Episode 47
—
Hailen resisted the urge to look back and left the garden. He didn’t want to leave his brother and Ephelia alone together, but he knew that Ephelia felt uncomfortable with him around.
He let out a small laugh at the absurdity of it all. When he spoke harshly—or rather, spoke a truth that was infinitely close to harsh—about his brother, Ephelia tilted her head.
[Our memories are very different. I remember him as kind.]
It seemed Ephelia had completely misunderstood Regios.
*He really knew how to put on a show.*
Ephelia thought Regios was a kind man. But Hailen knew there was no one as twisted as him. From hiding the events of the first time Ephelia and he had met, to pretending ignorance despite knowing Hailen’s feelings—Regios had always been like that.
His brother had always been this way. Even from childhood, he had a cold streak. The only time that coldness disappeared was when he was with Ephelia. So why did Ephelia’s memory of him differ from that of everyone else?
*It’s…*
*It’s what?*
He stopped himself from answering, unwilling to reveal the reason.
[It’s because it’s you. Because he’s with you.]
The reason Ephelia thought Regios was kind was simple: he had genuinely treated her kindly, and she was the only one who had received it. Hailen knew this but swallowed the words back.
“Your Highness, have you returned?”
“I’m tired. Don’t let anyone in.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Back at the palace, he collapsed onto the sofa. Covering his eyes with his arm, he sighed. Even with his eyes closed, Ephelia’s expression lingered in his mind—a face that had shown discomfort when confronted with his feelings.
It was the first time she had made such a face in front of him. He had always been the friend she could feel comfortable with, never changing, always supportive. In his presence, Ephelia relaxed and smiled. But now, that mask was gone.
*Did I do something wrong?*
The memory weighed heavily on him, yet he didn’t regret it. He could no longer stand by silently. That was why he had declared his feelings even in front of his brother.
He had intended to remain a bystander even on the day of the banquet. But if he had, Ephelia would have been effortlessly swept into becoming Crown Princess.
Thanks to his interference, her appointment as Crown Princess had been prevented, though it had not been an ideal decision. During the entire period of reflection, he had worried he might have revealed his feelings unintentionally. Yet, as always, Ephelia had been oblivious. The act of revealing his feelings had been purely impulsive.
“Your Highness.”
“I told you not to disturb me.”
“The Crown Prince is here to see you.”
“Let him in.”
Hailen smirked. As expected, he had come straight for him. The door opened, and Regios stepped in. Hailen didn’t rise immediately; instead, he propped his arms on his legs, lounging in a deliberately careless posture.
“Wouldn’t it be better to let your sister rest, like the butler said?”
“I thought you said some unnecessary things to Ephelia.”
“Unnecessary? I already told you I wouldn’t stay out of it.”
Regios had apparently ignored his words. Hailen expected that—after a lifetime of hiding his emotions, he likely assumed Hailen would do the same. And in fact, he had intended to. Yet in the end, it was his brother who had changed him.
“Even so, she won’t be yours. She’s my fate.”
“It’s funny hearing a destiny-hater say that.”
“Stop with the pointless actions now.”
“I have my reasons, too.”
“You really think that will make Ephelia yours?”
“That’s something I’ll only know when I see it through.”
Hailen’s goal was singular: Ephelia.
He had always been passive, simply giving up and watching. She was never his fate. He had no right—so staying silent, comforting her from the sidelines, was all he could do. And in his absence, Ephelia had disappeared from the world.
Everyone believed Ephelia dead. But incredibly, she had returned. He would no longer just watch. Even if she resisted, he would act, and he would not stop until he achieved it.
—
“What’s going on?”
Hexi entered the Duke’s office with a sour expression. He was in a bad mood, having been unable to go out with his friends due to the Duke’s sudden summons.
“Where were you heading?”
“To see some friends.”
“More worthless friends, huh?”
Worthless, good-for-nothing men. They flocked in a herd, hoping to benefit from Hexi’s wealth as the Duke’s son.
“Have you thought about what to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“About Ephelia.”
“Do what with her?”
Denold clicked his tongue. Hexi seemed unconcerned, even though his sister had just been pushed out from becoming Crown Princess. Her rise would have been beneficial to him, providing a strong family backing. Yet at this critical time, all he did was meet with worthless people.
*Knock, knock.*
“Who is it?”
“It’s me. Father.”
“What is it?”
“I wanted to discuss something.”
There was only one thing Seluna wanted to say.
“Come in.”
*She’s the same at home too.*
Hexi noted Seluna’s appearance—dressed as if ready for the banquet, yet not actually going out. She had bare hands; if she were going out, she would have worn gloves.
“What’s going on in Father’s office? Are you finally feeling a sense of urgency?”
“Urgency? What do you mean?”
“You really have no idea, do you? Did Father call you?”
Denold nodded.
“Then you’ve heard from him. Are you just going to stay idle? You need a plan.”
“A plan? What plan?”
“Right now, Ephelia is about to become Crown Princess.”
Hexi had been at the banquet too. While other family members were desperate for Seluna to take the position, he realized the chance was already lost without Ephelia.
Of course, losing the position that was almost within their grasp was regrettable, but it was beyond their control. From the royal perspective, Ephelia was destined for the Crown Prince, and being from a noble family herself, it was fitting she take the position.
He had little dissatisfaction with the current situation. His family, once merely counts, had inherited the dukedom after their great uncle’s death. Outside the royal family and its branches, no house was above theirs.
“That’s the Crown Prince and the royal family’s decision, not ours. What can we do?”
“So we just leave it like this?”
“The Crown Prince doesn’t even seem interested in you. You should just give up.”
“Brother!”
Seluna shouted sharply.
“I don’t like complications, so I’m leaving.”
Hexi waved his hand dismissively. Losing the dukedom wasn’t an issue, and the Crown Prince’s heart was already set. Though the situation was tangled, it couldn’t be undone.
“What are you going to do if the Crown Prince refuses?”
“The Crown Prince never said he refused!”
“Exactly. I don’t know, I’m out.”
Denold sighed. Did his son even realize the importance of this? Seluna, on the other hand, had come herself without being summoned to discuss what could be done. She wished she had been born in a position to act directly.
If the dukedom passed to Hexi, the family would certainly fall behind. That made it even more crucial that Seluna become Crown Princess.
“If Ephelia becomes Crown Princess, do you think your position will remain safe?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you think the Empress will leave you be?”
Hexi frowned. He hadn’t intended any ill, but still felt uneasy.
“Her character wouldn’t allow it,” Denold said. He knew Ephelia. If she claimed she didn’t want to be Crown Princess, he believed her. It was a matter of personality, not just trust. This backstabbing wasn’t like her at all.
Or perhaps it had all been planned. Though he thought she had changed slightly, he hadn’t expected her to become so cunning. He had been completely blindsided.
“But she really played us, didn’t she? Do you even know Ephelia? Have you ever really talked to her?”
“Well…”
“What if she becomes Empress and seeks revenge? Can you stop her?”
He couldn’t. Their whole family had been caught off guard, just as his father had predicted.
“So what are we supposed to do?”
Though his mind offered no solution, he believed his father might have a strategy—that was why he had been summoned.
“It seems we’ll have to give up the position of Crown Princess.”
—
