When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers [EN]: Chapter 81

The Imperial Palace bustled with activity.

Leilly, standing beside the Crown Prince, observed everything intently, trying to quickly understand the situation.

‘Even if I’m in the detached palace, I can still move around the entire Imperial Palace.’

She couldn’t afford to relax her guard.

She considered Adel a formidable enemy.

More than anything, now that she knew Kavel harbored animosity, she was uncertain what might happen.

‘He admitted to having feelings for her, didn’t he?’

Leilly was lost in thought as she watched Kavel, who appeared as composed as ever.

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

“Ah, I was trying to anticipate how Princess Adel might act.”

Ren nodded, stroking his chin.

“It’s best not to anticipate.”

Unexpected events often happen in quick succession.

“By the way, I haven’t seen someone who used to visit me often lately.”

Leilly glanced around, thinking of Leta, who resembled her. She knew Leta was staying in the Imperial Palace, but she hadn’t seen her recently.

“You’ll probably see her often soon.”

“Is she ill?”

“No, let’s just say it’s something similar.”

It was difficult for Leta to see Leilly without being recognized, so she was enduring it, hoping from afar that Leilly would return to her senses as soon as possible.

‘I’m handling matters related to the Duke’s estate, so all that’s left is for my sister to return.’

Leta was currently managing affairs related to the Trailla family on behalf of Leilly, who was unable to do so. She met with important figures and made appearances in society to reinforce the family’s influence.

She also made sure to remind everyone that Leilly would become the head of the Trailla family after a certain period.

“Sir Haban, will this really help?”

“Of course.”

“…But I.”

“Princess, aren’t you also a legitimate daughter of the Trailla family?”

Haban gently patted Leta’s shoulder, sensing her burden.

“You’re doing well.”

“Really?”

“Of course. You are also a successor, so you are doing the right thing.”

If there was no head of the family, someone suitable had to fill the position.

Leilly was currently tied to the Imperial Palace and couldn’t become the head of the family, so Leta had to take her place until then.

“Leilly will praise you later for doing such a good job.”

“If it helps, I’ll work hard.”

Leta steeled her resolve, looking at Leilly standing next to Kavel.

“I think I should go now. It seems I have a guest.”

“Yes, it’s best not to run into her today.”

At Haban’s words, Leta headed to her room.

The guest was undoubtedly Princess Adel. Leta touched the necklace around her neck and glanced back at Leilly once more.

“Okay, I can do it.”

If she carried out her assigned mission well, the plan would proceed more smoothly.

* * *

Princess Adel couldn’t tear her gaze away from the Imperial Palace before her.

Finally, she was close to Kavel.

“It’s a relief that they welcomed me more warmly than I expected.”

Princess Adel, upon opening the carriage door, was disappointed that Kavel wasn’t the one escorting her.

‘It seems my welcome only extends this far.’

However, she exited the carriage with a captivating smile.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting.”

“Then, I should go quickly. Shouldn’t I see His Majesty [the Emperor] first before that?”

At Princess Adel’s words, the attendant guiding her nodded.

“Then I will inform them that you will visit His Majesty first.”

She smiled, slightly closing and opening her eyes as if agreeing.

‘It’ll be faster to win the Emperor’s favor than the Crown Prince’s.’

He was also a more receptive target.

Adel moved purposefully toward the audience room to meet the Emperor. The glimpses of her legs visible beneath her dress drew attention.

She was as beautiful as a seductive red rose.

The eyes of those watching were naturally drawn to her elegant and dignified gait.

‘She’s really beautiful.’

‘I’ve only heard rumors, but it’s hard to look away.’

An unknown, subtle charm kept drawing people in. She chuckled and slipped into the audience room.

“I greet Your Majesty.”

The Emperor maintained his smile as he looked at Princess Adel, who had come to see him immediately.

She was trying to win his favor, not the Crown Prince’s.

In some ways, that was quick thinking, but her approach was misguided.

“Are you thinking of marrying me?”

The Emperor looked at Adel, who appeared flustered.

“What do you mean…?”

“I heard the Crown Prince was waiting, but seeing you come straight to me instead of him, it seems I am your priority.”

“I simply thought it was proper to see Your Majesty first.”

Adel began to calmly address the situation. Of course, she also knew that the Emperor had baited her to deliberately embarrass her.

