EWOWMAIBTYPF Chapter 162

Chapter 162

 

Diana often teased Allen about being a flirt, but she actually wrote all of that in her letters?

Allen looked at Lia with a face full of disbelief.

Lia could only give an awkward smile.

Just as Diana had said, she knew through the letters all about the women Allen had dated and gone out with.

And she had secretly found it strange.

In the past, Allen had casually dated a few young noble ladies, but not often enough to be called a flirt.

Yet somehow, in this life, Allen seemed to be meeting not only noblewomen but even commoners rather broadly.

He was still the same as ever when it came to rescuing people in trouble and earning the title of ‘Guardian of Justice,’ but…

‘Somehow, he seems even more susceptible to women than before.’

“I’m not a flirt! I’ve never dated more than one person at the same time!” Allen shouted defensively.

“S-Sure, I’ve gone on a lot of dates, but… it’s not a crime to be popular, right?!”

At that, Diana, who had her arms crossed, scoffed.

“What, you think big brother and Jack aren’t popular? The difference is they don’t go out with just anyone who throws themselves at them like you do.”

“I don’t go out with everyone either…”

Allen muttered under his breath, but his voice was drowned out by Diana’s continued mockery.

Just then, as Lia stood there awkwardly, unsure how to react to the sibling squabble, she heard the announcer call Jack’s name.

Spotting Jack entering the arena, Lia waved eagerly in excitement.

Watching her, Allen suddenly felt a strange twinge of irritation and pouted before glancing at Lia and saying,

“But if you actually went on a date with me, I bet I’d be better than Jack. He’s all stiff and boring.”

To that, Lia turned and asked,

“Oh? So you must be really good at entertaining women, Sir Allen?”

“Of course! I’m incredibly charming and witty! Everyone says I’m the epitome of a gentleman.”

“Oh, really? Then why haven’t I ever noticed that?” Lia asked playfully, shrugging.

Allen, raising his chin with a mischievous grin, shot back,

“Like I said earlier, I’m not a flirt! Since you’re not someone I’m dating, there’s no reason for me to act like a gentleman.”

“Oh my! Then does that mean I’ll go my whole life never seeing the gentlemanly side of Sir Allen? How cruel!”

Lia dramatically shook her head and covered her mouth. Then, suddenly stopping, she looked at Allen.

His expression, which had been cheerful just moments ago, had turned stiff.

“What’s wrong?”

“Hold on. I suddenly feel really suffocated.”

“Did you overeat and get indigestion or something?”

Lia, recalling how much Allen had devoured at lunch, asked with concern.

“What? No. That wasn’t even more than usual for me… But still, why do I feel like this? My chest feels tight, and I’m in a really weird mood.”

Allen thumped his chest a few times, then stood up, saying he needed something cold to drink.

Lia watched him leave with concern, then turned her attention back to the match and tilted her head in confusion.

“Huh?”

She could’ve sworn Jack had just entered a moment ago.

But the match was already over.

 

***

 

Just as expected, perhaps.

The preliminary matches of the swordsmanship tournament turned out to be incredibly underwhelming.

Aside from the first match she missed while chatting, the others she watched with full attention ended so quickly due to the overwhelming skill gap between Jack and his opponents.

‘I wish I could see more of what he’s really capable of.’

She was curious whether the finals would offer Jack a worthy opponent who could actually draw out his true skills.

At that moment, she felt the carriage slowing down.

“We must be arriving at the palace!”

Diana, sitting across from her, called out excitedly.

Lia chuckled and nodded, straightening the hem of her dress.

For today’s ball, commemorating the first day of the Founding Festival, she had coordinated with Diana, choosing a blue dress with silver accessories.

Diana wore a similarly navy dress with a pink hairpin in her hair.

Clearly eager to show off her look, Diana had been shifting excitedly in her seat the whole ride, and the moment the carriage came to a full stop, she threw open the door and reached out her hand to Lia.

“Grab my hand, sis! I’m going to be your escort tonight!”

Diana spoke with sparkling eyes.

Come to think of it, when their parents said they would be leaving later, she had eagerly insisted they go early instead.

It seemed she saw this as the perfect opportunity—especially since Jack wasn’t attending the ball due to the sword tournament, and Allen, too, had gone ahead to check on the palace’s security at the imperial family’s request.

I couldn’t help but laugh as I took Diana’s hand and stepped out of the carriage.

But at that very moment, just as Diana was turning with a smile tugging at her lips, she stepped on the hem of her own dress.

“Ah!”

As she stumbled forward, I quickly caught her around the waist.

Meeting Diana’s wide, startled eyes, I said gently,

“Be careful, Diana.”

Once I steadied her upright, she clutched her chest, slightly panting as if the shock had really gotten to her.

“Whew… Sis… That’s not fair.”

“Huh?”

“My heart can’t handle that. I really… need to protect you…”

For some reason, Diana’s eyes gleamed even more brightly than before, now full of renewed determination as she firmly linked her arm with mine.

