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Chapter 38
When Iva saw Rai and Julian walking arm-in-arm so intimately, she felt her face burn with embarrassment.
She had assumed he was nervously waiting for her response to his confession. Of course, she had planned to reject him—but having, for once, held the upper hand with Rai, perhaps she had been enjoying it just a little.
That’s why seeing him with Julian now felt like a punch to the back of the head.
Rai could fall in love with Julian at any time. He had done so in both her previous lives, so it wouldn’t be strange if it happened again in this one.
It made perfect narrative sense for him to forget all about his confession to Iva and spend happy days with Julian.
Realizing that made Iva want to flee the scene from sheer humiliation.
“G-greetings to Your Highness and the Duke.”
She couldn’t even bring herself to look at them as she bowed.
“Lady Iva, you should look someone in the eyes when you greet them.”
Julian’s teasing tone made her feel even more wronged.
Really? If they were together now, couldn’t they have just told her? If Rai didn’t want to pursue her anymore, he could’ve at least said so. That would’ve spared her the embarrassment.
“Hnnleethe Hnnethss…” (Your Highness…)
Iva muttered her greeting and cast a sideways glare at Rai. He lowered his head slightly in response.
His sudden air of remorse only made her more exasperated.
“So, what are you doing here? The palace isn’t a place for someone like you to just come and go as they please.”
The party was over—what reason did she have to be here now? His tone was accusatory, so Iva lifted her chin proudly.
“His Majesty summoned me.”
“The Emperor?”
“Yes. He personally invited me.”
She wore the expression of someone fully confident in her position, which made Julian smile even more brightly.
Something about that smile made Iva feel like she’d bitten into bait.
“Did His Majesty ask about Claude?”
At Claude’s name, Rai flinched slightly and lifted his head. Chase, who stood nearby, also turned with interest, since Claude was the one he served.
“No. He spoke about the Empire of Pene and our new trade agreement.”
“That’s all? He didn’t say anything else?”
“I cannot discuss my conversation with His Majesty.”
The Emperor was the state. Any conversation with him was confidential. Even if she was a princess, Iva had to respect that boundary. She would be the one punished otherwise.
And since Julian clearly didn’t trust her, she had no reason to share more.
Julian’s brow furrowed.
“His Majesty doesn’t keep secrets from me. You can tell me.”
“It’s a matter of life and death for me.”
“Fine. I’ll just go ask him myself. Come, Rai.”
Julian moved to drag Rai along with her, but he didn’t budge, his eyes fixed on Iva.
That burning gaze made her even more flustered. What now? Do you want my answer or something?
Not understanding the meaning behind his look, Iva just blinked.
“Rai, what are you doing? You’re my guard. You’re supposed to follow me.”
Displeased by his gaze, Julian clung to his arm and tried to pull him along.
“Your Highness, please allow me a moment…”
“No! You’re supposed to protect me. I’m going somewhere else now.”
Fine by me. I don’t want to see you either, so just go already.
But no matter how hard Julian pulled, Rai stood firm like a stone.
Feeling it would be less stressful to leave first, Iva offered a suggestion.
“Your Highness, would it be alright if I took my leave first?”
“Yes, yes, go.”
As soon as she received permission, Iva bowed and tugged on Chase’s sleeve to lead him away.
Chase bowed in turn and obediently followed.
“Why are you walking so fast? You’re going to trip again.”
“Just keep moving. I want to get out of here. Or go back to Lady Rosie if you want!”
“My bad. Let’s go.”
As the two grew more distant, Rai’s fists clenched tightly. When Iva gripped Chase’s sleeve, he clenched his jaw so hard it seemed it might crack.
“I’ll wait. Please… just once, listen to me. You’re misunderstanding.”
And again, the woman’s voice echoed from his heart. Words he had never heard before, yet they were embedded deep within his soul.
“Ugh…”
Rai clutched his chest and stepped forward.
“Rai!”
Julian quickly reached out to stop him.
“Your Highness, please. Just give me a moment. That’s all I ask.”
“No! If you don’t listen to me, I’ll tell Claude you weren’t properly punished!”
At Claude’s name, Rai pried Julian’s hands off his arm forcefully.
She stared blankly at him, stunned by how easily he had cast her aside.
