CH 111

As they left the lab and headed for the drawing-room, Ethan gave Claude he was holding in his arms to Jade.

"It's nap time soon, so it'd be good to take a little break."

"Yes, Father."

Claude quickly realized that he had to leave. Seeing the child nodding his head wildly, Ethan gently stroked Claude's hair once more. It was a touch that meant that he was sorry for leaving him alone. Claude noticed it and smiled pleasantly, raising the corner of his mouth.

"We can have dinner together later, right?"

"Yes, I'll tell them to prepare your favorite dishes."

"Woah!"

Claude blushed in anticipation of dinner with his father, which was given as a reward. The red color on his chubby cheeks was so pretty that Sarah smiled happily as well.

"See you later, Claude-nim. I'll be by your side when you wake up from a good nap."

"Eung, be back soon."

Claude waved goodbye to Sarah and leaned more comfortably on Jade. It was because, as Ethan said, it was nap time and he was getting a little tired.

"Ah!"

It was then. Something flashed through Claude's mind as he was about to close his eyes in Jade's arms.

'The Second Prince was sent from the Imperial Palace.'

That was what he had heard in the lab earlier. Claude recalled the face of Ilior he had seen at the Imperial Palace party when he said that he was the Second Prince. He was Claude's watchful target.

"Nanny."

"Yes?"

"Be careful."

"What?"

"It’s just!"

Claude smiled skeptically and looked at Ethan. Ethan, who received that gaze, tilted his head as if puzzled for a moment. Then with an "Ah", he nodded his head as if he had realized something.

"Don't worry, I'm here."

"Okay!"

Only then did Claude nod and close his eyes. Sarah noticed that there was a secret between the two father and son except herself.

"What? What is it?"

"It's nothing. Let's go."

But Ethan didn't say anything and took her by the hand with a smile. Sarah pouted as she was led by his gentle touch.

'So mean.'

She felt alienated.

* * *

Ilior was trying to relax his strained shoulders. However, as he repeatedly clenched his fists and then opened them, he seemed unable to hide his impatience from anyone looking at him. Soon after, when Sarah opened the drawing-room door and appeared, he jumped up from hí seat.

"Countess Millen!"

"I greet Your Highness the Second Prince."

Sarah was slowly embedded in Ilior's eyes, smiling and bending her knees. Ilior, who was watching the corners of her mouth gently rising and her eyes gently curving, opened his mouth with difficulty and said.

"Your body, is your body okay?"

"I heard that you visited Ambrosia the other day and saw me. It's the same as you saw then."

"......I see."

Sarah said as if nothing was wrong now. Her lively, sparkling face seemed to be a different person from Sarah, who had collapsed that day vomiting blood. She looked healthy in anyone's eyes, but Ilior was drawn to her words with something missing.

"I brought you medicines that are good for your body......"

"I've recovered enough already, so it's fine, Your Highness."

Sarah gently but resolutely cut off his favor. It wasn't a big deal, but at the feeling of being rejected, Ilior flinched and trembled.

"If Countess Millen has recovered enough, then it's a good thing."

"Yes, so please be comfortable with it."

"That's right."

Ilior tried to find something else to say with a look of regret. It was as if it was more important to talk to Sarah than the purpose of coming here.

"......"

Ethan, who had been listening to their conversation, looked at Ilior with narrowed eyes and opened his mouth.

"Since you're busy, why don't we get straight to the point, Your Highness?"

"Ah, that's right."

At Ethan's words, Ilior seemed to recall his purpose of coming here. He sighed loudly and said.

"It is said that there was an unknown veil in Alton Estate, and not only humans but also plants and animals couldn't pass through it."

Sarah looked perplexed at Ilior's words, moderately narrowing her brows. She knew that she had already heard the story from Ethan the other day, but hearing it again through Ilior's mouth was disturbing. She asked Ilior back, pretending to know nothing for now.

"The Alton Estate would be where First Prince-nim is......, is there any contact between First Prince-nim and the Imperial family?"

"I have no idea. His Majesty was so angry that even Brother's life and death were unknown."

Ilior shook his head in a bitter voice. However, his face did not show any concern or regret for his brother.

"Under these circumstances, I don't know why His Majesty is looking for Contess Millen. So please be honest with me."

"About what?"

"Countess Millen, do you have anything to do with this?"

"......"

At Ilior's words, Sarah struggled to erase the olive hair that came to her mind for a moment. Ethan gently grabbed Sarah's hand as her fingertips trembled slightly.

"Let's sit down and talk."

"Ah."

By Ethan's words, Sarah realized that she was still standing. Perhaps it was the same for Ilior, but he narrowed his brow and hardened his face.

'I didn't even offer a seat to a Lady. Damn it.'

He bit his lip, feeling like he had lost his initiative to Ethan. Ilior's gaze was fixed on Sarah, who sat down holding Ethan's hand, and it hardly moved.

"......Your Highness Ilior, please sit down."

"Sure."

At Ethan's suggestion, he could barely take his eyes off Sarah. Seeing Ilior like that, Ethan raised one corner of his mouth and smiled.

'So foolish.'

Ilior's gaze was so blatant. If he looked at her like that, it would be easier to notice his heart and feelings even if he didn't intend it. And it would soon become a burden.

"......"

Ethan glanced at Sarah's face. The tip of the corner of her mouth that was smiling towards the Second Prince was trembling. Ethan, who had seen Sarah all this time, could read the subtle change in her expression.

'As expected, she's feeling burdened.'

Ethan sat leisurely on the sofa and crossed his legs, contented with Sarah's face. His stomach, which had been twisted unpleasantly since a while ago, had finally subsided.

"If Countess Millen had anything to do with this, I'm sure you'd be in trouble. Is there any reason why His Majesty is looking for you?"

"There is not."

Sarah shook her head, hiding her complicated mind. Then Ilior breathed out quietly, perhaps a little relieved.

"I’m just guessing that His Majesty may have been angry with me, as one of the reasons why First Prince-nim went there was because of me."

"......Is that so? His Majesty may think so."

Ilior's face was seriously hardened. As Sarah said, it was possible if the Emperor tried to hold Sarah responsible for the First Prince in the Alton Estate. Count Millen House was currently in seclusion, but since he was opposed to the First Prince in the succession to the throne, the Emperor might be thinking of reaching out for this opportunity.

"No wonder Duke Ambrosia won't let you go."

Ilior looked at the Duke of Ambrosia with new eyes. Ethan Ambrosia reacted quickly as if he had expected this to happen. He formally nailed Young Lord Ambrosia's ill health and that his nanny, Sarah Millen, could not also go outside. Therefore, the Emperor was also unable to officially call Countess Millen when it was not the social season. That was why Ilior, the Second Prince, was sent here.

"If there's anything I can do to help, I'll always help, just tell me. What would you like me to do?"

At the words of the Second Prince, Sarah tilted her head and wondered. It was because the Second Prince had no reason to help her in this matter.

"Why?"

"......?"

"Why are you trying to help me?"

At Sarah's question, Ilior was speechless and could not say anything for a moment. She waited a moment for Ilior's reply and then spoke softly with a smile on her face.

"Thank you for your consideration, but I am at peace in the shadow of Ambrosia. I promise I’ll remember Second Prince-nim's kind consideration next time."

"......Is that so?"

It was truly a sweet and resolute refusal. Ilior's face sank naturally. On the other hand, Ethan's eyes were softly curved as if he was pleased.