When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 104

Turning Around, You’re a Stranger (103) (104/111)

Extra Story 3

The three moved to the garden for tea.

Reilly and Dea got along better than expected. The Princess of Thebes followed Reilly’s lead easily, making her initial worries seem unfounded.

Even knowing the princess’s true intentions, Reilly didn’t show a hint of displeasure.

“It must have been difficult to come all this way. You are very brave, Princess.”

“Do you really think so?! It makes me feel good to hear that from the Sword of the Empire! Everyone else said I was reckless.”

“I see.”

Reilly smiled gently and listened to Dea’s chatter.

She didn’t even glance at Kavel, as if she had forgotten the reason for her visit.

“Actually, I fell in love with His Majesty’s portrait. So… I came without a plan. I heard he wasn’t looking for an Empress, and I was thinking of asking him to accept me as a mistress.”

“A mistress?”

“A mistress?”

Reilly and Kavel asked at the same time. Ren quietly slipped away and watched them from a distance.

‘If I stay here, I’ll get caught in the crossfire. Reilly seems to be seething inside.’

He could sense her feelings without even looking. How could he not, after all these years together?

“I think I need to go. I just remembered I have something to do.”

Ren glanced at Reilly, subtly signaling that he didn’t want to be involved. He wanted her permission to leave.

Reilly nodded slightly, and he immediately disappeared.

“Oh, he’s gone?”

The princess looked around for Ren. Reilly stared at her silently. Looking closely, she noticed some similarities between Dea and Leta.

“How cute.”

“…Reilly?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I apologize if that sounded offensive. She reminded me of my sister.”

“I see. Hmm, you’re not saying that sarcastically, are you?”

She smiled brightly and met Reilly’s gaze.

Her eyes still sparkled, but the atmosphere around her changed in an instant.

“Can you really be satisfied with being a mistress?”

A mistress. Not an Empress, but a princess of a country willing to be a mistress. It was something that would cause an uproar if it became public knowledge.

But it was also a result of Kavel’s indecisiveness.

‘Is it really time to make a decision now?’

Kavel’s shoulders looked slumped. He seemed very concerned about the situation.

To be honest, Reilly felt bad for him. But since she was also partly responsible, she didn’t say anything.

“I’m sorry, to you both. For making you come to a place like this. I have nothing to offer the princess. But, I have no intention of marrying anyone other than Reilly.”

“Get married? I’m not interested in the Empress’s seat. Weren’t you going to take a mistress anyway?”

“No, I’m not.”

Kavel frowned and said firmly.

What was so appealing about being a mistress that she was so confidently requesting it? He was curious about her reasoning.

“Don’t be curious about anything. That’s how it starts,” Reilly warned.

Kavel flinched at Reilly’s words.

There was a barb hidden in her tone. She must have been holding back a lot.

He had tried to handle the situation quietly to avoid misunderstandings, but it was already tangled and messy.

“Let’s make it clear. I received a proposal from this man.”

“Really? But why haven’t you two…”

Dea didn’t understand.

Then why weren’t they married yet? Surely no one would refuse the Empress’s seat.

Reilly showed no anxiety or anger, even though another woman had appeared. She maintained a calm and elegant demeanor.

Perhaps it was trust. Trust that had been built up and solidified over time, so she must have believed there was a good reason for the delay.

Dea was simply amazed by the strength of their relationship.

It was a scene that was rarely, if ever, seen in royal arranged marriages.

If it were her, she might have thrown tea at the other woman and grabbed the man by the hair and shaken him.

‘Hmm, I shouldn’t think that way since I’m in a different position.’

She carefully smoothed her hair.

Reilly remained composed even while drinking tea.

Was it the maturity that came with age? Or maybe it was because she had experienced so much that others hadn’t, so she didn’t feel the need to react to a youngster like her.

“I think I know why you didn’t send me back and let me see you two.”

Dea had to admit it.

There was no room for her to interfere between them. What could she do against someone who didn’t even feel jealous of her? Besides, even while she was with them, Kavel’s gaze was still fixed on Reilly.

The way he looked at her was overflowing with affection.

“Then I’ll stay a little longer before I leave.”

