When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 56

Leilly sighed as she looked at the invitation that had arrived.

‘To think they didn’t even glance my way before, and now everyone wants to meet me.’

“When they all ignored me.”

Leta frowned, staring at the invitation. It wasn’t that the Trailla family had ever been ignored, but Leilly had never once received a personal invitation.

Only her father had been invited by others.

Leta had experienced the same. When everyone believed Duke Beritter cherished her, they all went out of their way to be on her good side.

“I can still see it clearly.”

How coldly their gazes turned on her when her father abandoned her.

Even the young ladies she’d considered friends deserted her without a second thought.

“Do you really have to go?”

Leta gestured as if she might tear the invitation at any moment. Leilly quietly studied the invitation, then looked at Caber.

“Is there any particular event here that I absolutely must attend?”

She wanted to ignore them all, but she was willing to attend if Caber needed her to. She had agreed to support him, after all.

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”

Caber shook his head.

Some of the invitees were nobles who would be easier to manage if they were on his side. But he didn’t want to sacrifice Leilly for his own benefit.

Besides, it was a ladies’ party, so he couldn’t even attend.

Caber couldn’t offer any direct assistance.

“Tell me. I have to do my part, too.”

Since they had made a fair deal, it was only right to pay the agreed-upon price. Leilly wasn’t thrilled about the banquet, but she was curious to see how much things had changed.

The gazes that once looked down on her.

What kind of expressions would they wear if she, the so-called abandoned princess, appeared before them as the contractor of the sword [a person who has a magical contract with a powerful sword, granting them special abilities] and the acknowledged successor of the Trailla family?

It would be worth it to see the arrogant ones panic and bow their heads to her.

“Are you really okay with this?”

Caber asked Leilly’s intentions once more.

“Yes, I’m fine. Aren’t they the ones I’ll have to meet anyway when I become the head of the family?”

Leilly raised her teacup and offered a relaxed smile. Leta’s face, previously filled with dissatisfaction, brightened as she pointed to one of the invitations.

“Then, I think this place would be good.”

Leta pointed to the Beretto County family, one of the families that had consistently slighted Leilly.

“The Beretto County family is a rising power these days. That place is good too, but it wouldn’t be bad to attend this one.”

Caber held up an envelope with a green seal from among the many invitations.

“The Siren Dukedom has a close relationship with Princess Peleponsia of a foreign country.”

“The Kingdom of Peleponsia…?”

Leilly took the envelope and repeated the name.

A vague memory stirred in her mind.

Princess Vivianna Adel of the Kingdom of Peleponsia.

“That would be quite an important guest.”

Leilly said, reading the letter’s contents. It was an invitation from the Dukedom, but the princess was almost certain to attend.

There were always many who were curious about the sword, and now that her identity had been revealed, other kingdoms would come simply to see her.

“Please narrow it down to a few places for me.”

At Leilly’s request, Caber handed her three invitations. Leta’s mouth had been itching to speak since Vivianna Adel’s name was mentioned, but she had held back.

* * *

“Sister, are you really going?”

“I sent a reply, so I have to go. It’s not like it’s a place I’m forbidden from visiting.”

“…Do you know what kind of place the Siren Dukedom is before you go?”

Leta tapped her foot and asked. Ren flicked Leta’s forehead and raised his eyebrows.

“Let go of me! Do you think I’m a kid!”

Leta, huffing and puffing, glared at Ren and put her hand on her hip.

The two of them bickering looked like siblings, and Leilly chuckled.

“You didn’t say anything earlier, why are you doing this now, on the day I’m leaving?”

“That’s…!”

Caber wouldn’t give her a chance to speak. He didn’t want Leilly to know.

But no matter how she considered it, Leilly had to be informed.

‘Why did he recommend all those places?’

He must have ulterior motives. But she didn’t approve of his methods. Besides, Ren seemed to know something as well, judging by his behavior.

“You’re expecting Princess Vivianna Adel to come to the place you’re going now, right?”

Leilly nodded slightly. When she was almost finished dressing, she put on her green earrings and stood up.

“Then do you also know that the princess is a candidate to be the Crown Princess?”

Leta blurted out, despite Ren’s attempt to stop her. Ren glanced at Leilly’s expression, as if he had given up.

