When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 17

The sudden utterance of her name made Reilly’s eyes widen. She quickly plastered on a bright smile and said,

“Welcome, customer.”

Reilly remembered Ren’s strange promise: not to say her name in front of others. Following his advice, she decided it was best to conceal her identity.

‘He said my name.’

The name only Ren knew, spoken by a man she was meeting for the first time. She had no memory of him.

‘Could he be someone I used to know?’

Curiosity surged within her. The golden hair of the man with the golden eyes fluttered in the gentle breeze.

Fortunately, her current face was different from her original one, a disguise for her own protection.

*Who is this person looking at me with such sad eyes?* Reilly felt her mouth go dry.

Reilly lowered her head, busying herself with arranging the items. It was a subtle way to avoid the man’s unwavering gaze.

“Please take a look around and let me know if you need anything.”

“Ah, I understand.”

Kaver could hardly believe his eyes. He wondered if she was simply a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Reilly.

‘She looks so much like her.’

He was so taken aback by her similar appearance and aura that he blurted out the name without thinking. But it couldn’t be.

She had black hair and green eyes, completely different from Reilly’s appearance. Yet, her face was so similar it was almost identical.

Kaver moved closer for a better look, his eyes drawn to her against his will.

‘She wouldn’t be working in a place like this.’

Where Reilly was, Ren was sure to be. They were always together, so they would likely still be together even after her disappearance.

“I’ll take this.”

“Is it a gift? This necklace has a beautiful design; many people buy it as a set. Would you like me to show you the matching pieces?”

It was a necklace featuring a well-arranged green gemstone. The color was exquisite, and the craftsmanship was excellent, with matching earrings and bracelets available. Reilly carefully added a suggestion.

‘If I sell this, Ren will praise me, right?’

Reilly glanced at Kaver’s face. He seemed like a customer who would buy the product if she presented it well. His attire and refined appearance suggested he was a wealthy aristocrat.

“Yes, please show me.”

Kaver nodded slightly at Reilly’s words.

‘I think I’m in luck today. A big spender came in as soon as I opened the door.’

Soon, Reilly’s subtle smile caught Kaver’s eye. She seemed genuinely happy, and Kaver couldn’t help but chuckle at her transparent emotions.

“Keuhm, hmm.”

Reilly turned her head, looking at Kaver.

“Ah… I was thinking about someone who would be happy to receive a gift. I’m planning to buy several items, so could you show me everything from over there?”

Reilly’s pupils widened slightly at the calm yet significant statement. The corners of her lips twitched upward.

‘Corners of my lips. I need to control the corners of my lips.’

Reilly tried to stiffen her facial muscles.

Ren told me not to show it. He told me not to reveal my excitement with a sophisticated face.

Reilly shook her head and focused on the display. The items were expensive, but the quality was top-notch.

“If you don’t mind, may I ask about the recipient’s taste?”

“……”

“Ah, is that too difficult a question?”

Most men who came to buy gifts didn’t know the recipient’s preferences. They wouldn’t return the gift due to social expectations [honor], but Reilly wanted her jewelry to go to someone who would truly appreciate it.

“Of course, it’s hard to know the lady’s taste. Hmm, then shall I make a recommendation? How about the earrings and bracelets I mentioned earlier? Perhaps the lady doesn’t have black hair, does she?”

Reilly hurriedly waved her hand with an awkward smile.

She hesitated to recommend green gemstones to people with black hair.

The reason was simple: she had tried it on herself, and it looked dull, failing to complement either her or the necklace.

“Green will suit her well, especially if her hair color is silver…”

“Wow, that’s a relief. Actually, I tried it on because it was so pretty, but it didn’t suit me at all, so I didn’t want to recommend it for black hair.”

Reilly clapped her hands and sighed in relief. It might have been that she couldn’t pull it off, but the green gemstone wasn’t a bright tone, so she preferred not to recommend it.

She imagined the silver-haired lady wearing the necklace and nodded in satisfaction. It would look stunning on silver hair.

“As for other sets…”

“I like them all. I can picture them perfectly without you having to explain.”

Kaver said, watching Reilly diligently explain the items. If it were truly Reilly in front of him, it would be just like her.

“Surely, you’re not going to buy all of this, are you?”

Reilly laughed at her own question. Buying everything would amount to an enormous sum. Even for a big spender, it was a lot of money to spend without hesitation.

