How to Run Away from Obsessed Men

Episode 73

A grand banquet was held in the Rohan Empire’s royal palace to honor the delegation from the Asen Empire.

“Lady Kalia really is something else,” Felia remarked, clicking her tongue in admiration. The gown Lindsey was wearing was evidence of Kalia’s extravagant support.

“It must have cost more than a month’s budget for an average noble family.”

Lindsey glanced down at her dress, inspecting its fine details.

“Yes, it seems my mother put a lot of thought into this.”

Kalia had been paying special attention to Lindsey’s stay at the Kesion Marquisate.

It also served as a warning to Crain—not to mess with someone she cherished.

Not that it was necessary; Crain had enough on his plate and hardly had the energy to bother with Lindsey.

Lindsey cast a cold gaze over the nobles of the Rohan Empire.

Felia leaned in closer to whisper in her ear.

“They say that the power struggle between Princess Rebecca and Prince Flute is getting more intense.”

“That must be keeping Lady Bianca very busy.”

“It’s not just Lady Bianca—Crain Kesion has his hands full, too.”

Crain had allied himself with Prince Flute. Lately, he hardly spent any time at the Kesion estate.

“Well, we’ll see soon enough when he shows up at the banquet. I think it’s going to be quite an interesting event.”

Lindsey nodded in agreement. At that moment, Felia turned to her with a teasing smile.

“Do you feel all those eyes on you?”

Lindsey looked around, noticing the gazes from the Rohan nobles fixed on her.

The expressions were completely different from those she had faced as Lindsey Kesion.

They watched her with curiosity and interest.

It was the intrigue directed toward Roana, the cleric backed by the Riken Duchy.

Lindsey found their interest amusing.

‘They all used to look down on me when I was Lindsey Kesion.’

Nothing about them had truly changed. Now, they wanted to approach her.

Just then—

“Roana!”

A familiar voice called out, and Lindsey turned.

Heis was looking at her with a gentle smile. He was somewhat suspicious of her, yet he couldn’t bear to see others treat Lindsey poorly.

Back at the Riken Duchy, Heis had often reprimanded any servants who were disrespectful to her.

Some who acted rudely were even dismissed on Heis’s orders.

Now, he surveyed the Rohan nobles approaching Lindsey with a protective wariness.

He leaned in close to whisper in her ear.

“Is everything all right there?”

He asked with a smile, and Lindsey nodded.

“If anyone dares to disrespect you, let me know. I won’t stand for it.”

“I’m doing fine,” she replied.

Heis’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the gathered nobles, his discomfort evident.

He could barely suppress the rage he felt, knowing this place was filled with those who had tormented her in the past.

“There are a lot of big players here. Even for a banquet welcoming a delegation, this is a bit overwhelming.”

“You’re right. There are more prominent figures here than I expected.”

Lindsey turned her gaze to one side of the banquet hall, knowing Heis wouldn’t realize that most of these “big players” were people she already knew.

‘Of course, he’s here.’

Naturally, Kenyan Radian was among them. His eyes never left her.

Azhet stood beside him, whispering something in his ear.

Lindsey couldn’t help but smirk as she noticed Azhet’s exhausted expression.

‘Serves him right.’

But her amusement faded as she noticed Kenyan making his way toward her. She narrowed her eyes and turned away.

Only to catch sight of someone else approaching.

Raysis.

‘Why is he coming over too?!’

It wasn’t just Kenyan and Raysis.

As Lindsey’s gaze shifted, she spotted Prince Flute at the far end of the hall, his eyes glimmering with interest as he watched her.

‘Why is that fool of a prince coming toward me?’

Flute reached her first, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“A lady I haven’t seen before.”

His voice was oily, and Lindsey had to suppress the urge to turn on her heel and flee the banquet hall.

‘Is this all because of my divine power?’

Though Lindsey’s disguise was meant to make her look unremarkable, transcendent beings were naturally drawn to potent divine power.

Prince Flute had been lured to her by the pull of her power.

Heis stepped in front of Flute, blocking his path.

“Sir Heis Riken, isn’t it?”

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

“Is this how things are done in the Asen Empire? Why stand in my way?”

“Roana, the cleric, is someone sponsored by our family. She is especially cherished by my mother.”

“It’s always a pleasure to meet an exceptional cleric, wouldn’t you say? I’d like to get to know this lovely young lady before me.”

Flute’s words made Heis’s expression harden.

“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”

“Why is that?”

Flute’s irritation was clear as he responded to Heis’s refusal.

Lindsey felt a wave of discomfort at the snake-like gaze that Flute turned toward her, a gaze she had encountered before.

Heis’s demeanor grew more imposing, his aura intensifying. Lindsey realized she needed to intervene.

A conflict with Flute would not be good for the Riken Duchy.

She did not want her family to suffer because of her.

“It looks like you’re having quite the conversation,” she interjected lightly.

That might have been true—if Kenyan hadn’t made his appearance.

Kenyan was glaring coldly at Prince Flute.

Flute looked taken aback by his sudden arrival.

“What brings you here, Sir Kenyan? I didn’t think you enjoyed banquets.”

“……”

“And I hear there’s quite a commotion over your broken engagement lately. Surprised you had the time to attend.”

“I don’t believe that’s any of Your Highness’s concern.”

Kenyan’s blunt reply caused Flute’s face to flush with anger.

He glared at Kenyan, then found himself instinctively stepping back.

He couldn’t help but remember the time when Kenyan had charged at him because of Lindsey Kesion.

And recently, he’d heard that Kenyan had become increasingly unhinged, even going so far as to break off his engagement.

As his gaze met Kenyan’s, Flute froze, startled. Kenyan’s eyes held the same intensity they had back then, when he had rushed at Flute.

Lindsey stared at Kenyan standing before her. She had invited him to the balcony under the pretense of expressing her gratitude.

As they walked, she could feel Kenyan’s intense gaze on her, following her every step.

It was as if he refused to let her out of his sight for even a moment.

Lindsey quickly realized that Kenyan had seen through her disguise.

‘Is this artifact even working properly? How did he recognize me?’

Despite her altered appearance, it hadn’t worked on either Kenyan or Mikhail. But unlike when Mikhail recognized her, Lindsey felt no particular emotions this time.

If anything, she found it unsettling that Kenyan had managed to identify her.

‘And I don’t want to make it easy for him.’

She put on a bright smile, letting the corners of her eyes crinkle in a cheerful expression. She saw cracks form on Kenyan’s otherwise stoic face.

A whirlwind of emotions crossed his features.

“Thank you for your help,” she said, her voice sweet.

“…”

“I would have been in trouble without you, Sir.”

Kenyan’s face twisted. Lindsey’s words were nothing but mockery.

She wondered what his reaction would be. Would he lash out in anger? Or would he beg, like he had back then?

“I…”

Kenyan couldn’t finish his sentence. His eyes, red with frustration, locked onto hers as he grabbed her wrist.

He held it tightly, almost desperately, his gaze fixed on her as if willing time to stop.

Lindsey felt a twinge of awkwardness and let out a small sigh.

A long silence stretched between them.

In the end, it was Lindsey who spoke first, her tone brusque.

“I never asked for your help, did I?”

At her words, Kenyan seemed to snap out of his daze, muttering with a hollow expression.

“There you are… finally being yourself.”

“What, did you expect me to thank you?” she retorted, a wry smile playing on her lips.