When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 2

Turning Away, He’s Just Another Man (1)

Theo. She met him at a banquet she attended with her sister.

Knowing the gazes directed at her weren’t favorable, she tried to ignore them, settling near her sister. Lailly smiled, watching Leta laugh brightly and talk to people.

The abandoned princess of the Trailla family, the useless Lailly.

A mere figurehead of the Duke’s family.

Those were the labels that followed Lailly. Her father had bought her a dress, hoping someone at the banquet might be captivated by her appearance and propose marriage.

It was the first time in a long time she’d worn a proper dress.

She quietly surveyed her surroundings while sipping her drink, feeling suffocated by the attention. Lailly rose, intending to find somewhere less crowded.

“I’ve heard so much about you. I haven’t had a chance to greet you properly, so I apologize for not introducing myself sooner.”

Lailly’s eyes widened at the polite greeting and kind voice. This man was the first to speak to her.

“Ah, hello.”

“I am Theo Albert from the Printz family.”

Surprisingly, he was from the same Duke’s family as her. Lailly wasn’t well-informed about social circles but often heard stories from Leta.

She’d said he was a very warm and kind person. Duke Theo was kind to everyone, upright, and had a strong work ethic, constantly striving to improve himself.

It was astonishing that he had spoken to her first.

“I am Princess Lailly of the Trailla family.”

“I recognized you immediately. I didn’t realize you would be so beautiful.”

“Ah… Thank you.”

Her cheeks flushed red at the first compliment she’d ever received. He was indeed a kind person. At the banquet that day, Lailly sat next to him, talking and spending time together.

She thought her connection with him would end there. However, Theo often visited the Duke’s residence to see her, and eventually, he proposed marriage to the Trailla family.

To propose marriage to her, whom no one wanted to marry… Lailly still felt like she was in a dream.

Duke Veriter seized the opportunity and sent her to the Printz family without hesitation. Her marriage was arranged so easily and quickly, as if he were getting rid of a troublesome burden.

* * *

Having escaped the suffocating house, Lailly regained her smile by Theo’s side. He loved her and was always kind to her, never forgetting to whisper “I love you” to her every night.

“I love you, Lailly.”

“I, me too.”

“So please, hurry and give birth to a child who resembles me.”

“I’ll try.”

There was nothing strange about him except that he was particularly obsessed with children. He came home late every day because he was busy with work, but he never stayed out or worried her.

Lailly’s face was always smiling as she finally realized what happiness was.

About a year after she got married, she heard the news that Leta, who had come of age, didn’t show any patterns on her body [referring to magical abilities manifesting] and was getting married.

Her father was furious, and Leta tried to escape as quickly as Lailly had. The letters they exchanged often revealed her sister’s anxious state. Lailly worried that something might happen to her sister.

‘I have to see Leta.’

But she couldn’t.

The Duke didn’t allow her to go out, confining her as if he wanted to keep her in a cage and only look at her. Due to poor health, she hadn’t been able to leave the Duke’s residence even once since her marriage.

“Have you heard any news about my sister?”

“Yes, I have. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything more about your sister, so don’t worry too much.”

Theo said, gently stroking Lailly’s shoulder. She nodded, appreciating his reassurance that he would take care of everything.

At the Printz Duke’s residence, Lailly often spent time tending flowers or reading books. Occasionally, she would look in the mirror to check her appearance, but she didn’t do anything special.

Just when she was getting bored with the same routine, a change came.

For some reason, she felt heavier than usual and got tired easily. She kept dozing off and craving food. At first, she didn’t realize it. Lailly, who belatedly noticed something was wrong with her body, got up and counted the days on her fingers.

‘Could it be!’

Lailly checked the date with a hopeful heart. Her period was two weeks overdue. She didn’t tell Theo right away, fearing it might not be true, wanting to wait until she was more certain.

‘A baby, oh my god! I’m so happy.’

Imagining a child who resembled him and her, she couldn’t help but smile. It felt like she finally had her own family. Lailly vowed to build a happier family than anyone else.

Two weeks later, Lailly was certain and sent a letter to the Duke with a joyful heart.

“Lailly!”

Theo’s voice was heard. Looking at the clock, it was earlier than usual. At the word “pregnancy,” Theo, who had been coming home late every day, arrived with a doctor.

Lailly’s heart pounded as she watched the doctor examine her, anticipation and anxiety alternating.

“It’s a pregnancy.”

“R, really?”

“We’ll have to wait a little longer to know for sure, but it seems to be a pregnancy. You should be careful for the time being.”

“Thank you, please come and check on my wife’s health from time to time.”

Lailly smiled, seeing the bright smile on the Duke’s face. She was truly happy. She couldn’t believe she had a child, a husband, and her own family.

“My dear, you’ve really worked hard.”

“No, it’s nothing. I can’t believe I’m having a baby.”

“I’m glad it happened so early.”

Theo hugged Lailly and stroked her back. She smiled, nestled in his arms. It was a warm embrace and Theo’s kind voice, but something felt strange.

He seemed relieved, as if he had finished all his work.

Her premonition came true.

The next day, Theo brought a woman home. The pretty girl, even to her eyes, was smiling shyly, and Theo’s hand was around her shoulder.

“Lailly, please say hello. This is Anna.”

Anna. She was Theo’s mistress.