# Chapter 23
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'Cough cough!
...
...What did you just say?
'Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's mistress?'
'Did you just laugh at me?
Yes?'
'No no.
'I'm curious as to why you suddenly thought like that.'
Charon, with frog eyes, placed the cup of tea that was close to his mouth on the table.
He was so shocked that he coughed violently and wiped his mouth with a tissue.
This was the first time that she, who was usually unparalleled in terms of politeness, had been visibly embarrassed like this.
But there was nothing I could do.
Even if it was someone else, I had to tell Charon.
Besides my family and Nezar, there is no one who gives me more than her.
I felt it necessary to explain why I was asking these questions about women I didn't know very well.
It may seem silly because I'm not good at talking, but I didn't want to deceive my only friend.
'I don't want to leave Ezelot.
I have no desire to live in the imperial castle.
No matter how spacious it is, my personality wouldn't be able to live alone in such a heavy and stuffy castle.
'It would be much better to be treated like a child who couldn't get married and was stuck in the attic.'
'Is Hwangseong that uncomfortable?'
'It's inconvenient, but more than anything, I feel sorry for His Highness Nezar.
Among so many women, it's difficult to fall in love with someone like me...
...
.
'I ended up getting engaged just out of sympathy.'
'Where else do you think there is a sweet, lovely lady like Kate?
From what I can see, His Royal Highness is overflowing with luck.'
Charon took the handkerchief, smiled softly and took my hand.
When the warm white skin touched, the strength in my shoulders disappeared as if I had swallowed sweet whipped cream.
'She is the bride of Prince Nezar.
This means that it is a position given to the woman who will become empress in the future.
—Did you write your engagement vows out of sympathy for Kate?
'It's because you don't know much.
Contrary to what you might think, I am quite kind to the people around me.
Furthermore, although we are not related by blood, he feels a strong sense of responsibility towards me.
I was a cunning child from an early age and I used that mentality to stop you.
'Do you really think so?'
'huh.'
The transparent eyelashes fluttering before my eyes looked like peacock feathers.
Below, violet-colored eyes that shone like a silver river looked at me.
It wasn't Nezar or Rockherd, but I felt like my insides were being pierced by those clear eyes.
What is Charon thinking when he sees me like this?
'Young-ae is always confident, confident and proud.
Even so, I often felt uncomfortable around you.
There were times when it felt particularly urgent at unexpected times...
...
.
It was all because there was a reason I didn't know.
Do you want to find His Majesty's mistress?
If it's for Kate, I'll help.
No, it actually might have worked well!
I don't know what was good about it, but it was heartbreaking to see his face smiling so brightly, much less tell him he would help.
I'm really excited.
To be honest, even thinking about it, I have never seen one among the many noble women who said things as funny as me.
After grabbing the crown prince by the leg and receiving an engagement letter, are you going to resign without a good reason?
I was surprised that Rick and Caron didn't laugh at me.
no!
It actually doesn't matter if you laugh at it.
I am the new Katrina Ezelot.
Although it doesn't seem to make much difference now whether it's New Katrina or not, I had to work hard for my peaceful retirement and Nezar's happy married life, despite the ridicule of others.
It was my way of returning the favor of Nezar, who took care of me for many years.
— I think that's why you talked to me in the first place.
As I tried to compose myself, I heard a somewhat bitter voice.
When I wiped away the tears that had accumulated in my heart, I saw Charon sitting with the corners of his mouth drooping.
'no! that...
...
.'
Yes that's right.
But I can't say I'm right.
'Caron, as you know, I'm a bit short-sighted.
As a result, I started thinking and making arbitrary decisions...
...
.'
'It was a joke.
Who cares what the first time was?
Now we are inseparable friends.
Charon blushed shyly and held my hand again.
Then he opened his mouth again as if wanting confirmation.
'Yes?
We're best friends, right?
— It's not just my imagination, is it?
Looking at Charon's ecstatic and bright smile, no one would be able to tell that it is not.
When I nodded enthusiastically, Charon smiled brightly and asked for castella.
That was 3 years ago.
As I stared straight ahead without blinking, I took a quick glance at Charon standing next to me.
Do you remember what I said?
Their eyes met and she smiled softly.
Dozens of men entered through the open door.
Applause full of respect and cheers was showered upon the protagonists of the victory.
Arm in arm with Charon, I passed the participants and approached the carpet.
Nezar was in the lead.
If my eyes hadn't been blinded by the light from the chandelier, the owner of those cold, dark red eyes would have been Nezar.
"Uh, what should I do!"
Shit.
Maybe it was because I was feeling more empathy than necessary, but my trembling heart came out of my mouth.
The people around me turned to me out of curiosity and then returned to their original positions, one after another, as if it was an appropriate reaction.
I'm so embarrassed I want to die.
In case my face was stolen, I quickly raised my hand to cover my expression.
