*Thank you for the kofi Angela [2 of 4]*

In the middle of the meal, Ian spoke up.

"Aren't you bored?"

"What?"

"Aren't you bored here?"

She couldn't be bored.

There wasn't enough time in the day to prepare to deal with Ian, who was coming in the morning and evening.

In his absence, she didn't have enough time to think about why he'd changed like this, or what the heck he wanted from her.

She had no time to feel relaxed because she was too anxious.

"Is there anything you want to learn?"

However, Ian seemed to be worried that Rachel really was bored.

"You can't just read books every day."

"I'm fine. I'm not bored."

Ian looked at Rachel silently again.

But soon enough he moved his eyes away and spoke again.

"Still, if you need anything, tell the butler anytime."

Rachel nodded quietly.

Silence fell between them again.

She ate with Ian twice a day, but only a few words were spoken between them.

She didn't understand why he was overcoming the hassle and coming to this mansion to eat when she had nothing to say.

"...."

Rachel glanced at Ian, who looked as relaxed and laid back as usual.

She didn't think he was that crazy.

Rachel still had no idea what he was thinking.

"...."

"...."

When their meal was about to end, Rachel spoke up cautiously.

"Your Majesty, can I go to the plaza or market?"

"You can't do it alone."

However, Ian shook his head before Rachel could finish asking.

"Ah..."

He'd acted like he'd give her everything she wanted.

But he firmly refused without a moment's thought.

"What about if I went with the butler?"

"Just you and the butler?"

Rachel nodded.

"You can't do that either."

Again, Ian shook his head without considering it at all.

She wasn't kidding with him, so why did he tell her to just ask for what she wanted?

"If you want to go to the market, go with me."

"What?"

"Go with me."

"Oh, okay."

Rachel blinked in confusion, and replied quietly.

She didn't expect that, and now she was able to clearly recognize her situation.

It seemed that she was being detained at this mansion.

***

Rachel, who was left alone after Ian left, returned to her room and laid down on her bed.

She wondered if she could sleep a little bit.

"Haa. I somehow got caught."

As soon as she closed her eyes, a sigh she'd been patiently holding in escaped her.

How did she end up in this situation?

She missed her life in Ravenna.

It wasn't a big house, but she'd filled it up herself. Although she'd gained little compared to her efforts, it was a small home that she'd worked hard on.

She missed Thomas' chubby cheeks, and the warm smile of the fruit store lady.

Dean, who was so pure and innocent, would blush and often stutter nervously when standing in front of her. Rachel missed him, who was always so awkward.

But she'll never see them again.

Even if Ian's interest in her waned, she would never be able to return to Ravenna again.

She had to leave to a place where no one knew her.

But Rachel didn't know where to go unless it was Ravenna.

She was afraid that she wouldn't be able to adapt well there.

Would she be able to meet kind and friendly people again like she did in Ravenna? She was worried that such great luck wouldn't come to her again.

There would probably be no luck like that this time.

"...I miss you."

Only then did Rachel realize she liked the people of Ravenna more than she thought.

Unlike her pledge to never get attached to anyone.

She belatedly realized that she'd already given them her heart.

***

"My Lady."

At the Duke of Avery's residence.

Anna, the personal maid, hurried up to Diana as she stepped off the carriage. At that same time, she looked worried that she was in danger of being attacked.

"D*mn it."

Diana's curly blonde hair was pulled back to reveal her neckline, and her white neck had turned bright red.

"My lady, what's wrong?"

Anna asked in a cautious voice, and took the fan from Diana's hand.

With her shoulders hunched, the maid looked at Diana's face.

"He refused again today."

"Then again today, His Majesty..."

"Argh! So annoying!"

Diana snapped loudly at Anna's question, as if she was angry.

The maids of the Duke's mansion looked uncomfortable, and glanced at the young lady's face.

The servants knew from years of experience that when Diana was angry, nothing good came from being around her.

In particular, the maids left in her vicinity would act cautiously. They knew if they made a mistake, not even their bones would be able to heal.

"Why is he so busy?"

Diana swept her hair back roughly.

"How can he do this to me? How could he ignore me like this!"

