# Chapter 24
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"haha!
Rockherd, my proud son!
"For someone who came back from the front, he looks pretty good."
"Well, all the places where people live are the same.
"How is your mother?"
"Is there anything I can't do?
I often have nightmares about things going wrong for you, but it's okay.
"Because I came back very healthy."
Rockherd, who laughed loudly, lightly hugged his mother and released him.
"Hey, Rick.
What is life like at the gym?
He's only gotten taller, but everything else looks the same.
Even though I was appointed professor, I feel like I became even more shameless.”
"Your brother is no different.
Anyone who sees me would think I went to study abroad, on the Southern Continent."
"Does that mean he's still handsome?"
"That means it's as black as a coffee bean."
"Why do you now play like a teacher?"
I turned my gaze to the floor.
What do we do?
With what expression and voice should I meet Nezar?
Contrary to my concerns, my turn has not come.
That's because Rockherd, who hugged Rick tightly, jumped over me and stood next to Nezar.
His father recognized his face and said hello in a voice full of joy.
I couldn't see their faces because they had their heads down, but they must have clasped their hands.
"Congratulations on your victory, Your Majesty.
This is a very significant achievement that will be recorded in the history of the Kabal Empire.
His Majesty the Emperor will be very proud of you."
"That's a lot of praise.
It's all thanks to the Count who trusted me and entrusted me with Rockherd.
"If it weren't for Rockherd, I wouldn't have anyone I could trust."
"It's just idle talk.
"For the guy who was alone in front of me and flying around."
disk.
Nezar's voice was heard again along with the dull sound of the blow.
"But I haven't seen Kate in a while.
"Are you not feeling well?"
In an instant, the surroundings became quiet, as if empty.
My parents didn't say anything, and even Rick, who was next to me, didn't snort once.
Ha, I'm really amazed!
He raised his head with his face turning red.
Because it was such a violent movement, the two men in front looked away.
"What are you talking about?
I'm here... hey. this?
Don't keep treating me like someone who doesn't exist... please!"
He was taller.
My height, which was already big, was even bigger, so there was no reason for my body to stay the same.
It was obvious, but it couldn't be everything.
Nezar, who I met after 5 years, seemed like a different person.
Not only the shoulders, but also the neck, arms and waist belonged to an adult.
The same happened with the straight bridge of the nose, eyebrows and lower crown.
Unlike the past when his youth remained, he creates a noble atmosphere that is as sharp and untouchable as a hawk's claws.
The dark red eyes that once felt passion now seemed like a huge typhoon waiting for the right moment.
I met Nezar's gaze.
A strong sensation rose up my back to the point where it felt like time had stopped for a moment.
"you...
"No, are you Kate?"
His once relaxed expression becomes strangely distorted.
These fleeting changes caught my attention one by one, like a panorama.
I couldn't understand Nezar's question.
So who else is Katrina here besides me?
It's not like he doesn't recognize my face now.
But it can't not be true.
As soon as I realized this fact, the area around my throat began to boil with anger.
Some people couldn't sleep because they were looking forward to today's meeting, but some people couldn't even recognize my face?
I was so grumpy that I couldn't keep a smiling face.
I tightly closed my lips that were about to protrude and crossed my arms.
Then, he lifted his chin and looked at Nezar as a way to get a good look at his face.
I could see his distorted forehead slowly loosening.
However, as if a screw had been loosened, his mesmerized expression became wrinkled again.
It was then.
Rockherd trotted over and reached out to grab my cheek.
"It's absurd, it's absurd."
What, what?
Without even knowing what was happening, I had to face him so closely that the tips of his nose touched him as he bent down.
Rockherd's expression was better than Nezar's, but not worse.
"Is this the tomboy?
Hello, Kate.
"Everything is fine, so say it again."
"You don't like that?
"Are you ordering me around now that you've been given a title?"
"Of course it's Kate, because she speaks harshly...
...
."
He's busy cupping my cheek and looking around as if he's sizing up an object.
Perhaps it was because he had been on the battlefield for a long time, but unlike before, every movement was violent and uncontrolled.
I could tolerate a stiff neck, but I absolutely could not tolerate my makeup coming off.
"Why don't you let it go?
"How can you piss off someone you haven't seen in 5 years?"
I grabbed his wrist, which was as hard as a rock, and pushed him with all my strength.
It was a natural thing to say, but I didn't move.
"It was real.
This is so shocking I can't even close my mouth.
What is this, mom?
"Do women originally shed their skin from generation to generation?"
After finishing speaking, Rockherd took his hand off my cheek and lifted me up, grabbing my waist like I was a child.
What the hell is going on?
The expansive view of the party unfolded before my eyes in an instant.
When I saw the top of my head gathered like a swarm of ants, I started crying and pouting.
"Looking at it like this, it seems a little heavier...
...
."
No, that's too high!
First, I raised my hand to cover my mouth and stop screaming.
And without hesitation, he kicked Rockherd in the solar plexus with his shoe.
"evil!"
As soon as I got my feet on the ground, I hid behind Rick's back.
Since that crazy guy was doing crazy things, I couldn't find the right time to talk to Nezar.
This guy really doesn't help anything in life!
"Tsk, tsk, you always get a beating tormenting Kate, Rockherd.
"It seems the idea that he would have grown up was a mistake."
