Chapter 30
“Then let’s wrap up here. Ephelia must be tired after just returning, so it would be good for her to rest.”
The Emperor decided to end the gathering early out of consideration for Ephelia. She really was exhausted. The Empress kept watching her with worried eyes, but that didn’t make this gathering any more pleasant.
Right now, even the Empress’s warm concern felt overwhelming to Ephelia. Let alone the attention from everyone else. None of this was what she wanted. Was Regios satisfied with forcing her into this situation?
Ephelia glanced at Regios. His beautiful face was frozen like ice. That expression alone told her he didn’t like this situation either.
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”
“Go rest. Take care of yourself, and let’s meet again soon.”
“Yes.”
As the Emperor finished speaking, the people in the room began to rise and head out. When the door opened, Hailen—waiting outside—turned his head. Seluna stood beside him.
“Oh? Were you waiting here?”
The Emperor laughed at his second son’s behavior.
“Why shouldn’t I wait? I’m also Ephelia’s friend.”
“That’s true. It must’ve been frustrating waiting outside unable to come in. And Miss Seluna waited with you.”
“I apologize for disturbing Your Majesty. But I couldn’t just stand by…”
“That happens. I understand.”
“I’d like to speak with Ephelia for a moment.”
“In that case, what matters more than my opinion is Ephelia’s.”
“I was going to ask anyway. Ephelia, could you spare a moment of your time?”
Everyone’s gaze turned to Ephelia. She unconsciously smiled a little. Unlike a certain selfish someone, he actually asked for her opinion—she was grateful for that. The smile was faint and fragile, like a small flower blooming. Regios stared at that smile without blinking.
“Of course.”
“Good. Then talk for a bit. You can allow that much time, can’t you, Duke?”
“Of course.”
Anyone could see that what the Duke really wanted was to drag Ephelia away by her hair, but with the Emperor present he could only force a smile and nod. Denold was always like that—acting like a kind father in front of others, so people would think Ephelia was fortunate to have gained another good parent after losing her real father.
“I’ll be joining as well.”
The one cutting in was Regios.
“They want to talk alone.”
“That’s not possible.”
“Why?”
“She’s my fiancée.”
He said it as if the matter were already decided. Seluna, Duke Denold, and Duchess Yuria all stiffened at once.
Especially young Seluna—her face turned bright red. The white powder on her face barely managed to hide how flushed she was.
“It hasn’t been decided yet. Anyway, we’d like to talk privately. If you could step aside.”
“Yes, please step aside, Regios.”
“She is my fiancée.”
“Regios. Do not make me repeat myself.”
The voice that fell was thunderous. It wasn’t a father speaking—it was the Emperor. Until now, he’d been lenient toward Regios, understanding the shock of losing his fated partner right before his eyes. But now that Ephelia had returned, the Emperor took the role of mediator.
Regios had no choice but to step back.
Normally, since the fated partner had returned, the position of fiancée should naturally go back to Ephelia. But things were not that simple. She had returned too late, and someone else was already set to fill that role.
They couldn’t simply take someone’s place away and put Ephelia in it without discussion. That was why the matter had been avoided for now.
“…Understood.”
“Then let them talk. We shall take our leave.”
Everyone left, and only Ephelia and Hailen remained in the drawing room. They silently looked at each other.
Hailen spoke first.
“You’ve… grown.”
There was a subtle nuance in his words.
“You’re kind of saying that sarcastically, aren’t you?”
Ephelia snapped back—“grown” sounded like “you haven’t grown at all.” And it was true.
They had been merely a boy and a girl last time. Now both were adults, their features more defined. But while Hailen had grown tall and now looked like a full-grown man, Ephelia still looked delicate—almost like a girl. Even her height had not grown much.
“You understand well, as always.”
“Whatever. Must be nice to have grown so much.”
Ephelia puffed her cheeks in irritation.
“You want tea?”
“Yes.”
There had been tea and refreshments earlier, but she was too uncomfortable to drink or eat anything. A servant brought tea and snacks. The warm aroma and heat soothed her throat.
“You’re not eating the pastries?”
“I will.”
She liked sweets. She cut the madeleine in half and took a bite. It was delicious—the soft butter and Earl Grey scent were rich. It had been so long since she’d eaten something like this.
Living with Joy and Ena had been happy, but the meals weren’t luxurious. But even so, she preferred eating unripe sour fruits with them over this fancy pastry.
Ephelia ate only half a piece and set down her fork.
“It’s not good?”
“No, I just don’t have an appetite.”
“Can I ask something?”
“You want to ask why my hair is like this?”
“Oh—yeah. Are you offended?”
Hailen awkwardly covered his mouth with his hand.
“No, I’m not. Does it look strange?”
Ephelia touched her snow‑white curls. She had gotten used to it—she had lived as a white‑haired girl for years now.
Joy and Ena had said her hair had been like that from the beginning. Ephelia herself didn’t know why her hair had turned white. But seeing how people reacted reminded her again—her hair had changed.
“No.”
Hailen denied it immediately.
“It’s beautiful too.”
“Thanks. When I woke up, it was just… like this.”
“I see.”
His reply was simple, but his voice was laced with sadness and regret he couldn’t hide.
“Why didn’t you come back?”
“There was nothing here for me to miss.”
So when she regained her memories, she chose without hesitation to stay. Even knowing they were searching for her, she said she wasn’t the lady they were looking for. There was no reason to return.
At those words, Hailen pressed his lips tightly together before speaking again.
“Not even me?”
“…Except you.”
It was a harsh truth, but to be honest, she hadn’t missed Hailen that much either. He was comforting when she lived here, but he wasn’t reason enough to return.
But sometimes—just occasionally—she thought of him. Wondered if he was well, still full of mischief. She never imagined she’d meet him again. Now that he was here in front of her, she realized… she had missed him.
“Hailen. I missed you.”
“Just once.”
“…What?”
“Can I hug you? Just once?”
His eyes were damp and shining.
“…Yes.”
Hailen stood up and approached her. Ephelia also rose to meet him—
but suddenly, her movement stopped.
“Hailen?”
Hailen had fallen to his knees in front of her.
“W‑why are you kneeling? Get up!”
Instead of hugging her, he rested his forehead on her knee, like he couldn’t bring himself to move closer. His hands rested gently on the armrest of her chair.
“I’m glad you’re safe.”
“…Hailen.”
“Thank you for being alive. And thank you for coming back… even now.”
“…Yes.”
Ephelia stroked his soft hair. It shifted under her touch like fine silk.
But his next words made her hand stop.
“Even though you didn’t want to return.”
He was the only one who understood that she never wished to come back. That realization surprised her—and comforted her a little.
How could he know?
He’d always been like that. Quietly seeing through her without effort.
She had missed these people, yet her heart felt heavy. Missing someone didn’t mean she wanted to return. Living her whole life again in this suffocating place felt unbearable—like she couldn’t breathe.
“But I’m still glad you came back.”
His voice trembled, and he whispered:
“I’m sorry.”
He alone was happy she returned—
and he alone apologized for it.
“…Yes.”
She couldn’t say it was okay.
Because it wasn’t.
