TVOWW 88

Chapter 88

Whatever the Circumstances

Carlos’s golden eyes were practically boiling with sincerity. Even someone completely oblivious would have sensed the desperate yearning in them, and it only made me more bewildered.

What on earth is going on?

The last time I met the Crown Prince, he hadn’t been this desperate.

Nothing happened between then and now.

Even though I’d become the Duchess of Blanchet, I still couldn’t believe that proud and arrogant Carlos now “needed” me.

This makes no sense at all.

“You’re saying you need me?”

“Yes.”

“But why?”

Once the initial shock faded, genuine curiosity took its place.

“Your Highness, I was never the kind of person you needed.”

“That’s…”

“First, let go of my hand. You’re making me uncomfortable.”

My irritated tone made his golden eyes tremble.

“I’m making you uncomfortable?”

Carlos bit his lip, as if tasting my words.

“You show up out of nowhere and act like this—how could I not be uncomfortable? We didn’t exactly part on good terms.”

“Why?”

Carlos’s grip on my arm tightened.

“Why do you think we ended?”

“Then… we didn’t?”

If Leandro and I had never truly built a relationship, then the Crown Prince and I were a case where I’d mistakenly thought there was some kind of bond.

“Well, we weren’t even close enough to ‘end’ anything properly.”

“…Didn’t you love me?”

There was a strange tenderness in Carlos’s eyes as he looked at me.

“I still have the last letter you sent me.”

“…”

“Wasn’t that letter your true heart? You said only I could save you from hell.”

My heart skipped a beat.

Carlos and I had exchanged a lot of letters. I didn’t remember them all word for word.

But the last letter—that one—I could never forget.

“Your Highness.”

I gave a small laugh.

“Did you even read my letter back then?”

“Yes. I read it all.”

He brushed his bangs back with the hand that wasn’t gripping me.

“I always read your letters.”

“You never properly replied, though.”

“I just couldn’t think of an answer to give.”

His decadent face showed a strange glimmer of expectation. He seemed to think that if I only listened to him, something would change.

“So what do you want me to do?”

I yanked my arm free from his grasp.

Ow!

I’d shaken him off so hard that my arm felt like it might tear off.

Why is my body so weak?

But I refused to show weakness before the Crown Prince. My eyes went cold instead.

“When did I ever ask about Your Highness’s circumstances?”

No matter what expression I wore, my face couldn’t be threatening. Still, I put as much ice into my tone as I could.

“If you remember the contents of that last letter, shouldn’t you know better than anyone why I’m like this now?”

“…”

“What use are letters and excuses now, anyway?”

That last letter… I had written it while trapped in Libertan.

I’d schemed to get it smuggled into the palace, begging him to save me—clinging to hope in the Crown Prince.

A memory I’d unconsciously buried rose to the surface.

I’d been desperate then.

No matter how I tried, I couldn’t escape Libertan.

And its downfall was drawing closer. I wanted, at all costs, to avoid marrying Johann.

I’m really out of options.

So I pinned my last hope on the Crown Prince, who had been faintly kind to me.

…I don’t know if His Highness will save me or not.

From the very start, Crown Prince Carlos had openly despised me, sneering at my “lowly blood.” He ordered me about under the pretext of atonement.

And yet, sometimes, he acted strangely.

This lowly blood? She’s here because I called her.

If I wish it, even lowly blood can sit in the noblest seat. Don’t think you can look down on her just because I do.

Why does the Crown Prince act like he isn’t one?

Sometimes he shielded me from people who hated me, and whispered sweet promises of becoming Crown Princess.

“Do you want to be Crown Princess too?”

As we exchanged letters, I even started to believe there was some real connection between us.

If you’re going to dream, dream big—dream of the Crown Princess’s seat. That way it won’t feel so miserable.

If you try a bit harder, maybe that dream will come true.

But it was all my illusion.

One day he summoned me, but greeted me while hanging on another noblewoman’s arm.

Wait for your turn.

He always needed a new plaything. At the time, I was simply the freshest and most amusing toy.

Still, he was the only person I could turn to.

[To His Highness Crown Prince Carlos]

I swallowed my pride and wrote a plea for salvation.

[You may not believe me, but Libertan’s downfall is near. If this continues, I may die.]