‘But, I think it’s possible…’

Judging by his clothes, he seemed to be able to afford it. However, Ren always cautioned her against judging by appearances and urged her to observe people carefully. So, Reilly cautiously inquired.

“It doesn’t matter.”

*He’s a very rich man.*

Reilly thought he was a generous customer. She nodded, a capitalist smile involuntarily spreading across her face. She carefully selected ribbons and boxes to create beautiful packaging and began packing diligently.

“If you don’t mind, may I ask your name?”

Kaver wanted to confirm if the person in front of him was indeed Reilly.

It had been over a month since he began his search.

“Yes?”

“No, it’s just that you look like someone I’m looking for…”

A bitter smile flickered across his face and vanished. His shoulders, previously displaying a confident posture, slumped slightly as if exhausted.

“My na…”

Reilly almost answered without realizing it.

Clang-

“Setria.”

“…Ren?”

Ren arrived just in time and called Reilly’s name – the name others knew.

Setria.

“You came?”

“…We have a guest.”

Ren walked past Kaver and stood beside Reilly. He loosely tied his long black hair and looked at Kaver with wary eyes.

‘Tsk, how did he find out? I hid my presence so well.’

Though he didn’t show it, Ren recognized Kaver. He had a long-standing contract with the imperial family and belonged to the Trailla family.

Ren: a sword passed down in the Trailla family, an entity bound to the contractor for the emperor.

He was the one Reilly had repeatedly rejected. Although she hadn’t officially contracted with him, she had made a verbal agreement because she couldn’t materialize him.

Kaver frowned at the sight of Ren.

A sense of futility washed over him, and he couldn’t help but laugh.

“Ha……”

Kaver bit his lip at Ren’s sly smile.

‘That snake-like bastard. How dare you deceive me?’

*Setria, my foot!* [Expression of disbelief or frustration]

As long as Ren was there, the woman in front of him was undoubtedly Reilly.

It was clear that he had deliberately kept it a secret. Ren had been hiding Reilly and his own presence, preventing Kaver from finding her until now.

“You.”

Kaver’s sharp voice was directed at Ren. Simultaneously, Ren raised his index finger to his lips.

‘Shh, it wouldn’t be wise to reveal your identity here right now.’

The only feeling Reilly harbored for the imperial family was hostility. Nothing more.

Kaver took a deep breath at Ren’s warning. Reilly, sensing the tense atmosphere, turned to Ren.

“What is it? Ren, why are you giving the guest such a rude look?”

“……Huh?”

She poked Ren in the waist as if scolding him and glared at him. Ren’s eyebrows rose slightly, as if flustered.

“Apologize. It’s unpleasant for the guest to be stared at like that.”

“No, I’m…”

“Ren.”

Reilly grabbed Ren by the collar and whispered in his ear.

“Our living expenses for half a year depend on this, so won’t you cooperate? We have to make him a regular!”

She was treating Kaver solely as a guest.

And a big spender she couldn’t afford to lose.

“I’m sorry, customer. My eyes are naturally… intense, so please understand with a generous heart.”

Ren bowed his head to Kaver. Reilly didn’t particularly like Ren’s apology. However, she couldn’t start a fight in front of a customer.

“Would you mind waiting a little longer? I’ll pack everything up quickly.”

“You can take your time. I can wait even if it takes a day.”

“Yes……?”

*That crazy bastard. Why don’t you just say it out loud?*

Ren sent a warning signal with his eyes at Kaver’s actions. Kaver ignored it and took a seat at the table in the store.

“Setria, do you think you’ve ever seen that person before?”

Ren asked Reilly, speaking loudly enough for Kaver to hear and gauge his reaction. He didn’t like that Kaver had found him and Reilly.

‘Reilly doesn’t want to be found yet, so I hid her. He has no patience.’

*As expected, the future of the empire is uncertain.* [Sarcastic remark about the empire’s leadership]

Ren tapped the display case with his finger and stared at Kaver.

‘If she returns to the imperial family, Reilly will…….’

It will never be easy. The challenges she would face are overwhelming.

Ren had also lived countless years serving the imperial family, killing repeatedly and walking an endless path.

He didn’t understand why she refused to gain power, but on the other hand, he understood. Ren was no different from her.

“Huh? That guest? He looks familiar, but……”

Reilly kept thinking of one person. *Who could it be?*