Episode 41
“Are you really satisfied with Tullin, Lady Lydia?”
Rachel came up to me suddenly. She must have also heard those strange rumors, and it looked like she had many questions.
“The Crown Prince is not at fault. Everything… it was what I wanted.”
That was the truth. Felix only gave me what I had asked for, so he had no fault in giving me Tullin.
But maybe my expression looked too wistful, because Rachel became upset and gulped down her drink.
“Wait, does the Duke also know? And what about those bandits on the train back then…?”
At Rachel’s question, Killian gave the sad smile I had taught him.
Rachel seemed to take that smile as “it’s true,” and with a shocked look, she leaned against the wall, pressing her chest as if to calm her heart.
‘Good. That worked.’
No… was that really a good thing?
I felt heavy in my chest. It seemed like I was staining Killian with lies.
But there was no choice. While I was away from the capital making the Elixir, Felix must have stirred things up, because all sorts of bad rumors spread about me.
Some said I went to find my first love, some said I went to learn black magic, and some even said I ate a giant monster to extend my life.
The rumor that angered me most was the one saying I tried to transfer a curse to Daphne, failed, and was thrown out of the Duke’s house.
Well, since I had left without money or attendants, maybe people thought like that. But what truly made me angry was that whenever those rumors spread, Daphne would only say, “Don’t say that,” but she never corrected them.
So honestly, giving her a few bad rumors in return was nothing compared to what I went through.
“The Crown Prince must have been blinded by love to do something terrible. I’m glad you returned safely.”
“It was all thanks to the Duke. Without him, I would have been—”
Rachel teared up and held my hand.
“You’ve met a better man. I pray only blessings follow you from now on.”
After a short prayer, she left, saying she didn’t want to stay any longer.
“Then, shall we leave too? I’m done with my business here.”
“Yes.”
I had only attended to make sure the Duke and Duchess saw that I officially received my land. Now that was done.
I could have gone alone, but naturally, Killian and I left together as if we were truly a couple.
Or we tried to.
“Wait. Before you go, talk to me.”
Felix suddenly grabbed my hand, stopping me.
“Behave with proper manners, I warned you.”
Killian frowned at Felix for grabbing me. Daphne was nowhere to be seen.
“I have business with Lydia.”
“But we don’t really have much to discuss anymore, do we? Please let go of my hand. It hurts.”
At my words, Felix released me and ran his hand through his hair. That was something he often did when things didn’t go his way.
“It’s important.”
“Then say it quickly. I can’t stand here too long.”
“I know you’re not feeling well, but this isn’t something to discuss here. Let’s talk privately.”
Ugh, so troublesome. Fine. I’d hear him out, and if it wasn’t important, I’d just add one more nasty rumor about him.
I sighed quietly and looked at Killian.
“Please go ahead first, Your Grace. I’ll join you after talking with His Highness.”
“…I’ll wait for you.”
Killian respected my decision and didn’t stop me.
Though his waiting made me feel pressured, we had to appear like lovers, so I just promised to return soon and followed Felix.
Felix led me to a lounge away from the banquet hall, pulling me farther from Killian.
“As you see, someone is waiting for me, so I can’t stay long.”
“Hah, that man really thinks he’s your lover.”
In response to his provocation, I silently raised my left hand and showed the ring on my fourth finger. Compared to the ring Felix once gave me, this one was much more dazzling, with a large gem.
Felix froze for a moment, then quickly returned to his arrogant expression.
“I looked into the former Dukes of Ignam—the so-called divine beast representatives.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because it’s suspicious. They disappeared for hundreds of years and suddenly returned. I found out the first Duke was a woman, back when the Empire was first founded.”
I wasn’t interested. Whoever the first Duke was, it didn’t matter to me. I had already seen the portraits of past representatives in Killian’s house, so I knew it was one of them.
And honestly, why was Felix even investigating this? Killian’s status was confirmed by the Emperor himself. If Felix doubted it, wasn’t that doubting the Emperor?
Despite my disinterest, Felix continued seriously.
“She always had a man by her side, obeying her every command like her own shadow. They said he would even give up his heart if she asked.”
“So?”
“When she died, that man disappeared too. As if there was some strange contract that tied his life to hers.”
It sounded almost like Felix was warning me that being with Killian was dangerous.
I had to stop him before he went on forever.
“Too long. Summarize it in one minute.”
“What? How dare you interrupt—”
“Oh… I’ve been standing too long today, my legs…”
I grabbed my leg and sat down suddenly.
It worked. Felix quickly calmed down, cursed under his breath, then pulled me up and sat me on the sofa.
“Anyway, you’re being used by him. Stop being fooled and end it. I know it’s just an engagement for show.”
So that was his big, “important” talk? Not even worth my time.
“Oh really? How scary… I’ll be careful. Thank you for telling me, Your Highness.”
“You should’ve researched him well before something as serious as an engagement.”
If I had done that, I wouldn’t have gotten engaged to you either. I kept that thought inside and just looked at him.
Maybe he saw disappointment in my blank face, because he said in a generous tone:
“It seems I’m the only one who truly cares for you. Your family hasn’t even bothered to investigate this for you.”
“Yes, thank you for worrying. But this is my business, so I’ll handle it myself.”
“What? You mean you’ll keep this engagement? Even after what I told you?”
“Does it matter?”
“You want to live as his dog, obeying his every command, bound by a life contract? Don’t tell me… you’ve already made the contract?”
“Where on earth did you hear this?”
“I heard it from Scott. I ordered him to search all records in the library.”
“I see. Scott must have worked hard. But whether my life is tied to his or I become his shadow, it doesn’t matter. I already lived like that as Lydia Cheshire.”
“….”
“Well then.”
I bowed lightly and turned my back on the stunned Felix.
‘How shameless.’
After all I suffered in the Duke’s house, being used for my abilities and cursed with a death sentence, words like that didn’t scare me.
And Felix himself had benefited from my suffering, so I couldn’t accept his warning.
“One day you’ll regret this.”
He threw his words at my back like a curse, but it didn’t scare me at all. I had already experienced real curses—mere words were nothing.
I ignored him and walked quickly.
Killian was probably waiting, so I hurried. But then, a familiar voice stopped me.
“I don’t want to!”
It was Daphne’s voice.
