When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 53

Kaver suddenly snapped to attention, inwardly questioning his outburst. What on earth had he just blurted out? More than that, what was that sudden impulse? He subtly returned to his original position, turning his head and clearing his throat. “Sorry,” he mumbled.

He worried that Railey might have been startled by his actions. And what about his burning face?

“…Next time, I’ll prepare two teacups.” Railey’s words made Kaver turn his head sharply.

He nodded vigorously, smiling brightly. Railey must have been indirectly inviting him for tea.

Kaver had to leave his spot soon after due to Haban’s approach, which was a shame. Nevertheless, the smile didn’t leave his face.

“I should have just gone somewhere else.” Ren’s expression, who had been quietly watching, hardened noticeably.

As she said, Ren had been discreetly observing them from afar, giving Railey the space she desired. ‘I didn’t want to see this,’ Ren thought, lying down on the roof as she was, covering her eyes with her arm. She felt a pang of bitterness, especially since the weather seemed particularly nice today.

Railey’s red cheeks and Kaver’s smiling face as he looked at her didn’t please him. Yet, all he could do was nothing.

“This is why I didn’t want to give my heart.” Who could he blame? Ren bit his lip, just wishing for time to pass.

* * *

As Railey’s condition improved, the Emperor summoned her. Railey had been waiting for the call, so she left her room without hesitation.

“Sister, are you really okay?”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry and get some rest.” Railey gently smiled at Leta’s worried gaze. The shadows that had recently lifted from Railey’s face returned momentarily.

“…Is it because of Father’s matter?”

“No, that matter has already been settled.” Thanks to the Emperor’s help while she was sick, it was quickly taken care of. Of course, he didn’t die, but he would have to live in prison for the rest of his life.

“He won’t be able to harass us again. I promise you.” Railey hugged Leta, gently stroking her back. Leta squeezed her eyes shut whenever the story of Duke Beriter came up, still traumatized.

Perhaps the things she had suffered would not easily disappear. ‘Maybe it would be good to erase your memories for you,’ Railey mused, immediately dismissing the thought. She didn’t want to use her power on her sister. Railey firmly believed that Leta could overcome the past because she would always be by her side.

Neither Leta nor she was alone anymore.

“You’ve endured well so far. You’ll overcome it well in the future too.” Leta nodded at Railey’s words. Her sister had always been a source of strength for her. Leta felt a warm sincerity in her heart, making her feel comforted.

* * *

Railey became nervous as she stood in front of the door. She unconsciously clenched and unclenched her hands. Would the Emperor really keep his promise to her? She couldn’t jump to conclusions. She couldn’t believe anything unless she saw it with her own eyes.

“I will open the door when you are ready.” Railey nodded, as if she had made up her mind, at the gatekeeper’s words.

As the door creaked open, the Emperor’s figure, looking at her from the center of the audience chamber, was revealed. Railey slowly entered.

“I greet His Majesty the Emperor.” As Railey bowed respectfully, the Emperor ordered a servant to hand over a sword.

“…This is…” It was none other than her family’s sword, ‘celátum’ [Latin for ‘hidden’ or ‘concealed’]. She had heard that it was being kept in the Imperial Palace, but she didn’t expect it to come into her hands so quickly. It was also the first time she had held it, as it had always been hanging on the wall.

“That alone will somewhat acknowledge the legitimacy of your position.” Even though the Emperor had made a promise to her, he immediately handed over the sword.

Railey’s wavering gaze was fixed on the blue-tinged sword. She was unconsciously captivated by the energy that seemed to react to her.

“You know that I won’t immediately break the contract with the Imperial Family.”

“Of course.”

Because the Crown Prince’s position was not yet fully solidified.

“But the contract with the sword can no longer be delayed.” The resonating sound of the sword in her hand seemed to intensify. The sword kept calling out to her, as if desiring her.

“I trust that you will not ignore your promise to me after making a contract with the sword.” Railey stared straight at the Emperor, waiting for confirmation. It wasn’t that she doubted his words, but there was no harm in making it clear one more time.

