When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 67

Turning Away is Easy (66)

Kaver’s gaze turned to the stage at Railly’s words.

The figure with the red hair exposed and face covered by a mask looked just like Princess Adel.

“But something’s strange.”

This place was one where people were reluctant to reveal themselves, given the location.

Even though Princess Adel was from another country, she knew the Empire’s culture and customs. So, the possibility of that person being Princess Adel was extremely low.

On stage, the red-haired woman moved to the music. Her fluid movements and soft lines blended beautifully, capturing people’s attention.

“It would be best to watch a little longer.”

Kaver seated Railly and quietly stared at the woman.

Railly had also met with Princess Adel privately many times, so she knew the atmosphere she exuded. Although there was some distance from the stage, she couldn’t feel her unique spirit.

‘But she’s similar enough that anyone would think of Princess Adel.’

Is it someone’s intention? Or is it really Princess Adel?

At that moment, the dancing woman’s eyes met Railly’s.

She flinched.

Her eyes trembled slightly. But soon, her eyes regained their composure and curved into a smile.

In that moment, Railly realized.

The woman dancing was Princess Adel.

“Let’s get out of here.”

Railly felt like she shouldn’t be here and hurriedly grabbed Kaver’s hand.

“But not yet.”

Kaver couldn’t easily leave because he didn’t yet know the identity of the woman on stage.

It might be a good opportunity.

“Let’s talk outside.”

Railly stood up, undeterred by Kaver’s bewildered expression.

Kaver’s gaze finally turned to his hand.

“H, hand.”

Kaver was mentally disoriented by Railly, who was holding his hand tightly as if it were nothing.

Railly leaned towards the hesitant Kaver and whispered.

“Quickly.”

Her scent tickled the tip of his nose, making him dizzy, and he nodded.

To react so sensitively to such a small stimulus.

Kaver was embarrassed with himself.

He reproached himself, thinking he must be the worst kind of villain, looking at the innocent Railly.

However, Princess Adel approached them, making Railly’s quick actions meaningless.

She blended naturally among the people to match the music and quickly snatched Railly’s wrist.

With a flick, her red hair swirled around and fluttered before her eyes.

“You remind me of someone I know.”

Princess Adel spoke as if she didn’t care if her identity was revealed. Even though Railly’s appearance had changed, she recognized her at once.

It was because of the necklace containing her magic.

‘I didn’t expect her to come here, but.’

Princess Adel often disguised herself as a dancer to get information here.

There’s no better place for rumors to spread than a place where people don’t reveal themselves. With alcohol and atmosphere to help, it was easy to extract information from people’s mouths.

Others would think of her as someone who resembled Princess Adel.

“I don’t know what you mean; I don’t think we’ve met before.”

Railly answered with a nonchalant smile, evading her words.

‘I’m the one who wants to ask.’

Why on earth is Princess Adel here?

Every time her body turned to match Princess Adel’s steps, her eyes met and then parted with Kaver’s.

Kaver seemed just as embarrassed by the situation.

And every time their eyes met, Princess Adel also scanned Kaver once.

‘She wouldn’t come to a place like this with anyone other than Kaver.’

Thanks to the disguise, Princess Adel didn’t recognize him as Kaver. This was fortunate, but there was no telling when she would notice.

“Why would such a beautiful person come to a place like this?”

Princess Adel’s red lips curved into a captivating smile.

“If you’re an imperial citizen, you should enjoy all the festivals. I think I look a lot like someone I’ve heard rumors about.”

“Oh, really? I think I know who you mean.”

She joked, smiling falsely.

Adel clearly knew who she was. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so relaxed.

Railly wondered how Princess Adel had recognized her.

‘It’s not easy to recognize Ren’s magic.’

No one has ever recognized me at once.

Kaver and Reta already knew who I was and came knowing that, but how did Princess Adel recognize me?

“But what about the gentleman you’re with?”

Princess Adel’s eyes slowly gazed at Kaver.

“I just met him today. This place is where people meet, after all.”

Railly shrugged and matched her steps with Princess Adel.

As the two people’s dance reached its climax, the cheers of the people grew louder.

