When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 106

Turning Around, It’s Someone Else (105)

Extra Story 5

“Sis, you look so beautiful.”

The sapphire necklace, as blue as the summer sky, perfectly complemented the white dress and the delicate patterns adorning her neck.

The flowers attached to her dress swayed with each movement, their petals seeming to dance. The flower crown nestled in her silver hair created an ethereal, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

She looked as radiant as an angel descended from heaven. Leta, brimming with excitement, circled Raili, taking in every detail.

“I’m so glad we chose this dress!”

“Really? I still feel a little awkward….”

“I’m a bit sad you’re getting married, Sis. I felt sorry for His Majesty, but I also loved having you here with me.”

Leta sighed, then shook her head, a playful smile returning to her face.

“What am I saying on such a happy day! By the way, why didn’t you come home yesterday?”

“Ah… I, I had some things to take care of.”

Raili avoided her gaze. She was a terrible liar, and direct eye contact would only betray her. It was best to keep Leta in the dark.

“Really? Someone in the Imperial Palace said they saw you, Sis.”

“They probably mistook me for someone else. I came to the palace early this morning….”

Raili’s smile faltered, her voice trailing off. Leta would be hurt if she knew they had spent the entire night together.

And it would be even more difficult to explain what “they” had been doing all night.

“I guess you were busy, Sis. You look a little tired.”

The maid, diligently applying Raili’s makeup, quickly dabbed powder on her face, adding a touch of blush to brighten her complexion.

“You look absolutely stunning to me!”

The entire Imperial Palace would be thrown into chaos if she suddenly decided to call off the wedding. And then… she’d likely be buried under mountains of paperwork every night.

The palace staff knew very well the extent of Raili’s influence on Kavel. They had witnessed it firsthand for a long time, and rumors abounded.

Their ears were always open, and their information network was extensive.

“His Majesty will surely fall for you all over again when he sees you.”

“Perhaps His Majesty will be even more handsome.”

Raili pictured Kavel in his formal attire.

He would look incredibly dashing. The uniform, tailored to perfection, would gleam even brighter.

Raili smiled as she glanced at Ren’s sword.

“Ren, I know you’re there.”

“…Can’t you just pretend not to notice at times like this?”

“There’s no way you’d miss such a happy day.”

Ren slowly materialized, stepping into view.

Seeing Raili in her pure white dress, a wave of complex emotions washed over him. It was likely a bittersweet mixture of feelings.

The flower-shaped lace patterns on the white dress, cascading down to her chest, accentuated her graceful curves.

The sleeves, crafted from sheer fabric, created a voluminous effect, and delicate flowers adorned the hem of the skirt, swaying gently with her movements.

A flower crown rested upon her neatly styled half-updo, and a necklace featuring a blue gemstone sparkled around her neck.

“Ren, isn’t Sis beautiful?”

“She is.”

Ren looked at Raili and offered a faint smile. It was truly time to let her go. To release her from his heart and from the memories of the past.

“Seeing Kavel, I hate to admit it, but he looks dashing.”

“Huh? You just said Kavel’s name.”

Raili’s eyes widened in surprise. He had never referred to him by name, not even once, but now he had directly spoken Kavel’s name.

“He’s the person my master loves, so I have to acknowledge him.”

“…Ren.”

“But I’ll only listen to you. I don’t want to listen to that guy.”

Ren crossed his arms and leaned against the door. It was annoying, but the two of them were a well-suited couple. They were like that in the past, and they still were now.

Only then did a bright smile illuminate Raili’s face.

“Thank you, Ren.”

Perhaps from now on, she would only show her bright smile. Ren nodded and gave her a genuine smile.

* * *

People’s expectant eyes turned toward the wedding hall. It had been a long time since an event as grand as this was held, following the coronation.

Everyone was caught up in the festive atmosphere, their faces flushed with excitement. In the heated wedding hall, there were also rare expressions of disapproval.

‘My daughter should have been in that place.’

‘A former empress who was already married, no less.’

It would have been one thing if she had taken a mistress or secretly gotten married and returned.

Raili’s past was quite a scandal. Yet, they couldn’t easily voice their opinions because of her power and the Emperor’s unwavering affection.

“Wow!”

With the cheers of the crowd, Raili and Kavel appeared.

A red cloak was draped over Kavel’s shoulders, contrasting with his pristine white uniform. All eyes were fixed on them as they walked hand in hand.

