Then, where has Sophia gone?”
Anxiously, Leah grabbed his arm. Glancing briefly at her slender hand, Caius tilted his head.
“Is that important?”
“It’s important. It doesn’t make sense to suddenly get rid of Sophia like this…”
Caius looked down at Leah as if pondering, then sighed lightly.
“It seems you relied heavily on that maid.”
He murmured casually. Then, Realizing something, he gazed at Leah and then released her.
His gaze intensified as it lingered on Leah’s cheeks, now marked with a red imprint from his grip.
“If that’s the case, it’s even more impossible for her to stay by your side.”
Leah’s eyes glazed over. Beneath the gradually brightening dawn, the sky that had been somewhat dark turned blue.
Under that sky, Caius had a relentlessly cold expression devoid of even a faint hint of a smile.
Leah could only ask in a daze,
“Why… why?”
“I already told you.”
Gazing into her translucent purple eyes, he whispered, “I feel better when you cry.”
A feeling of collapse in her chest made Leah hastily stifle her breath.
Why does Caius utter such cruel words?
Already broken-hearted by his engagement to another woman after the annulment, what reason could he possibly have to inflict further pain on her with such words?
Deciding to return to Ainelo last night, she resolved not to cry anymore. However, this man effortlessly shattered even that resolute determination.
Leah, who had been biting her lower lip, couldn’t endure it any longer and bowed her head. A tear, falling heavily, marked the floor.
Even though she struggled to hold back, a sobbing sound escaped. Leah bit her lips with all her might.
Just as the bitter taste reached the tip of her tongue, Caius wiped away the tears from her eyes. Startled, Leah, with trembling shoulders, slowly lifted her gaze.
Having stirred up her emotions with cruel words, he was now wiping away her tears with an incomprehensibly gentle touch.
The hand that had been wiping her eyes moved down to her cheeks, pressing against her lips, which were now bleeding from the wound.
The initially gentle touch extended further, reaching inside her lips.
“This…this isn’t right… Please, stop.”
Leah desperately grabbed his hand and looked up at him. Despite her thoroughly wet face, her eyes were surprisingly sharp.
“You don’t… love me, do you?”
“Love?”
Caius, initially expressionless, let out a slight smirk as if he found her words amusing.
Then, as if explaining to a child, he calmly spoke.
“Even if I don’t love you, I can do things like this as much as I want.”
“No…”
Leah murmured weakly. The Caius she knew was definitely not that kind of man.
Absolutely not. Caius, the man I loved…
“I’m going to do even worse things than this. If you’re already scared, what will you do?”
Denying her thoughts, the cruel man sneered and lightly brushed the top of her lips. The warm touch moved as if soothing a burn.
Leah couldn’t bear this moment and faintly raised her head.
“H-How can you do this? You’re engaged to someone else. How can you do this to me…”
“Leah.”
At that moment, Caius softly called her, as he used to, with a tender resonance. Leah, who had stiffened entirely, followed his call and looked up.
The gentle voice calling her name. The sharp blue eyes looking down. The faint smile. Everything felt just like it used to.
“Such things don’t matter.”
And thus, even in this desperate situation, she could not push him away.
In the proximity where breaths could be felt, Caius whispered softly. Then, without hesitation, he captured Leah’s lips stained with blood and tears.
* * *
“Young Master, it’s time for you to board.”
The attendants watched Jade anxiously from a distance.
Even though the departure time had long been delayed, he seemed to have no intention of moving.
The carriages remaining in the central star palace now belonged only to Ainel.
“Young Master…”
Ignoring the fidgeting attendants, Jade steadfastly gazed beyond the courtyard.
He still hadn’t heard any response from Leah.
They not only failed to meet at the final banquet, but he also received no message through intermediaries.
Although all signs pointed to her rejecting his proposal, Jade still yearned to hear her answer directly from her lips.
Closing his eyes briefly, Jade finally took a step forward. Running towards the courtyard, Jade heard the attendants shout.
“Young Master! Where are you going?”
The palace is located in the western part of the central palace. The distance might be considerable, but it wouldn’t be impossible to reach.
If he took a carriage, he might cross paths with Leah. Jade ran calmly and swiftly along the road.
Just as his breath was about to catch up, he saw a low palace in the distance.
With determination in his eyes, Jade increased his pace towards it.
Following the long stone road towards the entrance, two knights guarding the gate assumed a ready stance as he approached.
“This is a subsidiary palace of the Crown Prince’s palace. Entry without permission is not allowed.”
The knights firmly stopped Jade, and he calmly replied when they asked him to state his business.
“I hear the Princess is staying here. I’m Jade Richter, with the Ainel Envoy.”
Jade spoke with a firm expression as he looked at the entrance.
“I couldn’t bid farewell to the princess on her departure, so I came here personally. Please inform the princess that I have come to visit.”
Upon hearing his name, the two knights exchanged glances. Surprisingly, they allowed him to enter without further resistance.
“Please proceed.”
Despite the urgency of the situation, the smooth response felt unusual. Quickly entering, Jade crossed the hall. Spotting a palace servant passing by the stairs, he urgently inquired.
