The Uninvited Defender

Knock knock.

“Miss, it is Elliot.”

“Elliot? Come in.”

Since the incident in the study, we hadn’t had much interaction. Partly because his likability was low, but mostly because he was so incredibly busy.

In fact, I barely saw him even within the mansion. At most, I would catch a glimpse of his exhausted face as he hurried into his office.

“What is it?”

“May I dare to ask a favor of the young lady?”

“A favor?”

Does Elliot have something to ask of me? I nodded with a puzzled expression.

“Could you deliver these documents to the Duke?”

Elliot handed over an eyelet Kraft envelope tied with string.

“These are important documents that must be delivered by today.”

For a man of his character to leave something important behind, he must be swamped.

But why ask me? There are plenty of servants in the Ducal estate.

“As you know, Miss, the work has been piling up ever since His Grace was injured, has it not?”

“…….”

“Unfortunately, because his right arm ended up like that, he couldn’t attend to his duties for several days……”

Elliot was merely stating facts without any hidden intent, but I felt my conscience being pricked.

Since it was my fault he got hurt, I certainly held a share of the responsibility for his work piling up.

“And if the young lady were to deliver them personally, His Grace would be very pleased.”

Elliot smiled broadly as he spoke. I highly doubted that, but….

“Alright. I’ll go.”

“……Miss! Thank you.”

Elliot’s face brightened visibly.

“So, where should I go?”

“You should head to the Imperial Palace. Around this time…… mmm, he’s probably in a meeting.”

“……Pardon?”

Excuse me?

The Imperial Palace? The very place where there’s a 98% chance of running into Johann and Amy?

“I shall prepare the carriage then.”

“W-w-w-wait a minute!”

“Emma, help the young lady prepare to head out.”

“Yes, Mr. Butler!”

“Elliot? Emma?”

Wait a second. Please, let’s act like this never happened.

However, contrary to my will, the preparations proceeded steadily, and by the time I blinked, I was fully dressed and ready.

With the carriage already brought out, I couldn’t exactly say I wouldn’t go now.

The wheels rolled quickly and arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Palace. By then, I realized that I wouldn’t run into the main couple that easily.

The Imperial Palace was far larger, wider, and more massive than I had imagined. If anything, the part I should have worried about was something else entirely.

“Where on earth is everything?”

The fact that I was incredibly bad with directions.

I got lost in less than 30 minutes after arriving.

Emma had long since vanished somewhere while I was distracted for a moment.

“I was bad with directions even before the possession, and it stayed the same even after entering someone else’s body.”

How many times did I circle around places that looked exactly alike? By now, my legs were weak, and I just wanted to sit down and rest for a moment.

Is there a chair anywhere? Just as I was looking around with that thought—

“Lady Evelyn?”

At that unfamiliar voice, my head whipped around.

Ding.

◎ Would you like to activate character information? ◎

“……!”

“What brings you all the way here?”

Blonde hair so brilliant it was blinding. Blue eyes that looked like rolling waves.

He had a strikingly handsome appearance, but the reason I froze the moment I saw him was different.

‘I’m screwed.’

It was because he was the only revealed male lead in this game, Crown Prince Johann.

Since it was a face I had encountered countless times through illustrations, I recognized him instantly.

Furthermore, that kind of dazzling blonde hair and blue eyes were rare anywhere.

I momentarily resented Elliot, who was likely feeling pleased back at the mansion.

……Forget the character info, let’s just activate the likability gauge.

◎ Activating likability gauge. ◎

◎ Johann’s current likability is 0%. ◎

‘I expected as much, but…….’

It was 0%, as expected.

Well, perhaps it was natural. There was no way he would suddenly start liking me in this state.

“Don’t tell me you’re here to torment Amy again……!”

He flared up and began approaching me.

I maintained as much composure as possible and offered a nonchalant greeting.

“I greet His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince.”

“Why have you entered the Crown Prince’s Palace? What are you planning to do this time?”

……So this was the Crown Prince’s Palace.

I had practically walked into my own grave. Next time, I should ask Elliot for a map of the Imperial Palace interior.

Johann looked ready to grab my shoulders and shake me at any moment.

“I took a wrong turn. I shall be leaving.”

“Do you expect me to believe that right now?”

He let out a short, mocking laugh as if it were absurd, then grabbed my wrist firmly. The glare he shot me was icy.

“Why would I lie to Your Highness?”

“Lying is what the young lady does best.”

He glared at me fiercely.

‘……It hurts.’

The wrist caught by Johann slowly began to throb. It was a grip so strong it felt like my bones might break.

It felt completely different from when Theo grabbed me. Back then, I could feel that he was trying to use as little force as possible so as not to hurt me.

But now, the intention to intimidate was clear. It was practically a threat.

“Please let go. It hurts.”

“…….”

He hesitated for a moment at my expression, but without relenting, he applied even more force.

