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CHAPTER 15
A beautiful woman stood quietly in the center of the exhibition hall.
She looked almost unreal—as if an ethereal fairy had accidentally wandered from a dream into the human world.
Magnificent works of art surrounded her, each one worthy of admiration, yet the woman’s attention remained fixed only on her own clasped hands.
Around her, guests pretended to admire the paintings while secretly stealing glances in her direction.
Their eyes were filled with curiosity.
And beneath that curiosity was a hint of concealed contempt.
Erna Hardy.
The name alone had already become a topic of conversation among the nobles.
Pavel, who had just entered the hall, stopped the moment he saw her.
A strange feeling of familiarity washed over him.
That long brown hair.
That small, delicate figure.
That pale skin.
Those clear blue eyes.
It was impossible.
Yet…
“Erna?”
He carefully called out the name that had remained precious in his heart for so many years.
Even then, Pavel was not fully prepared to believe what he was seeing.
But when the woman slowly lifted her head and their eyes met, the shock he felt was far greater than he had expected.
“Pavel!”
A bright smile instantly bloomed across Erna’s face.
A smile filled with pure disbelief and happiness.
For a moment, the entire exhibition hall seemed to disappear.
The attention of every guest immediately turned toward them, but Erna did not seem to notice.
She only looked at the person standing before her.
Pavel quickly asked the confused Director of the Arts Center for permission before hurrying toward her.
Then, with the courtesy expected of a young nobleman greeting a lady, he bowed politely.
“It has been a long time, Miss Hardy.”
His words were formal.
But his eyes told a completely different story.
They were full of joy.
Pavel glanced at Erna meaningfully.
There were too many people watching.
This was not the place to reveal their true relationship.
Please… don’t say anything yet.
The warning in his eyes was obvious.
Erna, who had been about to ask countless questions, narrowed her eyes slightly.
After a moment, she finally understood.
With a small sigh, she nodded.
The attention of everyone in the exhibition hall was still focused on them.
“Ah… yes. It has indeed been a long time, Mr. Lore.”
Erna forced herself to answer in the same formal tone.
Her acting was awkward.
Extremely awkward.
But Pavel did not mind.
Because even while pretending to be strangers, the happiness shining in his eyes could not be hidden.
So Pavel really was doing well.
The obvious happiness they shared during their unexpected reunion washed away the unpleasant feelings left behind by that arrogant prince.
The embarrassment.
The anger.
The frustration.
All of it faded.
Only Pavel remained.
Only the joy of seeing her dearest friend again after so many years.
And in that moment, Erna finally realized something.
Ever since arriving in the capital, she had been carrying a loneliness and anxiety that she had never admitted even to herself.
She had been surrounded by unfamiliar people.
Unfamiliar customs.
Unfamiliar expectations.
But now…
Her only friend had returned.
“It was wonderful seeing you again. I will see you soon.”
Before leaving, Pavel quietly whispered words only she could hear.
“I’ll contact you.”
He smiled.
It was the same warm smile she remembered.
The smile of Pavel Lore.
Erna quickly pressed her lips together, stopping herself from accidentally saying something that could reveal their true relationship.
Instead, she gave a small nod.
Pavel smiled once more before returning to the elderly gentleman waiting for him.
Only then did Erna realize who he was.
The Director of the Royal Academy of Arts.
The same man who had given the speech during the opening ceremony.
His expression showed unmistakable pride as he introduced Pavel to the nobles.
Pride for his student.
Pride for his achievement.
With a small smile, Erna quietly left the exhibition room.
Their reunion had been far too short.
She was disappointed.
But she was also happy.
Because Pavel had promised they would meet again.
There were so many things she wanted to tell him.
So many memories she wanted to share.
With a lighter heart and a posture far more confident than before, Erna walked down the hallway.
The gentle summer sunlight poured through the windows, stretching across the floor.
Her footsteps echoed softly as she headed toward the stairs.
For the first time since arriving in the capital, she felt truly at ease.
Until…
A certain memory suddenly returned.
Like a flood.
His Highness.
Bjorn.
His golden hair, shining like sunlight.
His calm gray eyes.
The moment when he had taken her hand and pressed his lips against the back of it.
She remembered the way he had looked directly at her.
Cold.
Amused.
Mocking.
He had insulted her with the most elegant and polite gesture possible.
And the worst part was…
She knew exactly what he had been doing.
Using her as a substitute.
A replacement for Princess Gladys.
Erna frowned deeply.
Without thinking, she rubbed the back of her hand where his lips had touched.
Even though she had been wearing gloves, the memory of that moment refused to disappear.
The strange sensation remained.
Annoyance filled her chest.
Embarrassment followed.
Unable to bear it, she pulled out her handkerchief and rubbed the back of her hand.
It was a simple action.
Yet her cheeks burned with frustration.
If only she could erase the entire memory from her mind.
If only it wasn’t because of this stupid handkerchief.
Her anger briefly turned toward the handkerchief itself.
But that feeling disappeared almost immediately.
It had been a birthday gift from her grandmother.
Her grandmother had personally embroidered the flowers and her initials with sincere affection.
No matter what that unpleasant prince had done…
She could not hate something so precious.
With the handkerchief carefully folded, Erna slowly descended the stairs.
Her cheeks remained faintly red.