“I’m so glad I came today! To see such a beautiful dance.”

“It’s the first time Hella has danced with someone else.”

Princess Adel was apparently called Hella here.

With the cheers mixed with the excitement of the people, the song gradually subsided.

Only then did the princess release Railly’s hand and end the dance. At the same time, everyone’s applause poured out.

“Then I hope you have a good time with your gentleman.”

Princess Adel glanced at the necklace around Railly’s neck and immediately went behind the stage.

As the song ended, Railly became the center of attention.

“I’ve become interested in watching. If you came alone…….”

Men throwing advances began to surround her one by one.

“I’m sorry, I’m with someone.”

Railly showed her refusal and quickly approached Kaver.

“Looks like it’s your first time here; anyone you meet becomes your companion.”

A tall man wearing a black mask chuckled and roughly grabbed Railly’s hand.

Even at Railly’s scowling face, he didn’t seem to want to let go.

“Let go of this.”

Was this why he told me to stay by his side?

Railly looked up at the man with an unpleasant feeling. And she found Princess Adel smiling and looking at her from among the people.

As she realized her intentions, Railly let out a hollow laugh.

Did she find me and even dance with me just to create this situation?

Certainly, the current situation was not good for her.

She couldn’t use her powers, and it was just as burdensome to receive more attention.

“What business do you have with my woman?”

A low, subdued voice was accompanied by a sense of intimidation. He grabbed the wrist of the man holding Railly’s hand and growled as if warning him.

Kaver’s eyes shone dangerously as he looked at Railly’s wrist, which was red with marks.

“Hey, have you ever seen anyone here distinguish between ‘my woman’ and ‘your woman’?”

The man, whose wrist was grabbed by Kaver, frowned fiercely and shook off his hand.

He rubbed his throbbing wrist, then roughly swept his hair back and exhaled.

“Ri, come here.”

Kaver gently held out his hand to Railly. She took Kaver’s hand without hesitation and stood behind him.

“Ha! I can’t stand to watch this.”

The man, feeling the hostility directed at him unlike what he had shown to Railly, hurriedly stepped back.

Kaver was staring at the man as if he would really kill him.

The thought that he might die if he touched her even a little more made him swallow hard.

‘Tch, there are plenty of women here anyway.’

As regrettable as it was, he didn’t want her enough to risk his life. He felt that there was no good in dealing with this man, whatever he was.

It was like a sense that naturally arises from frequenting this place.

“Tsk, consider yourself lucky that we met here. If you knew who I was outside, you’d be in quite a predicament.”

The man left, still shouting loudly until the end.

Disappointment settled on the face of Princess Adel, who had been watching this with interest.

‘Humph, I thought there would be a big fight.’

It would be even more fun if it was revealed who Railly was.

She even did things she wouldn’t normally do, aiming for that, but the man she was with ruined the fun.

‘Not a guard knight, but who is he? I’m quite interested.’

Princess Adel took a sip of wine and watched the two leave the ballroom.

* * *

“Are you okay?”

Kaver sighed as he looked at Railly’s wrist.

“This much is fine. More than that, I think it’s Princess Adel.”

Kaver only stared at her wrist, even at Railly’s words.

What was important to him was not Princess Adel, but Railly’s reddened wrist.

He shouldn’t have let go of her hand like that.

He couldn’t help it because the situation happened so suddenly. He couldn’t tear the two apart who were dancing in the middle, nor could he ruin the stage.

Otherwise, he would have been kicked out immediately.

“I’m sorry. Because of me.”

Kaver’s head fell down. He wanted to find the human who flirted with her and break his wrist.

Perhaps it would be easy to find him if he set his mind to it.

But if he did, it would be known who went there, so it was difficult to move easily.

Railly reached out her hands and placed them on Kaver’s cheeks.

With Kaver’s cheeks pushed together, his head was lifted up.

“Lift your head. I’m okay.”

Kaver’s dazed expression and the two cheeks pushed together by her hands were quite cute.

“You ended up holding my hand again, didn’t you?”

Railly shrugged and smiled brightly at Kaver.