PRKE 15

CHAPTER 15…………………………………….

His gaze had become far sharper than moments ago, and I flinched without realizing it.

“That…”

His voice dropped heavily, like a boulder rolling toward me.

“What do you mean.”

“There’s a mysterious power in the kingdom. Did you know that?”

“I know your kingdom can summon rain at will. Are you saying you can do that?”

I pressed my lips together and nodded.

I didn’t know how he interpreted the look in my eyes, but I could tell he’d become intrigued.

The problem was how much he believed me.

If he thinks it’s just some trick from a princess who tried to pull a scam marriage, he won’t believe a word I say.

The prince pointed his weapon at me.

“How am I supposed to trust you?”

“If you can’t trust me, then stab me with that.”

A crease formed between his brows.

Of course, it was bravado.

I came here to survive, not to get stabbed to death by the very lifeline I was trying to cling to.

But sometimes in life, bravado is necessary.

On the streets, the one with the louder voice tends to win.

I looked at the weapon still aimed at me.

Seeing the edge gleam sharper than an old guillotine blade made my stomach drop.

But—

If he doesn’t lower it, I die. If he does, I gain a new chance.

I boldly stepped forward. The sharp tip pressed deeper into my abdomen.

If I moved just a little farther forward, it would pierce my flesh completely.

The pain sparked another thought.

Maybe running away would’ve been the best choice after all?

I bit the inside of my lip and stared straight into the man’s eyes, as if challenging him. Then I took another step forward.

The weapon didn’t move.

He didn’t lower it.

I forced my trembling legs to stay put.

And then—

I hadn’t even moved, yet a hot, stabbing pain shot through my stomach.

About seven hours later, dawn reached the Loranst estate.

Tak.

Creak.

A foot stepped in through the open door, shoes clicking against the floor.

Tap, tap, tap.

A few more steps, then a stop.

Dragging footsteps, a tired expression—and eyes that scanned me from head to toe, licking over every detail. The “maybe” in their gazes shifted into “I knew it.”

A strange thought crossed my mind. Was this how the daughter of a poor noble family felt, returning at dawn after serving as entertainment at parties to support her collapsing household?

But I’m neither this family’s real daughter nor a proper member of it.

I muttered inwardly. In my past life, I might’ve actually felt that kind of tragic devotion.

Hubert had always spoken as if the family would collapse without me.

Looking back now, that was impossible.

I lifted my head a little. I could see each family member clearly.

Lady Emmern, drinking strong black tea to ward off sleep.

Aris, who had been dozing on Hubert’s shoulder, snapping her eyes open the moment she saw me.

Hubert, who was flipping through his newspaper with the hand Aris wasn’t leaning on.

For a moment, the ordinary morning scenery made it feel like I’d returned to the past.

[Good work, Igraine.]
[You worked hard, sister.]
[So, nothing happened, right? What did the prince say?]
[Madam, let’s save that for later.]
[I’ve sent all the servants away. There’s no one here but us. Speak freely, Igraine. You’ve done something important today. If you’re tired, you can rest first and tell us later.]

When I answered that nothing had happened—

[No need to lie.]

No one believed me.

If they were going to say that, they should’ve bothered to hide their creepy suspicion first.

After that, they treated me like literal vermin. To them, I was a woman who sold her body—and women who sold their bodies were no different from bugs.

They claimed I was a grateful sacrifice for the family, but they acted as if I were filthy and tainted.

Even if I really had thrown myself at the prince… I shouldn’t have done that.

“Igraine?”

Hubert called out to me. The faded memories drifted back into the depths of my mind, and the blue dawn light filling the first floor came into focus.

Hubert asked carefully,

“Are you alright?”

I tilted my head, as if I didn’t understand the question.

“Of course. You’re all up early. Were you enjoying a morning chat?”

I spoke casually, like someone returning from a simple morning walk. The others exchanged glances.

Aris studied me with suspicion.

“We were waiting for you. Are you really okay?”

“You were waiting for me? Did something happen? I did read for a while, but there’s nothing wrong.”

The prepared lines flowed smoothly, and Aris frowned.

“Hold on, what do you mean by that?”

Then—

Hiiiiiing!

A horse whinnied outside. Georgiana rushed in, bowing quickly under everyone’s sharp glares.

Jenny followed, stiff and exhausted—probably from being chased around the library by Georgiana all night.

