When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 78

“This is a truly unexpected opportunity.”

Princess Adel hummed, looking at the letter from the Imperial Palace.

“Well, shall I make my move too?”

She gazed at Lirita, who was brushing her hair, through the mirror.

“I was going to ask you to do something later, but the timing has unexpectedly moved up.”

“What is it…?”

Lirita glanced at Princess Adel and then lowered her eyes.

‘Finally!’

Being called to the Imperial Palace was unexpected, but not bad news.

It was clear that I would remain in the Duke’s residence.

“You’ll have to come to the Imperial Palace with me.”

“……Yes?”

“Why are you so surprised? It just means I cherish you that much.”

Princess Adel erased her contained smile and glared.

“Your expression is as if.”

Her finger swept across the vanity and stopped abruptly.

“As if I’m dragging you to hell.”

“N, no way. I just didn’t expect that Your Highness would take me with you.”

Lirita hurriedly waved her hands.

“I just never imagined I would have the honor of going to the Imperial Palace!”

Even as she rattled off excuses, her lips were parched.

“Really? Then try smiling.”

Lirita’s strained expression was reflected in the mirror.

Princess Adel brought her finger to the mirror and drew up the corners of Lirita’s mouth as if to lift them.

Lirita hurriedly smiled brightly at her gesture.

“But, will Princess Roanna allow it?”

“That’s not your problem.”

“Yes!”

She nodded without adding any more to Princess Adel’s words.

“Then… what is it you want me to do?”

“You’ll know when the time comes. There’s a time for everything.”

In fact, Adel had been gathering information by going here and there.

There were many masquerade balls and other events held in the shadows. She used them to approach people, the citizens of the Empire.

‘Well, I made sure they didn’t know it was me.’

It’s time to stop doing this.

It was quite fun, but dancing was physically demanding. Besides, lately, rumors had spread, and many people were bothering her.

“Ah, by the way, does Reilley have another man?”

“Another man…?”

Lirita blinked and rolled her eyes.

She had never heard such a story. She had always heard that the Crown Prince was always by Reilley’s side.

‘The aide wouldn’t be by her side.’

She immediately thought of Haban but shook her head.

“Who are you talking about?”

“Hmm, never mind.”

Well, it must have been a connection she made there.

She didn’t know she had such a hobby, but they seemed more affectionate than she thought.

But she didn’t feel any other energy. Honestly, she wouldn’t have noticed Reilley if it weren’t for the necklace.

‘But why do I feel so uneasy?’

Adel kept thinking about that man.

Looking at Lirita’s expression, she didn’t seem to be lying.

“Where is Duke Serhin now?”

“He’s probably in his office.”

“Then, tell him I want to see him.”

Today is the end of this Duke’s residence, so I should give him a gift.

Adel got up from her seat and looked at herself in the mirror.

“Red dresses suit me well after all.”

She left the room with a satisfied smile.

* * *

“I apologize for the wait.”

Duke Serhin entered the drawing-room.

Looking at the clock, it must have been at least 10 minutes.

“Well, you must be busy. I understand.”

Princess Adel took a sip of wine and nodded.

“It seems the story will be a bit long, so please sit down.”

“I was preparing what you would need when you go to the Imperial Palace tomorrow.”

The Duke said cautiously as he pulled out a chair and sat down.

Looking at Princess Adel’s expression, she seemed to be in a very good mood about it.

“Since the Duke is taking care of it, there’s nothing for me to do.”

She was very pleased with Duke Serhin’s handling of things.

“Did you want to see me because you had a separate request?”

“That’s why I like the Duke.”

His way of speaking, getting straight to the point without an introduction, didn’t waste time.

“I’m thinking of taking a maid to the Imperial Palace.”

“You mean Lirita.”

The Duke showed no particular reaction.

Since she had been with the Princess all along, staying in the Duke’s residence might become a source of trouble.

“Will one be enough?”

He put on his mask as always and treated the Princess with polite formality.

“I think she’ll be enough. I’m grateful that you readily agreed.”

Adel smiled brightly and put down her wine glass.

“Now, tell me what you want from me, Duke.”

She rested her face on her clasped hands and folded her eyes.

If the Duke had not stood by the Crown Prince, he would have told her what he wanted right away.

