Chapter 62

"Hey, Jez. It's great to see you looking well. Since you didn't come to see me at all after returning, I decided to come and meet you myself."

"..."

Despite Conrad's cheerful appearance, Jezalde only furrowed his brow and quickly returned his gaze to the documents. The expression on his face would have intimidated anyone else, but Conrad didn't seem to mind at all. He plopped down on the sofa and casually waved at Julio. Julio, who seemed used to this, let out a small sigh and left the room.

(Eh? Did he send Julio away? Could it be that there's something I shouldn't hear...?)

Lilith thought about this but decided to stay and observe a bit longer. She didn't really want to hear anything too personal, but she was curious.

"So, what about Her Highness? I heard that she was so upset with the complaints of the Empress that the Crown Prince left her behind and returned to the capital... and that she had no choice but to stay in Tuisen, where she's been crying ever since?"

(Eh!? What's that!? It's even worse than what I heard from Master Fu!)

Lilith's mouth dropped open, but fortunately, no one saw her pitiful expression. Jezalde, seemingly unaffected by such rumors, continued to write on the documents. Conrad sighed, looking exasperated, and continued.

"Well, rumors are always around, so that's fine. But Her Highness isn't in the best health, so maybe it was a mistake to bring her on this inspection tour?"

"..."

(No! That's not true! I asked Jedd to take her along!)

Lilith, speaking on Jezalde's behalf, approached Conrad and argued, though of course, no one could hear her. Conrad, unlike Jezalde, didn't seem to notice Lilith's proximity at all.

"Anyway, I think it's not right to leave Her Highness at the inn. She should at least be allowed to rest at Baron Coat's residence."

"No, Her Highness is interested in pottery, so it's better for her to rest in Tuisen."

"Eh? Jez, you're calling Her Highness 'Her Highness'? Why are you being so formal? Even with Corina, the Empress—"

"Lord Conrad!"

Suddenly, a stern voice interrupted, and Conrad fell silent. The voice belonged to Julio, who had just returned with tea.

(I see. He didn't tell Julio to leave; he asked him to prepare tea... But that's not the point! Ah, what was Conrad about to say? I want to know! I really want to know! But I shouldn't delve into such personal matters! It might reopen old wounds for Jedd... But he always calls me 'Lilith' when we're alone!)

Lilith was writhing with frustration, but Conrad only glared at Julio and didn't continue. Jezalde, showing no change in his demeanor, returned to reading the documents.

"Anyway, we got off topic. Leaving Her Highness at the inn is cruel."

"His Highness is not neglecting Her Highness! He... he is concerned about Her Highness!"

"Really? Then he must have sent her a letter or a gift, right? Women are happy with just that. It's simple, isn't it?"

"..."

Lilith waited anxiously for Jezalde's reaction, but there was none. Disappointed, she left the room. If she had stayed, she would have been even more upset by Conrad's words. She reminded herself that it was fortunate to have seen Jezalde looking well and decided to explore the palace.

The palace looked the same as it did before they left. Occasionally, she heard rumors like "How pitiful for Her Highness..." but Lilith no longer cared. The rumors were just misunderstandings, and she didn't feel sorry for Her Highness. Instead, she felt frustrated that Jezalde was being spoken ill of again. Determined to resolve this, Lilith woke up.

"Good morning, Lady Lilith. Are you ready to get up?"

"Yeah... I must have overslept. It's already evening."

Looking out the window, she saw the sun setting behind the mountains. Lilith muttered, "Oh no," and Taina smiled, shaking her head.

"Lady Lilith has been working too hard lately. You really should rest more. It's understandable that you get so absorbed in new challenges, but perhaps you could take it easy for the next twenty days or so?"

"Come to think of it, you're right. Yes, I understand. But there's one thing I need to do, so I'm sorry, but can you help me with it?"

"Something you need to do? Of course, I'll accompany you no matter what... What are you going to do?"

"Well... it's the 'Crown Prince is Actually a Good Person' campaign!"

"R-really?"

Lilith, still sitting on the bed, raised her right fist high and declared. Taina, who had just spoken, wanted to take back her words but managed to smile and respond.