Chapter 70

Leord found himself being noticed by someone he never expected.

He pinched his cheek to see if this was a dream, but it hurt as usual.

Indeed, this was not a dream. Leord, however, wondered if he was hallucinating, but Sylvie, who had been watching his strange behavior, asked him:

"What have you been doing?

Pinching your cheek and shaking your head. Could it be that you're mistaking this for a dream?"

Leord, startled, hurriedly made an excuse.

"N-no, that's not it. I just woke up with a stiff neck, and it feels a bit off. Haha..."

He tried to laugh it off, but Sylvie, standing in front of him, was not fooled.

She glared at Leord, and eventually, he couldn't bear it and bowed his head.

"Please forgive me, Princess Sylvie. I can't take this any longer."

Seeing Leord bow, Sylvie smiled in a troubled manner.

"Oh, no. I didn't mean to trouble you, Lord Leord?"

(Who are you kidding! You know exactly what you're doing!)

Many nobles were watching Leord bow to Princess Sylvie, the Fourth Princess.

One of them approached Leord and Sylvie. Leord, still bowing, couldn't see who it was, but he heard the footsteps and knew someone was approaching.

Sylvie turned to the approaching person and greeted them.

"Good day, Lady Elina."

Leord was surprised to hear her name. He hadn't expected Elina to be there.

Indeed, as a duchess, it wasn't unusual for Elina to be invited to this party. However, she wasn't the type to approach someone she disliked, like Leord.

"It's been a while, Princess Sylvie. May I ask what impertinence this man has shown to you?"

What a misunderstanding. Leord hadn't done anything wrong. However, Elina, knowing Leord's character, assumed he had been disrespectful to Sylvie.

"It's a misunderstanding. I haven't done anything to the Princess."

Leord raised his head and spoke to Elina.

"Who are you to say that? Considering your past actions, I think it's only natural to assume the worst."

"That might be true, but this time, I can say with certainty that I haven't done anything."

"Hmph. How ridiculous. Then why did you bow?"

"That's... because..."

Leord couldn't answer Elina's question. If he told the truth—that he bowed to Sylvie to beg for mercy—she wouldn't believe him.

"See? If he had done nothing, he wouldn't have hesitated to answer."

"..."

"Most likely, he was asked about his achievements during the monster panic and bowed to cover up a lie."

Leord was about to deny Elina's accusation when another person arrived.

"Watch your words, Elina. Do you realize that you are not only insulting Lord Leord but also the royal family?"

"Wh-what do you mean—"

"Still don't understand? The achievements Lord Leord has made have been recognized by the royal family and the King. You called them fabricated, which is essentially insulting the royal family for being unable to discern the truth. Do you understand that?"

"B-but I didn't mean to—"

"Be silent. Elina, I am aware of Lord Leord's inappropriate behavior as a noble. The King is also aware.

That's why the King initially didn't believe Lord Leord's achievements and conducted an independent investigation. The results confirmed that Lord Leord's achievements were genuine.

I understand your tendency to speak based on preconceived notions, but you should broaden your perspective. Lord Leord's presence here is proof enough."

Leord, who never expected to be saved by Sylvie, was still bothered by her last statement.

"Um, what did you mean by that last part?"

"Exactly what I said. Lord Leord's presence here is the best proof. After all, if it were a lie, Lord Leord's head would have been separated from his body by now."

Sylvie laughed merrily, but Leord's face drained of color. For him, it wasn't a laughing matter. He had no idea that lying could cost him his head.

Elina, like Leord, turned pale. Being scolded by the royal family for mocking Leord as usual was a shock.

(I didn't say anything wrong!

This is all this pig's fault!)

Elina, directing her anger in the wrong direction, glared at Leord. Unaware of her glare, Leord was thinking about how to escape from Sylvie.

(I have to find a way to get out of here...)

Sadly, Leord couldn't escape. With Sylvie's attention on him, there was no place for rest.

Leord's stomach felt like it had a hole in it that night.

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