Before I could say anything, Alan gently tilted his chin toward a direction.

"Look... he is there."

There, a man stood in a king's attire — tall, composed, golden hair catching the sunlight, and striking blue eyes colder than ice. He looked exactly like a king should look. His hands were clasped behind his back, posture straight, expression unreadable. He stood there as if he had been waiting for us.

I gulped, my entire body frozen.

Was that Alexander? The real male lead? My actual fiancé?

Then... who was Alan?

The man I had been assuming was my fiancé all this time?

I was so stunned I couldn't speak to Alan. When the carriage stopped, he stepped down first and extended his hand for me — but I couldn't bring myself to take it. Instead, I stepped down on my own. His hand hung in the air for a moment before he slowly lowered it. We walked forward, side by side but worlds apart, until we stood in front of the king.

I looked into Alexander's eyes. Still emotionless. I lowered my head, and the moment I did, I saw his boots move closer.

I lifted my gaze only to find him right in front of me — far too close. I stepped back, startled, but he caught me firmly by the waist.

"I suppose you had a pleasant time today, my lady?" His warm breath brushed across my skin.

"Yes... your majesty," I answered, hesitating.

"Oh? Why so formal? You're my fiancée — you may call me Alex."

He released me, and I stood still, tongue-tied, drowning in shock.

If Alex is my real fiancé... then who is Alan?

"Sir Alan," Alex continued, turning toward him, "a well-trained knight, I see? You did well accompanying her today. I'm relieved you upheld your duty while I was absent."

His words pierced through my chest.

He's... my knight?

Everything we shared — all those moments — were simply my foolish misunderstandings?

Tears threatened to spill, but I inhaled deeply, forcing them back where they belonged.

"Someone, take my lovely lady to her room," he ordered. Then he placed a hand on Alan's shoulder.

"And Sir Alan... come. I have matters to discuss with you."

Maids gathered behind me. I was grateful I'd hidden my wound by covering it with shawl— if Alex saw it, things would be worse. The maids guided me away while Alex and Alan walked in the opposite direction.

As I walked, their whispers chased after me.

"Sir Alan and the lady... always together..."

"She must be devastated..."

"What will his majesty think...?"

I kept silent. My heart felt heavy.

How foolish I was. I mistook Alan for Alex... and now I have feelings for a man who isn't even mine.

I clenched my jaw and fists as I walked.

✨Alan's POV — Same Night:

I followed the king to his office. The room was dark, silent, until he ordered the maids to light the lanterns. A maid placed a bottle of wine on his table before leaving. Alex poured the wine and sat, slowly twirling in his chair.

"So, Sir Alan... how do you find the palace? Are the people treating you well? You seem to be doing good work here."

"Yes, your majesty. Everyone here is very kind."

He stopped twirling.

"Today, I saw you and the lady go out — without my consent."

"We went to buy dresses for the upcoming ball, your majesty. And... I don't think a woman needs a man's permission to buy clothes."

I knew it was slightly bold, but I said it anyway.

"Hm. You are correct, Sir Alan. Women do not need permission to buy clothes."

He took a sip of his wine.

"But... the day I left the palace, I saw you holding my fiancée. Lifting her. I assume that was my misunderstanding?"

I stiffened.

He wanted to trap me — I knew he did.

"No, no, your majesty. It's a misunderstanding. The lady had climbed a tree because she was upset that you were leaving. I only helped her down. She could have fallen."

"Oh?" He leaned back. "My fiancée loves me so much she couldn't bear to see me leave? How sweet. I was... rather hurt seeing you hold her like that. So I turned away."

He took another sip.

"Thank you, Sir Alan, for protecting her all this time."

He placed the glass down and slowly approached me.

"It is my duty, your majesty. I will not let anything happen to her... as long as I live."

But I hesitated. I had failed today.

"But today... your majesty, I—"

"I know she was injured."

My eyes widened.

The lady had hidden her wound with her shawl, yet he knew?

"Well, that is negligence, Sir Alan," he said calmly, almost conversationally. Yet the words felt like a blade.

I knelt.

"Please punish me. I must not repeat this mistake."

He smiled — an unreadable one.

"That is more like it. But I'm tired today. Tomorrow morning, you shall receive your punishment. Tell me... how many lashes can you endure?"

"As many as you deem necessary, your majesty."

"How about... fifty?"

My head lifted instinctively.

Fifty could injure a man so badly.

But this was my failure.

And my duty.

"I am willing."

"Good. Be ready."

He poured another glass of wine as I stood and left.

The Next Morning — 

✨Bella's POV:

The maids opened my curtains, sunlight attacking my face.

"Please... let me sleep a little more," I groaned.

They didn't listen.

"His majesty wants you ready as early as possible, my lady."

"Huh? Just look at them — they became demons the moment Alex returned!"

I got ready in a beautiful but enormous gown — sparkly, heavy, suffocating.

"How do fantasy-drama ladies wear such gowns?!" I muttered.

Then I heard it.

A sharp, terrifying whipping sound.

"What's happening?" I asked a maid.

"Sir Alan is being flogged for not protecting you last night."

"What?!"

I rushed to the window. My heart dropped.

Alan.

Alan was kneeling in the garden.

Being whipped.

Again.

Again.

Again.

"Why?!"

"Because of the wound on your arm, my lady. His majesty ordered fifty lashes."

"Fifty?! What?! He'll die!"

I didn't think — I just ran. Down the hall, past guards, down the stairs, through the corridors, until I burst into the garden.

"STOP!" I screamed, throwing myself beside Alan.

"If you continue, he will die!"

Alan's breath trembled.

"My... my lady... it is my punishment. Please... don't interfere..."

Hearing his pained voice broke something inside me.

"My lady."

I heard the voice behind me — calm, cold, authoritative.

"Don't you think you should be with me?"

Alex.

I ran to him and fell to my knees.

"Please, Alex! Please stop them! If they continue, he'll die!"

Tears streamed uncontrollably as I bent in front of him. Alex bent too and caught my arms.

"Really? What do you like about him that makes you cry like this?"

I couldn't answer. My tears did instead.

"Fine. Stop flogging him."

Relief washed through me. He lifted me up.

"There was a time when you cried like this... but the reason was me, not him," he whispered and pulled me away.

"Thank you... for making them stop," I whispered.

He suddenly halted.

"I told them to stop. I never told them to treat his wounds."

"What?! Why? He... he failed to protect me, yes... but he treated my wound!"

I showed him my bandaged arm.

"Please... let someone treat him. He will die. And he is one of my people — I can't let him die."

"Fine. I'll agree. But on one condition."

"What do you want from me?" I asked desperately.

"You must ignore him. I do not want to see you anywhere near him again. Is that acceptable?"

I hesitated.

Then nodded slowly.

"Fine. I'll accept."

My target was Alex. Not Alan.

I needed to control my heart.

"Good," he smiled. "I'll inform the doctors. Now... let's have breakfast."

I forced a small smile and followed.

But I barely ate — my heart was still at the garden.

Later, we walked together in silence until we entered the dance room.

"Greetings, your majesty, my lady!" Irene bowed.

"Hello, Miss Irene. I hope this practice will finish soon?"

"Of course! The lady practiced with Sir Alan, so I'm sure she won't have many mistakes."

"Sir Alan. Again?"