VDHHP 11

Chapter 11 

“The Hidden Disciple Hides His Power”)

She had expected it to some extent.

Since it was in front of the princess, she thought Eain would not openly show happiness at seeing the annulment papers. At first, she even believed he was managing his expression quite well.

But—

“…So it wasn’t that at all. He was truly devastated…”

Some people said this about him.

Eain Haver—the man said to be one who could even cut tears away beneath an angel’s blade.

In simpler terms, he looked gentle, but what he did was anything but. With a kind face, he would pierce an enemy’s heart without hesitation.

“They said he had blood but no tears… turns out that was completely false.”

Then what were those thick teardrops filled with sorrow?

He looked like a baby deer crying—so fragile that her sympathy and guilt doubled instantly.

At this rate, she couldn’t just let him leave. She wouldn’t be able to handle the aftermath.

She had to soothe him. Somehow.

After a brief hesitation, she carefully opened her mouth.

“Eain, I just felt responsible for taking up so much of your time. Even if it’s late, I wanted to give you your freedom. You’ve worked too hard for me.”

Worried he might cry again like before, she grabbed his sleeve tightly as she spoke.

But then—

Eain placed his hand over hers.

A large, warm hand gently enveloped hers, carrying a comforting warmth.

“Sierra… I have never once considered it hardship. If I can be of help to you, that alone is my joy.”

…Ugh, dazzling!

Light seemed to spill from him!

His radiant aura was like that of an angel illuminating her entirely. And yet he could say such embarrassing things so calmly.

‘I look like a trash fiancée handing an annulment paper to the man who served me his whole life…’

It was definitely meant to be a good intention—so how had it become this?

Her resolve, shaken by Eain’s warmth, began to crumble.

But if she let it end like this, it would be impossible to bring up the annulment again once the heroine appeared later.

She needed to stay firm. If it was truly for Eain’s sake, she couldn’t back down here.

“If you ever come to resent me someday because of this, I’d feel too guilty. Even if you don’t accept it now, please remember—it still stands.”

“Sierra.”

Eain, who had been listening quietly, suddenly stopped crying.

His clear blue eyes looked down at her, and his voice dropped lower.

“If you truly feel responsible toward me, then you should not have done this.”

“…!”

“I refuse your gift.”

Eain bowed politely, released her hand in an instant, and turned to leave.

Before she could even stop him, he disappeared, leaving her alone in the center of countless watching gazes.

‘I’m screwed…’

That face—he was clearly angry.

Alone, she squeezed her eyes shut, recalling his hardened expression.

Soon after, she was surrounded by rushing maids, swept up in the chaos…

As feared, the rumor spread uncontrollably.

That the princess had made the “iron-blooded young duke of Haver” cry. And it had been heavily distorted.

“Delsey, was it handled?”

“Of course not! How do you expect damage control after something like that in the central corridor?!”

“I didn’t choose for it to happen there… it was just a matter of stride speed and walking pace…”

“Even merchants delivering ingredients to the kitchen saw it!”

“Wow… that’s the worst…”

“Exactly!”

The maids all looked utterly drained.

They sighed heavily, shaking their heads.

“Ah! But the rumor that the princess declared she would take a lover has started to die down.”

“And the one about rejecting a war-maniac husband who always leaves for subjugation missions too!”

“How do people even come up with these things…”

Every rumor assumed the worst about her personality!

Apparently, Eain Haver had become so revered that even absurd rumors felt believable.

After struggling all afternoon to suppress it, the maids failed to control it completely. Too many people had witnessed Eain’s tears.

And so, speculation ran wild.

‘So nobody even thinks I actually proposed an annulment… they think I’d rather take a lover instead!’

That only proved how well Eain had treated her.

She was a princess, and yet she was being outshined like this.

Was this the difference between a protagonist and a supporting character?

While she was worrying, Delsey and the maids cautiously approached her.

“There is one way to stop the rumors immediately, Your Highness.”

“What?”

“You should go to the House of Haver and reconcile with the young duke!”

“…”

The maids looked at her with pleading eyes.

“So you’re telling me to go apologize to Eain?”

“Yes! How could you suddenly hand an annulment to someone who has only ever looked at you?”

“We’re worried the young duke might collapse from heartbreak…”

“The kind man even cried—he must be devastated…”

“Your Highness has been too indifferent!”

“Hey, whose side are you on?”

She couldn’t exactly say it was all for the future heroine Eain would fall in love with. It was frustrating.

“I told you. I just wanted to free him since he’s spent so long taking care of me.”

“Did the young duke want the annulment?”

“Well… no, but…”

At her hesitant answer, the maids smiled knowingly.

The silent pressure stung her cheeks.

“Fine, I’ll go.”

Delsey immediately arranged a visit.

But shortly after—

“Your Highness… the young duke says he is busy all week and cannot meet you.”

“Oh? Then I’ll go next week.”

“Next week too…”

“And the week after…”

“And the week after that…”

“…and the week after that as well…”

“Why don’t you just say you never want to see me again?!”

It was obvious avoidance.

Something was strange.

Eain Haver—there was no reason for him to react this strongly to an annulment.

According to the original story, he didn’t even love Sierra.

He was kind and gentle only because it was duty, not affection.

He treated strangers formally, but those close to him even more distantly in the emotional sense.

So why now…?

‘He must be avoiding me in case I bring up annulment again… how thorough.’

The maids eventually left, sensing her mood.

Left alone, she pressed her temples.

She couldn’t ignore it.

That blazing rumor needed to be extinguished.

In her past life, no one cared even if she made ten men cry—but now, as a princess…

And yet—

Eain’s tear-filled blue eyes refused to leave her mind.

Even in dreams, they might appear.

“…No choice.”

These things were better resolved early.

“If he won’t come to me…”

“…then I’ll just go to him.”