Chapter 12
8. It Was a Misunderstanding
If I hated the idea of the original story changing—if this was how things were going to turn out…
‘Then I shouldn’t have changed Clift Heliosa in the first place!!’
It felt like someone was tightening a noose around her neck.
If the Emperor’s character hadn’t deviated from the original setting, then Senelia would never have gotten entangled with Benelucia.
That thought brought everything to a halt in Senelia’s mind.
‘…Don’t tell me, it’s because I didn’t fall in love with Benelucia like I was supposed to in the original…? Is that why…?’
In the original story, Senelia Daphnen was one of the women who fell in love with Benelucia Afron, became obsessed with him, and was ultimately cast aside.
But when she first met him, she had vowed never to get involved with a man like that.
A man admired by everyone—handsome, kind, charming. But in truth, a man incapable of loving anyone.
And yet, someone ordinary like her couldn’t help but fall for him.
She was terrified that if she became entangled with him, she would end up just like all the other women he had discarded.
So she avoided him.
If that was her mistake…
‘Then what is my life even for?’
Senelia lowered her head. Otherwise, she might have cried from the rage.
In the original, like the many noble ladies who had dated Benelucia, she couldn’t forget the kindness he only showed to her, nor the affection he gave.
That’s what led to their unhappiness.
In that sense, Senelia had only made a choice to avoid such a fate.
And yet, wasn’t the cost of that choice far too cruel?
“…Li—Selly!”
Benelucia’s voice snapped her out of her daze.
He was holding her shoulders, looking down at her with worry in his eyes.
“Please go, Your Grace.”
Senelia spoke from pure instinct—an instinct honed over eight years.
A survival instinct that told her this was the only way to live.
“What?”
“She’s the one you were waiting for, that lady.”
Benelucia stared at her blankly.
He hadn’t expected her to say something like this.
“…You’re not going to stop me?”
The question slipped out unconsciously.
He had known her for eight years—he understood her personality well.
If there was even a sliver of feeling left in her for him, then… even if she didn’t stop him outright, surely she wouldn’t say such a thing?
Benelucia couldn’t understand her.
“Who am I to stand in the way of the Grand Duke’s path?”
Her tone was too calm.
So calm that it made Benelucia forget who he was speaking to.
Was she drawing a line?
Or did she simply not love him?
“You’ve always been like this.”
Benelucia let out a hollow laugh.
She gave her all to him, yet never showed her love in the moments that mattered.
That was the Senelia he knew.
That was why he was never sure of her heart.
Not realizing what he was really feeling, he asked again.
“Do you really want me to go?”
Benelucia knew.
Lucalina had risked her life helping him, and barely made it back alive.
And thanks to the Emperor’s interference, she returned much later than expected.
So yes—he had to go.
At least, if he wanted to be decent.
And yet, he was asking Senelia this question.
Because a part of him wanted her to tell him not to go.
“If it’s what Your Grace wants, what right do I have to object?”
Her answer was consistent as ever.
Benelucia stood silently for a long moment, looking at her.
Then he quietly rose from his seat.
“I’ll be going.”
And just like that, he left her townhouse with his attendant.
Only then did Senelia let out a sigh of relief.
‘I did the right thing. Just as I’ve always done… without stepping out of line.’
She didn’t regret it.
She could never allow herself to be one of those women who passed through Benelucia’s life.
And yet, her stomach churned, her chest tight and nauseous.
She chalked it up to having fainted earlier, and closed her eyes.
‘I’ll stay by your side until you wake. Sleep well.’
Benelucia’s words lingered in her mind.
She regretted it—letting him into her room.
Had she not done so, then his vivid scent wouldn’t still be lingering in her space.
* * *
Senelia already knew Lucalina’s name very well.
Now, Benelucia had come to realize that too.
Which is why, even after returning to the Grand Duke’s estate, Senelia weighed heavily on his mind.
“Shall I send someone to the Marquis of Elian?”
Arante, Benelucia’s aide, asked cautiously.
It had been Arante who sent word to Senelia’s townhouse about Lucalina’s return.