Tilting my head in curiosity, I entered the palace ballroom with her.

“Wow…”

The welcoming banquet had been impressive, but it couldn’t compare to this—no wonder it was the Empire’s biggest event, the Founding Festival.

From the red velvet carpet on the floor and the grand crystal chandeliers, to the decorations crafted from gold, ivory, and various precious gems, and the flowers in full bloom, the entire hall was dazzling.

Inside, guests as richly adorned as the venue itself had already gathered in small groups, engaging in lively conversation.

But the moment Diana and I entered, all eyes turned to us in surprise.

Guess we really are early, I thought, and as we walked further in, I naturally scanned the crowd.

I was slightly worried that Countess Amber might show up, even after her public embarrassment that morning, but fortunately, I didn’t see her.

She might arrive later, but…for now, I felt relieved.

That was when it happened.

“Your Highness, it is an honor to meet you. I am from House Ordine…”

“Greetings! I’m from the estate adjacent to your maternal grandfather, the Marquis of Diapel’s…”

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Wait your turn! I got here first!”

Perhaps because my parents weren’t with me, people must’ve thought this was the perfect chance to approach. One after another, they began blocking my way and offering their greetings.

Even though I knew none of them could harm me, not physically or magically, it still felt as if I were prey surrounded by hunters, and a chill ran down my spine.

Then…

“What a disgraceful behavior in front of Her Highness the Grand Princess.”

Clicking her tongue, Diana shook her head and calmly pulled me out of the crowd.

Her presence was so commanding that the nobles trying to approach me hesitated and instinctively stepped back, parting to let us through.

Even I was surprised by the charisma of the Diana I had always seen as just a little sister.

But the would-be “hunters” weren’t giving up so easily.

“Lady Diana! You look stunning as always.”

“That dress suits you beautifully!”

This time, it was a group of young noble ladies—clearly familiar with Diana—who rushed over.

Diana did look gorgeous in her navy dress with silver embroidery, just as they said. But judging by the way they kept sneaking glances at me, it was obvious their true aim was to be introduced to me.

They were smiling and praising Diana, but their eyes were basically shouting, ‘Now introduce us to Her Highness the Grand Princess!’

Curious to see how Diana would handle it, I watched her closely.

With her chin lifted proudly, Diana smiled.

“Thank you for the compliments. You all look stunning tonight, too. Ah, I’ve been so rude—let me introduce someone very dear to me. We’ve known each other so long, it’s no exaggeration to say we’re practically family…”

“Diana!”

Just as she was enthusiastically highlighting how close we were, a loud voice interrupted.

Diana flinched.

“You really went to the sword tournament today? And the night market yesterday too? Why didn’t you tell me anything?!”

Aiden, red-faced, rushed in from the entrance, looking utterly betrayed.

Even Diana, who had been the picture of composure, gave him a sharp glare.

“What do you think you’re doing? Can’t you see I’m in the middle of a conversation with other ladies?”

“Well, that’s…!”

Aiden was momentarily at a loss, then suddenly turned to the other girls and said,

“I’m terribly sorry for interrupting, but I really need a moment. Could you give us some space?”

“Uh… oh…”

“Well… I guess we have no choice.”

It was already rude enough that he had barged into the middle of their conversation. Now he was flat-out shooing them away.

His behavior bordered on offensive, but as the Empress’s nephew and the young Duke of Faelunt, no one present could really call him out. Nor could they refuse his request.

Having so easily cleared out the young ladies, Aiden turned back with a triumphant look that said ‘There, all done!’

Then, with his face full of hurt and frustration, he spoke pitifully,

“Did I do something wrong? I’ve been thinking, and it feels like you’ve been acting strange since your birthday. Was it because you didn’t like my gift?”

Is that it? I’m sorry, his downcast, apologetic expression was so much like the Aiden I remembered from childhood.

At that moment…

Pfft!

I couldn’t hold back a laugh. The vibe was just so Allen.

I still remembered Allen telling Aiden, ‘A master is like a second father, so treat me accordingly,’ and now it seemed he had successfully molded a carbon copy of himself.

As I laughed to myself, I suddenly felt a stare on my cheek.

Aiden was looking at me with a thoroughly displeased expression, as if wondering why this person was still standing here laughing.

Diana, catching that look, shot back at him with a fierce glare.

“What are you staring at? Aren’t you going to greet her?”

“…Who is she?”

“Ha!”

Diana looked utterly dumbfounded by his response. So was I.

It was embarrassing to admit, but ever since I became the grand princess, people always recognized me—this was the first time someone had shown zero interest in my identity.

‘So Aiden really is the type to charge blindly once he’s fixated on someone.’

It had been like that in the past too. He chased after Diana with reckless enthusiasm, ignoring family dynamics or political consequences.

Even when his cousin Serphin was plotting to win Lucio’s favor…

‘…Wait a second. Isn’t that a bit dangerous?’

I tilted my head, resting my chin thoughtfully on my fingers.