Lips On The Tip Of a Knife

Chapter 20

Translator:

Shin

Ep 20.

Misunderstanding

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Erica didn’t think Craven was suspicious from the start. On the contrary, she had a crush to Craven.

Craven wasn’t only liked by Erica.

“Isn’t Craven cool?”

“Are all the Western Knights so good looking?”

The Duke of Sarno’s favorite knight and a native of the Western Empire with Grand Duchess Arne. He has a good looking appearance and an impression that breaks the stereotype of posing as an arrogant gentleman plus a bubbly and friendly personality. Thanks to this, Craven was immediately liked bu everyone in the mansion.

“I was carrying a laundry basket down last time and Craven picked it up for me. He’s so sweet!”

“Wow, that’s cool. That must have been nice, you.”

“He caught me yesterday when I almost fell while cleaning. He told me to be careful…… and how nice his voice was.”

“I was traveling with a big luggage earlier and he stopped me from hitting something because I couldn’t see ahead!”

Suddenly heartbroken by Craven’s ungrateful consideration, the women quarreled with each other and praised him. It’s getting so popular, but someone said this happened.

“Do you know that?”

“What? What?”

“When her highness was attacked before, they said he was working with the Knights. That’s actually the deal because Craven actually saved her highness by himself!”

“!!!”

Everyone could have died including the Grand Duchess. A nice, handsome, good-natured knight with great ability like this is so talented!

As such, Craven quickly gained the most popularity person by stepping on the Knights of Helvetius of the Grand Duke of Ternuegen.

‘At that time, You said you saved us alone?’

Everyone heard the story as if it were a heroic story but Erica, who was present that time took this fact completely differently.

There is one more person to repay the favor. Erica thought it was polite to show her sincerity, even if she didn’t think so.

That’s how she became interested in Craven……. which was the beginning of the incident.

‘Suspicious.’

Somehow, Craven who looked familiar was not playing all day but chasing after Arne.

Strangely, a large maid from the Western Empire who was following Arne in her true nature seemed to overlap, so Erica closed her eyes and shook her head to kick out the illusion.

“The maid who looked down on me…… I haven’t forgotten.”

I remembered a maid who said she had already given her loyalty to the Grand Duchess and that she should pledge loyalty in her next life.

Suddenly, as soon as she remembered the maid, Erica subtly offended Craven’s handsome face. Besides, every single action was eye-catching.

“Suspicious.”

Even if you’re a guardian knight, can you stick around like that?

Considering the other guardian knights, Craven has been attached to the Grand Duchess side for too many days.

On top of that, he showed a slight act of making jokes and sometimes showed a blasphemous behavior including swearing to her highness.

How dare you in front of your Her Highness!

“And those eyes are suspicious. There’s something!”

After a few days of watching, Erica had her own conviction.

“Are you…? Are you in love with Her Highness the Grand Duchess?”

Our Grand Duke is only for her highness the Grand Duchess! Worried about the shocking fact, Erica ran to Arne.

But why is her highness her his head after hearing this? Erica was very pleased with the approval of the Grand Duchess.

‘I’m sure you appreciate my services.’

That day Erica decided. She will protect her Highness the Grand Duchess! To that shameless man!

“[What the hell is that fly, slave?]”

“What do you mean, a fly, Evermore? I am Arne’s Guardian Knight.”

“[She was staring at you, but……]”

“…….?”

“[ Maybe she likes you?!]”

Evermore, a young girl who likes romance was delighted. Craven laughed and blocked Evermore’s excitement.

“It’s not like that. All right, let’s go in. Dear Evermore.”

“[Don’t touch my body, you little slave!]”

“Yes, yes. I am a slave.”

You like me? That can’t be true. It was the looked that wanted to eat me up. Craven scratched the back of his head pretending to be ignorant of Erica’s watchful gaze.

“Did you caught me…..?”

