When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 25

Turning Away, a Stranger (24)

‘Could it be, he saw the Duke?’

Haban swallowed hard, cautiously studying Caber’s face.

A subtle change flickered across his face as he stared intently into the shop. The change, like a gentle ripple, soon transformed into a faint smile.

“Haban, you go in first. There’s something I need to confirm. Let’s make today the day for that one day I promised you.”

Haban could only nod, seeing the expectation and excitement that briefly flashed across Caber’s face. Of course, he had no intention of stopping him.

Knowing this would happen, he had prepared the documents the very next day. Understanding Caber’s personality, thorough preparation was always essential to deal with unexpected situations.

Haban nodded, admiring his own efficiency.

“I’ve prepared it, anticipating when you might ask.”

Haban took out the documents he had been carrying. It was a forged identity with Caber’s face on it.

“But, you seem a little uneasy since earlier.”

At Caber’s words, Haban’s fingertips trembled slightly as he handed over the documents. At the same time, he felt a cold sweat running down his spine. Haban forced a strained, awkward expression back into place.

“I’m just worried that His Highness might mess things up.”

Haban quickly glanced at the shop and shrugged. Caber patted Haban’s shoulder with a confident expression.

“You don’t have to worry about unnecessary things. You are, indeed, an excellent aide.”

“Anyone would be if they were by Your Highness’s side.”

Fortunately, he didn’t seem to notice. Haban smiled, pretending not to know, and brushed off the situation.

‘It’s fortunate from my perspective. I can handle the Duke without Caber knowing.’ Haban breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Thanks to me, everyone survived today.’

Haban inwardly congratulated the knights. With less work, he could leave early today. He had been stuck with Caber from morning till night for days, unable to do his own work.

“Don’t come back too late.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll only be gone for the time specified.”

Nodding, Haban quickly disappeared. Only after confirming that he was gone did Caber slowly move towards the shop.

His heart was pounding so hard he could hear it in his ears. He tried to calm himself with deep breaths, but it was no use. Stopping in front of the shop, his heart pounded even harder with anticipation.

His hands were sweaty, and his mouth kept drying out. Caber opened the door and stepped into the shop.

Clang-

“Welcome.”

A soft voice reached his ears. Soon, Caber felt Ren’s wary gaze on him.

“Oh? You’re the one from then…….”

Recognizing Caber, Reilly’s eyes widened as if she remembered who he was.

‘He came again.’

Since there were no regulars, customers’ visits usually ended after one purchase. So, it was rare to see the same customer again. Reilly, interpreting it as he liked the gift she recommended, smiled even brighter.

Caber froze, his eyes meeting Ren’s only for a moment.

‘……Does she remember?’

He realized that what he had hoped for, what he had so desperately wanted and expected, might have happened. In this unbelievable situation, tears of relief streamed down Caber’s face.

She had a butterfly pin in her neatly tied hair.

Understanding the pain she had endured to the point of wanting to erase her memories, Caber didn’t rush.

Wasn’t he also responsible for Reilly’s suffering? So, Caber was okay even if she didn’t remember him. No, he had comforted himself that way.

But…….

‘Maybe, Reilly hasn’t forgotten me.’

Startled by Caber’s sudden tears, Reilly looked at Ren. Ren was just as surprised.

‘Tears, really.’

He chuckled, but tried to hold it back, clearing his throat. Why couldn’t they just leave her alone? Ren didn’t like this situation.

‘I didn’t know Reilly would wear the butterfly pin today. Don’t tell me he’s mistaking that for her being ready.’

Ren rested his chin on his hand and stared at Caber. He scanned him with narrowed eyes, then sneered as if to say, ‘Dream on.’ Caber felt a surge of anger at Ren’s attitude, but he suppressed it.

Watching Caber quietly, Reilly took out a handkerchief and handed it to him.

“Here, at least take this…….”

Caber didn’t even sob. Only relief and joy were visible on his face.

‘How pathetic.’

Ren’s sneer made him imagine what he must look like now.

He silently took the handkerchief Reilly offered. He couldn’t even wipe away his tears. Caber’s gaze was fixed on her hairpin.

“The butterfly pin suits you very well.”

“Yes? Oh…….”

Reilly reached out and touched her hairpin, giving an awkward smile.

It was a pin she found while organizing gemstones and drawers. A precious pin her sister had given her. In her hazy memories, Reilly occasionally recalled fragments of the past. Ren had been secretly hiding it in a box since who knows when.

“Is that so?”

It was a pin she couldn’t bring herself to wear because it reminded her of Leta. Yet, she often took it out and looked at it every day, fearing that Leta’s memories would disappear.

She didn’t know why her memories were so jumbled, but she assumed it was the path she had chosen.