Benelucia stared at his aide.
“Do you have something to say?”
“Anté, how long have we known each other?”
“I first met you as a page when you were still a prince… it’s been quite a while.”
After a brief pause, Arante replied.
“I see. I suppose we’ve grown a bit too familiar, then.”
Benelucia’s voice dropped low.
Arante froze and looked up at him.
“…Did I make a mistake?”
He’d known the Grand Duke long enough to sense the displeasure in his tone.
Benelucia’s answer came immediately.
“You took the liberty of giving orders to my people. It seems we’ve spent too much time together.”
This wasn’t just displeasure—it was bad.
Arante instantly realized he had made a misjudgment.
“I only did it because… you’ve waited so long for Lady Elian…”
Arante tried to explain quickly.
Then their eyes met.
“I apologize. I’ll make sure this never happens again.”
He bowed his head at once, acknowledging his fault.
Benelucia may care for his people, but he was still born of royalty.
There was no need to understand others. He was proud and authoritarian.
He valued his subordinates, but he never tolerated disobedience.
And now, Arante had carried out a command the Grand Duke hadn’t even given.
There was no telling what punishment might follow.
Especially since Benelucia didn’t seem in the mood to accept excuses.
“…Prepare for a visit to the Marquis of Elian. I’ll go myself.”
Benelucia stood up.
Though his anger hadn’t subsided, he knew scolding Arante further wouldn’t improve anything.
So he chose to do what had to be done.
But the path to the Marquis’s estate felt heavier than expected.
* * *
“Welcome, Your Grace.”
The Marquis of Elian greeted Benelucia warmly.
While Lucalina had been away from the capital, Benelucia, feeling guilty, had visited often to look after the marquis. As a result, they had become quite close.
Now, with his beloved daughter finally returned, the marquis was overjoyed.
“…You must have suffered a lot because of me, Marquis.”
Now that he was at the Elian estate, Lucalina’s return hit him hard.
Benelucia looked genuinely apologetic.
Had it not been for him, she wouldn’t have had to leave the capital in the first place.
“How could that be Your Grace’s fault? It wasn’t your will—and my daughter simply followed her convictions.”
The marquis shook his head.
Even after losing his wife and raising Lucalina alone, he never once blamed Benelucia.
It was clear where Lucalina’s noble spirit came from.
That only made Benelucia feel more indebted to them.
“She’s upstairs changing. She just returned on horseback, so she went up to get cleaned up.”
“Ben?”
Even before the marquis finished speaking, a voice called out.
It was Lucalina—the woman Benelucia had longed to see again.
“You came, Ben!”
She ran down the stairs to him.
Though dressed comfortably in pants and a shirt, her long hair, which she’d always loved, still flowed beautifully.
Under the chandelier, it shimmered like gold.
“Long time no see… Lucalina.”
Benelucia stared at her, dazed.
They had been apart for so long, it was hard to believe she was really standing before him.
“What, not as excited to see me as I expected?”
Lucalina grumbled teasingly as she hugged him.
Despite her tone, a wide smile spread across her face.
“…Luna.”
Benelucia reflexively returned the hug.
But he looked completely flustered.
“What’s wrong?”
When he didn’t react beyond saying her name, Lucalina tilted her head in confusion.
“No, it’s nothing…”
He finally snapped out of it when she pressed him.
Yet he still seemed lost.
“Ben, are you sick?”
Worry crept into Lucalina’s voice.
Benelucia found himself wishing he was sick.
Lucalina was his first love.
He had never once doubted that he would love her forever.
More importantly, he had to love her.
If he remembered who she had risked her life for…
“Ben?”
Benelucia stood still, unable to speak.
Lucalina began to wonder if she needed to call a physician or a priest.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, Luna…”
Finally, he spoke.
He gently pulled her away and covered his face with both hands.
He felt like he had betrayed himself.
He felt guilty toward Lucalina.
But even more than that, he felt more guilt toward someone else.
And in that very moment, Benelucia realized something far too clearly—
He didn’t love Lucalina anymore.
