Chapter 19.2

Caught off guard, Iann instinctively backed away. The speed at which he moved belied his earlier claims of pain, but he couldn’t help it.

Kallian had lost it.

“Are you insane?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Iann tilted his head skyward, scanning the sky. The sun was shining brightly. Then, he checked the surroundings. Snow piled high, as expected in the north. Nope, the world isn’t ending.

“What?”

“Stop this.”

Kallian ruffled his hair, his expression a mix of frustration and embarrassment, with his cheeks faintly flushed.Oh, this idiot really is in love.

Iann realized that Kallian had begun his redemption arc the moment he met the female lead, just as a male lead in a K-romance fantasy should. Clearly, Kallian was reflecting on his actions toward Yuhwa. By extension, Iann probably seemed like less of a jerk than usual.

“Does it hurt?” Kallian asked again.

“You look like the one in pain.”

Iann patted Kallian on the shoulder. Normally, Kallian would have scrunched his face and shoved him away, but today he simply accepted the touch. Was the fight with the female lead that shocking? Most of it had been caused by his own words, though. Regardless, Kallian seemed unusually fragile. It was a side Iann had never seen before, and it softened him a little.

“Why did you intervene? You’re the type to whine about even the smallest injury.”

“Can’t you say things more nicely? And I already told you—it’s because Yuhwa almost got hurt.”

Yuhwa was practically a civilian with no combat ability to speak of. As someone with power, Iann felt it was his responsibility to protect her. Stripping away all the complicated feelings, it was simply the right thing to do. Yet, Kallian’s expression darkened further.

“What is she to you?”

“Uh…”

What is she? It wasn’t as if their relationship had a clear definition. But to keep up appearances—and more importantly, to annoy Kallian—it needed to sound impressive.

“Uh…”

But with Iann’s limited verbal skills, crafting a phrase that conveyed “something meaningful yet distant, with enough ambiguity to tease Kallian without hindering Yuhwa’s budding romance” was impossible. Known for his casual, almost slangy speech among nobles, Iann couldn’t suddenly conjure elegant vocabulary.

And Kallian… Kallian was the male lead of a K-romance fantasy.

“…”

“…”

As Iann remained silent, Kallian filled in the blanks with his own assumptions.

“…”

“…”

In Kallian’s mind, the ever-talkative Iann falling silent was proof enough. There had to be something between them.

“I see.”

“What? See what?”

Iann, who hadn’t said anything, was baffled. What did Kallian think he’d figured out?

“…So, your leg—is it alright?”

“Oh? Uh, yeah. Yuhwa already healed it earlier.”

Startled by the sudden topic change, Iann answered truthfully.

“I see.”

“Uh… yeah.”

“Still, I’ll send a doctor. Are you heading back now?”

“Huh? No, I haven’t decided yet.”

“Then stay at the ducal estate.”

“What? No way!”

“You were injured in my territory. Since you’re so adamant about compensation, I’m offering it. Just come.”

“You? Offering me compensation? All of a sudden?”

“Yes.”

“With what, exactly?”

“Do you think you’ve only dropped one ring?”

“You thieving bastard! How can you say that so proudly?”

“I’ll send someone.”

Ignoring Iann’s outburst, Kallian finished what he wanted to say and gave a brief nod before walking past him.

“Hey! Send someone where?”

Iann shouted after him, but Kallian merely glanced back, locking eyes with him for a moment, before turning to Derrick.

“Ah, of course.”

Naturally, Kallian would consult Derrick, his aide, about such matters. It made sense, but still, they had been talking just a second ago. Wouldn’t it have been faster to finish the conversation with him instead?

‘…Doesn’t this feel suspicious?’

Iann’s instincts, especially his deep distrust of Kallian, were spot on. Kallian’s decision to approach Derrick had a clear purpose.

* * *

“Do you have something to say?”

Derrick’s voice was razor-sharp, barely maintaining politeness. Yet Kallian remained unfazed. He hadn’t abandoned his conversation with Iann just to talk to Derrick. His true purpose was standing behind Derrick.

“Yuhwa, was it?”

The figure behind Derrick flinched.

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