When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 73

“What on earth are you thinking about?”

“I was contemplating what kind of task this is.”

Ren squinted at Rayleigh’s words.

“Do you really think this is work?”

“Actually, I’m not sure.”

Ren nodded with a ‘well, of course’ expression.

“Aren’t you bored? We used to drink tea together and talk a lot.”

The sound of the low wind blowing and branches swaying was comforting. Rayleigh simply listened to the subtle sounds.

Rayleigh was enjoying this time in her own way.

“I think this time isn’t so bad either.”

“Princess Adel said she’s coming again tomorrow.”

At the sudden mention of her name, Rayleigh’s gaze turned to Ren.

“Is she the one who will become Your Highness’s consort [a royal companion]?”

“I wish she would.”

Ren saw Rayleigh’s eyebrows subtly furrow.

It was a good thing that she was reacting, but the topic that elicited that reaction wasn’t very pleasing.

“It’s closer to not being so, actually.”

“…Is that so.”

Rayleigh nodded slightly. It wasn’t something she should care about, but strangely, she felt relieved.

“Ah, there she comes again.”

Rayleigh bowed her head as she watched Leta slowly walking towards her.

Each time she saw the child bringing her delicious snacks and smiling bitterly, her heart ached softly.

“I baked them a different way this time.”

“You must be busy; you don’t have to bother.”

In fact, the cookies she baked were very delicious. They were perfect for her taste, and she felt a warmth in her heart whenever she received them, so it wasn’t bad.

Nevertheless, Rayleigh felt uneasy and found it difficult to face Leta.

“Sister, I’m still waiting.”

Leta said, holding Rayleigh’s hand.

The warm feeling traveled through her hand and reached Rayleigh completely.

“Like always, you’ll get through this, Sister.”

Rayleigh jumped up from her seat at Leta’s forced smile.

“I wish you wouldn’t make that expression.”

“…Sister?”

“I’ll be going now.”

Her chest kept feeling tight, as if she couldn’t breathe. Her mind was hazy, screaming that she was forgetting something.

Every day was a continuous frustration, like wandering in a foggy place where nothing could be seen.

“Why is it like this…”

Rayleigh slammed her chest hard with her hand and exhaled. The stuffiness in her chest still didn’t disappear.

* * *

“I should finish the story quickly.”

Kavern looked outside and fidgeted as if he would jump up at any moment.

‘Rayleigh is confused.’

It was a good reaction.

But her expression was so painful, as if she would collapse at any moment, that he couldn’t just stand by and watch.

“What exactly do you want to say?”

Lirita, who was so nervous that she had turned pale, had been trembling for over 30 minutes without uttering a proper word. Kavern, who was looking at his watch, couldn’t stand it any longer and got up from his seat.

“I think you don’t know how precious my time is to me.”

Kavern clicked his tongue and looked down at Lirita with icy eyes.

“I, I’ll speak! I have been running errands for Princess Adel all this time.”

Lirita shouted, squeezing her eyes shut.

Once the words that had been stuck in her throat were uttered, they poured out without hesitation.

“At first, I was just blinded by the jewels…”

“Do you think I’m curious that you were the princess’s errand runner?”

Kavern sat down on the chair with a thud and rested his chin on his hand.

“Princess Adel has a special power.”

“I wonder if there’s anyone who doesn’t know that.”

“I know about that power!”

At Lirita’s words, one corner of Kavern’s mouth curled up. Now he was in the mood to hear a proper story.

“What did she order you to do?”

“She told me to find out information about the Empire and about Lady Rayleigh Shaltia.”

“So you conspired with Kapne here to inform her of the imperial family’s information.”

“Yes, yes, that’s all correct.”

Kavern coaxed Lirita in a comforting voice.

“I don’t intend to kill you yet. I’m not such a heartless person.”

Haban turned his gaze away from Kavern’s words, feigning ignorance.

‘Considering what you’ve done, haven’t you said that a lot?’

That was a fact everyone knew. What about the Duke of Veriter’s affair? And Theo and Anna too.

“But giving her information isn’t important.”

Kavern’s eyes softened and curved.

