I Tried To Be Her Loyal Sword

---

Chapter 220

“Lewellin……”

I muttered carelessly, swallowing what was in my mouth without even chewing. Both Cal and Aria turned their heads towards the window, where my gaze was fixed.

“Lewellin Deckardo?”

Aria’s expression instantly became frigid. It was the glare of a tiger spotting a lion entering its territory.

Whether it was because I couldn’t see Aria’s expression or because I wasn’t scared of it, Lewellin had come to a sudden stop and was gazing at me from the moment our eyes met.

It had been a while since we had both been too busy to pay attention to one another. Our positions had shifted during that time.

Lewellin was a marquise. I was the commander of Atara’s reinforcements. Both of us were still in a preliminary state, but it was clear that matters had already been decided.

We could no longer be at ease with each other as young ladies.

I slowly rolled my eyes to take in Lewellin’s figure. She looked paler than when we last met, perhaps because she had been busy. Did I worry about her nutritional status? Lewellin formed words with her lips.

‘I’ll go there.’

Lewellin didn’t hesitate. She drew a bold line, her thin red lips pressing together.

I blinked and let out a low laugh.

Even though our standing had changed, her smile remained the same. I worried whether she might feel uncomfortable around me, but it seemed that concern was unwarranted.

“What? You’re coming? Don’t come!”

Aria, switching her gaze back and forth between Lewellin and me, grimaced. I rolled my eyes and scanned the room for Aria’s reaction.

“Is Lewellin…… very uncomfortable?”

“Ha!”

Aria’s mouth twisted, forming a mischievous grin.

“It’s natural for her to be on guard, not emotionally uncomfortable. Lewellin Deckardo is my rival, both in business and social circles.”

Thinking about it, Lewellin and Aria’s business ventures had overlapped as if it were planned, even though neither intended it.

Whenever Aria got involved in the silk trade, Lewellin soon followed, and when Lewellin branched into the fresh flower supply, Aria would jump in as well.

‘Both of them have a keen eye for market trends…… They probably just discover good business items around the same time.’

Not to mention the social circles.

The young social scene of the Empire was shared around equally among Diego, Lewellin, and Aria. Diego, being the crown prince, had a more friendly vibe, while the factions of Lewellin and Aria were often at odds due to their strong cohesion.

Previously, Aria disliked Lewellin because of me, and I had tried to persuade her to befriend Lewellin, but now that was impossible.

What we faced now wasn’t a childish rivalry but a serious power struggle.

‘If there are royal and noble factions in politics, I’ve heard that in the social circle, there are the Aria Crisis faction and the Lewellin Deckardo faction.’

Even I, who was usually oblivious to gossip, was aware of this saying circulating in the social circles recently.

The two were undeniably rivals.

“I said don’t come, didn’t I? I don’t want to have a power struggle even from here.”

Aria, having entirely turned her back to the window, pressed her brows tightly. I took a breath and glanced at the door.

“Uh, um, sorry.”

Clink.

“It seems it’s already too late.”

The door of the tea house opened, and the wind it stirred caused red hair to swirl magnificently, almost like flames swirling around.

As soon as she entered, Lewellin’s gaze locked onto me and she beamed brightly.

“I’ve missed you.”

Her exotic voice had an autumn breeze’s coolness, yet it brimmed with affection towards me.

Bang!

Without realizing it, I started grinning foolishly, waving my hand, when Aria slammed her fork onto the table, creating quite a sound that drew my attention towards her. It seemed like Lewellin noticed Aria for the first time and blinked. Her turquoise eyes sparkled with curiosity, coldness, and pride.

“I’ve missed you too, Deckardo Young Lady.”

Aria, with her back to the exit, turned to face Lewellin. Their gazes clashed. Aria’s eyes narrowed playfully.

“You’re making me blush by being so happy to see me.”

Lewellin squinted her eyes briefly, then tilted her head with nonchalance.

“Of course, I’m glad to see you, Young Lady of Crisis. It’s been a while since the charity auction. I must say, it’s unfortunate that I won the rare book from the Ambrosio Kingdom that you intended to take home.”

Aria’s straight eyebrows twitched. It seemed that her recent negativity stemmed from that auction. Aria’s smile deepened.

“It’s only natural that the one who offers a higher price takes it. You needn’t worry. I just didn’t find the value to pay the same amount that Deckardo Young Lady offered.”

This time, Lewellin’s brows twitched. The tension between the two was suffocating to watch.

“Let’s leave the past behind for now.”

Not long after, Lewellin regained her composure and stepped up to my seat. She lightly placed her chin on the table, gazing at me with a soft gaze.

“It’s fate that we are meeting like this, so may I join you?”

“Oh my. I’m afraid not.”

Aria’s reply came quicker than mine. She was gritting her teeth and forcing a smile.

“As you can see, the seats are fully occupied.”

Aria reached over and intertwined her hand with mine, which was placed on the table. I blinked in surprise, caught off-guard holding hands with Aria.

Lewellin’s eyes brightened as she stared at our hands.

“You can bring over a chair. Besides, this is the crisis young lady’s tea house, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“It isn’t a problem. But still, I wonder, is there really a need to squeeze into a small space?”

The fierce clash between the green and wall-colored eyes felt like sparks were about to fly between them.

Lewellin spun around to me.

“Is that so, Shushu?”

Her playful gaze dropped slightly, and the charming tear mark in her eyes tilted. Aria was sending her a look that screamed to reject immediately.

I broke out into a cold sweat and avoided her gaze.

“I’m…… okay with anything.”

