Chapter 75

Noah gently set me down.

My heart was pounding wildly at the unexpected turn of events, a mix of anxiety and fear swirling in my chest.

I tightly gripped the straps of my bag, which was still slung over my shoulder, when Noah pulled me closer by my waist. I could feel the tension in my body ease just from that.

"It's because you left my protection that I had to resort to such measures."

"Weren't you locked in your room?"

"I had already slipped out in the morning. I saw you enter the library at noon, so I thought Alicia must be here too. I'm glad my guess was right."

I could hear Noah let out a small sigh beside me.

"All I want is for you to listen to my request. It's just a small, modest wish, isn't it?"

"I've told you many times, that wish will never be granted. Princess Camilla, using soldiers is going too far. This could escalate into a diplomatic issue, so it would be best if you backed down."

"I didn't call for soldiers from the country. They are part of the envoy, and they have permission to enter."

Noah's face was expressionless, but I could sense his frustration. It was so intense that it made me feel uneasy too.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lars moving, trying to leave the scene, but one of the soldiers was holding his arm firmly, making it difficult.

"I did think about it. If you can't leave the country because of your fiancé, I thought I could ask Alicia to break the engagement. But that won't work either, right?"

She let out a deep sigh, but honestly, I felt like the one who should be sighing.

Princess Camilla, who had been fanning herself with a feather fan, suddenly smiled brightly.

"So, I thought it would be fine to bring Alicia along. Isn't it a good idea?"

She looked genuinely pleased with her idea.

Noah let out a louder sigh, and I was worried he hadn't heard it.

More importantly—what kind of "good idea" is this?

It seems like Princess Camilla is compromising, but why do we have to go along with her whims?

I was getting frustrated too.

"I don't want to tear you apart. I just want to keep Einhard by my side. You want to be together. So, wouldn't it be best if we all went to Montbroye?"

"…I refuse. Neither I nor Alicia will go with you."

"Come on, you're so stubborn. Your family is one thing, but Alicia's family might have a problem with it, don't you think?"

There it is again—mentioning the Bloom Trading Company!

Anger clouded my vision, and my heart was racing, making my breathing uneven.

I didn't care what happened to me, but—

"Alicia."

Just as I was about to unleash all my anger, I heard a very gentle voice. I knew my name sounded so beautiful because he was the one saying it.

When I looked up, I saw Einhard's eyes, which were looking at me with a gentle expression.

"Calm down."

"But…!"

The hand that had been holding my waist moved to my shoulder, gently patting it to soothe me. It was strange how my emotions calmed down.

"Princess Camilla, you don't get to choose whether to do business with the Bloom Trading Company. They are the ones who choose. Do you understand that?"

"…Einhard, you really look down on me, don't you?"

"I'm just stating the facts. The Bloom Trading Company wouldn't suffer much if they lost business with Anheim. Rather, it would be your country that would suffer, and the responsibility would fall on the princess who caused such a situation."

"They're just merchants. There are plenty of other merchants—"

"Don't underestimate merchants. Especially the next president of the Bloom Trading Company, who doesn't show mercy to enemies."

Speaking of the next president… it's my brother.

I knew my brother, who harbored no good feelings towards Princess Camilla, had been making radical statements, but only within the family.

But Noah is right.

If Anheim were to put pressure on the company, my brother would cut ties with Anheim immediately. This would affect other trading companies too. He would do things I can't even imagine, with that smile of his.

"Threatening her with the trading company won't work. Neither I nor Alicia are your toys. We have no intention of indulging your whims. You can stay in your little world of being pampered, but it's becoming a nuisance to involve us."

"Y-You're being too disrespectful, Einhard. I could take you away by force to atone for your sins."

Seeing Noah firmly reject her, my anger seemed to dissipate. He had said everything I wanted to say.

If Noah were to be punished for this, I would go with him.

I was already prepared to leave the country.

As I was thinking this, I heard multiple footsteps approaching. Lars was holding his stomach and laughing when I looked over.

When our eyes met, Lars gave me a thumbs up, saying, "Well said."

"What's the crime? Camilla, stop poking around in things that don't concern you."

Despite his fatigue, his voice was clear.

Confused, the soldiers parted to reveal Prince Sieg and Captain Radine. Behind them, knights were forming a line, and I could see Lars joining their ranks after freeing his arm.

"You've done well, Camilla. I'll send a formal protest to Anheim."

"I didn't harm anyone. We were just talking."

Prince Sieg's yellow eyes seemed to darken with anger as he looked at Princess Camilla.

But Princess Camilla continued to fan herself, seemingly unconcerned.

"…It seems your education has been lacking."

"My ears hurt."

The voice that responded to Prince Sieg came from among the knights.

Princess Camilla also frowned and looked in that direction, seemingly as confused as I was.

The person who stepped forward from the line of knights had golden hair and blue eyes, resembling Princess Camilla.

"…The second prince of Anheim."

"Huh?"

Noah whispered to me.

While holding my shoulder, Noah took a step back. The soldiers surrounding us seemed unsure of what to do and didn't try to stop us.

"Maybe we can go now."

"I don't think so."

Noah said this in a voice only I could hear, and I couldn't help but chuckle.