IHDOE Ch 95

Tyron had keen eyesight, yet he failed to spot Satina at first.

Thoughts of her consumed his mind. He remembered her debut banquet years ago. Desperate to tie his daughter to the Crown Prince, her father had turned her debut into a public spectacle.

[Noble] "Duke Bersabet is desperate to sell off his daughter."

[Noble] "Her mother seduced the Duke with a pretty face, so he thinks the daughter can snag the Crown Prince the same way."

[Noble] "She might be attractive, but a pretty face doesn't make a Crown Princess."

They were cruel words for a young girl to endure. Whenever Satina attended a banquet, malicious whispers followed her everywhere.

[Noble] "She came to see the Crown Prince, no doubt."

[Noble] "She couldn't even greet us before, but now she acts like a highborn lady through sheer luck."

People gleefully tore her down, grouping her with the despicable Duke Bersabet. Even the most cheerful soul would wither under such relentless malice.

Gradually, Satina stopped attending banquets and withdrew from social gatherings. Yet she had attended this banquet of her own free will.

What could she possibly desire so deeply? Her ultimate wish...

No matter how much Tyron pondered, only the Crown Prince came to mind. Despite all the humiliation, Satina had constantly clung to Lexion, declaring her love.

Could she be planning to ask His Majesty for permission to marry the Crown Prince?

The thought was dangerously plausible. They were betrothed, after all. If Satina requested it, the Emperor would gladly grant his official blessing, regardless of his true motives. With no valid excuse for Lexion to refuse, the marriage would proceed smoothly.

Tyron pictured Satina walking down a crimson aisle in a white gown, beaming with joy as she took Lexion's hand. His imagination spiraled to the moment the priest asked if anyone objected to the union.

In Tyron's mind, he bolted upright from the guest seats, bellowed that he could never accept such a ridiculous wedding, grabbed Satina by the wrist, and ran out of the chapel.

I will never accept her as the Crown Princess. She is far too violent and ill-tempered.

Lexion deserved a gentle, virtuous bride. Besides, Satina would obviously prefer spending money and enjoying leisure over managing imperial affairs, galas, and charity events.

A woman like her should just marry a scoundrel like me and live however she pleases... Damn it!

Tyron cursed under his breath, trying desperately to erase the intrusive thought. He assured himself it was purely out of loyalty to the empire and his lord. Kidnapping the bride instead of the Crown Prince was simply because a subject could hardly abduct his ruler. Nothing more.

Amid his tumultuous thoughts, a familiar floral fragrance brushed past his nose. He looked toward the scent and froze. Satina was walking straight toward him.

She spotted Tyron a moment later and grimaced. For a split second, their eyes locked. Then, as if fleeing a wild beast, she turned and ran.

[Tyron] "Satina!"

A sudden chase erupted through the imperial corridor. Satina ran frantically in her fine gown and high heels, but exquisite craftsmanship offered no help against a pursuer.

[Tyron] "Hey, watch out—!"

He shouted as her ankle wobbled on her high heel, but the warning came too late. Satina stumbled, lost her balance, and crashed heavily onto the floor.

[Satina] "Ugh..."

Tyron closed the distance with long strides and crouched directly in front of her, blocking her retreat.

[Tyron] "Let me see. How badly are you hurt?"

He grabbed her hidden hands to inspect the injury.

It's bleeding profusely.

Her palms were scraped raw from catching her fall. Although her hands had spared her face from worse injuries, the sight of the bloody abrasions irked him, prompting a gruff response.

[Tyron] "Are you out of your mind? What noble lady sprints full speed in heels like that?"

Her face flushed with indignation.

[Satina] "It's your fault! I wouldn't have run if you hadn't chased me."

[Tyron] "Then why did you run in the first place?"

[Satina] "Was I supposed to stop and greet you?"

[Tyron] "Would that have killed you?"

[Satina] "You were glaring at me like you intended to break my bones the moment you caught me!"

[Tyron] "That's...!"

