Vol. 1 - Chapter 107

[“…Are you sure?”]

[“What would I possibly gain from lying? You and I are on the same side, Your Highness.”]

It was a fair point.

Sergei was on her side, and so far, trusting him hadn’t led to anything disastrous. Sure, they had never succeeded at anything, but not a single failure could be blamed on Sergei.

[“What’s the weakness?”]

At Elizabeth’s question, Sergei smiled deeply.

[“Just knowing this much is enough to trap Duke Winter.”]

Sergei was brimming with confidence.

When the princess narrowed her eyes in suspicion at his refusal to give the full explanation, Sergei lowered his voice and whispered,

[“Your Highness, think about it. Would Duke Winter really have married Daphne if it wasn’t a fatal weakness?”]

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. Right up until the wedding, the Emperor had been pressuring the Duke to marry her. Back then, she couldn’t understand why Edmund would reject her.

[“He loves her? Don’t make me laugh.”]

Elizabeth was gradually being swayed by Sergei’s words.

[“Haha… Yes, you’re right. Otherwise…”]

Soon, a smirk tugged at the corners of her lips. Seeing the glint of greed growing in her eyes, Sergei spoke.

[“But there’s a condition.”]

[“What is it? I’ll do anything.”]

Already envisioning the entire plan in her head, Elizabeth asked in an excited voice.

[“The sooner, the better… Approach Duke Winter at tomorrow’s banquet.”]

[“Fine. I was planning to attend anyway. It won’t be difficult.”]

[“Thank you.”]

‘It’s real. It’s really real!’

Elizabeth trembled as a shiver ran up her spine. Seeing the normally composed Edmund visibly shaken washed away the weight that had long been pressing on her chest.

“Aren’t you curious how I found out?”

“…”

“Hmm. Maybe the Duchess told me herself yesterday?”

“Your Highness.”

Elizabeth couldn’t help it and let out a bright, crystalline laugh. Everyone’s attention was already focused on Edmund and Elizabeth. No one seemed to notice Edmund’s deadly expression. They simply watched Elizabeth laughing so freely and began to wonder, Could it be…?

Some even dared to believe that Edmund and Elizabeth might be getting back together. Sensing those stares from the start, Elizabeth came to a sudden stop. The song wasn’t over yet, but she didn’t care. She looked up at Edmund.

“Curious? I’ll tell you.”

“…”

“But in exchange… Kiss me.”

Elizabeth gently straightened Edmund’s cravat.

“Now.”

At the same time, she turned her body slightly.

From that angle, Daphne, who had been obscured behind Edmund, came into view. It was a position that showed her profile perfectly to Daphne.

Elizabeth’s slender fingers, which had been adjusting the cravat, glided up Edmund’s neck, traced the sharp line of his jaw, and made their way to his firmly closed lips.

“…Haa.”

Her gaze grew hazy with anticipation as she imagined their lips meeting.

“Come on.”

She coaxed him in a soft, almost seductive tone. Her eyes fixed on his lips, Elizabeth had no idea what kind of expression Edmund was wearing as he looked down at her. Her nerves were stretched thin.

Edmund slowly lowered his head. Elizabeth slightly parted her lips, waiting for his to meet hers.

“Was it Sergei Bled who told you?”

But instead of warm lips, a cold voice landed. Elizabeth’s smiling lips froze in place.

“Pff. Is that really important right now? Just kiss me–”

“Are you saying I don’t love Daphne?”

Finally losing her composure, Elizabeth opened her eyes. At that moment, Edmund’s face brushed past hers and stopped by her ear.

“You noticed it, didn’t you, Your Highness?”

Her eyes trembled. Feigning ignorance, Elizabeth tilted her head slightly.

“Who knows? I don’t quite understand what you’re trying to say, Duke.”

“I love Daphne…”

Elizabeth frowned and tried to back away before he could finish. But she couldn’t escape his grip on her shoulder. Unlike before, her face was now completely stiff.

“Listen to the end. I love Daphne–”

“Stop!”

