Chapter 87
“It seems she received it safely.”
Isadal murmured to himself as he rose from his seat.
At that moment, long strands of hair cascaded over his shoulders.
His golden hair, shimmering in the moonlight, glowed with an ethereal light.
The sight was almost holy—yet his eyes were too cold for an apostle.
No wonder. Despite his youthful face, he carried memories of many long years.
Isadal had remembered his previous life just over a year ago.
While offering prayers like today, his past life had unfolded before him like a panorama.
Back then, he had been tasked by God to crown a new emperor—the apostle chosen by the divine.
The current emperor was a warmonger, a dangerous man who would plunge the entire continent into war. The revelation was perhaps only natural.
Isadal, convinced that the “dragon” God spoke of was the emperor-to-be, had laid the groundwork to make him king.
But a problem arose. The reigning emperor was far too cunning and quick-witted.
As if he knew the future, he blocked the dragon’s path at every turn.
The more he did, the closer the dragon came to death. Too late, Isadal realized someone was behind the emperor.
And on the day the emperor died—when Kaiden Crensia rescued Reina from the underground prison—Isadal understood.
The king God had spoken of was not the dragon, but that woman.
But it was too late to act. Both Reina and Kaiden were on the brink of death.
It had been a failed world. Isadal had not fulfilled his mission.
Yet a second chance was granted.
The moment he remembered his past life, he tracked Reina Eve Mernie’s whereabouts.
When he heard she was heading north, he intuited that she had turned back time.
After that, Isadal set the stage for her to come to him. He couldn’t leave the Holy Kingdom just yet.
Fortunately, she took the bait.
Now was the time to win her favor by giving her what she wanted most.
“It’s time to help with the family reunion.”
Isadal walked quietly toward the papal office.
In his hand was an application for his first mission assignment: ‘Mernie Empire.’
* * *
Late at night, Kaiden returned to the residence and checked the clock.
Well past midnight.
Since arriving in the capital, he had personally scoured places where Jeffery might be.
Hoping not to miss any clues—but as expected, nothing turned up.
‘The imperial palace, then.’
The most likely spot, being a place he couldn’t easily access.
He wanted to return her brother to Reina as soon as possible, but things weren’t going as planned. It was frustrating.
‘She’s probably asleep by now.’
She lived such a disciplined life—she’d be in dreamland already.
Especially with an important social event tomorrow, she’d have gone to bed early.
Kaiden moved silently toward the bedroom. After showering, he entered—and saw Reina dozing on the drawing-room sofa.
As if she had been waiting for him, a book lay open on her lap.
“Sleep in the bed.”
It had become a habit for her to wait and fall asleep on the narrow sofa.
Of course, the sofa was the perfect size for Reina, but to him, it looked uncomfortable.
Kaiden carefully set the book aside and lifted her into his arms.
As he laid her on the bed, moonlight filtered through the half-drawn curtains.
He held his breath, watching her sleep. Her soft, even breathing made her look as innocent as a child.
‘No nightmares tonight, it seems.’
Reina often woke from nightmares. And he now knew they were because of the emperor.
“I can do it.”
She had pretended to be fine with the emperor’s banquet invitation, but Kaiden knew.
How much she feared facing him.
No amount of preparation could erase that deep-seated terror.
He had already received reports that Reina hadn’t rested a moment since arriving in the capital.
He also knew her obsessive reading was to keep her mind from wandering.
Watching her sleep deeply, he whispered,
“What if you had been a clueless, sheltered princess?”
Then he wouldn’t have proposed, and they wouldn’t have met.
Pointless hypotheticals—he must be desperate.
Wanting to protect her like a flower in a greenhouse was his greed.
He wished her only happiness and good things, but Reina was no ignorant child.
Then he would clear the path so she could stride freely.
“I’ve become a coward, haven’t I?”
“…”
“I have no confidence when it comes to you.”
Kaiden brushed her pale cheek and pulled the blanket over her.
Then he pressed a light kiss to her forehead.
“I hope you find peace.”
His voice was tender, but his eyes burned with dangerous intensity.
Did Reina know? That her husband was this dangerous.
The fact that she didn’t was why she suggested sharing a bed. The thought was exasperating.
After gazing at his innocently sleeping wife for a long while, he turned and headed back to the study.
* * *
The Lavender club meeting was held in a townhouse in downtown Lunin.
Operating strictly by membership, the townhouse was practically a hub of noble society.
After checking the invitation, a staff member escorted Reina to the 6th floor.
The eight-story townhouse allowed non-nobles with money to use floors 1 to 3.
From the 4th floor up, rank mattered—only families of count rank or higher could enter the 6th.
“Her Grace, Duchess Reina Crensia Mernie, has arrived.”
The doorman announced her entrance, and the voices inside abruptly stopped.
Entering with Lily and Rose, Reina spotted familiar faces.
Wendy looked openly dismayed, while Isabel greeted her with a saccharine smile.
“You came, Reina. I was so surprised to hear you’d attend. Thank you for coming despite being busy.”
“It’s only natural to accept an invitation from my sister.”
An unexpectedly warm welcome. Reina had been prepared to retaliate if Isabel tried to make a fool of her again.
Isabel’s changed attitude made Reina keenly feel how different her position was now.
Having a solid backer gave her confidence anywhere.
“Oh my, so the two of you were close?”
Vice-leader Alisa exclaimed dramatically. Isabel smoothly picked up the thread.
“Of course—we lived in the same palace, after all. I was devastated when she got married.”
Her gaze was full of feigned longing, as if greeting an old friend.
She clearly intended to flaunt their “friendship,” but Reina wasn’t pleased.
“You were devastated, yet I never got a single letter.”
“Huh?”
“Just saying. I missed you too.”
Reina smiled brightly. Isabel forced an awkward laugh.
‘She wouldn’t actually say it, right?’
Unlike the palace, this was high society.
Many eyes were watching, and Reina was now an influential figure.
If her past bullying came to light, it would be disastrous for Isabel.
Fortunately, Alisa, oblivious to the tension, chimed in.
“Haha, Your Highness is so funny. You said before you weren’t close to the duchess. Now I see—you were just worried we’d bother you!”
“That’s…”
Before Isabel could respond, Reina cut in.
“Of course. Isabel and I have been close since we were children.”
What’s her game?
Isabel was flustered by Reina’s flip-flopping.
Thankfully, Reina said nothing more to damage her.
Isabel quickly realized: Reina held her weakness.
Reina’s relaxed, smiling demeanor while chatting with the ladies was a complete departure from the past.
