RETURN OF THE FEMALE KNIGHT

95. Do You Understand?

Lalisa spotted Yerim the moment she entered the party. Yerim was wearing a more noticeable dress today, and so she stood out from the crowd.

According to the intelligence Lalisa received, Yerim would attempt to give Jungkook an aphrodisiac. It was most certain that Yerim would wait until the most opportune moment. She had the advantage of being the only daughter of Selby Marquis, as well as having the backing of Empress Ophelia, one of the two great pillars of the Ruford Empire. If Lalisa couldn't avoid the situation, she would have to deal with it as calmly as possible. And so, she bid her time until she would spring her trap.

'I gave you my last warning.'

Lalisa didn't intend to hold back this time. She had already looked away once when Yerim had spread rumors about her. Of course, she was more concerned about the damage to Jungkook's chance in becoming emperor, but Yerim was once again acting hostile towards her without a trace of repentance. It would be foolish to let this situation repeat. Lalisa was going to trample the other woman under her feet.

'To do so...'

Lalisa would release the bait to trap her. For a moment, her red eyes darkened over. Jungkook noticed her strange expression and looked at her curiously.

"What are you thinking of, my wife?"

"N-nothing. I'm married and I'm at my first public event, so I'll need to introduce myself to the other noblewomen."

"Go ahead."

Even with Jungkook's permission, however, Lalisa was reluctant to part from him. She knew the moment she left him, Helen, but also countless women, would descend upon him. When she hesitated, Jungkook took a step forward, and she instinctively grabbed his arm.

"I..."

Lalisa turned speechless by her sudden action. She hadn't intended it, and she pulled her hand away, but Jungkook turned around. He stared closely at her expression and soon gave a mischievous smile.

"Can I take this as a sign that you don't want to leave my side?"

Lalisa blushed at his joke. Even Jungkook seemed a little surprised at her reaction. She replied with a casual look, ignoring the heat on her face.

"No, I was just...there was something on your clothes."

Lalisa brushed Jungkook's spotless sleeve, and then moved away. She could not bear to look behind her, even though she could feel his gaze fixed on her back.

'...I can't say it.'

She didn't want to leave him alone with another woman for one moment...

*

*

Jungkook was beginning to get annoyed. Everywhere in the party, multiple women constantly dogged his footsteps. He was interrupted by an older woman stepping in his way and introducing her daughter. The nobles never approached him much before, but now they came upon him like hounds. He was feeling uncomfortable in this party, and yet ...

When he sensed someone's gaze on them and turned around, he found that Lalisa was looking at them. Her red eyes were sharply raised as if she were unhappy...

Or as if she were jealous.

'No way.'

This was too much wishful thinking.

However, the scenario repeated itself several times, and Jungkook couldn't ignore Lalisa's unusual behavior.

'Don't tell me...'

He couldn't help but feel hopeful. His thoughts were filled with Lalisa, when a woman approached him and spilled the wine she was holding. The action was so obviously deliberate that his brow furrowed.