Chapter 97
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Chapter 97
"This is a betrayal."
My solemn voice echoed through the quiet Reception Room.
The Duke's hand, which had been tilting his teacup, froze mid-motion.
I had just detonated a massive bombshell (?) at the Imperial Art Gallery's opening ceremony and come straight to the Edelwein Duke's Residence.
The Duke, who happened to be at the Estate, listened to the full account of what transpired at the museum, and was now hearing my grievances.
"I trusted you, and you deceived me so completely! Our friendship was nothing but empty words!"
"That's rather unfair. I clearly wanted to tell you, but it was that fellow who stopped me."
"...Really?"
"Yes. When it comes to your matters, that scoundrel meddles so thoroughly that I couldn't get a word in."
The Duke's voice carried the accumulated grievance of all this time.
As I stared at him as if demanding proof, Lahedis quietly averted his gaze and responded.
"I'm not sure I said any such thing."
"You... you... the kind of man who'd sell out his own grandfather for love."
The Duke grumbled that "raising a grandson is utterly useless," but he couldn't hide the smile spreading across his lips.
As this somewhat harmonious(?) tea time was drawing to a close, the sound of a bell chiming six o'clock drifted in from afar.
I finished my tea and set down my cup.
"I should be heading back now."
"Already? Why not stay for dinner while you're here?"
"I'd like to, but I think Curtis Rohan and my Aunt must be worried."
By now, word would have reached their ears as well, and I needed to return home to explain everything.
'Before the two of them suddenly come storming into the Duke's Residence...'
As I stood up, the Duke's reluctance became plainly evident.
"With that chattering girl gone, the Estate feels so empty. Come visit more often."
"I'm still not entirely satisfied. Let me think about it."
"You certainly have a talent for teasing an old man."
At the sight of the Duke clicking his tongue as if admitting defeat, I burst into laughter at how I'd suddenly become so mischievous.
The Duke laughed along with me.
The Duke seemed reluctant to see me go and accompanied me all the way to the carriage in front of the Estate.
Seeing him like that, I felt sorry for the jest I'd just played.
I quickly changed my tone.
"I'll come again soon. I promise."
The Duke's eyes widened slightly in surprise at my words, then he smiled and bid me farewell.
"Yes. Take care on your way."
With the Duke's farewell, I boarded the carriage with Lahedis.
I had said I could go alone, but I couldn't overcome Lahedis's insistence on taking me home.
As I waved through the window, I noticed the Butler standing beside the Duke with the same smile, and a sudden question came to mind that I asked Lahedis.
"Lahedis. Did the Butler know too? That you're Rachel?"
"Yes."
"Wow, the Butler's a complete traitor too!"
Was I really the only one who didn't know?
As fresh waves of betrayal washed over me, I pressed my lips together and recalled another puzzling person.
"Then what about Hector? You left for the Kingdom when you were young—how does he even know you?"
"He's one of my subordinates."
At Lahedis's answer, I blinked and tried to piece things together.
So Hector was Lahedis's subordinate...
"Wait—you're saying you're the Terrak Master?!"
I'd had my doubts when I heard the Guild's name, but was it really a Guild that Lahedis had founded?!
Lahedis asked, watching my eyes widen in shock.
"Do you remember the promise we made ten years ago, before we parted ways?"
Though much had faded with time, I still remembered that promise.
[If I become strong enough, strong enough to protect you without you getting hurt while you're by my side...]
[...]
[Then I'll come find you again.]
I had waited a full ten years on nothing but those words.
"I built the Guild and grew stronger to keep that promise."
...
"I'm sorry for making you wait so long."
In Lahedis's eyes as he spoke, I could find no trace of his usual playfulness.
Instead, those eyes held a darkness that the Rachel I had known ten years ago could never have possessed.
A darkness so profound I could neither imagine nor fathom its depths.
Only then did I truly understand.
How much darkness you must have swallowed and accepted to return to me.
And suddenly, my own grievance felt absurd.
"Thank you, Lahedis. For keeping your promise to me."
I said this while grasping both his hands firmly.
"I've waited far too long—I'm never letting go now."
Lahedis's eyes widened slightly, then softened with a gentle laugh.
The darkness that had shadowed his gaze moments before dissolved with it.
He clasped my hand in return and whispered against the back of it as he pressed his lips there.
"Never let go."
Instead of answering, I smiled and held his hand firmly.
* * *
That evening.
Vivian arrived home, standing tensely before the Dining Room door.
Inside the Dining Room, Igraine and Dain would be waiting.
Armed with countless questions about today's rumors!
'Come on, don't lose your nerve. I haven't done anything wrong!'
Taking a deep breath, Vivian stepped into the Dining Room.
As expected, Igraine and Dain were waiting.
"Come here, Vivian."
Igraine greeted me as though nothing were amiss, her demeanor perfectly ordinary, while Dain....
'I thought Father would bombard me with questions the moment he saw my face...?'
Yet strangely, Dain remained silent.
There was none of the boisterous energy I'd anticipated, nor his usual warm greeting.
That silence only deepened my unease.
I cautiously observed Dain's expression before taking the seat across from him.
"Eat well."
That was all Dain said.
'Why isn't he asking me anything...?'
The atmosphere felt even more unsettling precisely because it seemed so normal, and as I ate, I finally broke the silence—like a thief whose own feet betrayed him.
"There's something I need to tell you both...."
Both their gazes turned toward me simultaneously.
I faltered for a moment under their attention, then continued carefully.
"I'm sure you've already heard, but I've started dating Lahedis."
"...."
"And you've probably heard this too, but Lahedis was actually Princess Isella."
As expected, they'd already heard the rumors. Igraine took a measured sip of wine before speaking.
"I was putting off this conversation until after dinner so you could eat comfortably. But since you've brought it up first, let me ask."
That consideration didn't make me feel comfortable at all....
I bit back the retort that rose to my lips.
"Lahedis—that's the man who was escorting you, correct?"
"Yes."
"And this person was supposedly Princess Isella, who died ten years ago?"
Lahedis's title had suddenly shifted from formal address to "this person."
The emotional shift embedded in that change made me break into a cold sweat as I answered.
"Yes. I only found out today myself."
"So the two of you dating—is it to avoid the Crown Prince's proposal? Or...."
"I love him."
The words tumbled out before I could stop them, and I flinched at my own boldness.
'Of course I love him, but... why am I so embarrassed?'
Yet I didn't want to hide my feelings for Lahedis.
Lahedis might not be welcome to them, but still.
'If I tell them he's someone I genuinely care for, won't they come to accept him?'
With that hope in my heart, I gathered my courage and spoke more clearly.
"I care for him very much...."
Yet Igraine, who had posed the question, simply moved on to the next one without hesitation.
"Are you seeing him with marriage in mind?"
I was drinking water to soothe my parched throat when Igraine's direct question nearly made me spit it out.
"Cough!"
M-marriage?!
We only just confirmed our feelings for each other today. Isn't this question a bit premature...?
"Your Highness. Forgive my intrusion during your conversation, but the question does seem rather hasty."
It was then that Liman, the Butler, could no longer hold his tongue and interjected.
"Vivian."
Dain, who had remained silent throughout the entire exchange between Vivian and Igraine, finally spoke.
"End things with that man."
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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