Elizabeth screamed, her face drained of color. Only then did Edmund release her. She staggered backward, her body trembling. Biting her lip, Elizabeth abruptly turned her back to him.

Edmund watched her retreating figure with subdued eyes. He ran a hand through his hair with a faint sigh then halted.

“…Daphne?”

The spot where Daphne had been standing just moments ago was now empty.

* * *

“Huff… Huff…”

Daphne gasped for air, one hand braced against a tree. The image of Edmund bowing his head alongside the sound of Elizabeth’s bright laughter replayed vividly in her mind.

Her hand trembled as it clutched her burning throat. She pressed her nails into her skin.

‘It hurts.’

The sharp pain seemed to blur the images clouding her head.

“Madam.”

“Don’t come any closer.”

Daphne spoke between ragged breaths. She had run all the way to the garden, but it was impossible to shake off Alec. Knowing that only made her more frustrated.

“But…”

“I said don’t come any closer!”

Daphne squeezed her eyes shut and shouted. Only then did Alec stop in his tracks. He stared at her in silence before finally speaking.

“…I’ll stand by not far from here.”

When she heard his footsteps fading away, Daphne opened her eyes. Having kept them shut, her vision was slightly blurred. Her breathing had calmed somewhat, so she let herself slide down against the tree until she was seated on the ground.

“…Ha.”

Daphne buried her face in both palms. Elizabeth’s clear, innocent laughter echoed in her ears.

“…It’s okay.”

Daphne whispered.

It’s okay. I’m fine. I’m really fine.

Like a mantra, she kept repeating the words to herself.

After a while, she looked up and saw her bare feet. She must’ve lost a shoe while running. Her dress was torn in places, and her feet were covered in dirt. She looked utterly disheveled.

Daphne let out a bitter chuckle and leaned her head against the tree. Suddenly sensing someone’s gaze, she turned her head. The garden was vast, but not far off behind a tree, she caught a glimpse of a figure.

Daphne narrowed her eyes. The silhouette seemed… familiar.

“…Damian?”

With a soft rustle, the figure vanished. Daphne reached out instinctively, then frowned and pushed herself up.

“I told you not to come…”

Her words caught in her throat.

“…Why are you here?”

Edmund stood before her, as if he had run over.

“You’ve misunderstood.”

“What misunderstanding?”

Daphne asked automatically, but before he could respond, she cut him off.

“No. Don’t say anything.”

“That’s not it.”

“You don’t need to explain yourself to me.”

Daphne shook her head firmly. Edmund took a step closer.

“I didn’t kiss her.”

There was no trace of lipstick on Edmund’s lips. No red smear, not even a hint of something wiped away.

“So what.”

Daphne’s face remained unreadable.

“It has nothing to do with me.”

“…I just didn’t want to leave any room for misunderstanding.”

Edmund’s voice dropped as he looked down. His stomach churned. His head was spinning. His palms were slick with cold sweat.

Daphne stared at him silently, then brushed past. Edmund followed her with his eyes and noticed her bare feet. He rushed over.

“Wait. You’re barefoot.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“…Excuse me.”

Without another word, Edmund lifted her into his arms. The sudden change in perspective startled her, and she instinctively clutched his neck.

“What are you doing?!”

Daphne hissed, then spoke in a quiet, tight voice.

“Put me down.”

“I’ll carry you just until the carriage.”

“Edmund!”

“You…!”

Her cry was drowned out by his voice. Daphne’s eyes widened as she turned to him.

His lips trembled slightly. He looked like he wanted to say something but in the end, he swallowed it down and turned his head away.

“Even if you hate touching me, just endure it for a little while.”

Daphne murmured under her breath.

“…I really hate you.”

Truly.

She would never know just how relieved Edmund was to hear that. Being cursed at, hit, ignored, none of it mattered. But when Daphne acted as if he meant nothing to her…

[“…Does my opinion even matter?”]

[“You don’t need to explain yourself to me.”]

[“It has nothing to do with me.”]

…that’s what was truly unbearable.

Daphne would never know.

T/N: She would eventually… by the end of this series, I meant ??