“Tell me your scheme this instan—”

“Your Highness? What’s going on?”

At that moment, an unfamiliar voice came from behind. The owner of the voice soon peeked out from behind Johann.

A voice so sweet and lovely it was almost cloying. Bunny-pink hair. Emerald eyes.

Ding.

◎ Would you like to check character information? ◎

“Oh? Lady Evelyn!”

◎ Name: Amy Rahash ◎

◎ Occupation: Only daughter of the House of Count Rahash ◎

◎ Characteristic: ‘Heroine’s Blessing’ buff applied ◎

It was Amy, the heroine of this game and the girl everyone loved.

“My lady, what brings you here?”

Amy greeted me brightly. Her large eyes were filled with clear delight at seeing me.

At her appearance, Johann finally let go of my wrist.

“My lady? Your complexion……”

Amy’s small, white hand fluttered before my eyes. She seemed to be trying to check my forehead for a fever.

“I’m fine.”

I weakly pushed her hand away.

Surely it won’t become unhappy just from this? I stole a glance at Amy.

However, she actually looked moved by the gesture.

……What?

“To think you didn’t brush my hand away for once……”

It seems that while she was called the villainess’s best friend, her actions were no different from a villainess’s.

Anyway, it was important to leave this place quickly. I didn’t want to be involved with this couple for a single second.

“I shall take my leave now.”

Just as I offered a light bow and was about to turn around—

“My lady, I’ll walk you out!”

‘Amy, please.’

She was far too kind. To think she’d offer to walk me out in this situation. While I was hesitating to answer in the awkward situation, Johann cut in.

“What are you talking about? Amy, why would you?”

It was clearly an obnoxious act, but at this moment, I couldn’t be more glad for his interference. I’m not grateful, but thanks. I won’t pay you back.

“Yes, I’m fine, Amy.”

“Still……”

She glanced around, gauging the atmosphere. Even her fidgeting was pathologically lovely.

Let’s leave quickly before getting more involved. That was when Johann spoke.

“I shall see her out to the front. You go back inside first, Amy.”

Is he crazy?

“Your Highness will?”

Amy looked up at Johann with a deeply moved gaze. It was a look that said, ‘My handsome, capable, and even considerate lover!’

“Being alone with the young lady is more dangerous. Go inside first.”

He absolutely hates the idea of leaving me alone with Amy? He called it “seeing me out,” but he just meant he’d personally kick me far away.

Honey practically dripped from Johann’s eyes as he looked down at his lover.

“Your Highness……”

“Amy……”

Whether the two of them did whatever or not, I hurriedly exited the garden.

Please, don’t include me in your romantic endeavors. Survival is the most urgent issue for me.

“Lady Evelyn.”

I hadn’t even taken a few steps when I heard Johann’s voice from behind.

I should just ignore him and go my way. Whether he calls me from behind or not, I was about to walk straight forward—

“Did Regina send you again?”

“…….”

I clearly said no.

Just as I was about to ignore him and pass by, he spoke again.

“Is that how the House of Louis provides home education? Telling you to torment and bother innocent people?”

“……What did you say?”

At those words, my feet came to a dead stop without my realizing it. I turned my head to look at him.

“No. Duke Gervan is perfectly fine, so it must not be that.”

He continued with his sharp remarks, seemingly unconcerned about what kind of expression I was making or how I was feeling as I listened.

“I suppose the late Duke would regret picking you up too.”

“…….”

“Well, I suppose it can’t be helped since it was his own doing. Perhaps you grew up this way because your parents passed away early.”

After that, Johann continued to pour out insulting remarks for a long time.

“This is the last warning, my lady. If you torment Amy again, I truly don’t know what I might do.”

“…….”

He finished his piece and was about to turn away.

“I also had no intention of running into you in a place like this.”

“What?”

He looked up again and locked eyes with me. His face was a picture of disbelief, as if wondering if he had heard correctly.

“I’ve told you several times that I just took a wrong turn. Why won’t you believe me?”

“How could I possibly believe—”

“If you aren’t going to believe me anyway, then why do you even ask?”

“…….”

He was visibly flustered. He looked suspicious, as if wondering if the person in front of him really was Evelyn.

“My lady, have you finally gone mad?”

“No, I’m perfectly fine. And don’t worry, I won’t be tormenting Amy from now on.”

By now, Johann was staring at me with a stunned expression. His mouth was hanging wide open.

“I have no intention of interfering with Your Highness’s romance. Whether the two of you live happily ever after or not is of absolutely no interest to me, so could you please just let me go on my way?”

I was about to leave after saying just one final word.

“And Your Highness isn’t exactly in a position to be talking about someone else’s home education either—”

At that moment, someone suddenly appeared and grabbed my wrist.

I turned my head irritably to check the face.

“……Brother?”

It was Gervan.