Leah tightly sealed her lips and averted her gaze. Caius’s expression contorted as he observed Leah in such a state beneath the night sky.
His deep blue eyes, shaded beneath the darkened sky, soon shifted to Jade standing a few steps away.
The narrowing of his eyes, as if assessing an opponent, even carried a faint aura of hostility.
“…Lord Richter, then until next time.”
Leah, belatedly recalling Jade’s presence, greeted him hastily before attempting to withdraw.
Following her soft voice, Caius’s grip on her hand tightened even more.
“Princess.”
Calmly observing the situation, Jade looked at Leah as if silently inquiring if she was okay. Leah met his eyes and nodded.
Despite hesitating a bit more, Jade eventually stepped back obediently.
“Well, we’ll meet again soon.”
Jade placed his hand over his chest and bowed deeply towards the two.
Leah waited until he left the terrace before finally raising her gaze to meet Caius’s.
Caius, who had been staring at the terrace door as if to devour it, muttered in a low voice.
“Never leave your seat without my permission again.”
His eyes, looking down at her, were eerily silent and cold.
As Leah’s hand was gently released from his grip, she murmured softly.
“…You, you didn’t say anything to me either.”
Leah thought she could understand him. If he had explained anything before the ball began, it would have indeed been different.
Though she might still get hurt, she would have tried to understand his situation.
However, Caius had not mentioned a word. He left her without any notice, offering his hand to another woman. Being left behind in such a pitiful moment still hurt her heart.
However, he now commanded her not to leave her seat without permission.
While she had obediently followed whatever he did until now, today was challenging to endure without expressing her sorrow.
Leah closed her eyelids, attempting to conceal her trembling eyes.
“Would you like me to explain?”
Unlike Leah, who was wavering in turmoil, Caius calmly asked.
“Do you plan to break up with me and get engaged to another woman after the coronation ceremony?”
Leah’s eyelids twitched briefly. Caius’s cold face was reflected in her teary eyes.
Though he showed no emotion, the chill emanating conveyed the suppressed anger.
Grabbing Leah’s hand, which was beginning to shake, Caius murmured.
“…You too, don’t leave without my permission.”
Leah, with her head bowed, faced his cold gaze. The firm grip on her hand was both comforting and oppressive.
She could already anticipate it to some extent. The strange encounters with unfamiliar women and the anxiety and suspicion that came with it had vaguely foreseen such a situation.
However, thinking vaguely and hearing it from his mouth was completely different. Leah’s emotions spiralled out of control, reaching the depths of despair.
“From the beginning… Was this the reason you reconsidered the annulment?”
Leah barely managed to ask in a trembling voice, but Caius provided a more cruel answer than ever.
“Yes.”
“…”
“Otherwise, I have no reason to pick up someone like a pawn again.”
Someone like a pawn.
Leah had never imagined hearing such a derogatory term from Caius.
Closing her eyes sincerely, she wished this moment was just a dream.
But the ruthless voice that invariably reached her shattered Leah’s earnest wish.
“Your role is over from today.”
Those words ruthlessly shattered Leah’s heart. Her delicate tinted lower lip quivered as she bit it tightly. Tears seeped beneath her tightly closed eyelids as if trying to avoid reality.
At this moment, she did not want to say anything to blame him.
‘Why did he lose his memory? Why did he forget me and resort to such cruelty…’
But Leah knew better than anyone that she could never do that.
She had been saved by this man, living with overflowing generosity. However, it was never a matter of course.
It was just because this man loved her.
So, even if Caius’s feelings had changed now, Leah had no right to question why he was abandoning her.
Already, as many had said before, Leah Ainelle was nothing more than an inconvenient fiancée.
If he discarded the insignificant and impure fiancée, he would move towards a brighter future.
“…”
As if he had always been ready for her to reject his hand, Leah weakly released her grip.
The colour gradually drained from her face, and Caius’s shadow loomed over her as darkness enveloped her.
