Kneel Before The Villain - Chapter 126

“It seems that the princess has no intention of letting either of them go. She has no mercy. It’s fortunate that I’m not your enemy.”

 

Elvin said with a smile on his face. A cold smile that didn’t match with what he just said. His face was as beautiful as his coldness.

 

“Because I’m not lenient enough to let the person who keeps trying to harm me go freely.”

 

I replied calmly, but my feelings were complicated.

 

I felt dumbfounded.

 

Come to think of it, since when?

 

I naturally confessed to him what I would never say to Stephen or the Duke, Annie or the other maids.

 

At first, I couldn’t trust the Duke’s men, so I looked for someone to take care of various things on my behalf.

 

However, my relationship with Elvin did not change even after my relationship with the duke was restored.

 

Suddenly, what Stephen said a few days ago came to my mind.

 

“How can you be sure that he will not harm you?”

 

Elvin had never done me any harm.

 

On the contrary, he helped me countless times.

 

At least to me he was a good person.

 

After taking a sip of tea, I looked at Elvin.

 

A pair of beautiful eyes were watching me.

 

There was playfulness in his sharp eyes, and his red lips were drawn in an arc.

 

He looked seductive, but oddly trustworthy.

 

“Did you find the person who dropped the flowerpot a few days ago?”

 

Elvin’s lips stiffened at my words.

 

“I haven’t found it yet. That day, there were too many people in the banquet hall, and very few people paid attention to who came and went on the terrace in the corner.”

 

He seemed to be reminiscing about what had happened that day as his gaze cast downward.

 

For the first time since entering this room, his smile disappeared.

 

Seeing Elvin with a cold face reminded me of that day as well.

 

The moment the potted plant fell, his strong arms caught me and embraced me in safety.

 

His face was with an expression as ferocious as a beast. His eyes glinted coldly and his jaw clenched threateningly.

 

My body stiffened from the energy he radiated.

 

When I recalled his deadly appearance, I could understand why people were afraid of him.

 

Although I felt protected and safe because of him.

 

“But I will find it soon. So don’t worry too much.”

 

Elvin added with determination.

 

“Okay.”

 

I raised the teacup with a calm face.

 

I didn’t remember where he said it was imported, but the tea and refreshments here always tasted good.

 

I took a few sips while savoring the tea scent, and when I put it down, he asked with a puzzled face.

 

“But why does the princess look so calm? Someone tried to harm you, and the culprit hasn’t been caught yet. Aren’t you afraid?”

 

“I don’t go out much these days, and when I go outside the mansion, I’m always with the knights, so I’m not worried.”

 

Stephen said that the security in the capital was not very good these days, and he sent a small army with me whenever I went out.

 

Not long ago, I had an incident at the banquet hall, so I  didn’t refuse.

 

When I was alone, the bad guys always seemed to come to attack.

 

Perhaps because of the warmth of the fireplace that filled the room, there was no unpleasant sensation that I felt earlier.

 

I wasn’t afraid at all, and even felt comfortable.

 

“Danger always comes when you’re not careful. Maybe there are times when you’re away from the knights.”

 

“There are no exceptions.”

 

“They aren’t here right now, are they?”

 

“Yes, now…”

 

I was speechless for a moment.

 

Elvin raised the corners of his lips meaningfully.

 

“The princess seems to have a lot of trust in me.”

 

“I’m not afraid because if I scream, they will come running in an instant.”

 

 

I replied calmly and turned my gaze to the plate of delicacies in front of me.

 

Cookies with apricot jam were my favorite snack because they were sweet and savory.

 

I picked one up and put it in my mouth, and the sweet taste spread quickly.

 

“Is that so? Maybe it’s because I’m not trustworthy. I was mistaken because the ‘only’ time the princess made an exception was when she was with me.”

 

The relaxed voice mixed with laughter seemed to know everything made me lose my appetite. I didn’t finish eating what I had in my hands.

 

***

 

The banquet hall, where colorful lights dazzled, was crowded with people.

 

People were conversing in groups as tables were placed around and curtains were hanging from each pillar.

 

“Come to think of it, I don’t see Lady Dana these days.”

 

“That’s right. She used to attend every big event, but now I don’t think I’ve ever seen her at all.”

 

As a gentleman said something suspicious, the young lady next to him said with a happy face.

 

“Didn’t you hear? I heard she left the capital after being abandoned by the Crown Prince and became a mistress of a wealthy nobleman in the lower class.”

 

“Is that true?”

 

The people looked at the lady with astonished eyes.

 

“I don’t know. But if she’s that kind of woman, I don’t doubt it.”

 

“Actually, I heard that too. They said that even when she was with His Highness, she met with other men.”

 

 

A man in rich clothes added.

 

This kind of gossip had always been an interesting conversation in the social world.

 

However, the expression of one of the men present suddenly hardened.

 

A man who seemed to be his friend asked curiously.

 

“Hey, why?”

 

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

 

When he said he was fine, his friend tilted his head, but soon lost interest and picked up a glass of wine from the table.