But he did not take the hand she offered.

“I am content with Your Highness having a good rest.”

“Oh my, I didn’t know the Duke thought of me this way.”

Adel wiped her mouth with a napkin and composed herself.

‘That snake-like man is playing it safe.’

She knew that he had let her stay at the Duke’s residence because he wanted something from her.

But for some reason, he refused her favor.

‘Oh well.’

Adel nodded and got up from her seat.

“Well, it’s been fun. I won’t forget what the Serhin Dukedom has done for me.”

“That alone is enough.”

The Duke got up from his seat and bowed.

Does she know that she is walking into the lion’s den on her own?

‘The Imperial Palace will be quite noisy.’

It would be better if she stirred things up a bit more.

It would be easier to increase his power when the nobles are confused.

“Then, I hope you achieve what you desire.”

The Duke hardened his expression as he watched Princess Adel leave the drawing-room.

* * *

Sunshine touched her eyes along with the soft bed.

“Ugh……”

With a headache that felt like it would break, her mind was dizzy.

“Are you awake?”

Ren noticed Reilley’s stirring and came to her side.

“Reilley.”

A familiar voice spread gently in her ears as her fading mind cleared.

“Why am I here…?”

Reilley jumped up from the bed and put her hand on her forehead.

She had no memory of how she got to the room. Only dark afterimages swirled in her head, as if her memory had been cut off.

‘Did I come back again?’

Ren shrugged as if it were nothing.

“Well, that’s not important. What’s going to happen tomorrow is more important, right?”

Reilley tilted her head at Ren’s words.

She didn’t even understand the situation of waking up, but what was going to happen tomorrow?

“Is it something related to the Imperial Palace?”

“You could say that.”

Reilley’s brow furrowed at Ren’s playful tone.

“If it’s something I need to know, His Highness the Crown Prince will tell me.”

“Princess Adel is coming.”

“……Right away tomorrow?”

Reilley recalled Princess Adel, following the fragmented memories. She seemed to have vaguely heard about staying in the Imperial Palace’s annex.

“Have I been lying down for quite a while?”

“No, about a day or so.”

Ren told Reilley about the situation she was in.

Why was she so unhappy about Princess Adel coming to the Imperial Palace?

The Crown Prince must have a reason for calling her, but she didn’t like it.

“Why are you making that face?”

Without even having an ego.

Without even knowing her own feelings.

Ren bit his lip as he looked at Reilley’s face.

Does she know what kind of expression she’s making? No, she wouldn’t.

If she knew, she would be confused.

“……What kind of expression am I making?”

Reilley turned her face towards the mirror.

But soon, she was prevented from seeing her face in the mirror by Ren’s hand.

Her face, firmly held, was facing Ren.

Ren’s eyes looked sad in the face of the two gazes.

‘Sad?’

She didn’t know exactly what emotion it was, but her heart felt like it was sinking.

“Then why are you looking at me with that expression?”

It was clearly different from the expression Kavel used to make towards her.

He sometimes made this face, but it was clear that it was not the same as the feeling she felt at this moment.

“I wonder.”

Ren forcibly pulled up the corners of his mouth and drew a smile.

“But I wish you would stay like this.”

Reilley didn’t understand Ren’s words and stared blankly at him.

“Are you saying it was different in the past?”

“……I don’t want to tell you.”

Ren took his hand off Reilley’s face and took a couple of steps back.

“I want to know a little more about myself.”

She wanted to escape this stuffy feeling and find out the facts that only she didn’t know.

But this man didn’t seem to want to tell her.

‘Why? Why on earth?’

Reilley couldn’t read Ren’s thoughts. He always had a face that didn’t know what he was thinking.

“Don’t make such a curious face.”

Ren covered his face with both hands and let out a dry breath.

He felt like he was committing a sin, and he didn’t feel good.

Nevertheless, Ren didn’t want to tell her what state she was in.

“Because if I tell you, I might not be able to be by your side.”

Ren lowered his head and muttered softly.

If she, who has Kavel in her heart, comes back, there will be no room for me to squeeze in.

So, he wanted to be by her side only when she didn’t have any feelings for him, like now.

Even until the contract is terminated and she is free.