“Let me make one thing clear.”
Caius released her hand that had gone limp. The cold night wind painfully passed through her numb fingers.
“Even if we break off the engagement, you will still be under my authority.”
“…”
“You just won’t be my fiancée anymore.”
Lifting her eyelids slowly, Leah looked up at him with tear-filled eyes that blurred her vision. Her face, contemplating his words, was pale to the point of desolation.
“What does that mean?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
Caius, murmuring, took a step back. Although his eyes were calm, there was a subtle anger in them.
Leah, unable to face him any longer, lowered her head.
As if her heart was sinking beneath a bottomless abyss, her mind felt as if it was endlessly descending.
* * *
The coronation ceremony ended smoothly.
Following that, a national celebration banquet elevated the festive atmosphere in the empire.
Dignitaries enjoyed luxurious banquets and parties during their extended stay, revelling in the grandeur of the occasion.
As the end-of-year festivities peaked in the well-established empire, snow began to fall gently.
“Leah, it’s about time you start getting ready to leave.”
Sophia, observing for a while, hesitated before cautiously addressing Leah. However, Leah, lost in thought and staring blankly out of the window, gave no response.
Leah had been in such a state since she returned from the congratulatory banquet.
The reason was evident. Dignitaries and palace residents alike buzzed with talk about what had happened that day.
“Didn’t His Highness propose a dance to the young lady of the Bresha family, leaving his fiancée behind?”
“There must be a hidden motive. He wouldn’t behave like that in a gathering of all the dignitaries without a reason.”
People speculated wildly, creating various unfounded rumours. Although all of it was baseless, the fact remained that Caius no longer sought Leah. As the national celebration continued, there was no news of him escorting Leah as he should have.
It meant that Caius no longer considered Leah as his partner.
What could have happened? Sophia thought of words that might comfort Leah but ultimately chose silence. At this moment, nothing could bring solace to her.
At that moment, Leah, sitting there like a wooden doll, slowly blinked.
It was impossible to find a single trace of life from her face, which lacked vitality.
“Sorry. I’ll get ready now.”
Leah murmured softly and finally rose from her seat. Sophia, swallowing her distant feelings, followed her.
The national celebration festival was scheduled to last for another week. Even though Caius was no longer accompanying Leah as her partner, she still had to attend the festival.
In the dressing room, the exquisitely prepared emerald velvet dress hung neatly on the mannequin as Leah entered. The garnet accessories that complemented the dress were displayed alongside it.
Leah stared at all of it with empty eyes.
Would she be allowed to wear such luxurious clothes when she is no longer Caius’s fiancée?
Although vague, this question lingered in her mind, but Leah surrendered herself to the maids.
As they combed and styled her hair after finishing the dressing, neither Leah nor the maids dared to open their mouths. After the profound silence that engulfed everyone, Leah, with sluggish steps, left the dressing room.
Walking through the corridors, the winter sunlight seeped through the windows, creating a cosy atmosphere. Despite the warmth in the palace from early insulation, Leah’s body trembled faintly.
The coldness in her heart spread throughout her body, inducing a shivering chill. Leah took a deep breath with clenched fists and laboriously continued in her steps.
The festival was happening all around her, but Leah felt like she was floating, detached from reality.
Passing through various parts of the imperial palace, the vibrant conversations and laughter of the guests seemed distant and dreamlike.
Leah snapped out of her daze upon entering the grand ball hall, where numerous eyes turned towards her.
Her steps abruptly halted. Her violet eyes, wavering with uncertainty, sharply captured the bustling crowd.
Even among them were those who had warmly spoken to Leah before the coronation, showing kindness. Leah clasped her trembling hands and lowered her head. Trying to avoid the crowd, she attempted to walk by the corner, but someone firmly grabbed her arm.
“…”
Slowly lifting her head, she saw Derick, whose face was contorted in a snarl.
