Episode 41
It was a statement like thunder from a clear sky, made without consulting anyone. While everyone else froze at his sudden declaration, he alone remained calm.
“And I will no longer stand by while Ephelia is treated in such a manner.”
Everyone was too shocked to respond. His words carried a certain romantic charm, but this was not a matter to be decided on a whim. Yet no one dared contradict the Crown Prince.
“Regios, this is hardly the place to say such things.”
“Then when should I speak? Shouldn’t it have been like this from the start?”
From the very beginning, the outcome had been set. With the destined one returned, everything was meant to go back to its rightful course. Perhaps other outcomes were possible, but Regios guided the situation to his desired conclusion.
“Haha. So the Crown Prince feels this way. Since Ephelia’s return, I, too, thought it only right to acknowledge it. Everything returns to its proper state.”
Denold spoke first. Now that the Crown Prince had expressed his opinion, there was nothing left to argue. Opposing him here would be the same as tearing off the mask he had worn.
“That’s good, Ephelia.”
Denold’s congratulatory expression was as kind as ever. If only Ephelia had not returned, Seluna would have become the Crown Princess. Despite seeing that chance slip away, Denold showed no sign of discomfort and spoke as if from the heart.
“Uncle…”
“Don’t carry any burden. This was always your place.”
“Is the Duke really okay with this?”
Seluna’s position as Crown Princess had been almost certain. Ephelia’s unexpected return disrupted everything, which could understandably upset Denold. Yet he spoke so sincerely, mixing apology with gratitude in his words.
“Of course, Your Majesty. Ephelia is my daughter, after all. How could I not be happy?”
“Congratulations, Ephelia.”
“To think it has come back around like this… fate truly is fate, isn’t it?”
Fate. Fate. Fate. Fate.
It had become unbearable. She thought she had freed both him and herself from it. Yet after such a long time, they were trapped here again. Fate had wrapped itself tightly around her, refusing to let go.
And that fate was Regios.
The fate she once desperately desired now suffocated her unbearably. Her head spun, and she felt nauseous, though she had eaten little all day. Could she truly never escape fate?
She couldn’t understand why he acted this way.
It wasn’t love—it was nothing more than obsession.
“Ugh.”
A sudden wave of nausea made Ephelia instinctively cover her mouth and bend over.
“Ephelia!”
Regios reflexively supported her. For a moment, the mask-like expression on his face faltered.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“You look pale. This won’t do… the banquet will end here—”
“No, really, I’m fine. I just need a little rest.”
The banquet could not end here. With Regios’s plan already cementing her position as Crown Princess, ending it now would eliminate any chance to oppose him.
“You should rest. As Your Majesty said, let’s end the banquet here.”
“No, I just felt a bit dizzy.”
Before the banquet concluded, she had to disrupt Regios’s setup. If it ended now, he would be the sole beneficiary.
“I like this banquet—it’s been a while since something so grand… and the dress is beautiful. I just want to stay a bit longer. A short rest should be enough.”
The former Duke had been a close aide to the Emperor. Ephelia had seen him carry her into the castle in his arms, proudly showing her off as though she were his own daughter. To him, she truly was like a daughter.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“Yes. This is the banquet Your Majesty has opened. I just want to enjoy it a little longer.”
Born and raised as a noble lady, she had always enjoyed such splendid events. Hearing her words, the Emperor nodded in approval.
“Then rest a moment. Speak up immediately if you feel worse.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Regios, you should accompany her.”
“Yes.”
Regios was about to hear her say she wanted to go with him anyway, so the Emperor’s command pleased her greatly. She had something to tell him. For the first time, they reached the royal lounge reserved for the royal family.
“You okay?”
The composed, refined smile on his face faltered. Though it might look like genuine concern to someone else, Ephelia no longer trusted his worry.
“I’m fine.”
“Tell me at once if you feel worse. You don’t have to return to the banquet.”
“You’re the one who wants the banquet to end.”
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t you understand what I mean?”
“I do.”
Ephelia’s suspicion was correct. Though he knew, the sudden dizziness made her eyes water and her eyelids tremble.
“Do you even realize what you’ve done?”
Though she tried to ask casually, her voice shook. He made a small sound and smiled, as if the concern he had just shown was false. His mask-like expression returned.
“Of course. I know perfectly well. And I know what you intended to do.”
“What I intended to do?”
“You were going to refuse to become Crown Princess, weren’t you?”
Hearing his gentle whisper, Ephelia drew in a breath. Regios, speaking in a kind voice, smiled with satisfaction. She realized he had anticipated her plan and spoke first.
“Don’t try to run. I won’t let you escape again.”
She had fled in the name of freedom, risking her life. That mistake would never happen again. Nothing—absolutely nothing—could take her from him, not even herself.
She still couldn’t believe it. That she had returned alive.
Even before her eyes, she wondered if it was an illusion. Regios reached for her cheek. As she slightly recoiled, a small distance formed. A flicker of annoyance rose within him.
“Why are you avoiding me?”
“I’m not avoiding you.”
“Not avoiding me? But you moved away as my hand approached.”
“I’m just a little uncomfortable.”
“You’re uncomfortable?”
Ephelia said nothing. But her silence confirmed it. Only now did he realize this was the first time she had ever refused him. She had always been the weaker one, cautious not to disturb him, always aware of his presence. That much he already knew. Her avoidance wasn’t unpleasant—it was something else entirely.
“So this is how it feels.”
It felt as if the world had rejected him. His world denied her existence, and it was utterly miserable.
“To be denied by fate… how did you endure it?”
Even though he claimed not to love her, he could withstand it because she loved him, even if he rejected her.
Regios stroked her hair softly. When she tried to evade, he cupped her cheek. He didn’t use force, but escape was difficult.
“When you go back, you’ll try to refuse the title of Crown Princess again, won’t you? That’s why you kept up the banquet even while pretending to want to escape.”
No answer was necessary.
“You shouldn’t.”
“I will.”
“Remember this, Ephelia.”
“Remember what?”
“Remember why you came here.”
Ephelia’s expression stiffened. He held her adoptive parents as hostages, threatening her not to escape or refuse the crown. There was no corner left for her to flee.
“How can you say something like that?”
How could he make such cruel threats, knowing exactly what her weakness was? That made it even more despicable.
“Don’t forget—I can do anything to have you.”
He had not changed. The cold indifference and distance of before had merely transformed into a cruel coercion disguised as affection. His way of treating Ephelia had not changed at all.
Nothing had changed.
The most infuriating thing wasn’t Irene, nor her uncle. Their words had no effect. Watching and waiting, Regios had been the one to act—and he was the one Ephelia hated the most.
Always. He was the one she loved most, and he was the one she hated most…
