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chapter 16
Duke Baraota’s words barely reached the Emperor’s ears.
All through the meal, he had noticed that the Crown Prince’s gaze kept drifting toward Duchess Baraota.
“The woman I mentioned before… of all people… Still, I suppose I have to help this time.”
“You look tired. Let’s call it a day for now.”
“Yes, understood.”
After showing proper etiquette, Duke Baraota left the audience chamber and immediately noticed an unexpected figure, frowning.
“Have you been well, Duke?”
“It seems Lady Medina has come to meet His Majesty. You should go see her.”
It was none other than Erika Medina.
“Oh, I actually came to see you, Duke, not His Majesty. Could you spare a moment?”
Erika Medina smiled lightly at Duke Baraota.
“I don’t think there’s much to discuss between us, Lady.”
Duke Baraota replied with an expressionless face.
“Is that so? But I have something to say. And wouldn’t it be more likely to cause misunderstandings if we talk here? Others are watching, you see.”
Erika glanced around, indicating the curious eyes of those nearby, all watching them intently.
Duke Baraota had no choice but to move elsewhere.
“It’s been a while, Ray.”
As soon as they entered the reception room, Erika spoke casually, just like old times when they were close.
“What is it you want?”
But Duke Baraota maintained his stern attitude, as before.
“First, congratulations on your marriage.”
“I don’t think we’re in a position to exchange such words. Didn’t I ask you not to pretend to know me anymore?”
After learning that Erika had no intention of cutting ties with him, even after getting engaged to the Crown Prince, Duke Baraota discarded all memories of her.
To him now, Erika Medina was no longer a former fiancée or childhood friend—she was merely the Crown Prince’s fiancée.
“Was it a marriage for love, then?”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I just can’t help but doubt. You’re not the type to ever love someone.”
Erika’s words drew a small laugh from Duke Baraota.
“Who’s saying that. If I had known you’d say that, I wouldn’t have come here at all. Well, I’ll be going now.”
Duke Baraota moved quickly to fetch Yuriela.
“Wait.”
Erika hurriedly wrapped her arms around him from behind to stop him, but Duke Baraota felt annoyance.
“Let go of me.”
He forced her away.
“Please, don’t go.”
Erika’s voice was full of sorrow. Any other man might have stopped at her pitiful plea, but not Duke Baraota.
“Ray!”
“There’s nothing more to discuss, so I’ll be going.”
“Didn’t you think of me even once?”
With a sigh that implied there was no longer any worth in responding, Duke Baraota left the room silently.
Left alone, Erika ground her lips in anger.
“If the Crown Prince insists on breaking off the engagement, the only place I can return to is Duke Baraota’s residence. I have to make him love me again. Or else… that woman of the Crown Prince’s…”
Since hearing that the Crown Prince had gone to see the Emperor, Erika had been half out of her mind.
Having once been broken off from Duke Baraota, she knew that if she were broken off from the Crown Prince, everything she had built would collapse at once.
She dashed out to catch up with Duke Baraota.
Yuriela wanted nothing more than to leave the Crown Prince’s residence immediately.
“Do you want to check something?”
“Check what?”
“To see whether what I said is true or not.”
Yuriela didn’t reply. She had two reasons: one, she feared that Duke Baraota might still have feelings for Erika, and two, she didn’t want to be swayed by the Crown Prince’s words.
“I can’t keep being swayed by the Crown Prince. That’s exactly what he wants—to make me doubt Ray because of his words.”
“Yuriela.”
Hearing Duke Baraota’s voice from behind, her face instantly brightened.
“Ray.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No, not at all.”
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince’s chest ached at seeing their cheerful expressions. How wonderful it would have been if that smile had been just for him.
“Ray!”
At that moment, Erika ran toward them, calling out to Duke Baraota.
A tense atmosphere filled the four of them.
“Oh, Your Highness, you’re here as well.”
Erika acted as if Yuriela didn’t exist.
“Erika, you seem to be feeling much better.”
“Yes, after a bit of rest, I’m fine. I made a mistake without realizing it.”
It was no mistake. Erika had deliberately called Duke Baraota by his nickname, knowing he was heading to the Crown Prince’s residence, loudly enough for everyone present to hear.
Everyone there knew it.
“By the way, Your Highness, what were you doing here?”
“Couldn’t you see? I was guiding Duchess Baraota through the palace.”
“Oh, Duchess Baraota was here. I didn’t notice since I was flustered.”
