Chapter 62
Every Word, Every Sentence Was So Sincere
Ilina hadn’t stepped outside her room. No—she couldn’t. For the first time, she realized how terrifying people’s eyes and whispers could be. Tears welled up in her eyes. In this unbearable moment, the only person she thought of was Luanse—but he wasn’t by her side.
“It’s unfair. I didn’t kill Young Lord Roryrolls.”
You’ll be the one who killed Young Lord Roryrolls.
Laurencia’s words came back to her. Those words of that monster—utter nonsense. Impossible. Weren’t they? She and Luanse had affirmed their feelings for each other; they were truly lovers.
Luanse would never abandon her. Yet once the letter became public, Laurencia’s words began to echo in her head—What if it’s true?
Knock, knock—someone rapped on the door. It was the butler, Arden.
“His Highness Prince Luanse has arrived,” Arden said urgently.
The news made Ilina smile.
“Really?”
“Yes, my lady.”
He hadn’t abandoned her—he came. Relief flooded her heart. Her chest thudded. She would tell him everything, all her unjust suffering.
Ilina took a deep breath, held it, and exhaled slowly. She wiped the endless tears with both hands and looked into the mirror, patting her cheeks. Her face was pale and haggard from crying.
She needed to talk with him, find a way out of this together. And whisper her love to him again.
“Tell His Highness to wait just a moment.”
“I tried to buy you some time to prepare, my lady, but he’s already at the door.”
“What?”
Hearing Luanse’s voice calling to her from outside, panic surged within her.
“Your Highness, I… I’m not presentable.”
“It’s fine, Lady Ilina. I want to see you quickly. Open the door—or I’ll open it myself.”
“No!”
Despite her protest, Luanse opened the door.
“I’m embarrassed—I haven’t prepared myself,” she said, turning her back.
“It’s all right,” he replied gently.
After Arden closed the door and left, Ilina cautiously turned to face Luanse.
“Come here, Ilina.”
The moment she saw his open arms, Ilina threw herself into his embrace.
“I missed you so much.”
Looking up at him, her face was radiant with joy. She was overjoyed that he had come after hearing about her situation. That confirmed it—Laurencia’s words were all lies. Luanse would never betray her. Impossible.
The letter you sent to Young Lord Roryrolls—Prince Luanse has it.
Ilina shook her head. She mustn’t believe Laurencia. As Anne had told her, she only needed to win Luanse’s heart and find happiness.
“Lu…”
“Lady Ilina.”
Her smile froze. They’d promised to use nicknames when they were alone—but he hadn’t used hers.
Decide—will you bite your master’s throat, or sit quietly in the pot?
Laurencia’s cruel words rose unbidden in her mind again.
“I knew you would come,” she said softly.
“I don’t know where to begin,” he replied. “But there’s something I must say first.”
“What is it, Your Highness Luanse?”
“Lady Ilina… why did you do it?”
“Do what?”
She didn’t understand. His question made her tilt her head in confusion, an uneasy feeling creeping over her.
“Young Lord Roryrolls.”
Ilina clenched her fists. She couldn’t understand. Laurencia’s voice kept swirling in her head.
“Do you believe the ridiculous rumor that I killed him?”
“The rumor itself doesn’t matter. What matters is that the letter you sent to him has been made public.”
He laughed aloud—as if pleased by the revelation. Ilina’s lips trembled in disbelief and anger.
“It’s true I sent the letter, but I had nothing to do with his death.”
“You don’t seem to understand what’s important, so let me explain.”
Ilina looked at him. He was smiling—a genuine, warm smile. Her heart sank.
“People already believe you’re the wicked woman who killed Young Lord Roryrolls.”
“I’m innocent, Your Highness.”
“Are you? Then why did you send that filthy man a letter telling him to assault Laurencia? You know what I hate most? When something that belongs to me is dirtied by another’s hands. But you, Lady Ilina, did exactly what I despise.”
“That’s not…”
“They say you killed him in a fit of panic, trying to retrieve that letter.”
