IFLDMHF | Chapter 148

Episode 148

Despite the aide’s shout, the blade in Kaiden’s hand was ultimately drawn.

The sharp sword that had once cut through battlefields reflected off the chandelier of the Grand Hall, boasting a fierce silver gleam.

The nobles, who had been entranced by the shocking twists of a story so unlike the rumors they had known, now screamed at the Crown Prince’s sudden action.

But Kaiden was so far gone he didn’t even hear their reactions—he had completely lost his rationality.

“If only that bastard weren’t here…!”

He felt that if he could just get rid of Duke Rudion, whom Evgenia treasured, everything would go back to how it used to be.

No, it might even make Evgenia hate and despise him more than before.

That would be better than having her toss aside their relationship as easily as she had just now.

While Kaiden stood with his sword drawn, glaring at Euclid, the Imperial Palace’s Royal Guard Knights, having heard the nobles’ and knights’ screams from the banquet hall, surrounded the area in a circle.

However, despite being in a state of alert, none of them raised their swords to stop him.

Except for the aide, everyone still believed in the Crown Prince’s reason—they didn’t think Kaiden would actually swing the blade.

Even if they did step forward, they weren’t a match for the Swordmaster Crown Prince. Many hesitated, fearing that going against him might lead to repercussions later.

Unlike the nobles, who distanced themselves in fear, Duke Basilian and Sionel stood near the knights, watching the scene with anxiety, frustrated by the passive response.

They were unable to stay calm, worried that something might happen to Evgenia and Euclid.

Evgenia’s complexion, in particular, was paler than they had ever seen before.

From the moment Kaiden drew his sword, she had stopped breathing, trembling uncontrollably.

At the sight of the silver blade’s tip, her heart pounded as if it would burst. Cold sweat ran down her skin, and her breathing grew labored.

In fact, when the Crown Prince had spoken to clear up past misunderstandings, she was surprised but thought it might be a chance.

She had even provoked him a little on purpose.

But she had not expected this outcome.

His frenzied, burning red eyes.

The blade’s edge, so sharp and cold it gave her chills.

Seeing it, she envisioned Kaiden cruelly striking at Euclid, countless spears piercing him—a vivid hallucination before her eyes.

“My wife?”

Euclid, who had been keeping a wary eye on the Crown Prince, belatedly noticed Evgenia gasping for breath, unable to breathe properly.

Then he remembered—Evgenia was terrified of sharp, pointed objects.

Just as Euclid urgently tried to cover her eyes and step forward—

“Evgenia!”

With Duke Basilian’s sharp cry, the knights and nobles watching let out gasps of horror all around.

Red droplets of blood fell one by one onto the marble floor from a deeply slashed palm.

Euclid froze, unable to grasp the situation.

He had definitely tried to place Evgenia behind him.

But… the one standing behind was himself.

Evgenia stood in front of him, clutching the Crown Prince’s blade with both hands.

“You…”

Kaiden, standing face-to-face with Evgenia, turned pale and mouthed soundlessly.

He was just as shocked as Euclid.

He had been moments away from cutting down Duke Rudion, but because of how close Evgenia was, he had hesitated for a second.

He never imagined she would take such a reckless action to stop him.

Though he had threatened and shown killing intent before, he had never actually harmed her.

Even if his hatred for her was overwhelming and he couldn’t bring himself to treat her with care, the thought that he should never hurt her had always lingered in his heart.

So seeing Evgenia, holding the very sword that had slaughtered enemies without mercy not long ago, and now bleeding, felt like a dream.

He couldn’t even bring himself to tell her to let go.

At that moment, Evgenia stepped closer to Kaiden without letting go of the sword.

Her expression was colder than when they had exchanged polite words just a moment ago, and she whispered low enough for only him to hear.

“Touch my husband or my family even once.”

“……”

“And you know. You know what I’ll do.”

Though it was Evgenia’s hands that were bleeding from the deep cut, Kaiden felt her warning pierce his ears like a mortal wound.

“My wife!”

“Evgenia, let go of that sword immediately!”

“Your Highness, please sheath your sword!”

“Please, Your Highness…”

While shouts and screams echoed around him, Kaiden stood dazed, not hearing a word—until Duke Rudion pulled Evgenia away from the blade and moved her back with him.

