Chapter 31
The man who had been both glad and guilty about her return dusted off his knees and stood up as though nothing had happened.
“My knees hurt. I’m not used to doing things like this.”
He muttered with such nonchalance that it was almost absurd. The heavy atmosphere from only moments ago vanished completely. Ephelia let out a short laugh. Of course. He was a prince—where would he ever need to kneel? Among the imperial family, only his elder brother, Regios, and their parents outranked him.
But seeing Hailen’s behavior actually eased her heart. Ephelia knew that this was his way of being considerate. That was just the kind of man he was.
“I should get going now.”
“Alright. I’ll escort you.”
“Mm.”
With Hailen’s escort, Ephelia stepped outside—and found Regios waiting. His face was emotionless, but she could tell he was not pleased. His gaze was fixed on Ephelia’s hand resting on Hailen’s arm.
“Why are you here?”
“Is there a reason I shouldn’t be?”
“No.”
“You’re leaving now, aren’t you? I’ll escort you instead.”
Regios extended his arm. Refusing him would be strange. Whatever their relationship currently was, he was still her fated partner. Ephelia reluctantly placed her hand on his arm.
Seeing the ducal family’s carriage waiting made everything feel real. She really was returning to the duke’s estate.
As the three of them approached, the duke’s family exited the carriage to greet the Crown Prince and the Prince. Staying inside in their presence was unthinkable. Everyone hid their emotions well—everyone except Seluna. Her gaze clung to Regios, but he ignored it and spoke.
“There will be a banquet soon.”
“A banquet?”
“To celebrate your return.”
“Why would the Imperial Family host it?”
Ephelia asked before the Duke could answer. She still belonged to the ducal household. It was unusual for the Imperial Family to host such an event on her behalf. She voiced the question everyone wanted to ask, but no one felt grateful.
“I intend to arrange it.”
“Your Highness, it would be best to discuss this matter separately later.”
Proceeding like this without prior discussion was overreach, but opposing the Crown Prince was difficult—especially because of Seluna.
“This is something I’m doing personally. The duchy may hold its own celebration separately.”
“But—”
“I believe I have at least that much authority. Am I mistaken?”
“You are not. However, you must also discuss it with His Majesty and Her Majesty—”
“I doubt they’ll oppose it.”
“…Very well.”
There was no way the Emperor or Empress would object. They would likely commend him for thinking of it. The Duke knew he had no choice but to back down. And since the Imperial Family was hosting a banquet, the duchy would need to host one as well. Their niece—their daughter—had returned from the dead. Doing nothing would be absurd.
“Alright.”
Ephelia answered flatly. Her opinion would not change anything anyway.
“We’ll take our leave.”
“We’ll see you again.”
“Let’s go home, Ephelia.”
“Yes, uncle.”
The ducal family and Ephelia boarded the carriage. Hailen stood there for a long time, watching her leave. His eyes shone—bright even in the darkness—as if he had made some kind of decision.
In the distance, the mansion came into view. A beautiful ducal residence, one of the finest in the Empire. But to Ephelia, it felt like walking straight into hell.
She stared out the window in suffocating silence.
“Wow. Even seeing it with my own eyes, I still can’t believe it. Say something. You talked just fine earlier.”
At Hexi’s sarcastic remark, Ephelia turned her head. Her older cousin really hadn’t changed with time. Perhaps he was the one who changed the least.
“Hey, I said talk.”
“Stop.”
“Tch.”
At the Duke’s rebuke, Hexi clicked his tongue and shut up.
“Welcome back.”
“Thank you for thinking so.”
Whether he meant it or not, Ephelia politely expressed gratitude. Otherwise, who knew what trouble he might stir. The carriage was silent, yet their stares—especially Denold’s, Yuria’s, and Seluna’s—felt prickling and sharp.
They finally arrived. The ducal mansion was still unfamiliar. It no longer felt like home. Years had passed since she had lived here.
The mansion had been remodeled to suit her uncle and aunt’s tastes. None of her parents remained here—neither their scent nor their memories. This was no longer her home.
Her home was far away, beside a small village, in a quiet cabin in the woods.
Her uncle told her to call him Father, but not once had he acted like one.
“Let’s talk for a moment.”
“Yes.”
She didn’t expect them to let her rest immediately anyway, so she nodded. The drawing room was lavish to the point of intimidation. Servants placed tea and refreshments on the table and withdrew quietly.
Naturally, no one touched the tea. No one except Hexi, who sipped carelessly and reached for dessert.
“What? Why aren’t you drinking? Go ahead.”
“Be quiet. Or leave.”
“Really? Actually, I don’t even know why I’m here—so I’ll go.”
Hexi jumped up as if he had been waiting for permission.
“Sit down!”
“What, why are you—ugh, fine.”
His thoughts had always been shallow, and he hadn’t changed. Mumbling complaints, he sat back down. Denold, seated at the head, leaned back and spoke.
“I won’t ask why you stayed alive without returning.”
Because that wasn’t what mattered to him. Only one thing did.
“Why come back now?”
“It wasn’t my choice.”
“So you’re saying you were dragged here?”
She gave a version of the truth with unnecessary details removed. She did not mention that her second parents spent their entire fortune to save her, or that she lived happily and did not wish to return. Such facts meant nothing to Denold.
She simply said that she had been rescued by good people, had lost her memory, recovered it later, and—by coincidence—ran into the Crown Prince, which forced her return.
Denold fell silent in thought. Yuria snapped sharply.
“So in the end, you came back because you want the Crown Princess position?”
“If that were true, I would’ve returned the moment I regained my memory.”
“Then why follow His Highness here?”
“I already said it wasn’t my choice. Do you think I had any say in it?”
They too remembered how Regios reacted after her disappearance. If he had found her alive, dragging her back by force would not have been impossible.
“What do you intend to do now?”
Denold leaned against the sofa.
“I have no desire for that position. I don’t want it.”
That was the answer Denold wanted. The position of Crown Princess was still vacant. In theory, Ephelia—his fated partner—should receive it. But reality was not so simple. That was why she had said nothing earlier.
“That’s sincere?”
“Of course.”
“If you say anything different later—”
“I won’t.”
“Hm.”
“If we’re done, may I go rest? I’m tired.”
“Yes. Go ahead.”
“Should I use my old room?”
“Yes. It should already be prepared.”
It had taken years. She doubted her uncle had maintained her room all that time. At most, perhaps they had covered the furniture to keep dust off it.
The fact that her room was already prepared meant only one thing:
They planned to bring her here from the beginning.
Ephelia found her room easily. Even her childhood room felt unfamiliar now—too large, too extravagant.
Knock, knock.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me. Can I come in?”
“Yes.”
The door opened, and Seluna stepped inside. Cousin, and now half-sister. But she had never been a sister to Ephelia.
“I didn’t get to greet you earlier. It’s been a while.”
“Yes. It really has. You’ve grown.”
The girl who had once been just another young girl was now a woman. She had always been pretty, and now she was a stunning beauty.
“You’ve changed too.”
Ephelia hadn’t changed much physically. As Hailen had said, she hadn’t grown much in height. What Seluna meant was her hair. Ephelia ran her fingers through her white hair.
People really were fascinated by it. She liked it just fine. Compared to her uncle and aunt, who didn’t mention it at all, Seluna’s reaction almost felt considerate.
