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Chapter 2
“Did you wait long?”
Verdin arrived later than the promised time and calmly walked into the imperial garden.
The gentle spring breeze brushed past his soft golden hair.
Even now, his appearance alone was terrifyingly beautiful.
In the past, Elina had always arrived at least thirty minutes early, worried that Verdin might have to wait even a little.
Back then, she had been able to turn even waiting into excitement.
Now, thinking of her foolish past, Elina gave the same answer as always.
“No, Your Highness. I just arrived as well.”
“That’s good, then.”
Verdin sat down casually, as if her words were nothing more than polite courtesy.
She hadn’t expected it—but as always, there wasn’t even a proper apology.
The old Elina would have waited an hour and still said the same thing.
But not anymore.
Now, she had no intention of wasting even a single minute on the Crown Prince.
As soon as Verdin sat down, the prepared meal was served.
The old Elina would have picked at her food, chattering endlessly just to exchange a few more words with him.
Looking at the delicious meal before her now, she felt a wave of regret for wasting time like that.
“You’re quiet today. Is something wrong?”
“No. The food is just too good.”
Elina smiled lightly as she focused on cutting the perfectly cooked lamb.
Verdin watched her with a slightly puzzled expression, his lips moving faintly.
“About the engagement you mentioned before…”
Elina already knew what he was going to say next.
Suppressing a mocking laugh, she spoke first.
“Back then, I was being thoughtless, Your Highness.”
“…What?”
Verdin, who had been about to continue speaking generously, froze and stared at her.
“I already knew you had no feelings for me, but I tried to push it forward out of my own greed. I’m sorry.”
“……”
Verdin’s lips pressed into a straight line, unable to give either agreement or denial.
“Please forget about the engagement. I won’t bother you like this again. I promise.”
Elina was certain that Verdin—who valued his pride as much as his possessiveness—would never reject this offer.
His golden eyes lingered on her pink ones, as if trying to read her intentions, but in the end, he found nothing and looked away.
“I will respect your wishes.”
His shaken gaze soon returned to calm.
He must have already concluded that she would change her mind soon anyway.
Not a chance.
Elina had no intention of holding onto such a beautifully wrapped piece of trash anymore.
After all—
there was already a man who was perfect inside and out, and he loved her.
Verdin had never truly cared for her, but he knew well that there was no better marriage partner than the Estria family.
Even while acting annoyed, he had never completely pushed her away—
always dangling just enough affection to keep her attached.
Celebrating her first small victory against him, Elina picked up her fork.
Verdin’s eyes trembled slightly as he watched her smiling brightly and finishing even the last bite of dessert.
* * *
It seemed the biggest problem—the engagement—had been resolved well.
Since the marriage with the royal family had been forced mostly by her own insistence, there was little chance of further complications.
The fact that she had followed Verdin since she was seven, yet they still weren’t engaged, proved that no one truly welcomed this match.
Now, the important part began.
Elina was now circling the training grounds for the second time—
trying to “accidentally” run into Kaian Ovilion, the man who would replace Verdin Pernia in her plans.
She had already sent away everyone following her, saying she wanted to walk alone.
Now, all she had to do was meet him.
She didn’t know everything about Kaian, since she hadn’t paid much attention to him before.
But she remembered hearing from Verdin that Kaian frequently visited the imperial training grounds.
She desperately wanted to check if he was really there—
but she held herself back, not wanting to make it obvious.
Twisting her parasol lightly, Elina endured the boredom.
Luckily, the cool spring breeze made it more bearable.
What am I even doing…
Hoping he would approach her first was unrealistic.
Before her death, he had never even confessed—she had only learned of his feelings through someone else.
Still, he was worth the effort.
She wanted to see Verdin’s face as soon as possible—
when he realized she had abandoned him for Kaian.
Just as her feet began to ache and her patience was running thin—
she finally saw him.
Elina quickly straightened herself and smiled as he approached.
He looked like he had just finished training, wearing a simple white linen shirt.
His well-built body was clearly visible even through his clothes, proving the rumors that he practically lived in the training grounds.
As he came close enough for her to see his damp black hair, she greeted him first.
“Nice to see you, Sir Kaian. It looks like you’ve just finished training.”
Kaian’s blue eyes showed a hint of surprise as he looked at her smiling face.
This wasn’t easy for Elina either.
Except for when they were very young, she had never spoken to him this closely or casually before.
Still, they had once been childhood companions.
“Yes… that’s correct. Lady Elina, it seems you came to meet His Highness Verdin.”
“That’s right. May I ask you to escort me? I was thinking of taking a short walk.”
Even though she had already walked enough to be tired, Elina smiled calmly as she asked.
After a brief hesitation, Kaian responded by lightly kissing the back of her hand.
His black hair brushed softly against her white lace glove.
Elina stared at him for a moment as he stepped back.
From afar, she had noticed his strong build—
but up close, he felt like a solid wall.
“His Highness must have been quite busy.”
Kaian spoke first as they walked quietly.
“Because I asked you for an escort? Was that so surprising?”
“…Yes.”
He looked slightly startled, as if he hadn’t expected such a direct question.
“I promised His Highness that I wouldn’t meet him privately anymore. So I couldn’t exactly ask him to escort me.”
“……”
Kaian suddenly stopped walking and stared at her.
His blue eyes widened slightly.
Elina hadn’t expected him to be this transparent, but she continued calmly.
“I already knew he didn’t have feelings for me. I forced my feelings on him for too long. I won’t do that anymore.”
After listening quietly, Kaian spoke carefully.
“Didn’t you truly love His Highness?”
Inside, Elina was delighted.
This topic had come up faster than expected.
“People’s hearts can change. Besides, His Highness and I weren’t even engaged.”
She had made it clear—
she had no ties to Verdin anymore, and her feelings had changed.
Surely, even someone as cold as Kaian would now gather the courage to pursue her.
“I see.”
But contrary to her expectations—
his gaze only became colder.
Was he always this dense?
In her past life, Elina had focused entirely on Verdin, so she never truly understood Kaian.
She only knew small details and rumors.
Now she finally understood—
why, despite being desired by everyone, he had never been involved in any marriage talks.
It can’t be helped.
Since he was this slow, she would have to take the lead.
“Thank you for accepting my sudden request, Sir Kaian. As thanks, I’d like to treat you to a meal… when would be convenient?”
“That won’t be necessary, Lady Elina. Please return safely.”
Without even pretending to think, Kaian gave a cold answer and turned away.
For a brief moment—
a chilling coldness passed through his blue eyes.
And the emotion in that gaze was clear.
It was contempt.