Leah tightly sealed her lips and averted her gaze. Caius’s expression contorted as he observed Leah in such a state beneath the night sky.
His deep blue eyes, shaded beneath the darkened sky, soon shifted to Jade standing a few steps away.
The narrowing of his eyes, as if assessing an opponent, even carried a faint aura of hostility.
“…Lord Richter, then until next time.”
Leah, belatedly recalling Jade’s presence, greeted him hastily before attempting to withdraw.
Following her soft voice, Caius’s grip on her hand tightened even more.
“Princess.”
Calmly observing the situation, Jade looked at Leah as if silently inquiring if she was okay. Leah met his eyes and nodded.
Despite hesitating a bit more, Jade eventually stepped back obediently.
“Well, we’ll meet again soon.”
Jade placed his hand over his chest and bowed deeply towards the two.
Leah waited until he left the terrace before finally raising her gaze to meet Caius’s.
Caius, who had been staring at the terrace door as if to devour it, muttered in a low voice.
“Never leave your seat without my permission again.”
His eyes, looking down at her, were eerily silent and cold.
As Leah’s hand was gently released from his grip, she murmured softly.
“…You, you didn’t say anything to me either.”
Leah thought she could understand him. If he had explained anything before the ball began, it would have indeed been different.
Though she might still get hurt, she would have tried to understand his situation.
However, Caius had not mentioned a word. He left her without any notice, offering his hand to another woman. Being left behind in such a pitiful moment still hurt her heart.
However, he now commanded her not to leave her seat without permission.
While she had obediently followed whatever he did until now, today was challenging to endure without expressing her sorrow.
Leah closed her eyelids, attempting to conceal her trembling eyes.
“Would you like me to explain?”
Unlike Leah, who was wavering in turmoil, Caius calmly asked.
“Do you plan to break up with me and get engaged to another woman after the coronation ceremony?”
Leah’s eyelids twitched briefly. Caius’s cold face was reflected in her teary eyes.
Though he showed no emotion, the chill emanating conveyed the suppressed anger.
Grabbing Leah’s hand, which was beginning to shake, Caius murmured.
“…You too, don’t leave without my permission.”
Leah, with her head bowed, faced his cold gaze. The firm grip on her hand was both comforting and oppressive.
She could already anticipate it to some extent. The strange encounters with unfamiliar women and the anxiety and suspicion that came with it had vaguely foreseen such a situation.
However, thinking vaguely and hearing it from his mouth was completely different. Leah’s emotions spiralled out of control, reaching the depths of despair.
“From the beginning… Was this the reason you reconsidered the annulment?”
Leah barely managed to ask in a trembling voice, but Caius provided a more cruel answer than ever.
“Yes.”
“…”
“Otherwise, I have no reason to pick up someone like a pawn again.”
Someone like a pawn.
Leah had never imagined hearing such a derogatory term from Caius.
Closing her eyes sincerely, she wished this moment was just a dream.
But the ruthless voice that invariably reached her shattered Leah’s earnest wish.
“Your role is over from today.”
Those words ruthlessly shattered Leah’s heart. Her delicate tinted lower lip quivered as she bit it tightly. Tears seeped beneath her tightly closed eyelids as if trying to avoid reality.
At this moment, she did not want to say anything to blame him.
‘Why did he lose his memory? Why did he forget me and resort to such cruelty…’
But Leah knew better than anyone that she could never do that.
She had been saved by this man, living with overflowing generosity. However, it was never a matter of course.
It was just because this man loved her.
So, even if Caius’s feelings had changed now, Leah had no right to question why he was abandoning her.
Already, as many had said before, Leah Ainelle was nothing more than an inconvenient fiancée.
If he discarded the insignificant and impure fiancée, he would move towards a brighter future.
“…”
As if he had always been ready for her to reject his hand, Leah weakly released her grip.
The colour gradually drained from her face, and Caius’s shadow loomed over her as darkness enveloped her.
