It seemed the Ster Family had considered making a move.
Hill could not help laughing. "Don't you know him?"
Ellie jerked her head up, then quickly lowered it again. "Using the Scarlet people isn't considered a crime in Damboro."
"Don't provoke him again," Hill warned quietly. "If you try anything after I've told you this, I won't interfere even if someone kills you right in front of me."
Ellie shuddered. She knew exactly what it meant for a Grand Sage to say something like that.
She had nearly led her family to its doom!
Ellie could no longer condemn her younger brother for recklessness.
Linde had only been jealous. He had hoped the constant harassment would wear Grand Sage Belfran down until he gave up even on her, his temporary student. Her own selfishness, though, could truly have gotten her entire family killed.
She knew perfectly well how vast the difference was between a prince and a prince protected by a Grand Sage.
Ellie silently gripped her skirts and tried to recall every interaction she had had with the Scarlet prince. Then she let out a long breath.
Fortunately, Mr. Belfran's arrival had interrupted her performance while she was still only trying to charm him.
That was perfectly normal in noble society. Every woman took pride in making even men from rival factions fall at her feet.
As long as nothing had actually come of it and they had never met alone, no one could reproach her for it.
Ellie looked at Mr. Belfran with profound gratitude. "Mr. Belfran, if it weren't for you, I would have made a terrible mistake!
"Far worse than Linde's.
"Linde... only disgraced the family."
Belfran's identity could never have remained secret. The Ster Family would have to show off the Archmage's abilities to make