“Go ahead.”
“What?”
“You may tell His Highness whatever you wish.”
If he let her go now, everything would become meaningless. He had endured punishment only to be near her. If it ended like this, none of it mattered.
Without a second glance, Rai dashed after Iva.
“Lady Iva!”
At his shout, both Iva and Chase flinched in surprise.
“Hey, he’s calling for you.”
“Shut up and walk faster!”
“What am I supposed to—whoa!”
“Just go!”
When Chase slowed down to respond, Iva let go of his sleeve without hesitation.
Alone now, she practically sprinted through the hallway. Her quick pace put her far ahead, and she reached the western exit.
“Iva!”
But outrunning Rai with his long strides was impossible. He caught up quickly and blocked her path.
Just a little farther and she would’ve been free. Now face-to-face with him, the embarrassment returned in full force.
Though he had run here, Rai hesitated before speaking.
A moment passed, then he said cautiously,
“…I’m sorry.”
That single sentence made it even harder for Iva to face him. So it was true. He really had fallen for Julian.
Then why bother stopping her? Did he just want to make everything official?
“I only stayed by her side becau—”
“You don’t have to explain.”
“Pardon?”
“We’re nothing to each other.”
Rai’s expression stiffened visibly.
“People’s hearts are fickle things.”
“…”
“I won’t blame you if your feelings changed.”
“What are you talking about…”
“Oh, if it’s because I never gave you an answer, I’ll give it now.”
She should’ve done this sooner. Ending things here would prevent the tragedies of the past—her family dying.
He would never be able to love her.
“I feel the same as I did on our date. Your feelings—”
“Don’t.”
“…What?”
“I don’t want to be rejected when you don’t even believe in my feelings. Reject me only when you truly believe me.”
What kind of nonsense was that? Iva frowned in confusion, and Rai added,
“I still don’t like the princess.”
“What? Liar.”
“…You really don’t believe me.”
“You were arm-in-arm with her just now. How can I believe you?”
Iva’s tone grew sharper.
“I’ve been assigned to guard you for two weeks. I was punished.”
That detail wasn’t in the original story, and her eyes widened.
“Punished? Why?”
“Because I disobeyed Prince Claude’s order.”
“Huh? Aren’t you two close?”
“His Highness said he wants you to become his princess.”
“What?! Me?!”
“He said he wants you to be the Crown Princess.”
Rai repeated the words clearly, as if afraid she hadn’t heard them.
What kind of insane joke is this?! Who said I wanted to be the Crown Princess?!
“…That’s why His Majesty asked me that?”
She suddenly remembered Advan’s question about whether she was engaged.
“Did His Majesty say the same thing?”
Rai took a step closer with an anxious look.
“No, he didn’t say that.”
“Hah…”
Rai sighed with deep relief and wiped his face.
“So you disobeyed the Prince’s command because you were against making me the princess?”
“Yes. That’s why I was punished and assigned to guard you for two weeks.”
“Why were you against it?”
Rai frowned at her, as if annoyed by the question.
“Do you really not know?”
“Yes.”
“Liar.”
He said it exactly the way she had said it earlier.
“What did you say?”
“You know how I feel. I even sent you a letter because I was worried you’d misunderstand. How could you not know?”
“A letter? I never got one.”
“What do you mean? I sent it. Don’t tell me you never received it?”
Iva’s brow furrowed. How could I have known?
You were always cold—breaking off our engagement and pushing me away no matter how much I begged. How could I possibly have known?
“No. I didn’t know. I didn’t get a letter. I know nothing about your feelings.”
When she shook her head and said so, Rai’s eyes filled with sorrow.
“…Then I won’t accept your answer until you do.”
His childish pout was met with equal frustration.
“Well then, good. Let’s continue knowing nothing about each other.”
“…What?”
“I have nothing more to say to you. Now let me pass.”
She tried to walk around him, but he flinched and moved to block her again.
“Don’t. If you block me again, I’ll never see you again.”
At her low warning, Rai’s expression crumbled. Never seeing her again… that was the worst punishment imaginable.
Reluctantly, Rai stepped aside.
Iva strode away without looking back.
Rai, unable to bear watching her leave, covered his eyes with his hand and muttered,
“…Damn it.”