"Hmm, but it's nice to feel like I'm with my whole family for the first time in a long time."
As Rockherd moaned and clutched his chest, Rick turned, grabbed my shoulder and pushed me forward.
To be exact, it wasn't in front of anyone, but in front of Nezar.
Aside from the fact that it was an unintentional situation, more than anything, I couldn't find peace of mind, so I had to look at Nezar with a stiff expression.
Unlike his incandescent expression from before, he was as calm as the surface of a rippleless lake.
"His Majesty Nezar has something to say to Kate, so you can come with us and tell us the story."
"What are you talking about?
I also have a lot to talk about with Kate.
"It's so full it's almost overflowing."
"I know, but Kate won't be there, so take care of yourself."
With no time to stop Rick, he grabbed Rockherd's neck and disappeared.
Mother and father also followed behind them and let out a small laugh.
Nezar and I were left alone in the middle of a colorful and noisy ballroom.
Horrible.
Am I dreaming now?
If it wasn't a dream, there was no way I could feel so strange, embarrassed, and embarrassed that I got goosebumps all over my body and felt like hiding in a hole.
Hungry and all, from the moment I recognized Nezar, not a single nail was left.
Of course, I was anxious.
I was anxious about how foolish I would look in front of him.
"If you look at her and make a strange expression even when she's still, it's definitely Katrina Ezelott."
It was a sudden statement, but at the same time it was also a shocking statement.
I was relieved that Nezar was the first to get lucky and quickly opened the fan he was holding.
Then he asked back while covering his mouth.
"I had no idea.
Am I making this weird face?
...
... hey. this?"
He must have thought it was funny how restless he was, so he laughed.
It was that expression from just now, the expression I used to make many times in the past.
Is it because I saw the beautifully curved mouth?
I felt as if my neck, which had been stiff with tension, was gently relaxing.
"I always do.
There's no need to use honorifics that don't suit you.
"I don't change anything about it, so Kate, just say what you say."
"huh."
Wow, I lived.
After all, people shouldn't do things they haven't done before.
"ah...
...
"What should I do with this?"
I slowly looked away from smoothing my forehead to the ceiling.
Without understanding what he meant, I raised the fan to the tip of my nose and looked closely at him.
If before he was a white-skinned master, well-mannered and full of dignity, the person he is now is very different from then.
It was impossible to mention which parts were different because there were countless of them from head to toe.
As soon as I recognized the difference, the released tension returned.
Nezar, nineteen years old, was a person who always protected and took care of me, even when I was bullied out of habit.
A person who, despite his barbed tone, felt a peaceful warmth upon meeting his gaze full of spring energy.
And now?
After slowly washing his face, he dropped his arms and made eye contact.
A sharpness I had never seen before shone beneath the red eyes.
No way now.
Instead, I think I'm going to get eaten.
I lost my strength for no reason and lowered my eyes.
"It's old."
With those words, I looked up again.
I wondered what he was talking about, and his grave gaze was directed to the top of my head.
I raised my arm and felt my hair, which was tied tightly with dozens of bobby pins.
Between them, the only thing that can be touched is a thin strip of hair.
I could tell even if I couldn't see.
This is a hairband embroidered with daffodils with silver thread that I received from Nezar.
"Oh, that?
The color has faded a lot?
I've already fixed it five or six times, but as I'm not very good at embroidering...
"It was simply broken."
Is it just bad?
Instead of creating something out of nothing, he possessed terrifying abilities that allowed him to create nothing out of something.
The more I talked, the more I felt like I could see the ground, so I silently closed my mouth and removed my hand again.
Eventually, Nezar sighed as the ground disappeared and spoke in a stern tone.
"good.
First, put down that damn fan, Kate.
"I can't see your face."
It can't be done.
I still didn't have the confidence to face Nezar bare-faced.
"Uh, do I have to see your face?"
"You know the question you just asked was very strange, right?
Or did the Empire's mood change while I brandished my sword in the Northern Continent?"
My only friend was Caron, so I didn't know anything about popular humor.
Nezar looked at me silently with his arms crossed, as if he had no intention of going back on his words.
I tried to be stubborn, but soon I had to slowly remove the fan and hold it in my hand.
If that meant Nezar was nodding in satisfaction, neither was he.
Instead, Nezar examined my cheeks, eyebrows, tip of my nose, and lips as if he was waiting for me to put away the fan.
I literally felt like I was naked.
"Hey, Nezar.
"Can you stop looking at my face?"
"Why, is it worn out?"
"no!
Boo, I'm embarrassed.
I don't know what they are doing standing in front of each other in the middle of a lot of people.
Nezhar is the only crown prince of the Kabal Empire.
Just by standing still he had a presence that drew the attention of those around him, and if the space was a crowded hall with a victory banquet, there would be no need to say anything.
His face distorted again.
With an expression very similar to the one he had when he realized it was Kate.
"...
...
"I really don't know how to express this feeling."
Eventually, Nezar reached out to me.
The soft white palms disappeared, revealing skin full of small wounds and calluses.
Does that mean catch him?
“We’d better get out of the hall first.
It's so confusing here that I can't concentrate...
...
."
It was when I was about to hold Nezar's hand.
As soon as his fingertips touched him, he shuddered and suddenly withdrew his hand.
what?