‘She doesn’t seem to care.’

Ren sighed in relief at Leilly’s calm demeanor.

He had thought she would be concerned, since the two had grown closer recently. But seeing that she wasn’t affected at all, he wondered if Leilly had truly opened her heart as much as he believed.

As soon as he had that thought, the corners of Ren’s lips turned upwards.

“Ren, I’ll be back, so don’t follow me.”

“…Why?”

“It’s not like you’re going to be any help anyway.”

In fact, Ren was planning to follow Leilly secretly. Caber had also asked him to do something, so he was trying to conceal his appearance and go incognito.

“You know? I can always tell whether you’re there or not.”

“…What if something dangerous happens?”

“That won’t happen.”

Leilly’s firm words silenced Ren.

Leta’s eyes also widened at Ren’s absence, as she had assumed he would be accompanying her.

‘Who knows what that woman will do!’

She had heard rumors that the princess was a very cunning woman. She had also heard stories that after being rejected by Caber, she had searched for the woman he had in mind.

It seemed that no one in the Imperial Family yet knew that Caber harbored feelings for Leilly.

‘I’m uneasy; I feel like something’s going to happen.’

Even if Leilly was related to the Imperial Family, the other party was a princess. Without a formal contract [marriage contract], Leilly was still just a daughter of the Dukedom.

“Don’t worry.”

Leilly gently took Leta’s trembling hand.

“I’m not the same as before.”

She was no longer the fool who could be taken advantage of. The girl who could only cry silently had disappeared long ago.

Having experienced more than most, she had matured without even realizing it.

Knock knock.

Just as she was ready, there was a knock on the door from outside.

With her permission to enter, the door opened and Caber appeared. He seemed momentarily speechless at the sight of Leilly dressed up, and stared at her blankly.

“What’s wrong…?”

Caber, snapping out of his daze at Leilly’s words, cleared his throat and said,

“Ah, I’ll take you to the Siren Dukedom.”

“I would appreciate that.”

Before Leilly could answer, Leta quickly left the room and smiled brightly.

‘She’s going to make a bit of a fuss.’

But that wouldn’t be a bad thing. It would definitely demonstrate that the Imperial Family supported her.

If she arrived at the Dukedom with the Crown Prince, others would certainly be more aware.

Ren crossed his arms and scrutinized Caber.

“Anyone would think you’re the one attending. Why are you so dressed up?”

Caber glanced at Ren’s sarcastic tone and smirked.

“We seem to look quite good together.”

Leilly, taking Caber’s offered arm, glanced down at her attire. The blue dress embroidered with silver thread seemed to complement Caber’s white uniform.

Was it because of the blue accents in his clothes?

To an outside observer, it would appear that they had coordinated their outfits.

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s just that I’ve always liked blue.”

Caber smiled deeply, holding Leilly’s hand tightly, and shrugged.

“It’s so cheesy, I can’t watch.”

Ren snapped his fingers. Caber’s body tilted as if he was about to fall forward, then was abruptly pulled back. Leilly lost her balance and nearly fell because of Caber’s sudden movement.

“Are you okay?”

Caber quickly supported Leilly’s waist and pulled her close. Leilly nodded, seemingly embraced in his arms.

‘You didn’t have to help me this much.’

Caber winked at Ren, who was glaring at him as if he wanted to pierce him through.

Ren bit his lip tightly, fighting back his rising anger.

“The floor seems slippery, so I think it would be safer to carry you out like this.”

“I’m okay…!”

Caber lifted Leilly into his arms as if showing her off. Her body seemed to float in the air, and then she found herself facing Caber’s chest. Surprised, Leilly raised her head and met Caber’s gaze looking down at her.

‘…I was so startled.’

Leilly’s heart plummeted, and she buried her face.

Caber was also on the verge of losing his composure. He tried to take deep breaths to calm his racing heart, but it wasn’t easy.

“If something happens at the party, don’t hold back.”

“Yes?”

“I won’t tolerate you being ignored or treated unfairly by anyone.”

Leilly nodded.

“So don’t worry about anything, and do whatever you want.”

Leilly smiled faintly at Caber’s serious words.

“Because I’m behind you.”

Caber was now saying things that were quite embarrassing without any hesitation.