Only then did Kaiden’s sword, which had never once fallen even during countless battles and duels, drop to the ground with a clattering noise.

Meanwhile, at that very moment of chaos in the Imperial Palace—

“Uuugh.”

Dior, who had taken medicine for his upset stomach and fallen into a deep sleep, opened his eyes and blinked.

It was already night; darkness filled the window outside.

Startled, Dior hurriedly looked around.

“Hehe…”

Fortunately, he wasn’t alone in the room. A small light was on.

Right next to him, Marianne was sleeping peacefully, and Delano had dozed off with his arms crossed in the armchair by the window.

Dior’s cheeks turned red, feeling relieved that the two were by his side, but soon his expression turned apologetic, thinking they must be sleeping uncomfortably because of him.

— What? He really had an upset stomach?

He suddenly recalled the moment when he was examined by the attending physician who had arrived in advance at the ducal residence.

Delano, who had been dumbfounded by the fact that it wasn’t a fake illness, and his sister, who had frowned, had scared Dior terribly.

— You, really… Just forget it.

But Marianne couldn’t possibly stay angry after seeing Dior’s face brimming with tears.

Moreover—

— More importantly, Lord Delano! You tricked us, didn’t you?!

For Marianne, who had just finished treating Dior, there was something more urgent than scolding her little brother.

Unaware of the situation due to his stomachache, Dior only understood what had been going on after listening to the conversation between Marianne and Delano.

— We heard everything! That His Majesty the Emperor wanted to take auntie as his daughter-in-law!

— A-hem…

— Don’t tell me you thought antie wouldn’t return to the ducal house because she liked the Crown Prince! Right?! That’s why you told us to get in the way!

— I didn’t deceive you on purpose. I just didn’t share the whole story! And there’s no need to worry anymore. You heard Madam call the Duke the best husband in the world, didn’t you?

— No, that’s not it…!

Marianne, knowing that Evgenia had never liked the Crown Prince, was simply frustrated with Delano’s persistent misunderstanding.

Feeling much better after taking the medicine, Dior thought to himself:

‘Then… did the Crown Prince really torment auntie just because he hated her?’

He couldn’t understand.

Why would he treat someone as beautiful and kind as aunt that way?

But Dior, though still young, had long understood something:

There are many strange and mean-spirited people in the world, like Amy.

‘Maybe… maybe it’s because aunt doesn’t like him back.’

Unconsciously grasping the bizarre relationship between Evgenia and Kaiden, Dior placed a hand on his stomach and mumbled softly:

“…I’m hungry.”

Come to think of it, he hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast.

But he couldn’t bring himself to wake Delano and Marianne, who had finally fallen asleep after caring for him.

“Ungh!”

After a moment of deliberation, Dior made a big decision to go to the kitchen alone and climbed down from the bed.

He had even used secret passageways in House Rudion—this little adventure was nothing!

Of course, it was a courage made possible by the fact that he had memorized the way from the room to the dining hall perfectly.

“Ah, right!”

It was scary to go alone—so he had to bring the teddy bear too!

Dior, clutching the teddy bear that had become his favorite ever since Evgenia gifted it to him—and one he had even brought with him to the capital—carefully opened the door and slipped out of the room without waking Delano or Marianne.

Even at night, the hallways of Duke Basilian’s residence weren’t completely dark, thanks to the magical lamps placed at intervals.

Still, once he stepped outside, a sense of fear crept in.

Though he was a hardy child of the North and rarely felt cold, he couldn’t help but feel a faint, eerie chill.

“…”

Uncle and aunt hadn’t returned yet?

The mansion was far too quiet.

Should he just go back to the room?

He hesitated for a moment.

Grrrgle.

A loud growl erupted from his stomach.

He could endure fear, but not hunger.

Mustering up his courage once again, Dior clenched his fists and stepped onto the stairs past the corridor.

However, before he could take more than a few steps—

“Waaah!”

“Ack! Wh-What?!”

Dior screamed, thinking he had seen a ghost as big as a bear.

The ghost—or rather, Alexis—who had been sitting blankly on the stairs, was just as startled.