"Yes."

"Ha, he said I shouldn't go there like that again!"

Anna nodded carefully to the angry Diana.

"Do you know what he said to me? It's going to be the last time that it ends nicely!"

Diana took off her white gloves, and threw them away.

"And he said that through his assistant!"

"...."

"Am I bothering him?"

"No way. How could he be bothered by a beautiful woman like you."

Anna shook her head slowly.

"Then why won't he meet me?"

"His Majesty must be busy."

Anna slowly fanned Diana, who was still overheated.

"I think it's because there's a lot to deal with after the war."

"But how could he do that to me?"

"...I know."

Anna seemed embarrassed for a while, and only gave a brief response to Diana.

"He ran away to our territory, and we saved his life. It's all thanks to me that he was able to stay alive."

As if her anger had subsided a little after Anna listened to her, Diana made a face at the maid using the fan.

After that Anna became more enthusiastic about fanning.

"He must be crazy."

Diana cursed Ian, then opened her eyes wide.

"Wait a minute."

Anna's shoulders gave a small shiver as Diana suddenly raised her body.

"Ian couldn't like a girl other than me, right?"

"No way. There's no one more beautiful than the young miss in the whole empire."

Anna shook her head as if it was ridiculous.

"Right. That's true."

Anna replied sincerely with an answer that would please Diana.

"In addition, there isn't a single man who doesn't like the young miss."

"Of course."

Diana nodded arrogantly at the compliment she'd received.

"If His Majesty had a wife, of course it would be the young miss. There's no one among the nobility or empire that suits His Majesty better than you."

"That's true."

"...His Majesty and the young miss have a special relationship."

Only then did Diana nod slowly.

"Right. It's all thanks to me that he was able to live by hiding in our territory."

As if she was satisfied.

"Now that the war is over, Ian will have to participate in various balls. The other noble ladies will act greedy."

"Before that, you want to confirm that you have a relationship with His Majesty?"

"Of course, I don't want to lose what's mine to someone else."

Diana raised her eyes fiercely again.

"I need to set things straight before people, who don't know any better, start acting like thieves!"

Anna blinked for a moment, and slowly opened her mouth.

"I think it's because His Majesty is so busy that it's hard for him to make time to meet the young miss."

Anna carefully checked Diana's expression.

"Why don't you make an appointment in advance?"

"It's because I can't make an appointment. Even if I send a message, he always says no. Are you telling me I should sit down and wait?"

"...But you come back without meeting him every time you visit."

Anna concluded her words while looking at Diana's face.

"Ha..."

What should she do to meet Ian?

Diana sighed as if she was frustrated.

"Hey, why are you still hanging around? Hurry up, get out already."

She glared at Anna and rebuked her. Diana didn't like the situation that wasn't going the way she wanted, and she was taking it poorly.

"Yes, then I'll leave now."

Anna could hardly guess her whims, but she left the room without saying much as if she was familiar with it.

***

"Your Majesty, Miss Avery just left."

There was a dark shadow over Harmond's face, who'd returned to the office after being away for a long time.

"Why does she act like she can just meet His Majesty?"

Harmond shook his head as if he was fed up.

"Ha, I can't communicate with that young lady."

Diana acted as if she was the emperor's fiancée.

He couldn't understand how she could treat Ian so lightly, and visit the emperor of an empire casually without a basic reason.

If Ian sent a notice of rejection, she should know how to give up. Did she think he'd meet with her if she just showed up?

"Her angry voice is still ringing in my ears."

"...."

"Has she ever learned etiquette?"

"...."

"Your Majesty, are you even listening to me?"

Whose fault was it that he'd returned to the office after suffering so much?

Ian didn't seem to have any interest in Harmond, who'd just returned from being tormented by Diana.

"Did you properly deliver the message?"

"Yes, I told her not to come again."

"Then we won't see each other anymore."

Ian spoke without glancing up from his documents.

"She won't give up like this. She'll bother you again somehow."

Harmond glanced at Ian, who was looking down at the papers in front of him, and quietly sighed.

He couldn't understand why he should be forced to suffer between the two of them.