“I’ve come to see the princess. Where is she?”
In response, the bewildered palace servant lowered their head as if hesitating.
“Well, the princess is currently on the balcony in the western part of the second floor.”
Upon hearing the answer, Jade immediately quickened his pace. Climbing the stairs and reaching the second-floor corridor, he caught sight of a servant and quickly asked.
“I’ve come to see the princess. Where is she?”
After receiving the information, Jade briskly walked down the corridor.
Even if he heard words of rejection, Jade felt he needed to see Leah’s face directly for his heart to be at ease. He couldn’t leave without at least bidding farewell.
As Jade approached the western end, his steps slowed down. Around that time, he heard muffled sighs coming from somewhere, piercing through his ears distinctly.
“…”
Jade’s heart, instinctively clenched, started beating forcefully. His gaze reached the balcony, where faint sounds emanated beyond the slightly ajar door.
As Jade took a step closer to inspect what was happening, his hands involuntarily tensed up. Beyond the door, two figures were entwined, kissing passionately.
A prominent male figure was supporting a woman, who seemed to be barely sitting on the railing and shielding her. Then, when Jade’s eyes caught a glimpse of the woman’s delicate white skin, his face quickly turned pale.
In that space, two intertwined figures were passionately exchanging kisses.
Although Jade couldn’t see their faces, the subsequent moaning voices painfully reminded him of the cruel reality.
The realisation hit Jade hard – the fact that the woman in that intimate embrace was none other than Leah.
His clenched fists began to tremble faintly. His feet felt glued to the floor, refusing to move.
With great effort, Jade turned his head again to glance beyond the door. The moment he saw the man’s back, embracing arms and shining silver hair entwined with the pale woman, he tightly closed his eyes once more.
* * *
Leah’s body collapsed onto the bed.
Swiftly taking her place, Caius pulled down the shoulders of the dress that had cascaded down from the balcony.
Frantically, Leah surveyed her surroundings through her blurred vision. It was an unfamiliar room. It seemed like they had entered any room as soon as they left the balcony.
Dismissing the uniform draped over the poet shirt, Caius untied the tightly secured straps down to his neck
Leah, gazing intensely, looked at his solid chest. Raising her gaze slightly, she caught sight of the man, seemingly captivated.
As if attempting to devour even the quick breaths she released, Caius pressed his lips against hers again.
Tears clung to the corners of her eyes, streaming down onto the bedding. His lips, whispering her name, continued to captivate her soul.
“Hah, Leah.”
This desperate man, reminiscent of the old Caius, made it difficult for her to push him away, even though she knew it was all just her delusion.
Then, where has Sophia gone?”
Anxiously, Leah grabbed his arm. Glancing briefly at her slender hand, Caius tilted his head.
“Is that important?”
“It’s important. It doesn’t make sense to suddenly get rid of Sophia like this…”
Caius looked down at Leah as if pondering, then sighed lightly.
“It seems you relied heavily on that maid.”
He murmured casually. Then, Realizing something, he gazed at Leah and then released her.
His gaze intensified as it lingered on Leah’s cheeks, now marked with a red imprint from his grip.
“If that’s the case, it’s even more impossible for her to stay by your side.”
Leah’s eyes glazed over. Beneath the gradually brightening dawn, the sky that had been somewhat dark turned blue.
Under that sky, Caius had a relentlessly cold expression devoid of even a faint hint of a smile.
Leah could only ask in a daze,
“Why… why?”
“I already told you.”
Gazing into her translucent purple eyes, he whispered, “I feel better when you cry.”
A feeling of collapse in her chest made Leah hastily stifle her breath.
Why does Caius utter such cruel words?
Already broken-hearted by his engagement to another woman after the annulment, what reason could he possibly have to inflict further pain on her with such words?
Deciding to return to Ainelo last night, she resolved not to cry anymore. However, this man effortlessly shattered even that resolute determination.
Leah, who had been biting her lower lip, couldn’t endure it any longer and bowed her head. A tear, falling heavily, marked the floor.
Even though she struggled to hold back, a sobbing sound escaped. Leah bit her lips with all her might.
Just as the bitter taste reached the tip of her tongue, Caius wiped away the tears from her eyes. Startled, Leah, with trembling shoulders, slowly lifted her gaze.
Having stirred up her emotions with cruel words, he was now wiping away her tears with an incomprehensibly gentle touch.
The hand that had been wiping her eyes moved down to her cheeks, pressing against her lips, which were now bleeding from the wound.
The initially gentle touch extended further, reaching inside her lips.
“This…this isn’t right… Please, stop.”
Leah desperately grabbed his hand and looked up at him. Despite her thoroughly wet face, her eyes were surprisingly sharp.
“You don’t… love me, do you?”
“Love?”
Caius, initially expressionless, let out a slight smirk as if he found her words amusing.
Then, as if explaining to a child, he calmly spoke.
“Even if I don’t love you, I can do things like this as much as I want.”
“No…”
Leah murmured weakly. The Caius she knew was definitely not that kind of man.
Absolutely not. Caius, the man I loved…
“I’m going to do even worse things than this. If you’re already scared, what will you do?”
