TEIB Chapter 07

Chapter 7: I Will Never Lose You Again

“You think that’s why I brought you here?”

Kyle leaned against the wall, speaking as he entered through the door connected to Lobelia’s room. He had changed into casual clothes, no longer in uniform, and his expression wasn’t pleasant.

‘Do you think I like this situation?’

Lobelia glared sharply at Kyle, who looked at her with displeasure. A servant, unaware of the tension between them, cut into Kyle’s view.

“Then why did you bring her?”

“To keep an eye on her.”

At that, Lobelia’s lips twitched. Of course. He wouldn’t just let someone who caused a scene, looking for the prince, walk away.

“Oh no…”

The servants around murmured with regret.

“But we already picked out a dress for the young lady…”

“And dinner was prepared too…”

Lobelia looked around in confusion. Did the servants think this was just some kind of joke? They were all acting so casually around Kyle, almost like friends. Very different from the strict, formal palace.

“Just go ahead with everything. Do what you want.”

Kyle spoke curtly. The moment he said that, the old maid grabbed Lobelia’s hand.

“Let’s go, miss!”

“Go where?”

Lobelia tried to resist, but a younger maid pushed her gently from behind, forcing her to walk. All the servants were excitedly focused on her. Kyle called out to her with something to say.

“Bella.”

But Lobelia didn’t turn around. The name wasn’t familiar to her—it was one Kyle had made up on the spot. Seeing her ignore him, Kyle’s brow twitched. The servant next to him covered his mouth, realizing the meaning behind “Bella.”

“Bella? Really?”

Dan, a servant who liked to tease, came over giggling. In Dan’s language, Bella meant “pretty,” so it sounded to him like Kyle was calling her, “Hey, pretty, you’re so pretty today.”

“Enough,” Kyle warned.

Dan stuck out his tongue playfully, trying to hold back laughter.

“She must be really pretty if you’re calling her Bella.”

“Dan.”

“Yes, yes, Master.”

Dan chuckled and left the room. Kyle, now alone, looked around the room quietly. When he was first given the mansion, he had done everything he could to erase the traces of the emperor.

“…Your Majesty.”

Kyle whispered, remembering the time the Empress had stayed in that room. The moment he saw Lobelia earlier, it felt like the Empress had returned. Even though she had only stayed there once, it felt like nothing had changed. His heart clenched.

***

“You’re being quite generous to someone you’re just watching.”

In the large dining room, Lobelia sat across from Kyle at a long table and looked at the food in front of her. After disappearing for an hour, she returned completely transformed—her face clean, her hair neatly done with accessories, and wearing a sky-blue dress that matched her eyes. Kyle couldn’t take his eyes off her. Then he cleared his throat and pointed at the food.

“Just eat. It’ll get cold.”

“Thank you. I’ll eat well.”

She surrendered as she looked at the delicious meat. She was too hungry to refuse. It had been so long since she had eaten that she couldn’t help herself.

“Bella.”

Kyle called out as she cut the meat. But Lobelia didn’t answer.

“Bella.”

He called again, but she kept cutting the meat without reacting.

“Bella!”

Kyle raised his voice. Finally, Lobelia looked up, startled.

“What?”

Kyle clicked his tongue in frustration. Dan could be heard snickering in the background. Kyle gave him a sideways glance.

“Don’t you know your own name? I called you several times and you didn’t answer.”

“Ah… Sorry. I was just so hungry.”

Lobelia gave a small smile. Kyle nodded, remembering how pitiful she had looked when he first found her.

“Bella.”

“…Yes.”

She answered a beat late. Kyle smiled—pleased that she finally responded.

“You can do whatever you want here, as long as you don’t leave.”

Lobelia widened her eyes.

“I’m not allowed to leave?”

“No. You’re being watched.”

Her shoulders sank. So this was just a comfortable prison after all. She gritted her teeth.

“You keep saying I’m being watched. What did I even do wrong?”

“You don’t think causing a scene in front of the prince’s palace counts as a crime?”

Kyle gave her a sidelong glance. Lobelia closed her mouth. If a real commoner had caused such a disturbance, they would’ve been thrown in jail. She bowed her head, remembering the poor state she was in.

“You’re right. I didn’t think about my situation.”

“What was that?”

Kyle didn’t catch it and asked again.

“Nothing. Never mind.”

Kyle narrowed his eyes. Her sudden change in mood reminded him of the Empress when she was upset. Was it because the prince had been mentioned? What kind of relationship did she have with the Empress?

‘She said she received help from Her Majesty…’

Was that true? Or a lie? Kyle couldn’t hold back his curiosity.

“You said Her Majesty helped you. What kind of help?”

Was he asking about the past? Lobelia froze as she was cutting meat. She thought quickly—what would Kyle believe? What kind of favor could a beggar like Bella have received?

“She saved me when I was about to die of starvation in the slums.”

Lobelia forced a polite smile. Her lips trembled as she faked it. But Kyle didn’t question her and asked his next question.

“Then why now? Why do you want to help the prince?”

“Because I was away for a long time. I only just heard about him.”

