Evangeline unconsciously clenched her teeth.

’What should I do? How should I convince her?’

If she was reading Lilias right, the girl intended to lock her up in this room at the start of every loop to ensure that Evangeline couldn’t interfere.

Evangeline had to somehow convince the girl that she was not a threat but an ally. But the problem was that Lilias’s reasoning for locking her up was not suspicion. It was simply a calculation.

She didn’t think that Evangeline had any bad intentions, but she wasn’t willing to take any chances. It felt like a mindset similar to Adrian’s.

’Convincing her emotionally won’t work.’

Having dealt with Adrian for so long, Evangeline had come to understand that he valued reasoning above feelings. At the same time, if one presented sound reasoning, then he would be convinced quite easily.

’Think, think, think.’

Evangeline was no negotiator and didn’t know how to win an argument. So she needed a different approach.

She tried to recall all the conversations she had with Lilias in both loops.

’Factions... continent... sailor... got it!’

Holding the cuffs in one hand, Lilias reached for Evangeline’s wrist with her other hand. But just then, Evangeline suddenly bent a knee, getting into the position one uses to greet ‌direct members of the imperial family.

Lilias tilted her head at Evangeline’s sudden actions.

"What are you trying to do?"

Evangeline took a deep breath and replied in the most formal and respectful tone she could manage.

"Your Majesty, Queen Lilias El Gracias, forgive me for the poor manner in which I have behaved up until now. I hope that my behavior did not offend you in any way."

Lilias’s expression turned strange as Evangeline continued.

"The head of the ancient noble faction, His Highness Prince Adrian Caelis Ravenshade, had set sail, intending to have a meeting with the ruler of the Gracias Kingdom. I was sent ahead to inform you of his arrival."

By now, Lilias had a deep frown on her face as she stared at Evangeline.

"Are you saying that you are a messenger?

Evangeline readily nodded as the castle shook intensely.

"You can think of me that way."

A thoughtful expression appeared on the girl’s face.

"Adrian Caelis Ravenshade... I have never heard of this name before. And he is the head of your faction, yet you addressed him as a prince?"

Evangeline’s polite smile briefly faltered, but she somehow maintained it.

"Oh, that? You see, he has explicitly ordered everyone to address him that way. He is extremely attached to that form of address."

By now, even Evangeline didn’t know what she was saying. Having read too many stories in her previous life, she was simply spitting out whatever bullshit came to her mind.

"A nanny who had raised His Highness used to address him that way. To him, she had been like a second mother. When she passed away with old age, His Highness used to cry every night. Her loss had devastated him so deeply that—"

"Okay, fine, I get it." Lilias cut her off. "You can stop now. So? Why is he coming here to meet with me?"

Evangeline paused.

"Uh, I’m afraid I don’t know... I was only sent here to inform you of his arrival, nothing more."

Lilias narrowed her eyes. Seeing that, Evangeline internally panicked and hurriedly started speaking.

"T-Though that doesn’t mean I don’t have any guesses. In fact, I have a pretty solid idea what His Highness wishes to discuss with you."

"And that is?"

Evangeline’s smile widened.

"It’s for marriage, obviously! What else could it be?! I am certain that a sailor must’ve somehow chanced upon your beauty one day. After returning to the continent, he must’ve described it to His Highness. That description of your divine beauty alone must’ve been enough to make him fall head over heels for you!"

Lilias let out a tired sigh as the sound of a loud noise rang through the castle.

"I think you might be sick in the head. I believe locking you up is the best decision after all."

Evangeline hurriedly shook her head with a grave expression on her face.

"Your Majesty, how can you say that? Oh, I see now. You must’ve never fallen in love, so you probably don’t know. But I assure you, His Highness’s love is very much real! Having the love of a man like him is every girl’s dream. My, how lucky you are, Your Majesty."

The expression Lilias now wore looked as though she were questioning all her life choices.

The castle was shaking more intensely with every passing moment, and loud noises akin to explosions rang one after another.

Her expression slowly grew more serious.

"I don’t have any more time to deal with you. You should sleep now; we will talk more in the next loop."

Saying that, Lilias tried to hit the back of Evangeline’s head, as if to knock her unconscious, but Evangeline ducked down just in time to dodge the blow.

’Not yet!’

She grabbed one of Lilias’s legs and hugged it.

"Your Majesty, knowing that you are the future wife of His Highness, I would consider myself your servant as well. And as your servant, please make use of me as you desire."

Lilias tried to free her leg.

"What are you doing? Let go of me this instant!"

Evangeline hugged it even more tightly, refusing to let go.

"Your Majesty, please don’t abandon this servant. I swear to be useful to you! I will even lick your toes should you command me to do so!"

"Why the hell would I give you such a command? Let go!"

"Your Majesty!"

"Let go, dammit!"

"Please don’t abandon this servant!"

"Ugh, what the hell!"

The back and forth continued amidst the shaking castle and loud noises.

After a while, Lilias finally gave up.

"Okay, fine, I won’t lock you up. But you must follow my every command. If you disobey me even once, then I will lock you up."

Evangeline nodded with a bright smile.

"Of course, Your Majesty. How could this lowly servant even think of disobeying the future wife of His Highness?"

Lilias seemed to want to say something but chose to remain silent.

The two of them walked out of the room and began walking through the hallway.

Evangeline asked curiously.

"Your Majesty, where are we going—?"

Her question was cut off by a shout that came from up ahead.

"I found her! She is here!"

Standing a few meters ahead was a man wearing simple clothes, holding a weapon in one hand that looked like a shortsword with a curved blade.

Seeing him, Evangeline’s memories from the previous loop surfaced. It was the same person whose corpse she had seen first while she was walking through this hallway.

The next moment, the man lunged forward with his weapon raised and his eyes burning with resolve.

"It’s time for you to reunite with your mother!"

But as he was midair, Lilias suddenly shot her hand forward and grabbed the man by his throat, keeping him lifted in the air.

Pulling her other hand back, she thrust it straight into the man’s chest and ripped out his heart.

"Gaaahhh!!!"

It was an act of violence so barbaric that it made Evangeline freeze in place.

As the light slowly faded from the man’s eyes, Lilias threw the corpse to the side as if tossing out trash.

Her gaze was burning with a seething fury and resentment.

"It’s mine. I will never give it to evil bastards like you."