Denying her thoughts, the cruel man sneered and lightly brushed the top of her lips. The warm touch moved as if soothing a burn.
Leah couldn’t bear this moment and faintly raised her head.
“H-How can you do this? You’re engaged to someone else. How can you do this to me…”
“Leah.”
At that moment, Caius softly called her, as he used to, with a tender resonance. Leah, who had stiffened entirely, followed his call and looked up.
The gentle voice calling her name. The sharp blue eyes looking down. The faint smile. Everything felt just like it used to.
“Such things don’t matter.”
And thus, even in this desperate situation, she could not push him away.
In the proximity where breaths could be felt, Caius whispered softly. Then, without hesitation, he captured Leah’s lips stained with blood and tears.
* * *
“Young Master, it’s time for you to board.”
The attendants watched Jade anxiously from a distance.
Even though the departure time had long been delayed, he seemed to have no intention of moving.
The carriages remaining in the central star palace now belonged only to Ainel.
“Young Master…”
Ignoring the fidgeting attendants, Jade steadfastly gazed beyond the courtyard.
He still hadn’t heard any response from Leah.
They not only failed to meet at the final banquet, but he also received no message through intermediaries.
Although all signs pointed to her rejecting his proposal, Jade still yearned to hear her answer directly from her lips.
Closing his eyes briefly, Jade finally took a step forward. Running towards the courtyard, Jade heard the attendants shout.
“Young Master! Where are you going?”
The palace is located in the western part of the central palace. The distance might be considerable, but it wouldn’t be impossible to reach.
If he took a carriage, he might cross paths with Leah. Jade ran calmly and swiftly along the road.
Just as his breath was about to catch up, he saw a low palace in the distance.
With determination in his eyes, Jade increased his pace towards it.
Following the long stone road towards the entrance, two knights guarding the gate assumed a ready stance as he approached.
“This is a subsidiary palace of the Crown Prince’s palace. Entry without permission is not allowed.”
The knights firmly stopped Jade, and he calmly replied when they asked him to state his business.
“I hear the Princess is staying here. I’m Jade Richter, with the Ainel Envoy.”
Jade spoke with a firm expression as he looked at the entrance.
“I couldn’t bid farewell to the princess on her departure, so I came here personally. Please inform the princess that I have come to visit.”
Upon hearing his name, the two knights exchanged glances. Surprisingly, they allowed him to enter without further resistance.
“Please proceed.”
Despite the urgency of the situation, the smooth response felt unusual. Quickly entering, Jade crossed the hall. Spotting a palace servant passing by the stairs, he urgently inquired.
“I’ve come to see the princess. Where is she?”
In response, the bewildered palace servant lowered their head as if hesitating.
“Well, the princess is currently on the balcony in the western part of the second floor.”
Upon hearing the answer, Jade immediately quickened his pace. Climbing the stairs and reaching the second-floor corridor, he caught sight of a servant and quickly asked.
“I’ve come to see the princess. Where is she?”
After receiving the information, Jade briskly walked down the corridor.
Even if he heard words of rejection, Jade felt he needed to see Leah’s face directly for his heart to be at ease. He couldn’t leave without at least bidding farewell.
As Jade approached the western end, his steps slowed down. Around that time, he heard muffled sighs coming from somewhere, piercing through his ears distinctly.
“…”
Jade’s heart, instinctively clenched, started beating forcefully. His gaze reached the balcony, where faint sounds emanated beyond the slightly ajar door.
As Jade took a step closer to inspect what was happening, his hands involuntarily tensed up. Beyond the door, two figures were entwined, kissing passionately.
A prominent male figure was supporting a woman, who seemed to be barely sitting on the railing and shielding her. Then, when Jade’s eyes caught a glimpse of the woman’s delicate white skin, his face quickly turned pale.
In that space, two intertwined figures were passionately exchanging kisses.
Although Jade couldn’t see their faces, the subsequent moaning voices painfully reminded him of the cruel reality.
The realisation hit Jade hard – the fact that the woman in that intimate embrace was none other than Leah.
His clenched fists began to tremble faintly. His feet felt glued to the floor, refusing to move.
With great effort, Jade turned his head again to glance beyond the door. The moment he saw the man’s back, embracing arms and shining silver hair entwined with the pale woman, he tightly closed his eyes once more.
* * *
Leah’s body collapsed onto the bed.
Swiftly taking her place, Caius pulled down the shoulders of the dress that had cascaded down from the balcony.
Frantically, Leah surveyed her surroundings through her blurred vision. It was an unfamiliar room. It seemed like they had entered any room as soon as they left the balcony.
Dismissing the uniform draped over the poet shirt, Caius untied the tightly secured straps down to his neck
Leah, gazing intensely, looked at his solid chest. Raising her gaze slightly, she caught sight of the man, seemingly captivated.
As if attempting to devour even the quick breaths she released, Caius pressed his lips against hers again.
Tears clung to the corners of her eyes, streaming down onto the bedding. His lips, whispering her name, continued to captivate her soul.
“Hah, Leah.”
This desperate man, reminiscent of the old Caius, made it difficult for her to push him away, even though she knew it was all just her delusion.
