EULE 120

 Chapter 120

The funeral of the Duchess was held at the Duke’s residence. The Crown Princess attended the ceremony, though there was no obligation for her to do so given the Duchess’s high status.

Duke Eduardo thought it was just the Crown Princess’s whim. Deeply mourning his late wife, he had no patience for anything else.

By the time the memorial service ended, the Crown Princess approached him and stood beside him.

The Duke, recognizing her face behind the black veil, offered his thanks.

“Your Highness, I am grateful that you have personally come to pay your respects to my late wife.”

“It is only natural that I visit. One must first care for those close to them, is that not so?”

Her tone was languid and soft, yet somehow there was an edge of steel hidden in her words.

Frowning, Duke Eduardo turned to look more closely at her face—but the Crown Princess was faster.

She stepped closer, leaning slightly toward him, and whispered softly into his ear.

“How is it? The gift I sent… I wonder if it pleased the Minister.”

At her brief whisper, Duke Eduardo finally realized the truth of what had happened.

The Crown Princess had shown, in a cruelly precise way, exactly how she dealt with those who opposed her.

Jaelin opened her eyes. Everything in sight was unfamiliar. Through a canopy thin and transparent like dragonfly wings, she could see a wall adorned with a few classical paintings.

The bedding against her cheek was feather-soft and plush—nothing like her own rough, stiff sheets. This was not her home.

Where am I?

A surge of fear gripped her. Her mind told her she needed to figure out where she was, yet she couldn’t summon the strength to move even a finger.

And somehow, she didn’t even feel the desire to move. She lay there in a daze for a long while.

Fortunately, her condition had improved considerably. Catching her breath, Jaelin parted her lips to make a small sound. The tight pressure around her neck had already faded.

It was almost disappointing that just facing that person’s face had led to this state. She felt frustrated with herself.

During the long time Jaelin spent in self-reproach, the villa remained silent. She heard no signs of anyone moving around. She realized she would have to be the first to explore and understand where she was.

From the generous room and ample time given to rest, she had a sense that this place was not dangerous.

Jaelin wandered through the mansion, hoping to encounter someone.

Guilt crept in at rifling through someone else’s home without permission, but she could not stay indefinitely in a place whose location she did not know.

It wasn’t until she went downstairs that she finally met someone. A middle-aged woman, tidying the reception room, turned to Jaelin with a kind smile when greeted.

“Hello there.”

“Oh! You’re awake! Are you feeling alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Excuse me, but could you tell me where this is?”

“This is Duke Eduardo’s townhouse.”

“E… Eduardo’s townhouse?”

Jaelin’s eyes widened at the unexpected answer.

In that instant, memories of Lionel’s voice whispering at her ear and his warmth enveloping her flooded her mind. The hands that had patted her back to reassure her—everything returned in a rush.

It was Lionel who had pulled her from the mire. Dizziness overtook her.

She staggered and clutched a nearby table. The servant looked at her with concern.

“Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“I heard you haven’t eaten in a long while. I’ll prepare something for you; please rest.”

Jaelin shook her head.

“No need. I’ll just head home.”

The servant hesitated, troubled.

“Still, please have something to eat. If you leave like this, the young master will scold me for not properly entertaining you.”

At that moment, Jaelin’s stomach rumbled thunderously. Days without food had taken their toll.

Frozen at the noise from her own body, she watched as the servant quickly spoke again.

“Please wait a moment. I’ll bring the food right away.”

The servant guided Jaelin to a sofa in the reception room and vanished before she could even respond.

Soon, warm food was set before her.

“If you need anything else, please let me know.”

“Thank you. This is enough.”

“Then enjoy your meal. I have other tasks to attend to.”

“Yes, yes. Please go ahead.”

As Jaelin prepared to eat, a sudden thought struck her. Lionel’s townhouse—yet he was nowhere to be seen.

She called after the departing servant.

“Excuse me… where is Senior Lionel? I don’t see him.”

“He’s not at the townhouse at the moment. He went to the academy.”

“I see… thank you.”

The servant left, and Jaelin relaxed slightly. She felt relieved not to have to see him just yet. Though she was grateful for being rescued from hell, she no longer wanted to rely on him.

Jaelin slowly ate. Considering she had gone long without food, the meal was light: thin stew, soft bread, and lightly cooked vegetables—easy on the stomach.

As she nibbled the stew, she realized she hadn’t returned to the academy even once since seeing the Crown Princess there.

She had been gone from lectures too long; she worried about being expelled. Any disruption to graduation would be a disaster.

Her thoughts turned to Stephan as well. When she checked her community, numerous messages from him had piled up.

When Jaelin replied, Stephan responded almost immediately:

[Stephan] Are you okay, Puppy? I couldn’t reach you and was worried sick

[Jaelin] Sorry. I was too distracted. Don’t worry, I’m fine.

[Stephan] Glad to hear it. So you’re going back to class now, right?

[Jaelin] Yes. I’ll start next week.

[Stephan] Got it. If you feel unwell again or anything happens, make sure to contact me, okay?

[Jaelin] Yeah. Thanks!

Reassured Stephan, Jaelin ended the conversation and resumed her meal. She wanted to leave before Lionel arrived but felt she should offer thanks.

If not for him, she might have stayed trapped in the prison she had built for herself, trembling in fear for a long time.

Jaelin resolved to wait only until Lionel arrived, give her thanks, and then leave promptly.

After finishing her meal, the servant returned immediately to clear the dishes. She brought a blanket and some light refreshments, carefully attending to Jaelin. She felt strangely uneasy at such hospitality.

“You didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

“You’re our guest. It’s only natural. Please rest comfortably until the young master returns.”

Jaelin nodded as the servant left. With nothing else to do, she took a bite of the refreshments and looked around the reception room.

Lionel’s quarters were tidy, without a single trace of clutter. There was no sign of him anywhere.

She recalled the brief time spent at Eduardo Castle long ago—an enormous, luxurious castle, yet the lonely young master lived there alone. It was hard to form attachments. Perhaps that was why Lionel sought solace in a small, secluded space.

But now, many people surrounded him. Much had changed.

Even if it wasn’t her, there were many who could be by his side.

Jaelin dozed off on the sofa repeatedly. Though the servant suggested she rest in the bedroom, she shook her head.

After a short while, Lionel arrived. Hearing that she had woken, he rushed to the reception room. A chill emanated from him as soon as he arrived, contrasting with the townhouse’s warmth and making Jaelin realize just how cozy the place was.

“You’re awake. Are you feeling better?”

Jaelin attempted to stand, but Lionel stopped her. Since he sat on the opposite sofa, she had no choice but to perch awkwardly on the edge of her own.

“Yes. I’m fine now.”

“That’s good. Did you eat anything? I thought it had been quite a while.”

“Yes, someone here made sure I ate.”

“Good. Was the food tasty? Should I have them bring more?”

Jaelin quickly waved her hand.

“No, no. I ate plenty already. Thank you for helping me. And…”

She trailed off, glancing at Lionel.

She needed to tell him she was going home, though she had a feeling he might not let her leave so easily.