dernick tugged at the hem of Kishin’s cloak, persistently pestering him. Kishin remained silent.

But Dernick read his answer in that silence.

“So you do like her! If you didn’t, you would have said so outright. You’re always very clear about your likes and dislikes. But since you’ve stayed quiet all this time, it must be true. Am I right?”

“I find her honesty refreshing.”

Exhausted by the relentless questioning, Kishin finally confessed.

Dernick, delighted, began circling around him excitedly.

“I knew she wasn’t ordinary from the moment I first saw her! Who would have thought she could melt the eternal snow? If things work out between you and Miss Classie, you’d better thank me. After all, you met her because of me!”

“You mean after you stole my identification without permission? You’re unbelievably shameless.”

“But the result was good, wasn’t it? From my perspective, the weapons dealer—no, Miss Classie—seems like a really cute lady. Especially the way she awkwardly tries to act coy—it’s adorable.”

One person described her as refreshingly honest, while another found her failed attempts at playing coy adorable. Kishin frowned at the stark contrast between these two opinions.Suddenly, he recalled the moment when Classie had averted her gaze and vaguely said, “I came to the capital because of certain circumstances.”