23 Scene 22 : Suspicious

She knew it was not easy to convince Arthur's personal knight to divulge things about Arthur even though Lilian used the name of his sister. But Lilian hopes that what she saw at a glance could change Ian's decision.

If there was a time when a man in doubt, then that time was the most vulnerable and easiest time to attack him. She gripped her dress and displayed an expression of regret and disappointment to herself.

Ian thought Lilian would continue to force and pestering him to bend his determination as a knight and obey her. Who knows and thought she would back down and instead apologize. Ian remembered his younger sister at home who, if not followed what she want, would get angry and frown all day until her wish was granted.

Compared to the Count's youngest daughter, Lilian who was higher in status could have acted like her younger sister or worse. If you have a younger sibling like that, you will even further corner and oppose them, instead of obeying their wishes.

But seeing Lilian, Ian felt there was no harm in giving what she wanted, within the limits that could be tolerated.

"You know I can't say anything about Young Master, but I can always be near him if Miss Epheryl is around, does that lessen your worries?" Ian was not wrong, his feelings were light when he saw Lilian's wistful eyes wide open and looked at him gratefully.

"Oh sir Count! I don't know what to say to your kindness!"

Lilian would hug him if there wasn't a kind of gap noble's wall between them in this world. Hugs between friends for her were commonplace and very helpful in expressing her feelings. Instead, Lilian clasped his hands back and squeezed them.

"Please, don't leave them alone. I can sleep peacefully if I think of Sir Count among them." Lilian almost whispered so happy.

Ian smiled. He hoped to have a sister like Lilian who cares for her brother. He could barely hold his hand to pat Lilian's head. But of course, that attitude would be considered insolent and Ian could be beheaded by doing that. He must be satisfied with only patted Lilian's hand which holding his hand.

Ian suddenly felt a chill and instinctively touched his sword.

"What are you doing in a dark place like this?"

Lilian turned her head and found the normally warm silver eyes glaring coldly. She felt her sweat running down her back. Lilian was too surprised when someone found her conspiring with Arthur's knight. But seeing who was bothering her, Lilian put aside her feelings and replaced them with annoyance.

"This is a rude thing to interrupt two people's conversation."

Ian without loosening his alertness, was confused looking at Lilian and Michael alternately. Ian could understand if Michael's intention to kill comes out when he sees a man and woman in this remote place, especially if the woman was from a prestigious Duke family. But what he was more confused about was seeing Lilian's attitude towards Michael.

'What is that? Annoyed? Upset?'

"Ian! Let go of your hand!" Michael warned him.

Ian slowly pulled his hand. Lilian who still hadn't finished her business with Ian grabbed Ian's hand again. "Sir Count, please remember your promise."

As if Ian remembered, he said "Just call me Ian, Milady, my title is still undetermined."

"Ian, then." Lilian could not help but turn to the man who always appeared at this unexpected time. She tried to suppress her irritated feelings and smiled, bowed to greet him.

"Greeting to The Little Sun of The Amora, Your Highness the Second Prince, Michael Ludtford."

Michael almost forgot why he was standing there when Lilian greeted him normally and did something like what others do to the royals. He thought he would find Lilian screaming and glaring at him. But very far from Michael's expectant, Lilian stared at him and smiled.

He instinctively frowned. He was sure she had hidden agenda, so he prepared blocking an unexpected attack the moment Lilian approached. He waited, but nothing happened. Lilian passed by and disappeared from there.

Only said goodbye to Ian before leaving.

Michael's mouth fell open the second he got the cold shoulder from Lilian.

"Is she ignore me?" He asked to Ian, unable to believe.

"Do you know Miss Lesnerg?" Ian spoke casually to the second prince.

Arthur, Ian and Michael have known each other for a long time. Arthur's father, Noland, inherited the position of Duke from his grandfather, at a fairly young age, he became Duke even before marriage. After marrying Agnelia from the Marquess house and giving birth to Arthur, Count Griffiths, who had always been a hereditary knight of Lesnerg, at the same time gave birth to their second child, Ian.

Count Griffiths' first child inherited the Count's status and became the head of the family so that Ian, who did not yet have a title was appointed as a knight and was sworn to protect them.

Practically, Arthur and Ian grew up together since childhood and when Arthur was introduced to Michael, Ian who always followed him automatically knew Michael.

Initially he was polite like those who deal with the royal family. However, not long after they met, Michael kicked his back and told him to act normal. He shouted if seeing Ian being polite was disgusting. Ian, who was born with a knight's attitude, could only obey after Arthur asked him to do that.

Despite their different statuses, the three of them so far were a solid team. Ian didn't want to be seen as someone who disrespect the royal, so he talked freely if it's just the two of them, or there's Arthur in between.

"Why did you ask her to just call your name?" Michael looked probing.

"She's my master's younger sister, there's no way I would ask her to call my family name. Besides, I don't have a title, so she can't call me Count too, right?"

Michael had the desire to give Ian the title of nobleman at once. "What are you talking about in this remote place?"

Ian glanced at Michael. Although he was Arthur's knight, Ian had never directly interacted with Lilian, they hadn't even met for nearly a few years. As for Michael, to the best of Ian's knowledge, he never visited the duke's residence other than that time.

Ian smelled something suspicious coming from Michael. This prince was famous among women, but very rarely gives special attention to one person.

He grinned.

"I feel that this year's internship will be fun."

"Heh, where are you going? Tell me first what are you talking about?" Michael chased after Ian who also left the alley.

"Nothing special." Ian continued.

Michael cursed him. He knew he would not get any secrets about Lesnerg from Ian's heavy mouth.