I Picked Up My Father Who Left Home 26
With eyes colder than a moment ago, Lia looked at Lord Rhinon and spoke again.
“No matter how young I am and how much I have to learn, basic courtesy is not optional. I won’t use honorifics for someone like you, even if you are a Marquess.”
In other words, even though I, being young, show respect to you despite your lower rank and older age, why do you arrogantly condescend when you have a lower status.
The words struck a nerve, and Lord Rhinon’s face briefly showed surprise.
“That’s…”
“Who can speak easily to me is His Majesty, the Crown Prince, and the Grand Duke. Unless I missed something, is you has the authority of a lord risen so much as to surpass them?”
Unable to offer any excuse, Lord Rhinon was silenced by Lia’s continued words.
Because any condescension on his part could be implicated as a crime against the nobility.
“Please be careful. Seeing Lord Rhinon, I can’t help but worry and think of my grandfather.”
“If my attitude was unpleasant…”
“Oh dear, it seems like quite a problem. Despite being young and having much to learn, if I follow Lord Rhinon like this, I worry I’m might pick up wrong things. Without even knowing basic courtesy, arrogantly condescending to anyone, I might end up in trouble.”
Lia’s tone as she spoke was noticeably firmer than before.
Her calm voice remained, but just from her tone, it was evident that she was very angry.
By this point, it would have been appropriate to apologize, but Lord Rhinon stubbornly refused to acknowledge his mistake and rudeness.
Almost like a muttered soliloquy, Lia said, loud enough for Lord Rhinon to hear clearly.
“Oh, is it okay then? Since I learned from Lord Rhinon? You said I’m like your granddaughter, so even if something happens, Lord Rhinon will willingly help me, right? You said if I ever need help, I just have to ask.”
In response, Lord Rhinon’s face stiffened.
Already feeling uneasy due to Lia, who was not as easygoing as expected, he was now perplexed. This situation could escalate to a level he couldn’t handle.
Especially considering that a serious situation could have arisen from just a few words a while ago.
“….. As I’ve aged, it seems my worries have increased, and I made unnecessary remarks… Young lady, you already possess admirable qualities. I apologize.”
“Indeed, it’s tough. If you’re young, you have to act young, and if you’re old, there’s a lot to consider according to your age.”
Unmoved by Lord Rhinon’s apology, Lia continued her calm assault until the end.
Her words pinpointed every action Lord Rhinon had displayed until now.
Eventually, Lord Rhinon couldn’t utter a word and had no choice but to quickly leave as if fleeing.
“Ha, I’m tired.”
After vanquishing a noble who had been provoking her throughout the prolonged mental battle, Lia sighed with an annoyed expression.
She knew incidents like this might occur since attending the ball, but that didn’t make her feel any better.
And it wasn’t just one person but two.
It might not end with just two.
Besides the two targeting her here, there could be more hyenas lurking around.
‘If I knew this would happen, I should have just been kidnapped.’
After all, handling the aftermath was the kidnapper’s responsibility; it wasn’t her concern.
But having already attended, complaining now would be pointless.
Instead, Lia decided to step out of the ballroom for a while.
She planned to converse with the Emperor after the ball, but there was no need to stay in her seat until the end.
It made more sense to leave this place for a bit, relax elsewhere, and return when it was about to end.
With that in mind, Lia ignored the nobles who seemed to glance at her, as if assessing her, and moved on with her steps.
Anyway, there wouldn’t be many among them genuinely congratulating her. If they had wanted to, they should have approached her earlier to offer their congratulations.
Exiting the ballroom, Lia headed towards a secluded garden behind the palace.
“Feels like I can breathe now.”
The ballroom where the reception was held wasn’t small, but the constant tension made it stifling.
Finally stepping out of the ballroom and breathing in the fresh air, Lia felt a sense of relief.
“I’m starting to understand Khal’s now.”
It was her character to set aside irritations and observe. Even though she only dealt with someone provoking her briefly today, she seemed to sense the limits of her patience and feel annoyed.
If she had to deal with such people every day, it would be hard for her temperament to improve.
Taking a moment to relax and breathe in the fresh air, Lia’s ears caught a faint sound.
Lia frowned.
