UDBUL CH 16

CHAPTER 16

No wonder Riana couldn’t remember anything from the original webtoon about the male lead’s relationship with the maids.
It must’ve been too insignificant to even be mentioned—it was all just part of a silly game.

“Because of that guy, I didn’t even get to grab the stuff from the parlor!”

Riana placed a hand over her chest. Her heart was pounding, and she felt like she might throw up.
Clearly, her survival plans had been disrupted, and she was deeply upset.

But it was okay—she had a backup plan.

Riana looked down at the blue dress she was wearing.

Just knowing it came from Killian made her want to rip it to shreds.

The Glass Greenhouse, where the luncheon was held.

While all the major figures from the capital’s social circles were invited to the evening ball,
only a few very important guests were invited to the luncheon.

These people held power that could decide the fate of the kingdom.

Killian had a clear purpose in organizing this event.

Before the meal officially started, only light small talk filled the air—

“The castle is beautifully maintained. As expected of the Duke of Droche’s refined taste.”

“You flatter me.”

“I heard Diarés is especially lovely in autumn, yet I didn’t feel much of that in your castle.”

“Trees that stay green all year are easier to manage than ones that drop leaves.”

“Wise, indeed… I guess I’m the only one who misses autumn’s charm, haha.”

But it didn’t take long for Killian to steer the conversation exactly where he wanted it.

“If you’d like to enjoy the kingdom’s fall scenery, how about a boat ride on the lake? The autumn leaves there are stunning.”

“There’s a lake inside the estate?”

“Of course. We’re currently developing magically powered boats there.”

The desert guests immediately perked up at the mention of the boats.

Naturally—Killian brought it up on purpose, knowing about their plans to expand into the new continent.

“Boats, you say…”
“Oh, the Droche Company’s boats!”
“This is perfect. Actually, our merchant group—”

Just then, one of the desert merchants—who’d been acting as the interpreter—was cut off.

“Ahem!”

A man cleared his throat loudly, and suddenly all the other desert merchants stopped talking and looked away.

Ivan Malroev.

Killian’s eyes slightly narrowed as he turned toward the man.

The head of the Malroev Merchant Group, which monopolized desert ore exports.

He had taken over from his late father and had already begun cutting off his father’s former business deals.
Judging by his attitude, Droche Co. seemed to be on that list too.

“Ahem—Isn’t it a little chilly for a boat ride?” Ivan said coldly.

Killian smiled politely, showing no hint of annoyance.

“Of course, the boat has heating magic.”

He added calmly and confidently, like someone who believed in his work.

“It’ll work even on the long ocean route to Aye Island.”

The desert merchants exchanged intrigued glances.

They couldn’t help being tempted. Droche was clearly the ideal partner for their new continent ambitions.

“…I’ll think about it,” Ivan mumbled, looking away.

Killian just smiled, knowing that a rational businessman like Ivan wouldn’t be able to say no for long.

All they had to do was prove the boat’s quality.

Everything was going smoothly—lunch, the boat ride, the ball later that day.

Except for one thing.

Riana.

The seat beside him was still empty—even though it was almost time for the first appetizer.

Right then—

“—is entering,” the servant announced.

But since all the VIPs were already seated, no one paid attention.

Not even Killian, who was focused on the mine owner—

Until he heard the chair next to him being pulled out.

Who…?

He almost didn’t recognize the woman sitting beside him.

Then he realized—it was his partner, wearing the dress he had given her.

Oh. Riana.

He hadn’t recognized her right away, and it wasn’t his fault.

Her head was completely wrapped in a blue scarf.
Not a hint of her usual pink hair was showing.
Even her forehead was half-covered, making her face hard to see.

“…What’s with your outfit?”

Lately, thanks to Riana, Killian was becoming very familiar with the feeling of “confusion.”
His heart started racing, like he was about to get scolded.

“This is…”

Before Riana could explain, Ivan Malroev suddenly exclaimed,

“That’s a Velcape!”

Ivan even stood up in shock, his eyes trembling with emotion.

He placed both hands over his heart and blinked back tears.

“That’s traditional desert clothing… from my homeland!”

While Killian stared at Ivan in confusion, Riana cheerfully chimed in,

“In the desert, people wrap themselves in velcapes to protect their faces from the sun and cold, right?
I heard you’ve been away from home for a long time, so I thought this might help ease your homesickness.
Did I wear it correctly?”

“Yes—yes! It’s perfect! I haven’t seen clothes like this in ages. Thank you so much.”

Ivan even wiped his tears with his sleeve, bowing repeatedly in gratitude.
Other desert merchants, though not as emotional, also seemed happy.

“We desert people love decorating ourselves with fancy velcapes. It looks great on you too, miss!”
“Decorating? You’ll give people the wrong idea. I once lost mine and walked through a desert town without it—and got sunburned on my scalp!”
“Haha! Is that when you started collecting velcapes, Ivan?”

Two people silently sighed in relief.

One was Killian.
“I hope no one else realizes that’s just the inside lining of a dress.”

The other was, of course, Riana.

While laughing with the merchants, her eyes drifted to the far end of the table.

The Duke of Veloci.

He was here in the greenhouse.

He must have a portrait of me.

He might recognize her hair color.

But not her grown-up face.
No portraits existed of “Riana Epindor” past age seven.

The scarf wasn’t for nostalgia—it was to hide her hair.

She wouldn’t have even known what a “velcape” was if it hadn’t shown up as #8 in Forthsb’s Top 10 Exotic Fashion Picks.

“Haha… by the way, Duke Droche, about that boat ride you mentioned earlier…”

Riana had no idea that her little idea would bring Droche Co. such massive profits.

The luncheon, which started in a friendly mood, ended just as warmly.

Riana had spent the whole time sneaking glances at the Duke of Veloci.

As people began getting up, she slipped out quickly—

—but someone followed her.

“Miss Riana!”

Thankfully, it wasn’t the silver-haired man.

“Why are you in such a rush? Is someone chasing you?”

Riana had taken off the velcape—that was actually the inner lining of her dress—and glared at Killian.

You’re the one who chased me. What kind of question is that?

“Back at the luncheon—”

“Droche? Are you in here?”

The prince’s voice echoed through the hallway as he followed Killian into the mansion.

Riana used the moment to dash across the hall.

If the whole thing was just a bet, then pretending to be a man or trying to gross him out doesn’t matter!

If your strategy fails, just run.

She rushed into a narrow hallway that led to a small backdoor.
The lights weren’t even on—it was dark and barely used.

All she could see was the little rectangle of light at the end.
She ran toward it quickly, even in heels—a miraculous effort.

Creak!

But she had to stop.

“Crap!”

The Duke of Veloci was coming in through the back door.

“Eek!”

Riana pressed herself against the wall, trusting the shadows to hide her.

The man in the white suit was walking straight toward her.

“My hair… I need to cover my hair…!”

Wait.

Where was the scarf?

It was gone. She must have dropped it.

Veloci’s brown shoes stepped into the dim hallway.

Riana tried to escape quietly, dragging her feet sideways like a crab.

But the Duke’s senses were sharper than she expected.

“Is someone—”

Riana froze, hand clamped over her mouth.

His soft but youthful voice echoed in the hall.

“Who’s there?”

…Damn it.
He found her.