It felt like I had to prepare something.

~~~

Inside the Imperial Palace.

A middle-aged, strong-looking man threw away the document while listening to the report.

Scattered documents with loud sounds.

The servant, who was sitting on one side hurriedly organized the documents but the middle-aged man swept the desk with one arm to see if he could get rid of his anger.

“You want me to bring it? Are you all crazy about dying?! How dare you work like this?”

“Your Majesty, calm down.”

“Do I look like I’m going to calm down now?”

Gold brown hair that was neatly swept up and clear blue eyes that only come from the Telehis family lineage.

This man was Emperor Gizepe, the ruler of the Tehelevro Empire called the Northern Empire.

The stubborn wrinkled in the forehead of Emperor Gizepe face was vicious. The content of the report that the commissioner put back on the desk was concise.

Emperor Gizepe noticed that the operation had failed since the Grand Duchess, who should have been dead or missing had been lived and asked for an audience.

Even so, I thought there would be a good reason for the minimal damage, unavoidable circumstances or whatever failure anyway.

Even if I failed, I thought it was just the delay of the lower ones.

So, annihilation?

“……….This doesn’t make sense.”

This was an operation that could never fail. In order to dramatically reduce the probability of failure, only the elite among the elite were selected and sent secretly but all those who were precious ones were lost.

This is a golden opportunity! It was an opportunity for that young man who can figure it out the situation faster, that’s Cassian!

When I found out that the damage that had blown away was serious, suddenly the back of my neck hurt.

“Your Majesty, calm down. Have some of this for now.”

Emperor Gizepe, who managed to soothe his anger by swallowing medicine given by the chief of court, narrowed his eyes.

It’s been like that since he a kid. Emperor Gizepe thought that young Cassian would one day get in the way of his life. If you hold your breath and stay still, you’re gonna save your life.

“How dare you ignore the marriage that I arrange for you?! And dare to go to the Western Empire for a bride!”

Emperor Gizepe wanted Cassian to be in a situation that he could control. Therefore, it was intended to attach the noble lady of the emperor’s faction to him and keep him under close surveillance 24 hours a day.

But Cassian wrecked the whole plan.

“Did he have a direct meeting with the senile Ciklion IV to arrange a national marriage?!”

The Emperor’s fist clenched and shaking.

The North and the West were not on good terms. It was rather bad. Especially, Emperor Gizepe hated Cikclion IV. He hated the role of an emperor who is like a child who is incompetent and knows how to play.

But Cassian met Cikclion IV himself and chose a bride?

Furthermore, It was difficult to Emperor Gizepe to oppose the marriage because there were all kinds of things such as peace, trade or anything else. Most aristocrats would have nullified their marriage, saying that they were a noble family.

“You must have know everything, you bastard.”

He should have gotten rid of it earlier, but he was fooled by Cassian. Emperor Gizepe was furious as he recalled Cassian, who had become a great figure who could not be easily defeated by taking a careless move.

“……..No, there’s still a chance.”

This marriage has not yet been notarized by the imperial family. In the future, the opportunity was alive.

Emperor Gizepe calmed down.

There is always a trick to reverse the situation even when you think you can’t see the answer. It was a very simple matter anyway.

“All you have to do is kill it. I don’t care if it goes missing. All you have to do is get rid of it. Then everything will be settled neatly.”

It was unfortunate for the Grand Duchess to marry into another country and die without knowing what had happened, but it was unavoidable.

Emperor Gizepemade up his mind and rose from his seat. At that time, the servant chief spoke with a serious look.

“Your Majesty, there’s something you need to know urgently.”

“What is it?”

The chief servant whispered to the emperor. A blood line appeared on the emperor’s forehead when he heard the rumors about the Imperial Palace.

“What? Edward got into trouble again?! That stupid bastard!”

The Emperor was furious and finally gave an ordered to the chief servant.

“Call the Empress right now!”

~~~

The Imperial Party have ended safely, one day when she had a peaceful day. An invitation was sent to Arne.

“Oh, it’s an invitation from Marchioness Melasinov. He want to invite Her Majesty the Grand Duchess to a tea party.”

” A tea party?”

Eva rolled her eyes and pushed Arne’s back.

“You must go! What’s the date? Three days later? That’s great. Be sure to go!”

“Eh? Why …… its annoying.”

“What do you mean annoying? Didn’t I tell you that socialism is your destiny! What did you learn from the Duchess?!”

“Oh, but you don’t have to be angry.”

Without knowing Eva’s pace, Arne grumbled.

Except for the imperial family, not many aristocrats could send invitations to the highest ranking nobles. If you miss this opportunity, you will continue to live without knowing anyone. I had to stop it no matter what.

“Go, no matter what! If you don’t go, I’ll tell the Duchess!”

“Ugh!”

Eva knows Arne’s weakness better than anyone else. Eventually, Arne replied that she would accept the invitation…….

.

.

.

‘…….Why the hell am I here?’

Arne who is more suitable for hermit life than anyone else reached Marchioness Melasinov half of her soul.

In a situation where there is only one person to say that they are close friends in the social world is Marchioness Giena, suddenly the nobles huddled too much at the social tea party.

“No matter how high or low it is, I came here because Eva made a fuss about it. Telling me to go here.”

Arne was not good at socializing and speaking because she lived with fists rather than words and fights rather than conversation. Arne, who arrived with a gloomy expression was greeted brightly by Marchioness Melasinov.