“Don’t they look perfect together? It’s truly a beautiful love story. Who would have believed it? The story of a man who has consistently loved only one person and a woman who was destined to end her life as a sword!”

“Besides, she’s been married once.”

“Shh! Don’t even mention that. It makes me furious just thinking about it.”

Amidst the murmuring of the crowd, a familiar face emerged.

Dea, cloaked and observant, stared at them. Seeing the two of them smiling brightly at each other, her mouth dropped open in awe.

“Beautiful….”

The two of them looked so radiant. Wasn’t it a love that could only be found in novels?

Her parents’ words were clearly wrong. There was a couple before her that proved that true love existed.

“Don’t speak ill of the Empress!”

Dea, who had been listening intently, scolded the gossiping onlookers with a huff.

To spread rumors on a day that should be filled with blessings was unacceptable.

It was definitely jealousy. Only then did they fall silent, realizing they had drawn unwanted attention to themselves.

“No, I meant that the two of them shared a great love.”

Dea glared at the person who had muttered the comment, making sure to remember their face.

‘Why can’t people like that celebrate the happiness of others?’

She even felt a sense of pity for them.

Soon, Raili and Kavel’s ceremony continued.

That moment that everyone had been longing for was unfolding before their eyes. The eyes of the two who stood facing each other became moist with emotion.

Meanwhile, Ren quietly watched the two of them before kicking a nearby tree. Petals fluttered in the wind, scattering gently.

Whether it was Ren’s intention or not, the banquet began grandly with a shower of beautiful flower petals.

The flower petals, like blessings raining down from the sky, made people’s hearts flutter with joy.

“Now, shall we begin?”

Raili carefully took her place in the center of the stage with Kavel.

As the two of them took the lead, music began to play. People began to mingle and dance to the beautiful melody.

In the middle of the dance floor, they looked at each other, holding hands and trying to suppress their laughter.

“It feels awkward to dance after so long.”

“It’s the same for me, so let’s agree not to laugh at each other.”

“Okay. You’ll pretend not to notice even if I step on your foot, right?”

Raili smiled and winked playfully.

Happiness made her laugh naturally. Even without forcing a smile or thinking that she was happy, warmth spread from the depths of her heart.

This moment, facing the person she loved amidst the congratulations of the people, was the greatest happiness for her.

It had blossomed by her side without her trying to obtain it or working for it.

Perhaps she had been blinded by her own perspective and hadn’t seen her own happiness.

If she had known it was so close, she would have looked around a little more.

Raili smiled, crinkling her eyes as she looked at Kavel, who was holding her hand.

She wanted to thank him for not letting go of her and for staying by her side until the end.

“Thank you.”

“I’m thankful too.”

She touched her nose to his and whispered her love. Even though people’s eyes were on them, they didn’t care. It was time to love without worrying about what others thought.

“I’m going to be clinging to you every day to the point of annoyance, so be prepared.”

“I’ll nag you if you don’t work and are lazy.”

“What should we do? We’re going to be somewhere else for a while.”

“…Where to?”

“Where else? Shouldn’t we take a break too?”

Kavel told Raili that he had already made all the preparations. He assured her that there was no need to worry because he had entrusted the work to Haban.

“Hmm, how long will we be gone?”

“Don’t worry. I’ve finished the urgent matters. This is more urgent to me now.”

He gently lifted Raili’s chin. Their eyes finally met, and their lips met in a tender kiss.

He wanted to give Raili, who had been running non-stop, and who had given him her heart after going through difficult times, a sweet rest.

He also longed for more time with Raili, time that work had stolen from them.

“So, we’re taking a break starting tomorrow.”

“I really can’t stop you.”

The two people’s kiss continued once again. Meanwhile, amidst the cheers and applause of the crowd, Leta gently took Haban’s hand.

Only then did Haban realize Kavel’s deep feelings. Perhaps it was so that he could comfortably spend time with Leta.

Haban made an impressed expression when he met Kavel’s eyes.

However, Kavel narrowed his brows at his gaze. He seemed to be misunderstanding something, but was there a need to explain?

‘Well, it’s good if everyone has something good going on.’

He glanced at Haban and Leta’s clasped hands and then quickly turned Raili’s body around.

“The song changed.”

He naturally averted his gaze, but Raili noticed his awkwardness. There was probably something behind him that she shouldn’t see.

She decided to play along with Kavel.

Since he was trying so hard, there was no need to turn around and check.

With their smiles, the banquet hall was filled with laughter.