When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 45

Turning Away, It’s Someone Else (44)

Seeing Theo’s face devoid of animosity, Reilly finally felt that everything was over. Though, it was just the beginning.

The judges and jurors unanimously decided to strip Theo of his title and sentence him. The same went for Anna.

She would probably spend half her life in prison.

“How do you feel now that one thing is over?”

“Well, I don’t feel as relieved as I thought I would.”

She felt strange thinking that this would be the end of everything. The punishment they received was deserved, but she knew the wounds in her heart would not disappear.

“I told you to just kill them all.”

“Wouldn’t that have been even more unsettling?”

Reilly chuckled at Ren’s words. What would it have been like if she had really done that?

“It probably wouldn’t be forgotten for quite a while.”

It would be in the newspapers, and everyone would know the truth that they hadn’t known. Reilly turned her head to look at the people who had attended.

Among them was Duke Veriter, whom she had been waiting for.

He met Reilly’s gaze, stood up, and approached her.

“I didn’t know you would do so well. You’ve grown up nicely.”

Duke Veriter grinned and placed his hand on her shoulder. Reilly’s face twisted unpleasantly, and she quickly brushed off her father’s hand.

“Your news travels fast. I didn’t expect you to come.”

“Now you have to go home. The Trailla family is where you belong.”

People glanced at Reilly and Duke Veriter. He hurriedly tried to take Reilly to the dukedom, but the Duke’s hand could not reach Reilly again.

“Duke Veriter, take your hand off her. Lady Reilly Sharlatia is now under the protection of the Imperial Family.”

The Imperial Knights, along with Kavel, surrounded him.

The faces of those who saw the Crown Prince step forward were filled with surprise. Everyone bowed their heads to his golden hair and brilliant eyes that seemed to be made of melted gold.

“As a wielder of the Sword’s power, Lady Reilly Sharlatia will not be allowed to meet anyone until the contract is signed.”

Those who conspired with Duke Veriter held their breath and rose from their seats. They tried to leave the courtroom, covering themselves with cloaks so as not to be noticed, but they could not escape because the Knights blocked the entrance.

“Duke Veriter, there was an imperial order that if you try to take Lady Reilly Sharlatia, it will be considered treason.”

Everyone was in an uproar at the word treason. Everyone trembled at the thought of a possible bloodbath. They had only come to see an interesting trial, but things had gotten out of hand.

Those who were afraid of being swept up and implicated prostrated themselves on the floor.

“The Imperial Family can’t do this to me.”

Duke Veriter protested to Kavel. There was a clear contract, but to take his daughter away was unacceptable.

He didn’t think Reilly would ever go to the Imperial Family on her own.

‘I have to bring her home somehow. I can’t lose Reilly when I’ve already lost the Sword.’

The Duke had nowhere to retreat. It was true that he had gathered people as Kavel had said. He didn’t think they would call it treason, but it wasn’t wrong.

“It doesn’t make sense to take someone by force. This is an unfair order!”

Duke Veriter pleaded as if he was wronged. Everyone listened and watched Kavel and Duke Veriter quietly.

Of course, it would be a problem if they dragged her away by force.

“But Father, who said they were taking me by force?”

Reilly, who had been watching quietly, passed Duke Veriter and headed to Kavel.

‘It’s a shame I can’t kill him.’

Ren blew on Duke Veriter’s ear, who couldn’t see him, and stood next to Reilly.

Duke Veriter flinched at the unknown chill.

‘This unpleasant feeling…….’

The Duke’s head creaked as he turned to Reilly. He couldn’t see it, but he knew. This energy had always lingered around his family.

“I’m going on my own accord.”

Reilly smiled radiantly at Duke Veriter’s unsightly face.

* * *

Reilly returned to the Imperial Palace and collapsed on the bed. She closed her eyes as the events flashed through her mind and silently felt the stillness.

“I’m tired.”

She felt pain as her tension was released along with her limp body.

“Are you okay? Your mana seems too unstable.”

Ren fussed over Reilly, looking worried. Reilly nodded slightly and smiled, raising the corners of her mouth.

“Ah! Leta is coming!”

Reilly jumped out of bed and looked in the mirror, checking her condition.

“My face is a mess.”

Leta might worry if she saw her like this…….