“Let me make one thing clear.”
Caius released her hand that had gone limp. The cold night wind painfully passed through her numb fingers.
“Even if we break off the engagement, you will still be under my authority.”
“…”
“You just won’t be my fiancée anymore.”
Lifting her eyelids slowly, Leah looked up at him with tear-filled eyes that blurred her vision. Her face, contemplating his words, was pale to the point of desolation.
“What does that mean?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
Caius, murmuring, took a step back. Although his eyes were calm, there was a subtle anger in them.
Leah, unable to face him any longer, lowered her head.
As if her heart was sinking beneath a bottomless abyss, her mind felt as if it was endlessly descending.
* * *
The coronation ceremony ended smoothly.
Following that, a national celebration banquet elevated the festive atmosphere in the empire.
Dignitaries enjoyed luxurious banquets and parties during their extended stay, revelling in the grandeur of the occasion.
As the end-of-year festivities peaked in the well-established empire, snow began to fall gently.
“Leah, it’s about time you start getting ready to leave.”
Sophia, observing for a while, hesitated before cautiously addressing Leah. However, Leah, lost in thought and staring blankly out of the window, gave no response.
Leah had been in such a state since she returned from the congratulatory banquet.
The reason was evident. Dignitaries and palace residents alike buzzed with talk about what had happened that day.
“Didn’t His Highness propose a dance to the young lady of the Bresha family, leaving his fiancée behind?”
“There must be a hidden motive. He wouldn’t behave like that in a gathering of all the dignitaries without a reason.”
People speculated wildly, creating various unfounded rumours. Although all of it was baseless, the fact remained that Caius no longer sought Leah. As the national celebration continued, there was no news of him escorting Leah as he should have.
It meant that Caius no longer considered Leah as his partner.
What could have happened? Sophia thought of words that might comfort Leah but ultimately chose silence. At this moment, nothing could bring solace to her.
At that moment, Leah, sitting there like a wooden doll, slowly blinked.
It was impossible to find a single trace of life from her face, which lacked vitality.
“Sorry. I’ll get ready now.”
Leah murmured softly and finally rose from her seat. Sophia, swallowing her distant feelings, followed her.
The national celebration festival was scheduled to last for another week. Even though Caius was no longer accompanying Leah as her partner, she still had to attend the festival.
In the dressing room, the exquisitely prepared emerald velvet dress hung neatly on the mannequin as Leah entered. The garnet accessories that complemented the dress were displayed alongside it.
Leah stared at all of it with empty eyes.
Would she be allowed to wear such luxurious clothes when she is no longer Caius’s fiancée?
Although vague, this question lingered in her mind, but Leah surrendered herself to the maids.
As they combed and styled her hair after finishing the dressing, neither Leah nor the maids dared to open their mouths. After the profound silence that engulfed everyone, Leah, with sluggish steps, left the dressing room.
Walking through the corridors, the winter sunlight seeped through the windows, creating a cosy atmosphere. Despite the warmth in the palace from early insulation, Leah’s body trembled faintly.
The coldness in her heart spread throughout her body, inducing a shivering chill. Leah took a deep breath with clenched fists and laboriously continued in her steps.
The festival was happening all around her, but Leah felt like she was floating, detached from reality.
Passing through various parts of the imperial palace, the vibrant conversations and laughter of the guests seemed distant and dreamlike.
Leah snapped out of her daze upon entering the grand ball hall, where numerous eyes turned towards her.
Her steps abruptly halted. Her violet eyes, wavering with uncertainty, sharply captured the bustling crowd.
Even among them were those who had warmly spoken to Leah before the coronation, showing kindness. Leah clasped her trembling hands and lowered her head. Trying to avoid the crowd, she attempted to walk by the corner, but someone firmly grabbed her arm.
“…”
Slowly lifting her head, she saw Derick, whose face was contorted in a snarl.