If Rockherd had seen me, he would have turned around and laughed.
That's how stupid I feel right now.
"You look happy, Kate."
"huh?"
"It's like the expression on your face when you receive a whipped cream cake made from a famous bakery on the islands as a gift.
"The part I cover with my hand to hide my happy face is also the same."
Sure enough, Charon heard my screams and said something.
His voice was a little rougher than usual.
With that, I placed an iron plate on my face and shook my head.
“What are you talking about?
"Just now, a flying insect flew into my face."
"I've never seen Kate's face so excited in the hallway.
"I'm angry, but I feel a little defeated."
Did I skip meals but still feel alive?
"It's probably because I put on too much makeup.
"It's rewarding to wake up three hours earlier than usual."
"Is it really like that?
Not only the complexion, but also the expression...
...
.
How should I express this?
Should I say it's like a sunflower in the middle of the day?"
I couldn't do that.
No matter how much I look forward to reuniting with Nezar, it's enough to revive my dying appearance!
I felt like my face was burning with embarrassment.
But I am Katrina Ezelot.
A woman who lived without feeling shame for 20 years.
For me, the only embarrassing thing was going to a tea party wearing outdated clothes that went against the times.
To be exact, my mother made me like this.
I pretended nothing was wrong, cleared my throat and straightened my back.
“Karon?
"I'll go back now."
"Just then, I found my father too.
"Alright then, Kate, I'll see you later."
After separating from Charon, I continued walking with my eyes fixed on the back of Nezar's head.
Rick immediately recognized me and shook his head with a sigh.
Meanwhile, my legs were kind of working, cultured and all.
"Kate, have you seen your brother's face?
"I've gotten really thin in the last five years."
My mother placed her hand on my shoulder and spoke in a voice full of laughter.
I nodded awkwardly, without saying anything to him.
In fact, I couldn't even pay attention to Rockherd because I was looking at Nezar's face.
"Hmm, shouldn't a man have intense eyes?
"Looks like he came back a very good man."
The expression on my father's face was full of emotion and emotion.
My mother, who was looking at that face, clicked her tongue and laughed.
"You're the kind of person who would say that even if Rockherd came in crying.
"I would have said every man needs to cry at least once."
"I can't refute that.
Still, that prickly bastard came back as a war hero!
"It's really a shame Eden isn't here."
"If you think that way, shouldn't you have gotten back together with Eden?"
"You know if he gets involved in something, he stops seeing his parents and siblings.
"It's a lot like when you were young."
Even amid the uproar, the emperor's congratulatory speech continued.
Titles and territories were awarded to knights who played an active role in the war, and those who distinguished themselves received jaw-dropping loot.
"I name Sir Rockherd Ezelot as commander of the 2nd Knights of the Imperial Guard and grant him the title of Baron."
I finally saw Rockherd's face.
Oh my God, what are these scars on my neck?
The long scar that ran from under his ear to the inside of his shirt was more visible than his face.
I bit my lip and looked at Rockherd's kneeling profile.
You really came back from the war.
Just like my mom said, I lost weight.
I had difficulty suppressing the emotions that arose for no reason.
"I name Pansion Entera as successor to the Duchy of Entera."
Then a man with dark blond hair and a particularly strong body knelt down.
I only took a quick look, but it felt like the strong smell of chrysanthemums lingered on the tip of my nose.
As Rockherd and Pansion bowed in one space, long exclamations broke out from the ladies and young men.
Even if I didn't know Rockherd, Pansion's impressive profile was definitely worth admiring.
A soft yet pointed chin and mesmerizing violet-colored eyes.
As I always felt, he was a man like a painting.
"...
...Then may all the knights who participated in the war enjoy a grand festival today!"
Oh no!
Although I heard a string quartet as if I was waiting, my legs and arms felt as if they were frozen and couldn't move.
I quickly hid behind Rick, who was taking a sip of his drink.
I can say with certainty that it was the fastest movement of my life.
How should I express this complicated feeling of wanting to meet again, but at the same time not wanting to meet again?
"What are you doing hiding behind me, Kate?
Brother Rockherd is coming this way."
"Really?
How close?
"How far did you get?"
"Five steps.
"I can tell you're looking around to see where you are."
"what's it like?
"If you hide behind Rick like you are now, it won't be easy to see, right?"
"Are you saying that?
"Any idiot with eyes would notice."
It would be fine if it was just Rockherd.
I took exactly three deep breaths and stood next to Rick with a calm expression on my face.
My heart, which was pounding with tension, calmed at the thought of seeing Rockherd.
However, contrary to what Rick said, the man who came to visit my family was not Rockherd.
To be more precise, there was one more man besides Rockherd who gave off a cool vibe.
It was Nezar.
"father."
As Rockherd approached with his signature smile, his father, who was equally tall, reached out his arms and hugged him tightly.