Despite finally escaping the oppressive atmosphere to rest alone, the thought of being disturbed by someone crossed her mind, and it didn’t sit well with her.
However, upon confirming the owner of the sound, Lia concealed her expression and stood up.
It was none other than the Imperial Crown Prince, Jeshuan.
“Greetings to the Imperial Prince, the small light of the Empire.”
Lia, gracefully holding her dress, showed no trace of the dissatisfaction she had moments ago.
“Ah, you recognized who I am.”
Jeshuan’s voice carried a hint of disappointment as he spoke.
He had no intention of hiding his identity from her. If that were the case, he wouldn’t have revealed his name in the first place.
Many knew him more as the Crown Prince than by his name, but anyone who wanted to find out could have easily done so.
Besides, hadn’t he requested to keep her by his side, expressing his wish to his father?
Eventually, she would have found out somehow that he was the Crown Prince.
Despite this, what left him feeling regretful was simply the desire to get a bit closer to her through this coincidental encounter.
Approaching her as an ordinary boy rather than as a Crown Prince would likely gain her favor.
Especially for some reason, Jeshuam had often thought of her since their last meeting.
Whether it was because of the sense of stability she provided him or her captivating presence, he couldn’t say.
Nevertheless, he didn’t just decide to keep her by his side out of necessity; he genuinely wanted to build a good relationship with her.
Even though there wouldn’t be an issue keeping her by his side as his father had agreed to his request, it was just a small desire.
No, perhaps it was an excessive desire.
Anyway, having a good relationship with her was beneficial for him.
That way, he could gain more and achieve what he desired more easily.
“I apologize for not recognizing you last time.”
“It’s okay. I actually hoped you wouldn’t recognize me right away.”
That way, she might not feel burdened by his presence.
“Rather, it’s nice to see you again.”
Jeshuan spoke with a soft, friendly smile filled with affection.
He genuinely enjoyed this coincidental encounter with her.
He had thought, before formally introducing himself to her, it would be nice to meet her once more.
In that sense, today’s stroll turned out to be quite a splendid choice.
Feeling somewhat stifled today, even knowing the ball was in full swing, he opted for a walk.
Captivated by Jeshuan’s friendly demeanor, Lia gazed at him somewhat entranced.
Initially caught off guard due to not expecting to encounter the Crown Prince like this, she didn’t realize it was due to their previous meeting. Now, facing him directly, her attention naturally shifted to his dazzling appearance.
He possessed extraordinary looks, almost like a temptation incarnate. With his charming smile and greeting, it felt surreal.
Even after a second encounter, his appearance still radiated brilliance. It was hard to look away, like a moth drawn to a flame.
Unlike their first meeting in a formal setting, he now exuded a gentle and warm aura, seemingly a different person.
The slightly folded eyes and the upward curve of his lips clearly conveyed warmth and favor towards her.
“Lady Sithran?”
Jeshuan, meeting Lia’s unwavering gaze, called her softly with a gentle tone.
Startled by his voice, Lia subtly shifted her gaze.
“I apologize. Your Highness is so handsome… No, that’s not it. Anyway, I just stared too much.”
It was undeniably impolite and disrespectful.
Normally, it was considered polite to avert one’s gaze when facing nobility.
Directly looking at someone’s face, especially a noble, was considered a breach of etiquette.
Even more so when the person in question was the Crown Prince.
“Seems like you appreciate my face.”
“Well…”
Lia, instinctively about to nod her head, barely restrained herself.
Despite being captivated by his appearance, she couldn’t let herself lose focus to that extent.
“If you like my face, I’m fortunate.”
Jeshuan expressed satisfaction with a small smile, seemingly content with the fact.
He didn’t particularly have a conscious awareness of his own appearance.
Throughout his life, he was more accustomed to fearful or wary looks than admiration for his looks.
Most people, initially friendly upon not knowing his identity, changed their attitude abruptly once they learned who he was. Therefore, he had little reason to care about his appearance.
Merely relying on his looks proved challenging to dispel the fear others harbored toward him.
But, for now, the situation was a bit different.
Previously, he didn’t bother about appearing favorable to others, but Lia was an exception.
Even if he didn’t have the intention of developing a deep connection with her, it was better to gain some level of favor.
Doing so would make it easier to keep her by his side.
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