When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 101

Leilly couldn’t forget Caber’s eyes. That moment when he stared intently at her, fiddling with the ring on her finger.

“……What should I do?”

She covered her face with both hands and lay down on the bed.

“I won’t rush you.”

Caber kissed her finger and got up. It was just a light kiss, but it tingled with an unfamiliar sensation.

“If you say that and leave…”

Leilly sighed. Her heart wouldn’t calm down.

To be honest, she almost nodded in agreement.

The image of him blushing and asking her to take responsibility kept flashing through her mind.

“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy, but you look terrible.”

Ren tilted his head, looking at Leilly lying on the bed.

“Don’t tell me, did that guy do something to you?”

Leilly shook her head, her face buried in the bed. She couldn’t bring herself to tell Ren.

“What’s the problem? Are you still worried?”

Ren sat in a chair, watching Leilly, who looked confused.

“Do what makes you happier.”

“……Happiness.”

She was already feeling happy enough. However, one thing bothered her……

“If you’re worried about the family…”

Ren muttered with a rather serious face.

“That’s the last thing you need to worry about.”

Leilly turned over and looked at the ceiling. Her complicated feelings showed no sign of clearing up.

“I think I’m being too greedy.”

Her voice dropped slightly.

Caber was about to become the Emperor. Tomorrow, he would no longer be the Crown Prince, but the one who would lead the Empire.

“Can I be by his side?”

She had already failed once, hadn’t she?

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Caber. She was afraid of starting over.

Being by the side of Caber, who loved her more than anyone else, would surely make her happy.

“But, will others think so too?”

Ren frowned and approached Leilly, pulling her up.

“Listen carefully. You are more amazing than anyone else.”

“……Ren.”

“That wasn’t a failure, but another opportunity in your life.”

Leilly nodded slightly at Ren’s words.

“No one has the right to criticize you.”

Ren gently grabbed Leilly’s shoulders, carefully hugged her, and patted her back.

“Everyone experiences failures and trial and error for their own happiness. So, even if you go in search of happiness, no one will say anything.”

Only then did Leilly realize how foolish she had been thinking.

She had unknowingly been eating away at herself. Was it because she had been running with only the goal in sight? Or was it because she had only thought of herself without any room to look around?

“So, now you can put down the heavy burden.”

“……Ren.”

His words seemed to make the answer a little clearer.

What she wanted, what could make her happier. A choice she wouldn’t regret.

Maybe it was her who had been running away.

“Thank you.”

“Well, then give me a smile.”

Ren released Leilly from his arms and grinned.

Following him, the corners of Leilly’s lips curled up beautifully.

* * *

The Duke’s residence was bustling with activity. It was because of the Crown Prince’s succession ceremony.

“Sister, doesn’t this look better?”

Leta was more serious than anyone else in choosing Leilly’s dress. She looked pretty in anything, but something was missing.

“This one looks good too.”

Ren pointed to a pure white dress that resembled Leilly. The blue embroidery was beautifully stitched, reminiscent of a lake.

It sparkled like sunlit ripples and seemed to suit her well.

“As expected, I’ll admit Ren has an eye for things.”

Leta smiled brightly, satisfied with the dress Ren had chosen. Leilly listened to Leta’s nagging for a long time while she was getting ready.

“Sister, I’m having so much fun these days.”

“That’s a relief.”

Leta was learning the work of the Duke’s residence from Leilly. In case something happened to her, Leta had to take her place.

“Maybe even without you, Leta will do well on her own?”

Ren nonchalantly turned the page of his book and threw the words out.

Leta nodded quickly and stared intently at Leilly.

“Sister.”

Leilly turned her head slightly at Leta’s call. With a rather serious look, she grabbed her hand and puffed out her cheeks as if she had made up her mind.

“So, you can put it down whenever you want.”

Leta clenched her fist.

“You don’t have to worry about here.”

Leilly patted Leta’s hand that was holding hers a couple of times.

“Really?”

“I think it’s my aptitude.”

Leta gave strength to her eyes as if telling her not to worry. Leilly’s reason for becoming the head of the family was to regain her rights and return home with her.

A place where she could be more comfortable and at ease than anyone else.

And Leta realized, watching Leilly with Caber.

That her sister had another home.

“With Ren here, who could ignore you? You’re already amazing in your own right.”

To Leta, Leilly was someone who couldn’t be compared to anyone else.

A proud and irreplaceable person.

“So, don’t think about anything other than yourself now.”

“Leta…….”

“And you have to take responsibility, right?”