“Why bother when a decision has already been made?”

“Maybe I’ll figure out what love is by watching you two!”

Dea was curious about the nature of love.

She felt like she could understand it by observing them. Even in the way they looked at each other, their feelings were evident, even if they didn’t explicitly express them.

‘Amazing! I’ve never seen anything like this before.’

Her parents’ marriage was a political arrangement. They had unwanted marriages, had children, and lived to lead their families for the sake of power.

“I wonder what the Empire’s wedding will be like.”

It would probably be a splendid ceremony, the likes of which she would never see again. Perhaps it would remain in her memory for a long time, and she would fondly recall this day.

“So please don’t send me back just yet.”

Dea took Reilly’s hand and lowered her eyes. She was curious about how the two had met and fallen in love.

“Your Majesty?”

Reilly asked for Kavel’s opinion. It wasn’t the specific timing she had in mind, but she sensed that they would be married soon.

‘I feel like I’m watching a well-planned game unfold.’

She didn’t know why the story was progressing this way, but she didn’t dislike it. If Kavel had orchestrated it, it was a cute act in its own way.

“Well… if it’s just for a short stay, Reilly, what do you think?”

“I have no authority in this matter. Your Majesty must decide.”

She stepped back and waited for Kavel’s decision.

“I appreciate your interest, but I think it would be best for you to return home.”

“Ah…”

“Because I don’t want to marry just to put on a show for someone. Besides, I don’t want Reilly to feel pressured because of it.”

Kavel gently brushed a strand of hair that had fallen over Reilly’s ear.

Reilly melted at his sweet smile.

“Then I suppose the nuisance should leave now.”

“…I have no choice. It’s a shame, but if Your Majesty thinks so…”

Dea got up from her seat, bowed, and walked away.

She kept turning her head back with regret. But the two never looked at her.

“She’s quite a cute child. It seems Your Majesty is very popular, as Ren said.”

“Is that jealousy I hear?”

Kavel moved his chair and sat close to Reilly. He brought his face close to hers and gently kissed her cheek.

“If it made you jealous, then her visit wasn’t a complete waste.”

“You wouldn’t do something so childish just to make me jealous.”

Reilly turned her head and looked at Kavel. His eyes, which always focused solely on her, felt especially lovely today.

“Don’t you ever feel impatient? Don’t you ever feel anxious or want to have me by your side right now?”

“Of course, I feel anxious every time I see you.”

Kavel gently hugged Reilly’s waist and pulled her closer. His long eyelashes fluttered, creating shadows on his face.

“I’m afraid other guys will try to take you away.”

He gently stroked her hand from the curve of her waist to her neck.

The silver hair was neatly arranged on one side and flowed down to her chest.

Kavel’s lips touched her exposed neckline. He tickled her collarbone with his hot breath.

“Ugh, it tickles…!”

Reilly curled up and giggled.

Sitting on Kavel’s lap, she quietly looked down at him. His sharp nose and languid eyes. His firm chest visible through the thin shirt.

As she slowly stroked it with her hand, a strange light appeared in Kavel’s eyes.

“Reilly. Every time I see you, I want to have you by my side and possess you.”

“That’s a bit of a dangerous statement, isn’t it?”

Her hand wrapped around Kavel’s neck.

His lips, which had been on her neck, slowly moved down. His gentle touch firmly held her arm so she couldn’t escape.

“You’re the one in danger now, not me.”

He bit into Reilly’s exposed neckline. A moan escaped through her teeth with the rush of heat.

“Ka, Kavel!”

She covered her mouth with the back of her hand, calling his name without realizing it. It was getting dark, and they were outside. What if someone saw them….

Her face was burning, and her whole body felt like it was on fire. Reilly grabbed Kavel’s face and made him look at her.

“That’s cheating!”

“Isn’t it cheating to make me anxious every day?”

“…Okay, I get it.”

Reilly lowered her head as if she had lost. She hugged him tightly in his arms and surrendered to him in a low voice.

“I’m also anxious and uneasy, so I’ll surrender. I lost.”

She took out the ring she had been wearing on her necklace and held it out.

Kavel’s eyes widened. Reilly had finally accepted his proposal.