The servant followed Ranamun closely and asked. They had made eye contact with the Empress and had noticed each other’s presence, so the servant thought they would get closer to say hello. However, it was strange that Ranamun just acknowledged from afar and then turned around.

“The Empress waved at us earlier.”

The servant asked, wondering if Ranamun hadn’t noticed. However, Ranamun spoke coldly.

“I know. That’s why I greeted her.”

But you’re just leaving? The servant stammered in confusion.

“You should not just greet, but go a little closer….”

But the servant couldn’t finish speaking.

“Stop.”

Ranamun interrupted the servant.

“The one with Her Majesty. The Commander of the Imperial Knights?”

“Yes. Commander Sonnaught.”

Ranamun was the one who got interrupted, but his expression was not good. The servant tried to figure out what was bothering him. His icy face read ‘I’m uncomfortable.’

The servant carefully asked, trying not to hurt his master’s refined pride.

“Master. Does it bother you?”

Ranamun closed his mouth tightly. Does it bother me? Of course. It would be strange if it didn’t bother him.

The two of them were laughing and chatting while their swords were crossed, the Empress was rubbing her cheek with the handkerchief the man had given her, the man was laughing and saying something as he watched, and the knights around were happily watching, as if this was familiar….

It was just like a couple, wasn’t it? Ranamun’s thoughts ran wild in strange directions.

The deeper his thoughts, the faster his pace, to the point where the servant had to almost run to keep up.

But suddenly Ranamun stopped so abruptly that the servant nearly stumbled and cried, “Oh!” The servant nearly bumped his forehead against Ranamun’s back.

“Why are you doing this, Master?”

“Could it be because of that?”

“Because of what?”

“Didn’t she resist my temptation because of him?”

“Huh?”

“Sonnaught, the Commander of the Knights, was certainly the friend of Prince Lean. He was always adored by the previous Emperor. Thanks to this, he naturally became a close confidant of Empress Latrasil. Right?”

“Yes, I heard his sword skills are incredible.”

At the servant’s simple compliment, Ranamun’s complexion darkened. His displeasure was evident.

“Master?”

Seeing Ranamun acting colder than usual, the servant raised an eyebrow. It was a ridiculous thought, but he couldn’t help but wonder. Our master… Is he jealous?

Although he always has a cold attitude, today, in particular, he seemed especially so. Even before he saw the Empress and Commander’s performance, he was smiling faintly and even accepting jokes.

Just then, as the two were walking down the white path in the harem, they ran into Guesta who was coming from the opposite direction.

Sijong, standing behind Guesta, acknowledged him with a glance, but Ranamun just brushed past Guesta. There was no acknowledgement or anything of that sort.

When Guesta, without meeting eyes, lowered his gaze and smiled bitterly, Sijong felt more apologetic and hesitated before chasing after Ranamun.

Suddenly, Sijong became anxious. Despite not being in a relationship of intense love, he was overflowing with jealousy. What if he truly fell in love with her Highness later…?

“Ugh.”

Sijong rubbed his forearm with his palm. It felt like something terrifying was about to happen.