Derrick stepped down from the carriage, greeted only by Bella.
Following His Majesty’s instructions, he had come without a single retainer.
To outsiders, this felt less like a formal apology and more like a private visit.
His Majesty had said that a private visit was best—no need for too much formality, that would show genuine sincerity.
Bella led Derrick to the reception room, where Eleonora had been waiting for quite some time.
“Dear Miss Eleonora, I have come to clarify the misunderstanding at the banquet a few days ago…”
Derrick recited from his prepared script without much expression.
“Your Highness, if it’s just about that, a letter would suffice. No need to waste everyone’s time.”
Eleonora rubbed her temple, losing patience with Derrick’s empty formalities.
She was sick of these social niceties—she’d rather spend her time catching up on paperwork so she could have more time with Lilian…
“Wha—”
Derrick hadn’t expected Eleonora to say something like that.
Nor did he expect her to be so disrespectful toward him.
“Just say what you need to say, no need to beat around the bush.”
In his previous life, Derrick had set the stage for other nobles to find a reason to attack the Koen family.
His own personality flaws left him shattered by the chain of events that followed, forcing his father on the frontlines to return to the capital specifically to handle the matter.
After being reprimanded by the old emperor, Derrick realized his mistakes and even stepped forward to clarify that the initial incident was a misunderstanding.
Unfortunately, those waiting for an opportunity among the nobles had already done the rest for him.
When Eleonora was studying at Rayat, Derrick had gone to the frontlines to learn from his father.
Soon after, the old emperor passed away, and Derrick ascended the throne, earning the title of Wise King.
But within a year or two, after being sacrificed in the Earl’s manor, he died in the chaos of the Evil God uprising.
The Evil God behind it all was the same one.
They could be counted as victims facing the same enemy.
Still, since he was the cause of it all from the start, no longer his father’s student or a true Wise King, Eleonora naturally showed no kindness.
If Derrick had brought a retinue, Eleonora might have restrained herself out of noble etiquette.
But he hadn’t.
Hearing Eleonora’s merciless words, Derrick’s face flushed red, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to say.
Seeing this Derrick so different from the Wise King of the previous life, Eleonora lost all interest.
No wonder her father had said that what Derrick did was no different from children playing house.
“I know, Your Highness, you harbor some prejudice against the Koen family, and these biases stem from the slander of villains.”
These were Derrick’s words from his previous life.
Back then, he had blindly believed a few other great nobles, which made him overly wary of the Koen family’s military power.
But these misunderstandings had been cleared up after studying under his father.
“However…” Eleonora hesitated, the formal phrasing exhausting her.
She decided to speak plainly, “That doesn’t mean I can forgive Your Highness’s actions. You trust others blindly, act without thinking, and never consider consequences. You’re far too shortsighted.”
Those words were no different from accusing Derrick to his face.
“If it weren’t for me and Princess Ophelia handling things in time, besides knowing the Koen family’s reputation was damaged, would Your Highness even understand the consequences?”
Derrick’s face grew even redder.
He couldn’t refute Eleonora’s words, and before coming, His Majesty had specifically told him not to lose his temper no matter what she said.
He gritted his teeth and held back.
“You probably never thought about it, right?”
Eleonora laughed aloud.
“I think no matter what I say here, it’s useless. It’s better if you experience it for yourself. If you truly want to apologize, go speak with His Majesty, visit the frontlines where my father is, and see what the real Koen family is like.”
If this could be achieved, many things would change.
The faster Derrick grew, the sooner he could ascend the throne.
The sooner he ascended, the more complete his control over the empire.
Perhaps Derrick could even avoid his fatal ending.
If, in the days before Lilian’s death, Derrick was still alive as the emperor of the Dawn Empire, could there have been a turning point?
No, that was wrong.
Changing these things was futile.
Eleonora cast aside these useless thoughts.
The fact proved that pushing Lilian far away was the only correct choice—no exceptions.
“I still have a lot to do, so I won’t keep Your Highness any longer.”
Eleonora stood, signaling Bella to see the guest out.
Derrick welcomed this; he had no desire to stay any longer.
He placed a Gift Box on the table, biting back his anger as he said, “A small token to express my apologies.”
“Your Highness, that’s unnecessary.”
Derrick had long expected Eleonora’s refusal.
“I heard from the Royal Sister that you’d like it.”
Eleonora raised an eyebrow.
“Then I shall accept it. Thank you, Your Highness.” She immediately showed no mercy. “Bella, see him out.”
Click.
The door shut.
Eleonora opened the box and found a Cloak inside.
It was a [tool] inscribed with the fixed runes [Enhanced] and [Wind], which could increase the wearer’s speed.
It was meant for a warrior class.
Being a Spellcaster herself, why would Ophelia think—
Tch—
This was meant for Lilian.
She’d been played again.
Thinking of the smug look on Ophelia’s face, Eleonora clenched her teeth.
She hadn’t been paying close enough attention and had inadvertently let Ophelia and Lilian meet.
But it was fine.
Next, she would find a way to keep Lilian far away from Ophelia.
And not just Ophelia—no one from the Hero Squad could get close to Lilian!
She would never let tragedy happen again!
“Miss, Lilian and the others are back.”
Bella’s words snapped Eleonora from her thoughts.
Eleonora jumped up from the sofa and hurried toward the front door.
Before she reached it, she heard Lilian’s tired whines and Erin’s silly laughter.
“Sigh—I’m dead tired. Erin, how can you walk so much?!”
“Hehe.”
Lilian had underestimated Erin.
After finishing their business, Lilian had planned to return to the Earl’s manor, but Erin begged her to take her sightseeing around the capital.
So they wandered and snacked from one street to another, repeating the cycle…
If it had been the Lilian before awakening memories, she might have enjoyed it.
But now, after awakening, Lilian only felt exhaustion.
Physically, mentally, emotionally—utterly drained.
Eleonora appeared before the two.
“Miss!?”
Erin immediately jumped up, then realized the situation.
She gave them an awkward smile, clutching her stomach as she ran inside.
Peeking out from around the corner, she called softly, “Master?”
Lilian hadn’t expected Eleonora to come looking for them.
“…You even came back?” She said it, but Eleonora sounded genuinely pleased.
She had thought Lilian would play until very late.
“Well, we had a promise…” Lilian scratched her head, saying weakly.
“What promise?”
“Wasn’t it that we’d have dinner together later? I thought the time was about right…”
Whoosh—
A warm flush spread across Eleonora’s cheeks.
“I see…” She lowered her head and whispered, “…Come inside first, idiot.”
“Mm.”
(The End of this Volume)