Erika finally acknowledged Yuriela’s presence.
“No need to worry. Anyone would react the same. After all, who calls a former fiancé by a nickname in front of their current fiancée?”
Yuriela spoke calmly but firmly. Erika was visibly unsettled by her unexpected reaction. Yuriela, seeing Erika and the Crown Prince, continued.
“Ray, let’s head back to my house. Lady Erika Medina said she’s not feeling well.”
“That’s probably best. We’ll take our leave then.”
The Crown Prince also thought it best to send Erika away to prevent any mistreatment or neglect toward Yuriela.
“…Yes, let’s go.”
Yuriela and Duke Baraota bowed lightly to the Crown Prince.
“Ah, thank you for showing my wife around today.”
“I also enjoyed speaking with Duchess Baraota—”
“But next time, there’s no need for that.”
Before the Crown Prince could finish, Duke Baraota spoke.
“There’s already plenty of talk circulating. If you don’t want to add strange rumors, it’s better to be careful.”
His gaze was on Erika as he spoke, and everyone could tell who he was addressing.
“Now, we’ll really be going.”
Duke Baraota said, taking Yuriela with him. Once they left, Erika spoke in a sharp tone.
“Your Highness, let’s talk.”
“What about?”
“I called Duke Baraota by his nickname just to gauge Duchess Baraota’s reaction. I hope you don’t misunderstand.”
“That’s nothing.”
The Crown Prince replied impatiently.
“Whatever you do, it’s none of my concern. No need to explain.”
Erika’s face flushed bright red with embarrassment and anger.
“I’d have called off the engagement if you had been involved with Duke Baraota, but that’s not the case.”
She clenched her dress tightly.
“Now, if you’re done, leave. It’s unpleasant having uninvited guests in my space.”
The Crown Prince said this and entered the palace alone.
Erika, seething with anger at his attitude, stomped on the flowers on her shoes.
“Everyone else manages to separate engagements, marriage, and romance, so why are they acting all noble and righteous? And he’s the one harboring feelings for someone else! Then why is he so proud?”
She couldn’t just stand there.
“You there!”
“Me? Are you talking to me?”
A servant, trying to move unnoticed through the Crown Prince’s residence, jumped in shock.
“Then who else would be here besides you!”
The Crown Prince had cleared the room so he could speak with Yuriela, so there was no one else around.
The servant cautiously approached Erika.
“You called?”
“I’m going to see Her Majesty the Empress right now. Where is she?”
“Apologies, I work in the laundry… I’ll fetch someone else for you.”
Before the servant could finish, Erika slapped her across the cheek.
“You think a simple ‘I don’t know’ is enough? You will guide me to Her Majesty immediately, no excuses. Whether you work in laundry or cooking, you’re ultimately serving the royal family. Don’t try to defy my command with petty excuses. Understood?”
Her demand was unreasonable, but no one could refuse the Crown Prince’s fiancée.
“I… I apologize.”
The servant could only bow low and beg for forgiveness.
On the carriage ride back to Duke Baraota’s residence, Yuriela and Duke Baraota were lost in thought.
“If she wasn’t feeling well, why did she dress so beautifully to come looking for Ray?”
No matter how much Yuriela thought about it, she couldn’t understand why someone who had skipped a scheduled meal due to illness would come looking for Ray.
Duke Baraota’s thoughts were much the same.
“The Crown Prince even dismissed the guards and servants… what is he trying to say?”
Yet neither spoke aloud. The carriage was silent as it reached the residence.
“It seems we’ve arrived.”
Yuriela took Duke Baraota’s hand and got out.
“Ma’am, you’ve returned?”
Madel immediately approached her.
“I was waiting anyway. A gift arrived from the Vitale family.”
“A gift?”
“Yes. Shall we go inside and see it?”
“Let’s do that.”
Duke Baraota headed to his study, while Yuriela went to her room to check the gift from the Vitale family.
“Ma’am, actually, no gift came from the Vitale family.”
“Huh?”
“I couldn’t tell you the truth with the Duke here. But here, this letter came from a tomato soup shop. Is this the same place as before?”
Madel handed Yuriela the letter she had kept carefully in her pocket.
“Thank you.”
Yuriela took the letter and began reading immediately.
[Hello, I still remember laughing when you said to send a letter if I ever needed help, and yet here I am writing one.
If what you said then was sincere, please help me.
I’m counting on you.]