“Welcome, Your Highness. Thank you for taking a step here in such a humble place.”

“Yes……”

Marchioness Melasinov’s smile shook by the short answer and Eva rolled her eyes from behind. Arne opened her mouth soullessly, recalling the line that forced her to memorize.

“Thank you for inviting me to such a meaningful occasion. I was moved by the Marchioness’ consideration.”

“Oh, I’m impressed……?”

Eva made an impression. Oh, you’re not impressed? Eva shook her head as she realized the failure of cramming education, which made her memorize everything.

While Arne was agonizing over how to make up for her mistakes, Marchioness Melasinov led Arne first.

“First of all, come this way. I’ve set the seats on my own. All of them were present to hear that the Grand Duchess was coming. Ho-ho-ho.”

As I followed Marchioness Melasinov’s guidance to the terrace of the outdoor garden where the tea party was held, many ladies were already in place.

As soon as Arne entered her seat, she became distressed as she saw that their eyes fixed on her.

Is it a recoil that has always been surrounded by people? Ah, Arne didn’t like this. Don’t talk to me. Leave it alone! Don’t pretend you know! I don’t like being noticed by strangers. It was harder to laugh and talk. Arne wanted to hide somewhere small and shabby and take a nap.

‘I want to go home.’

As Arne’s soul set out on a pilgrimage home, the ladies began to introduce themselves. After greeting without soul, dessert and tea were prepared on the table with a delicious smell that made your mouth water.

Still, Arne enjoyed tea skillfully because she often had tea parties thanks to her younger brother and mother.

Young ladies watching Arne exchanged eyes with each other.

“But since it’s from the Imperial family, It don’t have any clutter at all.”

“I know right. I thought you didn’t like tea or anything.”

Young ladies thought Arne was somewhat indifferent and overly arrogant. Is it because of the imperial family from the Western Empire?

‘But this isn’t the Western Empire.’

If the royal family of another country comes to the North, they should follow the rules of the Northern Empire.

Looking at Arne, the young ladies began to talk one by one. Starting with the topic that Arne can’t intervene lightly.

“Oh, did that work out for you last time?”

“Oh, that thing. I had a little trouble, but fortunately it worked out.”

“That’s a relief. Congratulations.”

“Congratulations.”

Arne wondered at the sudden shower of celebrations.

Is it something to celebrate…?I don’t know what they celebrate, but isn’t it kind of weird to celebrate? Arne hesitated and the cold silence subsided among the young ladies.

‘Isn’t easy?’

‘Yeah.’

The young ladies, who laughed and prepared to be sarcastic was nervous when Arne said congratulations in line with the atmosphere.

So the first crisis passed and the young ladies naturally began to enjoy themselves. Eva’s expression standing behind Arne gradually hardened due to the subtle and blatant bullying. Regardless, Arne, the party involved was actually distracted elsewhere.

‘It’s delicious, these scones.’

Apple jam and fig jam were also delicious.

“Lady Arne.”

Eventually Eva, who couldn’t stand it gave Arne a hint. Arne was forced to listen to the stories of the young ladies on the back of Eva that who wanted to join in the conversation.

“By the way, how’s Lady Haley?”

“I heard she collapsed at the news of the Grand Duke’s wedding. Is she okay?”

“Fortunately, She’s recovering, but still struggling.

“I see~ Well, Lady Haley loved the Grand Duke so much.”

“Yeah, that’s what everyone in society knows.”

The Grand Duchess is sitting here, but the young ladies are bringing up uncomfortable stories.

The young ladies secretly expected Arne to reveal her discomfort. If that happens, they were able to point out the intolerance of the Grand Duchess by saying that she couldn’t even talk like this.

By the way…….

‘Who’s Haley?’

Unfortunately, Arne is not interested in their conversation. So the young ladies failed to provoke Arne again.

“You’re all having a good time talking.”

“What? Haha. That’s.”

“Ha ha.”

“Hahaha.”

A time of awkward laughter.

Arne looked around the young ladies one by one. I couldn’t remember even though I listened to their self-introduction.

‘That’s what relationships are all about anyway.’

Seventy percent of the people we meet in life were just passing each other and missing each other. In the end, it’s life to make up the other thirty percent.

For Arne, who aims for a narrow and deep relationship such a social event seemed to be just a nuisance. It just that she didn’t know the explicit intentions of the young ladies. Since earlier, there has been a feeling of blatantly trying to keep her out of the conversation.

‘It’s tough.’

Arne squinted her eyes at the young ladies.

No way!

‘Are you not talking to me because you know I’m uncomfortable with this?’

What, they’re good people, aren’t they?

~~~~~~~~~