Chapter 126

Me and Perez walked out to the other side of the banquet hall.1

After confirming that no one was close enough to hear our conversation, I tapped Perez on the side.

"Good job, Perez."

Perez smiled, his lips curved quietly at my words.

“Tia, you look in trouble.”

"You’re catching up fast. I heard that Craney will also be entering the academy next year. I wish he could learn as well as you."

"Craney? Oh, that little..."

"He's not small anymore. He's bigger than me. He's so excited to see you today. There must be a lot of things he wants to ask about the academy.”

Speaking of which, Perez stared at me.

"Why do you look at me like that?"

“…Tia doesn’t seem to have changed.”

“Is that a compliment now or a curse?”

Perez smiled with his eyes instead of answering.

"Anyway, thanks to Perez, I was very relieved after a long time ago. Well, that's right."

"What were you talking about with the Empress? You didn't look so good."

"Oh, well, she's suddenly said that she would find me a marriage partner. In front of everyone. So I was a little annoyed."

Now that I've paid her back, it's a lot better.

"...What did you say?"

Perez asked me again.

But I didn't think he was asking because he really didn't hear it well.

He was looking at the Empress with a cold face.1

I completely reduced my voice and spoke.

"It's the Empress's trick. Maintaining influence in society. Connecting the right people and making connections between the two families."

Matchmakers aren't hawks either. [1]

But I have to admit that it's obviously effective.

"But don't worry too much. The Prince's marriage must have permission from the Emperor. She's not gonna reach out to you."

I should be careful not to bump into each other for a while.

Empress Rabini was not a person to give up easily.

Unfortunately, I didn't know what else to say if I ran into her at another banquet.

"I shouldn't go to banquets for a while... Perez?"

Perez was a little strange.

He's much more expressionless than usual, but somehow he's colder.

I patted Perez on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry too much. Even the First Prince hasn't decided on his marriage yet. She's not going to hook you up with any woman first."

"Tia."

Perez called me and took my hand off his shoulder.

But Perez's calloused hands, which held my hand, were full of strength.

"What's wrong, Perez?"

"If the Empress ever says that again, then tell me."

Oh, I was wrong.

Perez was worrying about me, not himself.

I asked, holding back my laugh.

"Tell you? How can you help me?"

"...One way or another."

Perez was sincere.

I could tell by looking at his deep sinking eyes.

If I ask him for help, Perez will sincerely try his best to help me.

When I felt it, I felt relieved and a little emotional.

"When did you grow up like this..."

I momentarily lifted the handheld by Perez and tried to stroke Perez's head like a habit, but I took it back.

As a child, I was Perez's childhood friend, and it was all known that Perez contributed greatly to the treatment of my father's illness.

However, no matter how close we were, stroking the Prince's head was misleading in many ways.

By the way.

Perez came back to hold my hand again.

And his red eyes met mine.

Since he's an adult now, I can see a handsome face even without a smile.

The temperature of Perez's hand that was holding mine felt particularly hot.

Dugum.

My calm heart was beating erratically.

What's this?

Then an angry voice called me.

"Tia."

"Grandpa!"

An angry grandfather approached as if flames were blazing in the snow.

"I just heard the story. I heard the Empress said something useless to you."

Perhaps when he was talking somewhere else he heard the news from someone and rushed over.

I could see it from a strand of my grandfather's hair flowing straight down.

"Don't worry. I didn't answer, I was good at it."

"Yes, that's how my granddaughter..."

My grandfather gazed at the hand Perez was holding.

"Second Prince."

Grandfather called Perez in a low voice.

"What are those hands?"

I answered quickly before my grandfather misunderstood.

"He was comforting me a little, Grandpa."

"...Comforting?"

One corner of my grandfather's mouth curled up.

"Yes. Now that you've been comforted, how about letting go of that hand?"1

Perez looked at me once and let go of my hand.

There was a slight wrinkle on the forehead.

So grandfather and Perez stared at each other without saying anything.

Strange.

Although my grandfather said to be hated by many people, but I didn't understand why Perez set the blade like that.1

Was there a conflict between you two without me knowing?

Perez shouldn't have a bad idea about Lombardy.

After such a short but intense staring contest, my grandfather spoke in an unpleasant voice.

"I have something to share with my granddaughter. Le's go back to the banquet."