Leta smiled meaningfully and squinted her eyes. Leilly’s head turned quickly to Ren.

“Ren!”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Don’t lie!”

Leilly fanned herself to cool her flushed face. Leta smiled mischievously at her sister and put a butterfly ornament on her head.

“Stop teasing and accept him.”

“Really, I think you’re starting to resemble Ren.”

Leta shrugged her shoulders, looking in the mirror.

“Well, what about it? Families resemble each other.”

“I think you’re mistaken. You and I aren’t family.”

“Why are you being so hurtful?”

Leta pouted her lips at Ren’s words.

“If you share bread, you’re family.”

“Have you ever seen me eat bread here?”

“You’re living in the Duke’s residence!”

Leta made an absurd expression at Ren.

“You’re not the owner yet. If Leilly has changed her mind, it’s better for you to be the head of the family.”

“It’s already too late!”

Leta put her hands on her hips and yelled at Ren’s words.

“I already feel tired.”

He frowned and shook his head.

Anyway, he would move his residence following Leilly. But he had a feeling that he would have to come here often.

* * *

When the Crown Prince’s succession ceremony was held, everyone gathered to celebrate.

Caber’s character was well-regarded among the people. He was also known to be cruel, but in reality, those he punished were those who had committed evil deeds.

Above all, the reduction of tariffs with the Pheroponsia Kingdom was great news for the people.

“Besides, I heard that he released the daughter of the Trailla family, the sword of the Empire?”

“I didn’t like the idea of using people as tools in the first place.”

They changed their prejudice against the Imperial family upon hearing the news of Leilly. The things she had gone through were already widely known through the newspapers.

Along with Theo’s affair, the evil deeds of Duke Beritter, and the dangers she had faced.

“Her life is tragic. It’s amazing that she endured it.”

“The Franz family had their title stripped, right? And I heard that Theo Albert is wandering around and his appearance is terrible.”

“I heard that he went to the Trailla family several times. Is it true that he was beaten and kicked out?”

A young lady who was listening to the whispering people slipped in and added to the conversation.

“Don’t even mention it. His cheeks were so swollen that he couldn’t see in front of him!”

“Once you turn your back, you’re a stranger. He really doesn’t bat an eye.”

“If it were me, I’d be disgusted just by looking at his face.”

The young lady frowned as if it were her own business and trembled. She was angry just thinking about it.

“I heard that the woman named Anna gave birth and is imprisoned, and the father took the child?”

“So what, I heard she’s still trying to find a way to get out.”

“But did you hear that news?”

The people whispered and continued to talk.

“I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince has been admiring her since he was young.”

“Is that true?”

How did things that were only known in the Imperial family spread to the people? The nobles were also busy talking to each other, wondering if they knew this fact.

“In the world, but she became the head of the Trailla family, didn’t she?”

“You never know.”

“As far as I know, she dumped His Highness?”

“Shh, be quiet.”

They reduced their whispering voices, looking around.

Leilly, who appeared with Leta from the door, entered the Imperial Palace with a calm expression. Many people’s eyes were on her.

“The sword she’s wearing on her waist must be that sword.”

Leilly didn’t care about the people’s attention. She just went to her seat and stood with Leta.

“His Highness Crown Prince Caber is entering.”

Finally, the main character, Caber, appeared. Leilly watched Caber slowly enter.

Caber, wearing a white uniform and a red cloak, went to the Emperor, knelt down, and bowed his head.

People were silent for a moment.

With a solemn atmosphere, the Emperor’s voice filled the banquet hall.

“Caber Baritas, as the Emperor who will lead the Empire, can you become the source of strength for everyone and guide the people on the right path?”

Caber said in response to the Emperor’s solemn voice.

“I swear to be the messenger of God, the source of strength for the people, and lead them on the right path by accepting the call of the Empire.”

The Emperor’s crown was placed on Caber’s head, and the Emperor’s sword was placed in his hand.

Caber, who slowly got up from his seat, turned around and looked at the people.

Cheers and applause from the people followed.

Among the many people, Caber and Leilly’s eyes met.

His steps quickened as he spotted the butterfly pinned to Leilly’s hair. Surprised people made way for Caber.

He easily approached her.

Leilly took the butterfly from her hair and placed it in Caber’s hand.

“You must have been my flower.”

Since I flew freely, shouldn’t I go find the flower now?

A flower that blooms unchangingly and only for me.

Caber smiled radiantly at Leilly.

<『She Couldn't Be Anyone Else』 The End>