I'm Stuck on a Remote Island With the Male Leads - Chapter 187

Arthdal is in white uniform, while Enoch is in black, which makes the two contrast even more. Enoch’s stately physique and warlike demeanor set him apart from Arthdal, who looks pompous, dignified, and elegant.

They are opposites in personality, indeed.

“The Duchess told me you might be here.”

Enoch’s gaze twisted ferociously when he turned to Arthdal. “I see you have an unwelcome guest.”

Arthdal shrugged scornfully. “I think you’re the unwelcome guest. Can’t you see we’re having a good time?”

I’m pretty sure Arthdal was the only one having a good time, but if I say that in here, he’ll probably bother me again, so I’ll keep quiet.

“Miss!”

It’s not Vanessa this time, but another maid. It was Mia, Rosemary’s maid. She seemed to be in a hurry because Vanessa was away.

“The Magic Tower Lord is here to see you!”

No sooner had Mia spoken than a magic circle of intricate formulas was drawn on the ground. A bright pillar of light rose from it, blinding us.

A moment later, when the light faded, Kayden stood on top of the magic circle, clad in dazzling wizard robes.

Perhaps they had come for the purpose of attending the party, but all three men were clad in such opulent attire that it was hard to tell where to put my eyes.

“Hell? The Duchess told me Margaret might be here, but who are these creeps?”

“Lord, are you referring to us?”

“I guess you want to die for insulting the crown princes.”

Arthdal and Enoch took a turn at Kayden’s profanity.

For the first time, I began to resent my mother, wondering why she had led these men here all at once.

“Why is everyone here so early?”

I’m the hostess of the upcoming party, and I have a lot to organize!

My head hurts.

***

Wizards are high-level talents and there are not many of them. They are very busy with their many contributions to society, so it’s not easy to see them in everyday life.

I heard that this was not the case a thousand years ago, but as the years went by, the number of wizards gradually decreased.

So even the mighty Duke of Floné could not afford to have a wizard in his family.

So I was actually grateful that Kayden had come early. I think I need to talk to Kayden alone about Jenas.

But I can’t seem to get a word in with Enoch or Arthdal. It’s because of a vicious rumor circulating in the castle.

Apparently, the occupants have taken on the bizarre name of “Margaret’s Men” and started a bet among themselves……

“Margaret’s Men? What’s that weird name? Who came up with it? And what’s the bet?”

Rosemary, who was playing with Eunji on the carpet, looked up at my question. I’m surprised to see the elegant, formal Rosemary on the carpet.

Eunji was playing with Rosemary, wagging her tail in excitement, and then looked up at me together with her. So cute, both of them.

“I heard there was a bet on which of the three guys would be your choice, and it looked like fun, so I did it too.”

“What?”

“I like the Crown Prince of Hestia. He’s my type, personally. He just seems like a laid-back, elegant grown-up.”

“I don’t care about your taste.”

“Innis bet on Magic Tower Lord, and my mother likes Crown Prince Enoch, and my father didn’t come out of his room after hearing about it.”

I pressed my temples, aching for a moment. My father doesn’t like to hear us three sisters talk about men, so I knew he was just trying to get some attention. For some reason, I think I can smell Ruzef’s scent on him.

Still, there’s a party coming up soon, and he’ll come out on his own.

“Lady Margaret. The Lord has asked me to tell you that he will soon put up a barrier around the castle.”

Vanessa arrived just in time to deliver the good news. Good. I’ll have to talk to Kayden about Jenas while I’m at it.

I picked up Eunji and went with Rosemary to the garden, where my mother, Innis, Enoch, and Arthdal were also gathered.

Rosemary was so happy to see Arthdal that she ran up to him and started talking to him. She was quite annoying, but Arthdal was surprisingly kind and affectionate, answering each of her questions.

Kayden was directing the wizards he’d brought with him, drawing magic formulas on the ground, and Innis was beside him, her face burning with curiosity, seemingly engaged in an equally intense barrage of questions.

My mother was at Enoch’s side, maintaining her dignity.

“How do you set up the barrier?” I asked as I approached Kayden and looked at the magic formula.

Kayden looked at the formula with a serious face, then glanced at me. “I’m going to cast a protection barrier and a disarming spell at the same time.”

“A disarming spell?”

“The protection barrier might not be enough, so I’m casting a double barrier so you can’t use magic in here. Don’t worry, I’ll dispel it once the party is over,” Kayden said as he patted my head.

At the same time, there was a sudden silence. What was that?

I turned around and saw the people who were staring at me turn their heads one by one. As if they saw something they shouldn’t have.

