IPWDP 21

Chapter 21

“Did you greet Father?”

“Of course. You should go up to the stage now and say a few words.”

Regios’s expression subtly twisted. Since the event was held to celebrate his birthday, it was obviously something he needed to do. He had to—but he didn’t like leaving his younger brother alone with Ephilia. Yet he also couldn’t take Ephilia up to the stage with him.

“I’ll be back.”

“Yes.”

“Go on.”

Regios left the two and walked up to the stage. As soon as he stepped away, Ephilia asked Hailen,

“Where were you?”

Her tone had become more relaxed, even containing a hint of resentment.

“Sorry. My brother suddenly said it was urgent and sent me out to the frontlines. I had no time to contact you.”

“I figured you probably had a reason.”

“You waited for my invitation?”

Hailen smiled playfully.

“Of course.”

“That’s an honor. Oh, by the way, Ephilia—did you know? A few noble ladies who ran their mouths are banned from entering the imperial palace for two years.”

“What do you mean?”

“During the last banquet, they were gossiping about a certain young lady. And the Crown Prince caught them.”

Ephilia immediately knew who he meant. It could only be the ladies who had bad-mouthed her a month ago at the banquet. Ephilia was taken aback.

She thought nothing came of it since no one said anything at the time—but actions were taken behind the scenes. However, that wasn’t likely for her sake. It was probably done out of consideration for the Crown Princess-to-be who had been insulted. It was simply respect for the future Crown Princess—not for her as Ephilia.

Even so, to forbid them from attending even the Crown Prince’s own birthday celebration was excessive. All nobles tried to attend imperial banquets, as royal family members always participated. And this wasn’t just any banquet—it was the birthday celebration of the future emperor. Being barred from attending was severe.

And it wasn’t even a one-time punishment—it was two years. That meant their families had fallen out of imperial favor. Who would dare associate with a house disliked by the Crown Prince?

“I… I never wanted something like that.”

“I know.”

Today, strangely, the atmosphere from the nobles was favorable toward her. Thinking back, they kept approaching her, speaking kindly, complimenting her, flattering her. All because of the punishment Regios issued.

“Think about why our brother gave that order.”

True, it was a serious offense to run their mouths at a banquet for all to hear. The punishment wasn’t that extreme. To insult the Crown Princess–to–be at an imperial banquet was practically an insult to the imperial family itself. But looked at another way, Regios had brought this upon himself.

After all, they wouldn’t have dared speak so carelessly if they weren’t certain there would be no punishment.

“Why? For what reason?”

“Maybe… he did it for you.”

“How is that for me?”

Regios’s behavior was unpredictable and incomprehensible to her. But Hailen saw it differently. What could be at the root of all of Regios’s actions?

“I think… our brother likes you.”

“What are you talking about? That’s impossible.”

Ephilia lifted her head and gave a faint smile. That was the one thing she was sure of. It wasn’t love. She couldn’t even tell if it had ever been love in the first place. Hailen refuted her certainty.

“If it wasn’t that, why go that far?”

“He probably felt like his authority was being mocked.”

Even if they were insulting her, it was still ultimately disparaging his fiancée.

“He doesn’t hate you. He hates ‘fate.’”

“…In the end, his fate is me.”

Rather than change his attitude, Regios chose to punish those who spoke lightly. There was no love in that act at all.

Hailen returned much earlier than she expected. She thought he would come back after the birthday celebration week.

‘I should’ve sent him farther.’

He could have sent someone else. But Regios personally sent Hailen. Because it bothered him. Yes—it bothered him. Every time he saw Hailen beside Ephilia, he wanted to remove him. Even while speaking from the stage, his attention stayed fixed on Ephilia talking with Hailen below.

“…Then, enjoy the hunting competition.”

With those final words, he stepped down. The applause and fireworks didn’t even register in his ears.

“What were you talking about that made you laugh like that?”

“Just asking how she’s been.”

“Really?”

“Let’s sit down. Ephilia must be tired from standing.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“No, you’ll have to rest alone anyway while we’re hunting. Let me walk you.”

When the men went hunting, the noble ladies usually rested in the temporary pavilions. The three headed toward the Crown Prince’s pavilion. Calling it “temporary” felt ridiculous—it was lavish and beautiful, like a miniature royal lounge, complete with plush cushions, carpets, tables—luxurious to the point of excess.

“In two years, it’ll be your coming-of-age ceremony.”

“Oh, already?”

Which meant that in two years, they would officially be Crown Prince and Crown Princess—not just engaged. Ephilia murmured in surprise. Her gaze unconsciously drifted toward Regios. His expression had tensed—he must have realized he’d be marrying her in two years.

“I’m thirsty.”

Regios rubbed his neck and muttered. Attendants stood nearby, yet he said that anyway—meaning someone else should step aside.

“I’ll get it.”

Hailen answered first, but Regios looked at Ephilia.

“I need to speak with Hailen.”

The one who had to leave wasn’t Hailen—it was Ephilia.

“I’ll go. What would you like to drink?”

“Anything.”

“And you?”

“Could you bring mine too? Just water.”

“Okay.”

Once Ephilia was far enough that they couldn’t see her, Hailen apologized.

“Sorry.”

Ephilia smiled. It meant it’s fine. She appreciated that he even apologized for something like this.

“We’ll escort you.”

Tail quickly followed after her under the pretense of escorting her, and the attendants left as well.

“…I’m scared to ask what you’re about to say. What’s so important you sent Ephilia away?”

After Ephilia left, Regios stared at Hailen. What could he possibly want to say? Hailen forced a light tone.

“Don’t push it.”

“What do you mean? What did I do?”

“Don’t touch her.”

“Oh, I’ve touched plenty of your things before. Hard to guess which one you mean.”

Hailen tried to joke, but Regios wasn’t in the mood.

“Don’t covet her. No matter what you do, Ephilia will never be yours.”

“Brother.”

Hailen’s face hardened. He didn’t expect Regios to say that. Now it made sense—Regios had been in a foul mood the whole day because of Ephilia. Even sending him far away earlier made sense now.

He had left without protest to handle a border dispute—but it didn’t have to be him. And now Regios’s reason was… this?

“I don’t have any designs on her.”

“Really? None at all?”

“Yes. None.”

“If you never had any, why use the word ‘designs’? Doesn’t that mean you thought about it at least once?”

The words struck Hailen like a slap. He couldn’t deny it immediately. His feelings for Ephilia had never changed—not once. But he never thought Regios knew.

“Oh, fine. Maybe you don’t desire her. But you do have feelings, don’t you?”

“Brother, I…”

Ephilia loved his brother. Hailen loved both of them. He even loved her late siblings. So he wished for their happiness. Especially Ephilia’s.

His feelings were real—but he never tried to claim her. She always looked only at Regios.

“If you were that desperate, you should’ve spoken to her first.”

His beautiful face twisted into ridicule.

“What do you mean?”

“You lacked the courage then, hid like a coward, and now you think anything will change?”

Hailen understood. Regios was talking about the very first day all three of them were in the same place.

“You… you were watching that time?”

From atop a tall tree in the garden, Regios had been resting when he heard a child crying. He saw little Ephilia wandering the garden in tears. And behind a row of shrubs, he could see Hailen—frozen, watching her, unable to approach.

Regios smirked and jumped down from the tree, approaching Ephilia first.

“You pathetic fool. You couldn’t do anything then, and you won’t do anything now.”

Regios sneered.

“Do nothing. You’ve never been able to do anything from the start.”

And Hailen realized one more truth.

That the only reason Regios approached Ephilia back then—

—was because of him.