I had no confidence in handling the aftermath, regardless of whose side I chose here. In response to my cowardly neutral statement, both women shot me uninterested glances before simultaneously turning their eyes to Cal.

Cal quietly tilted his tea cup to sip the brew. On the surface, he seemed unfazed, but his eyes spoke a different message: please don’t include me.

“I also wish to have tea time with Deckardo Young Lady, but isn’t it true that your elder brother and I aren’t really acquainted? I’m afraid he might feel uncomfortable.”

Aria had no hesitation in using Cal as a shield. Cal, caught mid-sip, abruptly closed his eyes tightly.

While it was a plausible reason to decline, remarkably, Lewellin smiled as if she somehow sensed victory.

“Lord Cal. I know you, right?”

“Cough.”

The way Lewellin spoke wasn’t how one would address a newcomer. Cal, for verification, suddenly started coughing from having choked on his tea.

‘Aren’t they acquainted?’

I was shocked, darting my eyes between Cal and Lewellin. I was hearing for the first time that they had some familiarity.

“I received the rifle that Kashmir offered the other day directly from him. After that, I learned how to shoot from Lord Cal.”

“Ah.”

Now that I think about it, I remember being puzzled about Cal ordering a custom rifle meant for Lewellin and delivering it directly to her. I simply brushed it off under the speculation that perhaps they had met by chance, but it seemed they had met several times afterward.

“By the way, I had wanted to treat you to a cup of tea as a thank you for making the rifle.”

Her red eyes flickered with a hint of mischief. I hadn’t seen Cal looking so flustered in quite a while.

Lewellin grinned delightfully.

“Can I treat you to a cup of tea this time?”

Cal glanced over at Aria. He was undeniably gauging the situation. As he absentmindedly stared at the teacup filled with tea, he finally sighed and pushed his bangs back.

“I’m fine with sharing a seat.”

The wind was shifting in Lewellin’s favor. Aria’s lips trembled slightly, forced into a smile.

“……Please let me buy the tea. Since it’s my shop, you shouldn’t be paying for it.”

With that, Lewellin took the seat next to me.

“Haha. It’s nice to see Deckardo Young Lady’s face often. We are amidst a ‘family’ gathering now.”

“Are we to consider that we share a familial bond? You flatter me too much, Young Lady of Crisis.”

I fiddled with my cup of tea filled with an abundance of fruit jam, still surprised I could manage a hot drink amidst this tense atmosphere.

The two women smiling in front of me created a chilly ambiance that could almost freeze the blood of Northern folk.

“From the looks of it, you seem pretty relaxed for someone who claims to be shy. Are you not busy? Is it okay to hang around here for a bit longer?”

Aria chuckled, sinking back deeper into her chair. Her blue eyes were sparkling like spring skies.

“What are you saying? How could I leave abruptly after you, Young Lady of Crisis, bought me tea? Are you trying to turn me into an ill-mannered person?”

Lewellin, replying softly with a smile, poured her hibiscus tea into her cup with a flourish.

The color of the tea was as red as Lewellin’s hair tied neatly into a ponytail.

“……Shushu, may I take a quick trip to the restroom?”

Cal, glancing between the two of them, suddenly cleared his throat and poked me. His eyes reflected a strong desire to escape this situation.

“Not allowed.”

‘Where do you think you’re running off to.’

I whispered ominously, gripping his thigh tightly. Cal let out a low groan, shooting me a resentful look.

“What’s wrong?”

Thud.

Aria set down the teacup she was holding. Her gentle eyes squinted.

“Are you two uncomfortable here? Is it because of me?”

I hadn’t realized until that moment that chills could creep through my toes.

Just as I was shaking my head in denial, Lewellin lightly tapped the table with her delicate fingers.

“Could it be my fault? Did I intrude without realizing?”

Her vibrant green eyes swept gently over me and Cal. It felt as if a cold blade had grazed my skin.

At that moment, Cal and I exchanged quick glances. Both of us wore expressions that conveyed a sense of realization.

We spoke simultaneously.

“Of course, not. I’m really enjoying myself.”

“I’m terribly happy right now.”

It was a pathetic excuse, one that anyone would pity.

Aria and Lewellin’s eyes narrowed. Before they could respond, I hurriedly spoke up.

“Um, I am now in charge of the Atara reinforcements. You’re aware, Lewellin?”

Lewellin’s gaze shifted instantly to seriousness. She sighed lightly.

“Yes. It troubled me considerably.”

Lewellin’s expression became complicated. While fiddling with the handle of her teacup, she numbly lifted the corners of her mouth.

“This winter, I intend to receive the marquis title, but I suppose Kashmir won’t be around then.”

I had known about the upcoming marquis title but hadn’t realized it would happen so soon.

Considering Lewellin’s prediction, it seemed highly likely that she would be in Atara all winter, making me unable to formulate a response.

She continued, her expression growing serious as though she was about to reveal something important.

“When you operate a large trading company sprawling across the continent, you receive news faster than anyone else. Even the most confidential information. Information travels with money, you see. I’ve happened to overhear some details from my father.”

Lowering her voice, Lewellin turned to Cal and Aria.

“I’m telling you this for Shushu’s safety. You’ll maintain confidentiality, won’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Discretion in business is essential.”

The moment concern for my safety was mentioned, both of them straightened up, nodding in agreement. Lewellin met my gaze.

In her clear green eyes, concern, reason, and speculation intertwined, all mixed together.

“There’s a spy from the North infiltrating the Atara Royal Palace. You shouldn’t trust anyone in there casually.”

The information she whispered to me was both alarming and incredibly useful.