IBMILRFL | Chapter 77

Episode 77

To reach the private box inside the theater, one had to climb the stairs.

As I walked alongside Lilliana, I paused and looked around.

Unlike the bustling lobby, there were now hardly any people left except for the staff.

Pfft.

With my nerves slightly relaxed, I covered my mouth and let out a discreet chuckle.

‘Oh dear, Lilliana. Our little bundle of luck.’

I looked down at her with a pleased gaze. Lilliana tilted her head as if wondering what was going on, then soon smiled back at me.

‘She went and did all that, and yet she has no clue what it even means.’

I recalled what had happened earlier.

From the moment we entered the theater, I had actually been quite tense.

It was the first time I’d openly shown myself with Lilliana in front of the gossip-loving nobles.

While I had accompanied her here and there before, we’d never displayed such intimacy in front of the nobility.

Because… I was worried about what they might say.

In reality, we were quite close, but there was no way others would know that.

So even if they saw us together, there was a high chance they’d jump to absurd conclusions.

Like I was deliberately dragging her around to bully my future daughter-in-law, or that poor Lilliana was being victimized. I could already think of dozens of ridiculous rumors off the top of my head.

And I hated that.

‘I don’t mind being talked about. But… I don’t want Lilliana being misunderstood because of me, even for a moment.’

Still, we couldn’t keep hiding like this forever.

‘She seemed a little disappointed too.’

So, I had made up my mind and brought her to the theater with me today.

The initial reaction from people was exactly as expected.

Everyone looked at Lilliana with pity for being with the infamous scoundrel.

So I figured some bizarre rumors would start circulating by tomorrow… and it was at that moment—

— Oh, by the way, were you talking to me just now? I didn’t quite hear you.

— N-No… it was nothing! Just talking to myself!

— Then that’s a relief. Mother—no, Countess Winder! Let’s go again! He said he wasn’t talking to me, hehe.

With a bright smile, Lilliana completely shattered their misconceptions.

‘Whether she meant to or not…’

Either way, I was grateful.

Thanks to her, the situation was smoothly resolved.

“Lilliana.”

I called her name for no real reason.

She scrunched her nose a little and smiled.

Now that I looked at it, that expression kind of resembled her brother.

“You’re grinning slyly again.”

“Me? Hehe.”

“Hmph, don’t get so pleased. I was just saying.”

“Mother… I mean, Lady Winder, you’re just embarrassed again, aren’t you?”

“Well, I’ll be.”

I let out a dry laugh.

Just how many times has she messed up that title already?

Back when she and jeremyon broke up, I had told her to call me ‘Lady Winder’ in front of others.

It seemed like she was trying to follow through with that, but wasn’t having much luck.

“Just call me whatever you’re comfortable with. Stop correcting yourself. At this rate, people will think my name is ‘Not Mother but Lady Winder.’”

“Oh, really? I can do that?”

Ugh, how cute. Her eyes sparkled like gemstones. She was so thrilled, the corners of her mouth twitched.

I gave a small nod at her question.

‘It should be fine now, since things are different than before.’

Back then, with the chaos of the breakup with jeremyon, I had advised caution in public—but now the situation had changed.

Everyone already assumed they were dating, except for the two actual people involved.

After getting my permission again, Lilliana began chattering away.

“Mother, I’m so happy! Honestly, the title already rolls off my tongue… Thank you!”

“You have a lot to be thankful for, don’t you?”

I responded with my usual chilly tone, but she wasn’t fazed.

“Of course. There’s so much. Even today—if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have gotten to see this play! Oh, looks like we’re finally here!”

Mid-sentence, she pointed at something.

It was the path to the private box.

With our guards in tow, we headed that way.

But then something strange happened.

Just as we were about to enter after showing our tickets… the staff stopped us.

“Lady Winder, I’m terribly sorry, but escorts are not allowed to accompany you.”

“Escorts… not allowed? That’s absurd nonsense.”

Suppressing none of my displeasure, I glared at the staff member.

At my fierce gaze, he flinched in fear, but did not back down.

“M-My apologies. But it’s not possible.”

This performance wasn’t just an ordinary play.

It was a production by the Imperial Theater Company, returning for the first time in five years.

Which meant that many high-ranking nobles would be attending today.

‘And they’re saying no escorts allowed? What if something happens? That makes no sense.’

When we bought the tickets, I had checked the details, and there were no such restrictions then.

‘Something’s not right.’

There was a chance it was just a mistake in the briefing or my memory.

But… something didn’t sit well.

“Mother, is something wrong?”

Lilliana, who was following behind, tilted her head and asked.

Looking at her face, I was struck by a sudden sense of unease.

‘No way.’

This theater was run by the Imperial family. Every staff member here, including the man in front of me, worked for the Empire.

In other words—

‘If a royal commands something, they would have to prioritize it.’

The chance was slim, but perhaps…

With a deep breath, I turned from the entrance and spoke firmly to Lilliana.

“Your outfit’s a mess.”

“Huh?”

“Can’t you see those awful wrinkles?”

Lilliana glanced down at herself, trying to find the wrinkles.

But it was nonsense from the start.

There were no wrinkles to be found.

“Mother, where exactly are the—”

“There’s a lounge near the lobby. Go tidy yourself up there. I’ll head in first.”

I firmly cut her off.

As long as there was even the slightest chance that my hunch was right, I couldn’t let her go inside unguarded.

Lilliana, sensing something off in my expression, gave a small nod.

“Hmm, alright, Mother. I’ll be back.”

With her escort, she hesitantly descended the stairs.

I quickly gave orders to my own guard.

“Follow her. Stay on high alert, no matter what.”

“What about your own protection, Madam?”

“I’ll be fine. Just make sure I’m not followed for at least ten minutes.”

“Yes, Madam.”

After sending my escort away, I entered the theater alone, heading toward the seats.

It felt like I was stepping into a tiger’s den of my own accord, but even with guards, it would have been useless.

If my hunch was right… that sly man wouldn’t allow escorts inside.

Though my neck was stiff with tension, I kept a calm, composed expression as I walked in.

‘I hope this unease is just me overthinking…’

But as I passed through the crimson hallway and reached the seating area, I had to accept that my suspicion was right.

Because sitting there confidently as if it were his rightful place was a man.

‘I had a feeling… and of course.’

Hair like the blazing orange sun. Brilliant golden eyes—the symbol of royalty. A smile that seemed kind at first glance, but was nothing short of sly.

The one waiting in that seat was… the Imperial Crown Prince, Leo Ignarium.