Chapter 25

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"Olivia and Silas, stay here. It seems the area ahead is unstable, so it could be dangerous if it collapses."

At the entrance to the eighth district of the ruins, Alan told Olivia to stop. Alan was heading to the back where a rope was set up to command the soldiers. Unable to follow him forcefully when told to wait, Olivia watched Alan’s retreating back, and Silas smiled wryly at her.

"Did you want to go with him?"

"I’m worried about Tiana..."

"It’s not just that, is it?"

"…Well, I wanted to take a look inside..."

Of course, she was worried about Tiana being in a place that could collapse, but to be honest, she wanted to see the residential area of the White Rose Palace’s royal family. Since the risk of collapse was identified, no excavation work has been done, so there are still ancient mysteries to be explored beyond this point.

"Olivia seems quiet, but you’re so curious, it’s a problem."

While saying that she might wander off if he’s not careful, Silas took Olivia’s hand. This made her feel a bit embarrassed, as if she were being treated like a child who might run off at any moment.

"I won’t go inside on my own…?"

There were soldiers around for security, and Colin, Silas’s bodyguard, was also nearby. It was embarrassing to hold hands in front of them, so she tried to subtly pull her hand away, but Silas held on tightly, and she couldn’t break free.

"We haven’t been alone for a while, since your brother has been around."

"It’s not just the two of us, you know?"

Even with Colin and the soldiers around, what was Silas saying?

"Don’t worry, they’re good at pretending not to see."

While laughing, Silas tried to hug her, making Olivia turn bright red and try to escape, but she was easily caught because their hands were still linked.

"It’s hot, Your Highness…?"

"Just a little longer. I need to replenish my Olivia quota."

"Quota…!"

As she was tightly hugged and her gaze wandered nervously, she saw Colin smiling wryly.

(He’s not pretending not to see at all…!)

While Silas, who always has his bodyguards around, might not mind their eyes, Olivia was very, very conscious of them. She felt so embarrassed that she wanted to melt and wished he would let go quickly.

"What are you two doing at a time like this?"

As she wriggled to try to escape from Silas’s arms, she heard Alan’s exasperated voice and flinched. Looking up, she saw Alan walking towards them alone.

"Hey, brother, you’re early."

"I was told it was dangerous and was sent back to the entrance of the underground passage. The soldiers are searching inside now."

"Well, you could have been a bit more considerate."

Silas reluctantly let Olivia go. Embarrassed to have been seen by not only Colin and the others but also Alan, Olivia couldn’t lift her head. Then, a high-pitched voice from a distance called out, "Let her go!"

"Ah… It seems Olivia’s deduction was correct."

Hearing Tiana’s shouting, Alan pressed his forehead and sighed.