Since When Were You The Villain?

“There might be traces of Her Majesty, the Queen’s scent on the dress, so it’s possible.” 

Sophia held up the coral-colored dress sleeve. 

“Hoho, but Elizabeth is not that kind of person. Do you still remember the stranger who saved you from the pond?” 

The Queen laughed. 

Sophia came out after washing up and gently stroked Elizabeth’s clean and fluffy white fur, making her purr happily. 

At that moment, Hanyang approached. 

“Your Majesty, Killian Bipronze Livelon has come to visit.” 

Everyone present raised their heads at the name that came out of Hanyang’s mouth. 

“Killian at this hour?” 

“He has come to find Sophia, Your Highness.” 

Me? 

Sophia looked at Hanyang with widened eyes. 

It was natural for the maids’ expressions to become sharper. 

“Killian came to find a woman. It’s hard to believe.” 

The Queen was surprised, saying she had never seen Killian move for a woman before. 

“Let him in, Your Majesty.” 

As soon as the Queen gave her permission, Hanyang went out to escort him. 

Not long after, he walked in wearing a black military uniform from a distance. 

Although it didn’t match the vibrant spring garden, it attracted more attention because of it. 

Everyone stared at him as if mesmerized, and Sophia also stopped caressing Elizabeth. 

Killian stood in front of the tea table where the Queen and the maids were sitting. 

Perhaps because he was sitting, he seemed taller than usual when he looked up. 

“I greet Your Majesty, the Queen.” 

Killian bowed his head and greeted the Queen, and his red eyes met Sophia’s gaze as they rose slowly. 

“Killian, come in. I heard you were enjoying a pleasant time with your fiancee.” 

Killian looked at Sophia, who was enjoying tea peacefully with Elizabeth sitting on his lap. 

His gaze was colder than usual, making Sophia wonder if she had done something wrong. 

“Apologies for interrupting Your Majesty’s pleasant time, but may I take my fiancee with me?” 

“Sophia?” 

“I need the help of the Prout family for the military police.” 

Killian spoke in a firm tone. 

The Queen was surprised, saying he cherished Killian like her own son, but he seemed quite indifferent to that. 

Is it because he can’t play the role of a loving son because of his personality? Or is it an intentionally formal tone for work-related matters? 

Perhaps it was because of the presence of other maids in this place. 

“Is it urgent?” 

“Yes, Your Highness.” 

“Oh, what a shame. We were having such a good time.” 

The Queen expressed her regret, but Killian looked at Sophia, waiting for her to follow him. 

Sophia noticed the Queen’s expression. 

“It can’t be helped. It’s a matter for the military police, and I can’t hold you back with my personal desires, can I?” 

The Queen nodded towards Sophia as if telling her to go. 

“Let’s meet and talk again next time.” 

“It was an honor to be invited, Your Majesty.” 

Sophia gently placed Elizabeth, who had been sitting on her lap, on the grass and stood up. 

As she was about to leave, Elizabeth extended her claws and grabbed the hem of her dress. 

“Let’s meet again next time, Elizabeth.” 

As Sophia gently stroked her forehead, Elizabeth groaned. 

Seeing her like that, Killian greeted the people around him and took the first step forward. 

Without turning back to see if Sophia was following, Killian walked nonchalantly, taking brisk strides. 

The image of him holding her hand and escorting her was nowhere to be found. Today, for some reason, he felt cold. 

“Is he angry…? Or is he just busy with work…?” 

Sophia followed him hesitantly, sensing the difference in his usual atmosphere. 

Considering the recent events surrounding the death of Viscount Pedeut, he might be tired and more sensitive. 

With his large strides and fast pace, Sophia had to almost run to keep up with him. 

Sophia, who was not particularly physically fit, gradually fell behind him. 

When they exited the Internus Palace, Kilian, and Sophia were nearly 10 meters apart. 

“Your Highness, um… Could we walk a little slower?” 