She couldn’t comprehend his words.
“I didn’t kill him.”
“If I say it’s decided, then it’s decided.”
“Decided…?”
The one who killed Young Lord Roryrolls was you, Luanse.
Laurencia’s voice twisted through her head.
“Was it… was it truly you, Your Highness? Did you kill him?”
She wanted to ask if he was pinning his crime on her—but her lips wouldn’t move. She was too afraid of the truth.
“I didn’t kill him. You think I’d dirty my hands on that disgusting pervert?”
Luanse’s eyes gleamed like a child who’d found a new toy.
“Even if I had, you know no one would ever accuse me.”
“That’s true…”
“Honestly, I didn’t do it. I only told Mother to make that pervert—who humiliated me during the duel—die a miserable death. And he did.”
His once-sweet voice had turned mocking, needling at her ears.
“Brother Adrian insisted on finding the culprit, and that annoyed me. But then, your letter to that pervert got exposed, and you, Ilina, became the perfect suspect.”
He stepped closer, tapped her cheek, and smirked.
“Think about it. Who brought this on? You, Lady Ilina.”
“I didn’t kill him!”
“You had plenty of motive to.”
“No!”
“Then why let things go this far? Why did you make me duel that disgusting trash?”
“I didn’t know it would end like this.”
“Didn’t know? Well, it did—and now you’ll take your punishment. Isn’t that fair?”
Ilina gritted her teeth as tears streamed down. The world she believed in seemed to crumble beneath her feet. Drops of tears fell from her chin to the floor.
“To make it look like he was robbed, I took some of his jewels too.”
Luanse laid out diamonds and colorful gems on the table, looking delighted.
“If these are found in your room, the investigation into his death will be over.”
“Please don’t do this.”
“You shouldn’t have done this to begin with. I’m disappointed.”
“It’s my fault, Your Highness. It’s all my fault. Please, don’t make me the culprit.”
Ilina sobbed, shoulders shaking.
“You know, I prefer dogs to cats,” Luanse said. “Because no matter what their master does, dogs wag their tails and stay loyal. They love unconditionally. They never betray.”
Ilina trembled, staring into his green eyes.
When you want to bite, just say what I told you, Ilina.
Why teach me how to bite?
It’s a gift—for Leo. So if you ever decide to bite him, say the words I taught you.
Luanse grabbed her hair and kissed her lips.
“I have something to say.”
She wept harder, then slowly wiped her tears.
“I met Laurencia recently.”
“Laurencia? Go on.”
“She told me to tell you she loves you.”
Luanse’s grin widened, nearly splitting his face. The thought that Laurencia still loved him—even while by Teishar’s side—pleased him.
“Thanks for delivering the message. But why are you still crying? What’s so sad?”
Ilina had never felt such betrayal. Laurencia’s words echoed again and again.
Think about who killed Lady Anne.
“Lady Anne took responsibility for what she did. You’ll do the same. It’s not that hard.”
Every word from his mouth was so utterly sincere that Ilina couldn’t stop crying.
“Lady Ilina, come here.”
With a slow hand, Luanse caressed her tear-streaked cheek and wrapped his arm tightly around her waist.
“Your face is a mess from all that crying.”
He pressed a light kiss to her forehead, smiling faintly. But despite the curve of his lips, his green eyes held no emotion—his smile felt wrong, unnatural.
“You’ll miss my arms soon. So I’ll hold you plenty before that.”
He gestured toward the bed, a smirk playing on his mouth.
“In this situation… you’d still hold me?”
She stared at him, stunned.
“Precisely because of this situation. Let me hold you, Ilina.”
He unbuttoned the collar of his uniform, one button at a time. Ilina’s face turned pale. She couldn’t understand what he was thinking—or what he’d become.
“In my arms, you can forget all the pain—just for a moment.”
Pulling her close, Luanse breathed harshly, his voice deepening.
“You want me too, don’t you? Say it. Say you want me.”
His hand slid up her arm and tugged at the strap of her dress, pressing his lips against her bare shoulder.