 

However, contrary to the words that he was fine, the man’s face was stiff.

 

Seeing blue tendons protruding from his clenched fists in secret, he seemed to be trying to contain his anger.

 

“Since she doesn’t think she’ll be able to get a seat next to His Highness, she must have expected her abandonment in advance. She does seem to have a bit of intelligence though.”

 

“From the beginning, she did not fit into high society.”

 

“What can she do? She can’t lie about her origins. I knew she was cunning, but her brain was better than I thought. If she remained in the capital city as she was, she would have run away since she would not be able to escape the princess’s anger, right?”

 

A young lady spoke in a merry voice with an indignant face.

 

“How dared she deceive the Crown Prince.”

 

“No surprise, seeing how she was everywhere.”

 

“I thought she was meek and faithful, but she’s vulgar.”

 

Then, a cold voice interrupted their conversation.

 

“It’s so unpleasant that I can’t listen to it any longer. Isn’t your tongue really vulgar?”

 

“I beg your pardon?”

 

“When Lady Dana was with His Highness, you didn’t dare to say anything, and now you’re gossiping behind her back like this.”

 

The faces of everyone present hardened at his words full of judgment.

 

A man seemed displeased and said to the man who

had been rough with words earlier.

 

“Young master Pline. I think you’re being too much.”

 

“Isn’t it embarrassing to say nothing in front of Lady Dana, but do it behind her back like a coward?”

 

Young master Pline said. His sharp face was full of displeasure.

 

“Come on, everyone, calm down and have a drink.”

 

The man who seemed to be the oldest in the group said in a bright voice as if trying to change the mood.

 

However, the frown on young master Pline’s face did not fade.

 

“No. I don’t think I’ll be able to enjoy the banquet in this mood, so I’ll leave now. See you next time.”

 

He turned and left.

 

The rest of the people looked at his back with absurd faces and whispered.

 

“Why was he like that? I wasn’t even talking about him.”

 

One woman said. Her face was contorted with displeasure.

 

The man next to her held a glass in one hand and clicked his tongue with a thoughtful face.

 

“Young master Pline had a crush on Lady Dana.”

 

“So what?”

 

The woman asked in a sullen voice in response to the man’s soft voice that seemed to be trying to soothe her.

 

“But he must feel hurt because he couldn’t have her. First, she was with the Crown Prince, and now she is with another man. Isn’t it really like a dog chasing chickens? He will be on edge for a while, so let’s be kind and understanding.”

 

“That makes it even funnier. Not too long ago, he himself talked about Princess Lillian as he pleased, but now he pretends to be a hero.”

 

 

The woman snorted as if she didn’t do the same thing as young Master Pline.

 

 

Not too long ago, the person leading this kind of conversation was none other than young master Pline.

 

She had been hanging out with him for years, and they’ve had countless conversations like this.

 

Wouldn’t it be absurd that he, who had no hesitation talking bad about the Princess and the Crown Prince, was now defending Lady Dana’s honor?

 

Did he think it was right to criticize the Princess but not Lady Dana?

 

“They said that lady Dana willingly ran away with another man. Does young master Pline still have feelings for her even though the ship has sailed?”

 

The man placed his chin on one of the woman’s shoulders, looked in the direction where young master Pline had disappeared, and murmured softly.

 

“You never know. It has not yet been revealed who the rumored man is.”

 

It was a whisper, but the woman right next to them heard it and widened her eyes.

 

“What do you mean? Then maybe…”

 

As if realizing something, a look of astonishment flashed in her eyes.

 

The man put his hand on her shoulder and shrugged.

 

“It is just speculation. I just thought it might be possible.”

 

He added nonchalantly, seeing the woman looking at him with interest.

 

“But I don’t think young master Pline would have done such a stupid thing.”

 

At the man’s words, the woman made a slightly disappointed face.

 

He smiled as he looked at her.

 

A slight intoxication brought a mean smile to his reddened face.

 

“But whether it is true or not, it’s someone else’s business anyway, we just have to watch it with a happy heart.”

 

“Yes, you’re right.”

 

Only then did the woman’s stiff face relax.

 

She faced him and tilted her glass with a smile on her face as if reciprocating.

 

***

 

Count Pline’s residence.

 

“Young master, are you back already?”

 

An elderly butler greeted young master Pline, who had just entered the front door.

 

However, without replying, he passed the butler and climbed the stairs.

 

His hardened face and thumping footsteps spoke for his irritation.

 

He went straight to his bedroom, slammed the door shut, and tossed his coat without care.

 

Then the servant who followed him picked up the overcoat that was scattered on the sofa, flattened it, and hung it on a hanger.

 

Just then, a maid with a familiar face entered his room.

 

Seeing the maid’s face, young master Pline gestured to the servant who was organizing his clothes to leave.

 

“Young master, the lady asks to see you,” the maid secretly whispered, and his expression turned complicated.

 

He thought for a moment, then nodded his head.

 

“Let’s go now.”

 

****