Only Enoch and Arthdal stared at us, then approached. Enoch wordlessly stepped between me and Kayden, and Arthdal stroked my hair as if he were looking at something interesting.

I looked up at him with a look of intense disgust, but Arthdal just grinned. “For some reason, the mood is such that I feel compelled to do the same. The situation is very amusing. I’m glad I came early after all.”

Of course, he was quickly grabbed by Enoch and waved away.

Anyway, I figured I would have time to talk to Kayden after he completed the barrier.

In the meantime, I, the star of the party, had to leave because I had a horribly busy schedule waiting for me.

I can’t wait to talk to Enoch and Kayden about the conversation I had with Jenas……

***

It’s finally the day before the long-awaited birthday party, guests begin to arrive at the castle. The guest rooms, which had been organized for guests from far away, were almost full.

Enoch, Kayden, and Arthdal had come to the castle earlier, but I hadn’t had time to speak with them personally.

Luckily, however, as the day before the party approached, I had a little more time in my schedule. I was lying in my room, exhausted after practicing dancing all day, when Kayden found me.

Still, with so many eyes to see and ears to hear, it’s hard to talk in my room. I eventually made my way to the salon with Kayden.

Sprawled out on the couch on shaky legs, I sighed.

“Are you tired?”

Kayden walked over to me and put his hand on my forehead.

“I think you’re overdoing it.”

“I have to get used to it. This is my life now.”

Kayden sat down next to me and stared down at me on the couch.

He reached over and gently stroked my hair, tidying it up. His touch on my ear tickled.

“Margaret.”

“Uh, huh?” I stuttered, feeling a little awkward. I heard Kayden’s low chuckle and finally sat up, my face blushing.

“I’m sorry.”

But the abruptness of the apology that followed snapped me out of it. I stared at him, blinking in surprise.

“I can’t say I like you anymore.”

“……huh?”

“Jenas keeps coming to you,” Kayden replied, his eyes sinking deep and still, a shadow falling across his face.

He looked drenched in a loneliness I couldn’t easily relate to.

“The fact that he comes to you at night is what I would normally do. Jenas is restricted so that he can only act accordingly.”

“That’s a bit of a leap, isn’t it? The restrictions are so vague to begin with.”

“No, I know it’s because of me.”

“It’s not because of you.”

Even after I made my point so firmly, Kayden didn’t look convinced. He just looked at me and smiled wistfully. I thought there was no such thing as a wistful smile, but that’s exactly what Kayden’s face said.

“I’m fine, really,” I said, “and if Jenas comes to visit, it’s not like he’s a threat.”

Kayden’s face contorted in pain. He rubbed his face with one hand and sighed heavily.

“I’m not fine, and Margaret, don’t listen to any of his bullshit,” Kayden said, warningly. “He’s an asshole who’s been running that damn experiment for a thousand years. You know that, right? He’s out of his mind.”

“……do you think I trust Jenas?”

I don’t believe him, I doubt him. Jenas wasn’t one to make up stories; it’s more accurate to say that I inferred what I wanted to know from his bullshit.

I handed him the journal I’d brought with me. “Have you read this?” I asked.

“Uh? No.”

“Read it. There’s a few lines about Alea Island, and Jenas had some notes in there about a living being beyond this dimension……”

“A living being beyond this dimension? Is he talking about you?”

“You think so too? I think the living being he was looking for was me, and that’s why Jenas is so obsessed with me, though I don’t know exactly what he was trying to do.”

Kayden’s expression grew more serious at my words, leaving me speechless. I watched his expression carefully, wondering if Jenas was saying something in his head, but it didn’t seem to be.

“I’ll look into that.”

The good news was that Kayden had him under control. I was a little relieved by his answer.

“I’m sure the Duke of Bilterheim, who used to be a member of the faction, would know about the magic stones. I believe you mentioned him attending this party, right?”

I nodded at Kayden’s question. “He’s traveling down from the capital, so he’ll probably come straight to the ballroom tomorrow.”

Kayden nodded in understanding and stood up.

Not like him at all. Is he going to just leave on a whim?

“Why?”

Kayden looked at me as if to ask what was wrong.

He was really trying to distance himself from me because of Jenas.

Kayden opened the door to the salon to leave, but the sight of his blank face froze me in my tracks.

“Margaret?”

“You go first. I’ll stay here a bit longer.”

I smiled awkwardly at him. Kayden stared at me for a moment, then said, “Okay,” and left, closing the door behind him.

Having never really made friends, there’s no way I could possibly know or be able to handle these unexplained, heavy feelings.

I stood there, alone in the large salon, dumbfounded. Not knowing what to do with these complicated, confusing feelings.