He shut his mouth, unable to confess the absurd scenario he had imagined moments before.

Her suspicion hardened at his reaction.

This bastard is definitely trying to get revenge for when I kicked his shin and ran.

If I hadn't tripped on my own, he probably would have tripped me himself.

Unaware of her thoughts, Tyron offered a handkerchief.

[Tyron] "Press this against the wound to stop the bleeding. Now let me see your leg."

She pulled her legs back, watching him warily.

[Satina] "Why my leg?"

[Tyron] "To check if your ankle is sprained."

She quickly tucked her feet beneath her dress.

[Satina] "Forget it. I'm fine."

[Tyron] "Are you a physician?"

[Satina] "Neither are you."

[Tyron] "You really..."

He nearly lost his temper, but checked himself when he remembered she was injured.

[Tyron] "Fine. I'll take you to a physician. Get on my back."

[Satina] "I said I'm fine. Just leave."

[Tyron] "Hey."

[Satina] "Don't concern yourself with me."

[Tyron] "Is this really the time for pride? A severe sprain could leave you limping permanently."

[Satina] "It has nothing to do with you. So leave me alone."

Satina turned her head away, refusing to make eye contact.

Frustration flared inside Tyron. His emotions were chaotic enough, and he couldn't understand why she remained so cold while injured.

[Tyron] "What's wrong with helping an injured person? Can't you speak nicely for once?"

[Satina] "Help?"

She scoffed as if hearing a ridiculous joke, then glared at him.

[Satina] "You? Help me? How can I be sure you won't trick me and abandon me somewhere strange again?"

[Tyron] "Hey. You're crossing the line."

[Satina] "Crossing the line? Do I look stupid to you? You've done it before."

A cold smile touched her lips.

[Satina] "Don't you remember? Years ago at a banquet, when I was looking for the Crown Prince, you pretended to guide me, only to leave me stranded in an unfamiliar alley."

[Tyron] "That was..."

[Satina] "I suffered quite a bit getting back to the estate. You could easily trick me again, so why on earth would I trust your help?"

He bit his lip.

[Tyron] "...Fine. Have it your way."

He stood up and looked down at her.

[Tyron] "Do whatever you want, even if your leg breaks and you can't move! Do you think I wanted to help someone like you?"

He hurled the handkerchief onto the ground and walked away coldly.

Reluctance made him glance back, but Satina paid him no mind. She was focused entirely on inspecting her injuries.

Irritated, Tyron quickened his pace down the corridor. She was the worst. He refused to care whether a woman like her lived or died.

Satina used the handkerchief Tyron had thrown down to stanch the bleeding on her palms. She hated using his handkerchief, but the scrapes were deep, and blood would ruin her dress. She couldn't afford to lose affection points with her final target over ruined attire.

She tied the handkerchief tightly around her palm, braced herself, and stood up.

[Satina] "Ugh."

A sharp pang shot through her ankle. It was definitely sprained. She wished she could use holy power to heal it, but her reserves were completely drained after curing the flu outbreak at the Information Guild before coming here.

I had to heal them quickly so they could resume working, so it couldn't be helped.

Satina let out a soft sigh and limped forward. Every step felt like needles pricking her ankle, but she could endure it.

I can't be late.

The person she was meeting today was Grand Duke and Duchess Duskel. The duke was the Emperor's younger brother, which made his wife Lexion's aunt.

I really never have good luck whenever I get entangled with the imperial family.

Satina had originally targeted a different noblewoman for her final recommendation letter. However, Grand Duchess Duskel had suddenly contacted her with a request. Fearing that ignoring a royal summons might derail her plans, Satina had no choice but to step foot inside the palace.

She dragged her injured leg forward and arrived at the designated garden on time. Her face fell as she spotted Lexion drinking tea there ahead of her.

Ah, getting involved with the imperial family really is cursed.

Satina remained unaware that Lexion's gaze was locked onto the handkerchief tied around her palm.

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