“What’s important is what actions Princess Adel took.”

He needed solid evidence. He already had enough suspicion, so he wanted evidence that no one could deny.

“There is power in the princess’s necklace. And I heard that power has the opposite power of Lady Rayleigh.”

“So what did the princess do to Lady Rayleigh?”

Kavern demanded an exact answer from Lirita.

Evidence that even the Emperor couldn’t deny. A way to bring Rayleigh back.

“She must have transferred the princess’s magic into Lady Rayleigh’s necklace.”

Lirita squeezed her eyes shut.

Princess Adel doesn’t know that she knows about this.

Princess Adel, who was celebrating, had said something to Lirita that she shouldn’t have.

“She clearly said it. She said she succeeded, and as long as she doesn’t take off the necklace, it will be as she wants.”

“Evidence?”

“She said that the magic doesn’t disappear easily or stand out. If you saw a red aura, it must be Princess Adel’s.”

She pleaded for her life, appealing to Kavern with sincerity.

“From what I’ve learned, Princess Adel, like Lady Rayleigh, always wears a necklace.”

Haban added to Lirita’s opinion and handed the documents to Kavern.

“It seems to be a derivative, not her unique magic.”

“So the unique magic she has might be a lie?”

“So far, that’s the case.”

No matter how she got it, if the Pheroponsia Kingdom is keeping it quiet, the possibility cannot be ruled out.

“So all we have to do is get that necklace.”

Kavern was lost in thought for a moment.

He couldn’t think of a good way, so he was frustrated.

Kavern’s eyes quickly changed as he lightly licked his parched mouth with his tongue.

“Haban, I need you to act from now on. And you, go back to the Duke’s residence.”

“Yes?! But if she finds out that I went to the Imperial Palace…!”

Lirita looked up at Kavern with a bewildered expression.

“I’ll keep your visit here a secret. Of course, if you do what she tells you to do, I’ll guarantee your life.”

“R, really?”

“Princess Adel said she has something to order you to do, so it means you’re not a discarded card yet.”

At Kavern’s words, Lirita nodded quickly.

As he said, Adel still seemed to trust her. It was possible because she was always lying flat on the floor, trying to please her, and didn’t do anything else.

“Don’t tell Princess Roanna about this either.”

“But…”

“I’ll take responsibility for what happens, so just let me know about the princess’s affairs.”

Lirita had no choice but to believe Kavern’s words.

Because she had no other choice now.

“I think it’s better to go back quickly before she comes back.”

Kavern gestured to Haban, looking at his watch. He quickly took Lirita out.

“So, what do we do now.”

Kavern stroked his chin, looking out the window.

“You must think and act carefully.”

Haban, who had returned, added to Kavern.

Since national relations are intertwined, it could lead to war if you’re not careful.

“There must be no damage from this. To anyone.”

“I know. Haban, I know who I am.”

Kavern smiled as he looked at Rayleigh, who was looking up at the office from outside the window.

“I think I need to resolve this quickly.”

“That’s what I want too.”

Haban was on edge because Kavern was constantly checking on Rayleigh’s condition. Nevertheless, he couldn’t say anything because he was incredibly good at handling things.

“Sometimes I think Your Majesty might not be human.”

“You have a talent for giving compliments in a roundabout way.”

Kavern turned around and looked at Haban, not taking his smile off his face.

Because he knew that Haban was the one who cared about him more than anyone else.

“Still, how about saying it a little prettier sometimes?”

“I guess I’m starting to resemble someone as I work.”

Haban, who didn’t give in until the end, smiled brightly at Kavern as if to show off.

It seems that my resignation will never be processed.

Even if His Majesty processed it, Kavern would be the one to pick me up again.

“That’s why I love you.”

“Don’t say such creepy things to me, say it to Rayleigh.”

“She won’t accept it, so what can I do?”

“I don’t want to accept it either.”

“Think of this as part of your job.”

Kavern smiled victoriously and got up from his seat.

“Isn’t it great to have a workplace full of love?”

He went one step further, whispering in Haban’s ear and patting him on the shoulder. He didn’t care about Haban’s shocked expression.