Chapter 39
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The Male and Female Leads Broke Up - Episode 39
"I still vividly remember how the Duke treated me. So if you have even a shred of conscience, don't say it wasn't like that. And from now on, I find this kind of contact deeply unpleasant, so please don't touch me without permission."
It was all because of this man.
Everything—this entire mess—was because of him.
If he had come to know love, he should have protected it.
That's what a male lead is supposed to do, and that's his role.
If Cain Maxius had only remained unchanged, if he had simply guarded his own heart, I wouldn't have been driven into this corner.
But this man failed to protect his love, and he even went so far as to beg me for it.
I found him utterly pathetic in that moment.
"Why— No, never mind."
I was about to demand why he had changed, to press him on what he'd done, but I realized once more that it was futile, so I closed my mouth.
When I first decided to attend the banquet, I was confident I could act brilliantly.
I had planned to show everyone that I was doing well, that I'd traveled and forgotten everything, living contentedly now.
Yes, I did well at first.
Until I met the Crown Prince, my heart remained remarkably composed.
But meeting Cain Maxius, then Adela, then Aiden, and meeting Cain Maxius again—the intense emotions hidden within me surged to the surface.
The people here believed me to be Belita.
So I was not Belita, yet I was also Belita.
And because of that, a deep fury ignited within me toward those who treated Belita this way.
'Belita is not someone who deserves such treatment.'
But who were they to—!
How dare they treat Belita like this.
Yet revealing my anger here was unwise.
I had resolved that I, who would become Belita from now on, would not live that way.
I needed to minimize emotional turbulence, think and judge rationally, and handle everything with composure.
'So calm yourself.'
Compose yourself and respond with measured restraint.
"I'll go in first."
"My lady, please don't—let's talk—."
But this man refused to let me do so.
When Cain Maxius tried to grab my arm again despite my warning, I quickly stepped back.
And I fixed him with a cold, disgusted stare.
"I told you not to touch me."
"I apologize. But you left so abruptly just now. I wish you would hear me out completely. After you left like that, I realized my true love is you. Adela Byon was merely a passing fancy. So I'm asking you to give me just one chance. I will do better. I cannot undo the wounds you've suffered because of me, but I will do better so you can forget them. So my lady, for us—please give us another chance—."
"...Duke?"
Before Cain Maxius could finish speaking, a voice called out to him.
It was a voice that both I and Cain Maxius recognized.
It was Adela's voice.
In that instant, silence fell.
Ah....
How could the situation continue spiraling into worse and worse circumstances?
Since Cain Maxius and I had been conversing beside a massive pillar, we hadn't noticed if anyone was nearby.
Normally, I would have sensed their presence keenly, but I was too excited from the succession of events to notice.
Meanwhile, the two people approaching us must have heard our entire conversation.
'This is maddening.'
I lowered my head slightly and clenched my lips tightly.
Adela approached near the pillar and stood before us.
Aiden was with her as well.
"Duke, is what you said truly the truth?"
Adela's voice trembled violently.
"Was I... merely a passing fancy to you, Duke?"
The woman standing before my eyes looked so fragile.
Aiden must have sensed it too, for he was supporting her with his arm around her shoulder.
"Sister, let's go."
"Aiden, just a moment, just a moment more."
Despite Aiden's urging to leave, Adela stubbornly persisted.
And she waited in silence until Cain Maxius gave his answer.
"Yes, that is correct."
Ah, how terrible.
"I apologize, but my involvement with the House Byon's young lady was merely something fleeting to me."
At those words that drove a dagger through Adela's heart, I couldn't help but glance at Cain Maxius.
He was truly shameless and discourteous.
Watching him speak without changing his expression even slightly, any affection I had left seemed ready to evaporate.
"I believed... I believed you would return to me. I thought you would... but...."
Yet Adela's complexion was deeply unsettling.
She had gone deathly pale, looking as though she might collapse at any moment.
"So I was nothing more than that to you, Duke...."
Her murmuring voice grew quieter and quieter.
In that instant, my eyes met Aiden's.
I signaled to Aiden with my eyes to quickly take her away.
Aiden must have noticed that Adela's condition was deteriorating, for he was about to pull her away.
But before he could support her properly, Adela collapsed into Aiden's arms.
"Young lady!"
"...Sister!"
Adela had lost consciousness and fainted.
I hurried toward her, but Aiden scooped Adela into his arms and rushed past me, dashing outside.
Worried about her, I tried to follow, but Cain Maxius called out urgently from behind.
"My lady, there is no need for you to go as well."
How could a person be so utterly devoid of compassion?
If I remained in the same space as this man any longer, I feared my hand would act before my mind could stop it.
I glared at him with a furrowed brow.
"Then you stay here, Duke. I must go."
With that, I quickly dashed after Aiden, fearing the man might grab me again.
I heard him calling behind me, but I ignored it.
Aiden had carried Adela to where the nobility's carriages were stationed.
As I approached a carriage bearing the House Byon crest among those emblazoned with family insignias, the atmosphere grew tense.
Peering through the open carriage window, I caught sight of Aiden's face.
His grave expression suggested Adela's condition was dire.
At that moment, he seemed to sense my gaze and lifted his head.
Our eyes met—his violet irises locked with mine.
The instant he disappeared from view, the carriage door swung open.
Aiden descended and approached me.
"Lady Heitz."
"Is Lady Adela Byon in poor condition?"
"That is... we must hurry back."
A strange discomfort washed over me.
Aiden always maintained such intense eye contact when speaking with me that it felt almost burdensome.
Yet now, it seemed as though he were deliberately avoiding my gaze.
"Of course, please go at once. I shall inform the Crown Prince."
But given the circumstances, he was likely too distressed to notice such details.
"Thank you. Perhaps we shall meet again soon."
I offered nothing more, simply nodding slightly to him.
He returned the gesture and swiftly climbed into the carriage.
With the neigh of horses, the carriage departed urgently.
I could not tear my eyes from its retreating form.
Once it vanished completely, I too wished to return home.
Yet I could not simply leave—I had made a promise to Aiden.
With heavy, reluctant steps, I made my way back to the Banquet Hall.
Cain Maxius still stood before the entrance.
I passed him as though he were a stranger and quickly entered the hall.
This time he did not seize me, though I felt him follow silently in my wake.
Just as when I first entered, all eyes turned toward us.
Ignoring their stares, I walked toward the Crown Prince seated at the head table.
"Your Highness, I have something to report."
"Please, speak freely."
"Lady Adela Byon suddenly fell ill and returned to the Duke's Mansion with Lord Aiden Byon."
"Oh dear, is she quite unwell?"
"That is... I'm not entirely certain myself."
"I see."
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org