Ren sat Reilly on a chair and placed his hand on her shoulder. Then, a blue light emanated from Reilly’s neck and slowly began to ripple.

“It looks too unstable. Let’s block it off for a while.”

“What happened with Leta’s situation?”

“Ask her yourself.”

Ren calmed Reilly’s mana and sat on the bed. He didn’t know the details because Kavel hadn’t told him and he had been in the scabbard.

Knock, knock-

“Come in.”

The door opened at Reilly’s words. She saw Kavel and the maids waiting.

“I thought you might need them.”

The maids held various dresses and accessories in their hands.

“I’m going to have dinner with Leta. Is that okay?”

“Leta is here?!”

Reilly got up from the chair and her eyes sparkled. She could finally see her sister, whom she had wanted to see but couldn’t.

“If you’re tired today, you can see her tomorrow. She’ll be here anyway.”

“No, no. I want to go see her right now.”

Kavel nodded, seeing Reilly looking a little impatient.

The maids quickly helped Reilly prepare. She didn’t want to show her tired side to her sister, whom she was seeing after a long time.

* * *

“Are you nervous?”

“Yes, a little. I hope Leta doesn’t hate me……?”

Reilly had been worried about leaving Leta behind that day. What if she resented her? Her head was filled with complicated thoughts about what to do if she didn’t want to see her.

“Leta believed in you and waited.”

“……What happened to the Count?”

“Well, I took care of it.”

Kavel subtly avoided Reilly’s gaze. He kept saying that he had taken care of it, but it wasn’t easy.

The Count knew that Leta was alive and tried to take her away. He realized that his position was in danger because the evidence was still alive.

As a result, Leta had to participate in the plan once again, and since he had witnessed the concrete evidence at the scene, his punishment was close to life imprisonment.

‘He will be tortured once a week, and it goes without saying that he will be kept alive just enough not to die.’

He thought there was no need to mention it since they had experienced many things today.

Honestly, Reilly didn’t really hear what Kavel was saying. Her heart was pounding so hard that she felt like she was about to burst into tears.

“Reilly, are you that happy?”

Ren threw a word as he watched Reilly’s expression.

“I’m just relieved.”

Reilly answered Ren’s words and shook her head slowly. She was relieved that Leta and she could meet again like this.

She couldn’t believe that she could finally see her sister, whom she thought she would never see again.

Her two eyes were already wet. The tears that had formed hung precariously, as if they would fall at any moment if touched.

When they stood at the entrance to the drawing room, Kavel turned and carefully wiped away Reilly’s tears.

“You can cry if you want.”

He cupped Reilly’s cheeks and pulled them out.

“But shouldn’t we smile when we see each other after a long time?”

At Kavel’s playful words, Reilly reached out and took Kavel’s hand away.

“I’ll pay you back for this tenfold next time.”

It seemed to have hurt quite a bit to be pulled. Kavel shrugged his shoulders and smiled mischievously at Reilly’s words.

The door opened and Leta was seen sitting in her seat.

“Sister!”

As soon as she found Reilly, she got up and ran straight to her. Kavel and Ren grabbed her because Reilly was about to fall backward while hugging Leta because she ran so hard.

“Are you okay now?”

Leta quickly hugged Reilly’s face and looked around. She had gained a little weight since she saw her last time, but her complexion still looked tired.

Reilly burst into tears as she watched Leta, who was only worried about her.

“Leta, I’m sorry.”

Reilly may have felt relieved to see Leta’s bright face. At the same time, she felt grateful to Kavel.

If it hadn’t been for him, Leta and she wouldn’t have been able to meet like this.

“Are you hungry? I’ve prepared a meal for the two of you to enjoy comfortably, so please talk.”

Kavel led Reilly and Leta to their seats.

Ren tilted his head as he watched Kavel, who was not sitting down.

“Why are you standing there blankly? Aren’t you going to sit down?”

As Ren pulled out a chair to sit next to Reilly, Kavel grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him up.

He didn’t know if he was clueless or pretending to be.

‘I can’t leave him like this.’

Kavel clicked his tongue briefly and winked at Ren.

“I guess you’ll have to eat with me.”

“No, I’d rather starve.”

Ren strongly refused. However, he couldn’t use proper mana because of the barrier in the Imperial Palace. In the end, Ren was dragged out of the drawing room by Kavel’s hand.