LYDIA'S POV

　　After ensuring their confinement, I left the dungeons, the weight of my decisions heavy on my shoulders. As I made my way back to the main hall, I was intercepted by Oleg, his expression one of concern.

　　"Princess Lydia," Oleg greeted, bowing slightly. "Is everything all right?"

　　"Yes, Oleg," I replied, my voice steady. "Jason's family is in the dungeons, awaiting the council's judgment."

　　He nodded approvingly. "You've handled this well. The kingdom needs your strength now more than ever."

　　"Thank you for always supporting me, Oleg. Is everything all right here? I mean, did something happen while I was away?" I questioned, trying to gauge his reaction.

　　"No, not at all," he answered calmly.

　　"I mean… you are quite close with most of the nobles. I just hope they behaved well while I was away. After everything that happened, I don't think I can trust them anymore," I said, hoping to probe deeper.

　　Oleg smiled slightly, a knowing look in his eyes. "I understand your concerns, Princess. My relationships with the nobles are purely professional. Our common profession brings us together, but apart from that, I have no reason to extend any kind of personal connection with them."

　　I frowned, finding it hard to believe that someone who had worked so long in the kingdom had not formed any personal bonds. "You've been working here for a long time, Oleg. Surely, you must have some connections, some friendships?"

　　He shook his head gently. "I know what you're thinking, Princess. My role requires a certain level of detachment. It's not that I don't care for the kingdom or its people, but forming close relationships can sometimes cloud judgment."

　　I watched him closely, looking for any signs of deception, but his expression remained sincere and open. "It's just... I've been hearing things, and I wanted to be sure of where everyone stands."

　　Oleg's eyes softened. "Princess Lydia, my loyalty has always been to the kingdom and its rightful ruler. I have no hidden agendas. My duty is to serve and protect."

　　I sighed inwardly, frustrated by my inability to glean any incriminating information. "I appreciate your honesty, Oleg. It's just that these are uncertain times, and I need to be sure of the people around me."

　　"I understand, Princess," he replied gently. "If there's anything specific troubling you, please don't hesitate to share. I am here to help."

　　His words were reassuring, yet I couldn't shake off the lingering doubts. But there was nothing more I could do without concrete evidence. "Thank you, Oleg. I will keep that in mind."

　　As I walked away, I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. Oleg's demeanor and responses gave no hint of betrayal, and despite my probing, I had found no vulnerabilities. Reluctantly, I abandoned the notion that he was nefarious, at least for now.

　　Returning to my chambers, I began packing, knowing I had to prepare for the next phase of my journey. The confrontation with Jason's family had left me drained, but there was still much to be done. As I gathered my things, the weight of my responsibilities pressed heavily on my shoulders, but I resolved to stay strong.

　　As I left my chambers for a run to calm myself, my mind was still a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. The weight of the recent events pressed heavily on me, and I was still seething with frustration over everything that had transpired. Just as I reached the corridor, I encountered Evan and Brandon, the Miller twins, their expressions a mix of concern and determination.

　　"Lydia," Evan began, stepping forward. "We need to talk to you about something important."

　　I sighed, not wanting another confrontation. "What is it?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

　　"It's about Oleg, we heard that you were talking to him again," Brandon said, his voice tense. "We have warned you so many times, We don't trust him. He's been too close to the nobles, and we think he's hiding something."

　　I rolled my eyes, the anger bubbling up again. "Not this again. Yes, I just spoke with him, and he's been nothing but loyal. You two need to stop with these baseless accusations."

　　Evan shook his head, his eyes pleading. "Lydia, you need to listen to us. Oleg's detachment, his lack of personal connections—these are red flags. He could be playing a long game, manipulating things behind the scenes."

　　"Manipulating things?" I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "Do you have any proof, or is this just another one of your gut feelings?"

　　Brandon stepped closer, his expression earnest. "It's more than a feeling. We've been watching him, and there are inconsistencies in his actions. He's always around when something goes wrong, but never directly involved. It's too convenient."

　　"Convenient?" I echoed, my frustration boiling over. "You're both grasping at straws because you don't want to accept that maybe not everyone is out to get us."

　　Evan's face hardened. "We're trying to protect you, Lydia. Oleg is a threat, and you need to be careful."

　　"I don't need protection from shadows!" I shouted, my anger spilling out. "I have real enemies to deal with, like Jason's family, who actually tried to kill me. Oleg has been nothing but supportive."

　　Brandon's eyes narrowed. "You're letting your anger cloud your judgment. We're only trying to help."

　　"I don't need your help," I retorted, my voice icy. "Not when it's based on paranoia and unfounded suspicions."

　　Evan reached out, his hand on my arm. "Lydia, please. Just consider what we're saying. Don't shut us out."

　　I pulled my arm away, my resolve hardening. "I'm done with this conversation. If you can't bring me solid evidence, then I don't want to hear another word about Oleg."

　　With that, I turned and walked away, leaving them standing in the corridor. Their warnings echoed in my mind, but I pushed them aside, too enraged and hurt to consider them seriously. There were more pressing matters at hand, and I couldn't afford to be distracted by baseless fears. As I continued down the hallway, my heart ached with the weight of my choices, but I forced myself to stay focused. There were battles ahead, and I needed to be ready for them, alone if necessary.