Sophia called out to him, feeling overwhelmed trying to keep up with his fast pace. 

Killian stopped walking and turned to look at her only when she caught her breath and caught up with him. 

Struggling to catch her breath, Sofia looked up at Killian, who had stopped by her side. 

“Why did you come to the palace?” 

“Pardon?” 

“Why did you come to the palace without saying anything?” 

Indeed, it wasn’t a misunderstanding. His demeanor was quite different from before. 

“Do I… need your permission to enter the palace?” 

Sophia laughed awkwardly. 

Since she was invited by the Empress and came with the Crown Prince, there didn’t seem to be any reason to ask Killian for permission. 

Upon hearing Sophia’s words, Killian’s expression was slightly distorted. 

“Do you… think you can come to the palace without any court experience?” 

Enraged, Killian stopped talking when he realized that his voice had become somewhat loud. 

He splashed cold water on his face, sighed, and muttered in frustration. 

Sophia felt somewhat displeased with his reaction. 

“Why is he getting angry like this?” 

Although she wanted to inquire and understand why Killian was suddenly acting this way, she didn’t want to argue with him, so she held back. 

“They were both good people, Your Highness, both the Empress and His Highness, the Crown Prince.” 

“…Yes, they were. They were all good people.” 

Saying that Killian didn’t meet Sophia’s gaze. 

Sophia was not completely oblivious to others’ feelings. 

“Was it a place where I shouldn’t have come?” 

“…No.” 

Killian turned his head. 

Well, it was something, not just nothing. It’s clearly written on his face that he doesn’t like it. 

She wasn’t reading a novel right now. 

In other words, she was ignorant of the male protagonist’s emotional trajectory or psychological state. 

She could only read his expressions, words, and actions. 

So, his emotions and thoughts could only be known if he showed them outwardly. 

“If you have something to say, please say it. Don’t keep it to yourself.” 

Sophia, who had no ulterior motives, crossed her arms and grumbled in dissatisfaction. 

Then Killian slowly parted his lips. 

“…We didn’t get engaged out of love, but strategically.” 

There were mixed emotions in his red pupils. 

“So…?” 

“That’s why… I hope we don’t get deeply involved with each other’s families and households.” 

Killian said. 

In other words, he didn’t want Sophia to get close to the Empress or Mikhail more than necessary. 

He wanted to maintain a clean strategic relationship and not cross any personal boundaries. 

In response to his words, Sophia looked straight into his eyes and raised her gaze. 

“Then, Your Highness, you should have kept that boundary first.” 

Sophia replied, questioning and refuting. 

“It was you who broke into Frau’s Gate.” 

He was the one who crossed the line first and invaded her personal space. 

If he wanted to maintain a strategic relationship, he shouldn’t have reached out his hand to Sophia. 

He shouldn’t have embraced her or brought her as his consort. 

When Sophia looked at him with unwavering eyes, Kilian clenched his fist tightly. 

The relaxed conversation between the two people appeared very intimate as if they had known each other for a long time. 

“Sorry, Crown Prince, but just a moment.” 

As Killian intervened between Sophia and Mikhail, he grabbed Sophia’s wrist and slightly pulled her towards him. 

“Currently, there is something important I need to discuss with the fiancée.” 

As Kilian interrupted their conversation, Mikhail exclaimed, “Ah,” and took a step back. 

“Did I disturb your private time?” 

“It’s a matter of the military.” 

Killian drew a line, and Mikhail looked puzzled. 

“A military matter related to Lady Sophia?” 

“I’ll explain later. Well then.” 

“A matter concerning Princess Sophia?” 

“I will explain later. Well then.” 

Killian briefly lowered his head and left with Sophia. 

Without a word, Killian walked out of the palace, and Sophia couldn’t understand his attitude since earlier. 

“Your Highness, wait a moment.” 

Sophia stubbornly stopped, and Killian turned to look at her. 

“Are you angry?” Sophia asked.