The Emperor nodded as he looked at Adel, who was trying not to be shaken by his words.

“I don’t mind thinking that there is a princess who cares about me so much.”

“Thank you for thinking so.”

“You’ll have to try quite hard, though.”

If it hadn’t been for what he heard at the meeting, the Emperor might have considered connecting Adel with Kavel. He liked her boldness, and it wasn’t a bad idea.

However, if it was true that she had used tricks on Leilly, then the situation was different.

That was also a threat to his son.

“Shouldn’t you go quickly?”

“…Thank you for your concern.”

Adel greeted the Emperor and left the audience room.

His attitude toward her had subtly changed. She bit her lip, swallowing her rising annoyance.

‘Did he find out something?’

That couldn’t be.

She hadn’t done anything yet. Adel couldn’t shake her suspicious gaze from Lirita, who was waiting for her outside.

‘I need to keep a close eye on this child.’

Maybe the time to abandon her was approaching.

“Let’s go, His Highness is waiting.”

“Yes, yes. I will guide you.”

Lirita quickly began to lead the way ahead of Princess Adel.

The red necklace around her neck suddenly sparkled.

‘Hmm, are they together?’

The closer she got to the location, the more the red energy inside the necklace fluctuated.

And indeed, Leilly and Kavel were waiting for her together in the detached palace.

“Have you arrived?”

Kavel greeted Adel with a softer voice than usual.

“…Yes, thank you for inviting me to the Imperial Palace.”

Adel was secretly pleased with Kavel’s attitude. His expression didn’t reveal much emotion, but his gentle voice was pleasant to hear.

Seeing Leilly standing next to him reminded her of the humiliation of the past, and anger surged within her.

“May I ask you to guide me through the detached palace?”

The detached palace was located a bit far from the main palace. Along the way, flowers and well-manicured grass adorned the grounds.

Adel approached Kavel, smiled shyly, and tugged at his sleeve.

“Of course.”

At that, Kavel readily offered his arm, allowing her to link arms with him.

“This will be more comfortable. I walk fast.”

It was a consideration she had never received before. Had he really had a change of heart, and was that why he called her to the Imperial Palace?

Adel was confused by his changed behavior.

Even so, Leilly was still by his side, but somehow this time, the feeling was different.

“Ah, Leilly. We don’t need an escort right now, so you can wait.”

Kavel reached out and stopped Leilly, who was following.

‘She won’t even be able to act if she’s here.’

Leilly stopped in her tracks at Kavel’s sudden order.

“Sir Haban will ask you to do something separately.”

“Oh my, is that okay?”

Adel hooked her arm around Kavel’s as if to show off and scanned Leilly.

“So, shouldn’t the maid you brought also take a break for a while?”

“Hmm…”

She looked at Lirita and hesitated.

‘I’m uneasy leaving her alone.’

Seeing Princess Adel hesitate, Kavel brushed her hair back and whispered.

“I just want to be alone with you in the detached palace.”

“…Alone?”

“Weren’t we always interrupted?”

His suddenly changed attitude was unsettling, but Adel didn’t dwell on it.

Even if she didn’t know what Kavel wanted from her, it was clear that he was making an effort.

And she was in control.

Adel turned her head and stared at Leilly.

Her gaze lingered on Adel and Kavel’s linked arms.

‘She’s paying attention.’

If they disappeared alone, she would be even more concerned. She hoped Leilly would conjure up all sorts of scenarios and be unable to act because she was anxious.

Even though Leilly didn’t have an ego, Adel certainly expected her to feel such emotions.

The instability of her already wavering mana was also felt by Adel.

“You know very well that I wouldn’t refuse.”

Adel leaned closer to Kavel and pulled his hand.

“Even if it’s just acting, I should meet you in front of her from now on.”

She spat out the words she had been holding back when they were somewhat away from the others.

“I’d be a little sad if you thought that way.”

Kavel rattled off lies without batting an eye.

Looking at Adel, who was holding his arm and not letting go, he wanted to tear her away immediately.

“Well, I don’t care what Your Highness does.”

Rather, if Leilly gives up after seeing this, it would be a success.

Kavel would continue to try to keep Leilly away when he was with Adel.

However, Adel had no intention of moving as he wanted.

‘I need to see her collapse.’

If Leilly, who doesn’t know anything, is confused and writhes in pain, that would be the best sight to see.