Seeing my freckled girl drenched in sweat, it seemed she’d done her job well.

Aris narrowed her eyes, glancing between my calm face and Georgiana’s panicked one.

Georgiana glanced nervously at Aris.

“Why are you so late?”

As expected, Aris’s voice was icy.

“You arrived later than my sister. Did you get lost or something?”

She didn’t actually believe that. It was a scolding, wrapped politely.

Georgiana’s face went pale.

“Y-yes. I’m sorry.”

“What are you talking about? You really got lost?”

Aris let out a cold, incredulous laugh. But when Georgiana didn’t deny it, her smile faded.

“Where?”

Georgiana answered in a tiny whisper.

“T-The library.”

“You got lost in the library? What kind of foolish mistake—”

Aris muttered to herself, then tilted her head.

“Wait. Then you must’ve run into my sister, right?”

“Huh?”

Georgiana jerked her head up. Lady Emmern chimed in urgently.

“Did you see Igraine in the library or not!”

“I-I did see her at first.”

Georgiana nearly shrieked her answer.

“What do you mean ‘at first’?”

“I saw her reading after she entered the library, but when I looked away for just a moment, she was gone…”

I couldn’t help the smug feeling rising in my chest.

Aris looked at me triumphantly.

“So? She disappeared midway? Strange. Sister said she was in the library all night.”

Lady Emmern nodded.

“Strange indeed.”

“There’s no way she’d lie…” Aris said pointedly, and Lady Emmern muttered,

“That girl doesn’t have the wit to lie. Why would she lie, unless something happened that’s hard to explain… hmm?”

Her gaze turned blatantly suggestive. For a moment, I didn’t understand what she meant.

“That must be it. Maybe she received something on the side.”

Lady Emmern’s eyes glimmered with greed.

Ah. That’s what she thinks?

She thought I seduced the prince and got jewels or something out of him.

How does someone come up with such trashy ideas?

I hadn’t even considered that angle.

If nothing else, their imagination for lowly things was impressive.

I glanced at the only one who hadn’t spoken—Hubert. He still hadn’t lifted his eyes from the newspaper.

What was he thinking?

The longer his silence stretched, the colder the atmosphere around me became.

Aris and Lady Emmern were fine. It was Hubert’s thoughts that worried me.

I kept my focus on him. When he reached the last line and finally lifted his head—

What would the “me” who was filled with love and sacrifice for Hubert do here?

The answer came instantly.

Obvious.

I blinked unnaturally fast.

“No matter how hard I try, my dull mind can’t understand what you mean, Madam.”

“You don’t understand?”

“You know I’m slow.”

I was slow, after constantly worrying about how to appear less vulgar, less crude.

“If you have something to say, please be honest with me.”

Dirty and pathetic as it was, self-deprecation always worked.

Humans become more lenient toward those they consider beneath them.

Though some use it as an excuse to devour you more easily.

“You call that an answer!”

Lady Emmern burst out, exasperated. She must have been itching for the wealth and glory she imagined this situation would bring.

“Why are you acting like this?” I asked.

“Because you’re lying!”

“Lying?”

I tilted my head innocently. Lady Emmern looked about ready to die of frustration.

“We know exactly where you went. Who would believe nothing happened?”

“…What?”

My blinking quickened.

A deliberate show of confusion.

Would they fall for it, or keep doubting?

Hubert crossed his legs without standing.

He’s suspicious, then.

If only I could shed a single tear. The cheapest, easiest proof of sincerity.

Whenever Aris shed jewel-like tears, something sweet and sparkling always landed in her lap.

But that easy trick had never worked for me.

I’ve never really cried freely in my life.

Silence wasn’t good. It made me look like I was scheming.

I abruptly stopped blinking. I tried desperately to force out a tear.

My eyes just hurt.

I began to regret not preparing a more elaborate excuse—when I saw it.

Three pairs of dull eyes filled with scorn and distrust.

The disillusionment I felt standing before the prince’s door, convincing myself it was for the family… the relief I felt when he told me to rest…

All those tangled emotions flipped inside me.

I remembered that moment, and the version of myself who stood alone, unnoticed by anyone.

And then—

Trickle.

The tear I couldn’t squeeze out earlier slid down my cheek.

“…What are you even saying?”

My wet voice filled the room.

“I read in the library all night. It was wrong of me to forget the time, but I didn’t lie. I swear.”