That answer was easy to give—it was half-true.

“Where were you?”

“Very far away…”

She replied with a bitter smile. Kyle stopped asking. He didn’t think she was lying, but still wondered where she had been.

“If I behave, will you let me see the prince?”

Kyle shrugged.

“Maybe.”

‘Maybe?’ Lobelia gave him a sharp look.

“Still, wouldn’t it be weird for a duke to keep a beggar around? People will talk.”

Was she asking to be kicked out? Kyle picked up a piece of meat and spoke bluntly.

“I was born a joke, so I’m not worried.”

He popped the meat in his mouth. Lobelia frowned. That was something Kyle used to say—no matter how much money or status he gained, he’d always be of low birth. She remembered young Kyle and gave a small, bitter smile.

“What’s so funny?”

Kyle asked, watching her. She slowly shook her head.

“Nothing. I just think birth doesn’t matter. You’re far better than other nobles.”

Clink.

Kyle dropped his fork. The sound echoed in the dining room. He stared at her in shock. Goosebumps prickled his skin. That was the same thing the Empress used to say when he doubted himself. It was uncanny—she looked like her and spoke just like her. He felt a strange mix of joy and sadness. No matter how similar she was, this woman wasn’t Her Majesty.

“…Thanks for saying that. Anyway, stay here, Bella.”

Kyle continued firmly.

“I’ll let you meet the prince soon.”

“When?”

Lobelia leaned forward, eyes filled with hope. Kyle’s heart jumped—those eyes looked just like Her Majesty’s. For a moment, he wanted to keep her close no matter what.

“When I’m sure you’re not dangerous.”

He replied playfully. Dangerous? Lobelia looked at him in disbelief.

‘I’m the safest person for Lupin!’

She wanted to shout the truth, but held it in. Seeing her son was hard enough already—but she could wait, if it meant eventually meeting him.

“Why do you get to decide that?”

Her sharp blue eyes looked straight at him. She had many questions. How did he, a military commander, have such authority over the prince? How could he decide if she could meet her son?

“Because I’m his guardian.”

“Even with the Emperor still alive?”

“Even so.”

Kyle replied as he finished his dessert. Lobelia’s eyes trembled. So he was close to the emperor. No wonder he was watching over Lupin too.

‘Of course… without such closeness, he wouldn’t have been given a palace.’

The realization tasted bitter. Her former knight had become the emperor’s loyal dog.

“I see.”

“Don’t you have more questions?”

Kyle raised an eyebrow. He thought she’d ask a lot more. But when she didn’t speak, he looked a little disappointed.

“Well, if you want to meet the prince, stay here.”

“I will. If that’s the way.”

Lobelia answered clearly. Silence filled the room. Kyle fiddled awkwardly with his hands before getting up first.

“Make yourself comfortable.”

As he left, he warned her not to try escaping. Lobelia stuck her tongue out at his back. Left alone in the dining room, she sighed. The dessert had been there for a while, but she was still hungry. She had planned to leave food like a noble lady, but now? She stabbed the meat with her fork.

‘Fine, I’ll survive somehow.’

She shoved the meat into her mouth, chewing it like she was biting Kyle’s head off.

‘I’m not the Empress anymore.’

She chewed harshly. Since she came back, all she realized was—she had no power. Her second life would start from the bottom.

‘What should I do?’

She couldn’t think clearly. For now, all she wanted was to see her son. She had prayed for it. Just to know he was safe. But what then? What would come after? She swallowed the meat and her thoughts. Wiping her lips, she took a drink of water and made up her mind.

“First, I’ll see my son. Then I’ll think about the rest.”

With that, Lobelia stood up.

***

Meanwhile, Kyle stood somewhere out of sight, watching her. At first, he only looked out of lingering curiosity—but soon, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“What is this?”

Something felt eerily familiar. The way she ate, the way she sat, the way she used utensils, how she thought between bites, the way she held the glass—no beggar could act like this.

‘She looked like a beggar…’

Kyle frowned. Could someone who lived in poverty wear a corseted dress and eat so naturally? Use a napkin properly? Raise her pinky while drinking? These were things he didn’t even know.

“She’s exactly the same.”

He leaned against the wall and muttered. It wasn’t just the face. Except for her shorter hair, she was the Empress. The way she stood tall and walked confidently—it overwhelmed him. He realized then what it felt like to be breathless.

And yet, it hurt. Even if she was so similar, the Empress was dead. This woman couldn’t be her.

‘Bella… What a poor choice. I should’ve given her a more elegant name.’

Suddenly, a desire stirred within him—to give her a new name. In this country, giving someone a name meant they were yours. That’s when Kyle realized—

This was a chance.

“Bella… Bella…”

He whispered her name softly. She was like a gift sent by the gods. Even if she wasn’t the real Empress, even if she wasn’t noble—it didn’t matter. She was here so he wouldn’t lose her again. So he wouldn’t hurt her again.

Kyle decided.

He would keep her close.
He would protect her.
It would be his way of making up for failing to protect her before.

A quiet spring rain fell in his heart.