‘How would Ren react if I asked him to make a contract?’ They talked as usual, ate, and drank tea. Not a single word about the contract with Ren had been said until yesterday.

Ren wasn’t very fond of making a contract with her because he knew the side effects of the contract. But she couldn’t let him disappear like this. Fate had already been twisted, and the disappearance of Ren, who was like family to her, would be another sorrow.

“I will complete the contract within this week.”

“As you know, the contract must be made in front of the Imperial Family and everyone.”

“I will inform you as soon as the date is set.” Railey nodded at the Emperor’s words. This was to show that the relationship between the Imperial Family and the Trailla family was strong, and to announce the power of the Trailla family, which possessed the ability of the sword, to everyone.

It was more important than ever, so Railey thought she should be careful.

“Even if you lose your ego, the promise will be fulfilled.”

“I hope you will not forget those words.” The Emperor ordered a servant to write down everything that had been said so far. It was natural that she didn’t trust him, so if he gave her this much trust, she would also do her best for the Imperial Family.

“I will entrust this document to my son. He will never betray you.” He thought that if Railey knew Kaver’s sincerity, she would agree with his words. And the Emperor’s thoughts were accurate because Railey didn’t object and agreed.

“I think it would be good for you to stay here for the time being. Is there anything uncomfortable?” The Emperor asked, stroking his chin. He had heard from Haban that Railey had recently had tea alone with Kaver.

“There is nothing uncomfortable. I will follow Your Majesty’s words, but I would like to see my father once.” Railey thought of Duke Beriter, who was imprisoned. She would feel better if she saw with her own eyes what he looked like. Seeing Leta being anxious, she wanted to check it herself.

“I don’t think it would be good to see him.”

“If you are worried about me, it’s okay. It was none other than me who made my father that way.” At Railey’s words, the Emperor recalled the appearance of Duke Beriter, who was so miraculously alive. The sight of his tongue being cut off and his arm being severed, barely escaping death, was still vivid.

“Wasn’t it self-defense?” The Emperor casually pointed to Railey’s arm, pretending not to know, even though he knew the truth. Everyone knew that the Emperor knew.

Even though Railey had cut off her father’s tongue and severed his arm, he had kidnapped his daughter and tried to do unspeakable things, so Railey, who had her arm cut off, protected her younger sister and saved her own life, was acting in self-defense.

“His condition will not be as good as it was then. Prison is not a comfortable place.”

“I have never wanted him to go comfortably.”

“Well, it is a daughter’s duty to see her father’s face once before he goes.” The Emperor added to Railey’s words, raising the corners of his mouth. His finger pointed out the door.

‘Don’t forget that there are many ears in the Imperial Palace.’ He was warning Railey with his eyes, saying that even breathing had to be hidden in this place. Even though she was having an audience with the Emperor, not everyone was on his side.

Enemies were always in places she didn’t know, and the Imperial Palace was a place where she couldn’t let her guard down.

“It would be good to go right now. I am so moved by your appearance of trying to take care of such a father to the end that I will allow it only this once.” The Emperor said without changing his tone. Railey answered a little louder so that the voice could be heard outside the door.

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s consideration.” As the presence outside the door disappeared, a different light flickered in Railey’s eyes.

* * *

Railey slowly walked down the stairs, following the guide. It was the law that nobles should be given a good place to live even in prison. It was to give a difference from other classes, but Duke Beriter’s case was different.

He threatened the Imperial Family, tried to harm the legitimate heir of the family, and his crime was so bad that he was no different from a death row inmate. But by the Emperor’s order not to kill him but to keep him alive, he was in a situation where he could not die comfortably.

Duke Beriter focused on the sound of footsteps approaching him. ‘Two footsteps, this sound is…’ It was definitely the sound of his daughter’s footsteps that he had been waiting for so long. Duke Beriter’s whole body began to tremble instinctively.

He had vowed to kill her no matter what when he met her again, but with the door opening and facing Railey’s gaze, he was so caught up in the fear of that day that he ended up wetting his pants.

“Father, I’m here.” With Railey’s neatly folded eyes, Duke Beriter’s jaw dropped and his teeth chattered.