[If you’ve grown even a little sympathy for me through our letters, please show me mercy.]

[Please, save me.]

Even to me it was a pitiful letter.

But I believed he was my last hope. So I waited for his reply.

But the reply never came.

Ah, I’ve been stupid again.

And so I was able to sort through everything between us. I made new plans to survive.

That was all.

Now, seeing the Crown Prince’s pained expression was almost laughable.

Leandro, the Crown Prince—they’re both weird.

I hadn’t changed much, but they acted like I’d turned into some priceless jewel they couldn’t let slip away.

“Yes, not saving you was my mistake. I thought I could live without you. I thought you were just one of the countless women passing through my life.”

“Weren’t you?”

“No.”

Carlos’s voice cracked.

“No other woman could fill the moments I had with you.”

“What?”

“Seeing your face now, I’m sure. You—who I thought were insignificant—are someone I must never lose.”

His eyes reddened with tears. The Crown Prince—crying as he looked at me.

“You can blame me for being late. But I need you.”

“I don’t need you, though.”

I glanced around, looking for a way to escape. That’s when I noticed the unusual scenery.

At the Crown Prince’s feet was a massive magic circle.

A magic circle?

It looked carved into the stone floor, and strange red blood flowed between its lines.

That blood…

It was his.

I hadn’t noticed because of his words and behavior, but before I arrived he’d been wounding himself to pour blood into the circle.

What is this place?

Blood still trickled from his body.

“Do you really not need my help?”

Carlos seemed not at all tired, focusing only on me.

“Don’t you see, from the rumors about you still being a villainess?”

His voice went soft, coaxing.

“Duke Blanchet can’t give you everything you want. But a nation with great influence in society could.”

“…”

“I could move now to save the Libertan ducal house—get the Duke and Duchess out of prison. That’s a wish Blanchet could never grant.”

“What utter nonsense…”

Carlos blinked, startled at my tone.

“I’m sorry, but our ties are over. If that’s hard to understand, let me put it another way.”

He seemed convinced I’d loved him. I had tried to meet his expectations back then.

But after meeting Johann, I understand now.

I had never loved Carlos. I’d only thought of him as my sole salvation and even deceived myself about my own feelings.

“The woman Your Highness knew is dead.”

His handsome face crumbled.

“Why would you…”

Kiiing—

A piercing sound reverberated through the cavern. Carlos flinched, shocked.

Something’s wrong.

An ominous energy spread from the magic circle.

What is that?

Carlos slumped against the floor.

“Fairy.”

His golden eyes turned purple.

“The last fairy—you’re here.”

Black energy crept up the cave wall behind him, forming a drawing—a grotesque beast cobbled together from countless monsters.

That’s not the Crown Prince.

A chill ran down my spine. I bolted without looking back.

“I want that offering.”

Shadow-like shapes crawled up the cave walls, dancing.

“Bring me the final sacrifice.”

Luckily, I’d started running first. I dodged the monstrous shadows, circling the cave’s edge.

But at this rate they’ll catch me soon.

I had to find a way out.

My breathing grew ragged. Shadowy hands shot out from the ceiling toward me.

Then, an unexpected low voice whispered by my ear.

“Estelle?”

Just as the shadowy hands were about to seize me—

“What are you doing here?”

Johann appeared before me and shattered the shadow. My eyes widened.

“Johann, how are you here…”

“You were supposed to go to the temple today. And where’s the bracelet I gave you?”

His sharp eyes narrowed as he saw the red marks on my wrist.

“What happened to you?”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Heavy footsteps thundered behind us. Johann frowned briefly, then yanked me into his arms and shoved me deeper into the cave.

We’re going to hit the wall!

I squeezed my eyes shut against the impact. But nothing happened.

There’s a space here?

The wall looked solid but was actually a hidden recess big enough for two.

Johann pressed a finger to my lips.

“Shh. Quiet.”

Outside, the monster stomped away. Following his lead, I steadied my breathing.

But why is Johann here?

Just as I’d planned to go to the temple today, Johann had said he was going to the palace.

Elsewhere, Erich’s voice was cold.

“What are you going to do now?”

He glared at the cardinal and priests like a warning.

“If my lady doesn’t wake up, my lord will never forgive the Holy Kingdom.”