Fearing that she might forget Leta, she wore it for the first time when Ren wasn’t looking.

‘But who gave it to me?’

She couldn’t remember who had given it to her, but if she didn’t remember, it probably wasn’t a good memory.

Ren always gave her a strange look when he saw her staring at the butterfly pin. The reason was probably similar to what she suspected.

“What are you here to buy?”

Ren interrupted between Reilly and Caber.

Reilly blinked, puzzled by Ren’s actions. He had never interrupted a conversation with a customer before.

It felt like Ren was particularly on edge whenever this man came.

Of course, Ren would mercilessly chase away any men who flirted with Reilly. But Caber felt different from those men.

Because he kept reminding her of someone.

Caber glanced at Ren for a moment, then smiled and turned his gaze back to Reilly.

“Ah, I came for something else today.”

Caber presented his resume.

‘Indeed, an excellent aide.’

He had forged a surprisingly decent resume and identity. They might even think he’s talented with this much.

Caber, confident that he would be hired, sparkled his eyes.

Reilly pretended to be calm as she read through the resume.

‘An application? And the experience is decent too.’

She suppressed the corners of her mouth from turning up and cleared her throat.

“Have you ever worked before? It seems like most of your employment periods are rather short…….”

In fact, experience wasn’t that important. He just needed to display the jewelry in the shop and assist her when Ren wasn’t around.

The space wasn’t difficult to clean, so all she needed was someone with good health and meticulousness.

“He doesn’t look like he’s ever worked a day in his life. Is this experience really accurate?”

Ren stood close to Reilly and read the resume.

‘A crown prince of a country is faking his experience. And what’s with ‘Khan’?’

Ren clicked his tongue at Caber’s alias [a false name or identity].

But he couldn’t deny that the skills he had listed as his specialties were quite relevant to this job.

[1. Extensive experience in financial management, document organization, and familiar with local geography.

2. Proficient swordsmanship skills suitable for security duties.

3. Perseverance to work tirelessly, whether sitting or standing, all day long.

4. Possession of various intellectual properties.]

Etc. He had skills that would make it unnecessary for him to work at a jewelry shop.

“What do you think? I seem to be an all-rounder.”

Caber raised one corner of his mouth towards Ren.

It was an irresistible offer. How much work could he accomplish in just the morning?

Reilly calculated in her head.

‘Indeed, a talented person.’

Honestly, if there were many applicants, she would have considered hiring him without hesitation.

But no one had applied. That meant Caber was the first applicant.

She didn’t know that it was because of Ren.

“If you’re worried, you can hire me for just one day and then decide.”

Caber readily offered a condition to Reilly. It was a pretty good suggestion.

“Okay, I’ll decide after seeing you work for a day.”

She put the resume in the drawer and smiled brightly. Ignoring Ren’s distorted expression, Caber reached out his hand for a handshake.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“Ah, I also look forward to working with you, Mr. Khan.”

As Reilly reached out to shake his hand, Ren quickly grabbed Caber’s hand and shook it up and down.

“The work will be quite tough. Can you handle it with that flimsy body?”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I may look like this, but I’m quite sturdy.”

Caber folded his eyes and smiled at Ren. Their hands gripped each other tightly, and their arms trembled.

* * *

Clang-

“Wh, what’s that sound?”

Reilly, who was processing gemstones inside, was startled and ran outside.

Ren, who had returned from making a delivery outside, stood blankly, unable to enter the shop. He had only been away for a short time, but the inside of the shop was a mess.

The entrance door was broken, making it impossible to enter.

“No……. I didn’t know it would be this weak.”

Muscles were visible on his forearms, which were exposed with his sleeves rolled up. Ren frowned and looked around.

After secretly casting a barrier to keep people away, he quickly restored the window to its original state.

“What on earth did you make this guy do?”

Ren turned his head irritably and looked at Caber. He was holding a rag in his hand.

“……I told him to mop, but I think I need to give him something else to do.”

Reilly smiled awkwardly, subtly avoiding Ren’s gaze and changing the subject.

Ren didn’t see the faint smile on her lips.

It was all because someone kept reminding her of someone.

‘His inability to work is similar to someone else.’

Caber also gave an embarrassed smile at Reilly’s nonchalant attitude and looked at the rag in his hand.

Strange, is glass usually this weak?

Having never mopped before, he had no idea how much force to use.

Reilly eventually worried and tried giving him another task.

‘He’ll be good at this, right.’

Reilly pointed to the items piled up on one side.

“Then, how about you stop wiping the glass and carry the items to the warehouse?”

Caber nodded with a dejected face. He wanted to do well, but somehow it wasn’t easy.

He obediently listened and carried the boxes to the warehouse one by one.