[IHTTMBW] Chapter 45

The fact that I had faced the king infuriated Euphil. As soon as he heard about it through not only the maid navigation system but also the extensive maid network dedicated to all things Myrthi, he rushed to the front of the palace. When he saw Allenan tightly holding my hand, his face contorted into a frown.

“Do you not know proper manners?”

“Excuse me?”

“No matter if you are her fiancé, walking around the palace holding hands so casually.”

‘Oh, the mother-in-law has arrived.’

Honestly, this wasn’t the first time Allenan and Euphil had met. Since Allenan was my fiancé, Euphil, who spent the most time with me in the palace, had often seen him. At first, Euphil merely ignored him, but at some point, he began to peck at Allenan like a critical mother-in-law.

“Myrthi, come here.”

“Okay!”

When Euphil extended his hand toward me, I obediently let go of Allenan’s hand and walked over to take Euphil’s.

“M-My-Myrthi!”

Allenan called my name in a heartbroken voice from behind, but I firmly grasped Euphil’s hand. The sweet and bitter satisfaction of having just insulted my father, the king, still lingered, but more importantly, Euphil held the strings to my life. Right now, Euphil’s words were the most important ones for me to listen to in this palace. Even if his words weren’t law, following them greatly increased my chances of survival. If Euphil later said, “You didn’t respect my words, did you?” and took my head for it, what good would Allenan’s hand be?

Allenan, looking wronged, shouted at Euphil.

“It’s just holding hands! What’s the harm?”

“I’m your elder. Use formal language.”

“I’m the heir of a neighbouring country!”

“And I’m Myrthi’s older brother. Use formal language.”

“...Fine! Then why do *you* get to hold Myrthi’s hand?”

‘He’s using formal language now.’

Oh, Euphil’s arrogance was truly impressive. He knew exactly how to handle this puppy-like boy. Still, Allenan wasn’t one to back down so easily. He glanced at me before formally addressing Euphil again. No, he was practically challenging him.

But Euphil responded confidently.

“Because I’m her brother.”

“I see. You’re her brother. I’m her fiancé.”

“...”

It was an obvious reply, but somehow, Euphil’s face darkened at that moment. I wasn’t sure why. Sensing Euphil’s sour mood, I silently gave Allenan a mental point. It was a one-on-one battle between the puppy and Euphil!

But their verbal sparring didn’t end there. Euphil lazily lifted his ruby-red eyes and looked Allenan up and down before giving a slight chuckle.

“A childhood engagement hardly counts as a real betrothal.”

It was an uppercut.

‘Oh wow. Especially given the timing, with Allenan staying at the palace because he’s worried about the engagement.’

It was like delivering a jab directly to the head. Allenan’s face stiffened. He frowned, then glanced at me, before forcing a laugh and letting his anger out with a smile.

“A connection built since childhood is a real connection.”

“And a connection that’s cut is no connection at all.”

“Some connections can’t be broken.”

“And those are called family.”

Euphil threw out his words carelessly, then looked at me intently. I felt like there was some hesitation in his eyes, which made me tilt my head curiously.

‘Connections aren’t the only thing that can be cut—heads can be, too.’

Was he thinking that while looking at me? I was just about to shiver at the thought when Allenan strode over and took my other hand.

Suddenly, I found myself standing between two boys, each holding one of my hands, so I alternated looking between them.

“Why are you holding my hand? Are you going to swing me around?”

“Swinging” referred to when someone held both my hands and lifted me off the ground. The sharp glares they’d been exchanging softened for a moment at my innocent comment.

They both looked at me with such fond expressions. Euphil’s expression soon faded, but still, for a brief moment, it was the face he only showed me when we were alone.

‘Hmph.’

Feeling a bit regretful, I nibbled on my finger, and both Euphil and Allenan spoke at the same time.

“What swing? Get rid of that guy’s hand.”

“Myrthi, want me to swing you? I’ll do it if you hold my hand.”

What was I supposed to do now? With these two boys rattling on, completely ignoring me, I shouted out.

“Dessert!”

They were talking over each other so much that the only way to survive was to declare my intentions loudly and clearly. Dessert. Myrthi only walks the path of dessert.

If they wanted to negotiate with me, they’d need to come with dessert, not just empty promises. Euphil frowned slightly.

“You’re going to drown in sugar one of these days, aren’t you?”

That was what he said, while Allenan, having already given me dessert earlier, sighed in regret.

“I should have brought more…”

Yeah, you should’ve brought more if you wanted to win me over! With that thought, I confidently put my hands on my hips, still holding both of their hands. If it came down to it, I could just let go of both their hands and follow the maid who would bring me dessert.