EWOWMAIBTYPF Chapter 163

Chapter 163

 

The issue of the imperial succession was still just an under-the-surface struggle; it hadn’t yet surfaced in public.

Several years before Nicholas rose to prominence, there had been talk among the nobility about appointing Serphin as crown princess. However, the emperor showed signs of displeasure, and the matter quietly faded away.

But now that Nicholas was gaining influence, the nobles were surely weighing their options carefully.

Though they hadn’t officially expressed their stance, the Duchy of Faelunt—the empress’s family—was very likely supporting Princess Serphin.

‘And yet Lucio is trying to make Nicholas emperor…’

It was inevitable that the Duchy of Elard and the Duchy of Faelunt would clash.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness. I’m Aiden from the Duchy of Faelunt.”

During that time, Aiden—who had apparently heard about me from Diana—bowed in greeting.

Though his posture was polite, his expression clearly showed dissatisfaction and annoyance at having his time with Diana interrupted.

‘Back when I was a maid, Aiden used to call me ‘sister’ and treat me so sweetly. Yet now that I’m a high-ranking grand princess, this is how he acts?’

For some reason, that made me feel amused.

“Lord Aiden of Faelunt. It’s a pleasure to meet you like this.”

“…The honor is mine.”

Even though he had been curt, I greeted him kindly as if I didn’t mind at all, and his expression became… odd.

Seeing that made me smile again.

When I lightly covered my mouth and let out a quiet giggle, Aiden stared at me and suddenly asked,

“Your Highness, have we… met before?”

Diana and I flinched at the unexpected question.

When we said nothing in our surprise, Aiden scratched the back of his head and added,

“Of course not. I know that too.”

Then he added with an awkward laugh, “It’s just… you seem oddly familiar to someone I know.”

Even this unexpectedly sharp observation reminded me of Allen.

It was impressive enough to make me chuckle under my breath, and I found myself watching Aiden and Diana bickering with each other again.

‘Childhood friends really do have a certain charm.’

Maybe it was the hint of a tragic romance to come that made my heart flutter without me even realizing.

‘Ah, what should I do?’

Just earlier today, I’d been planning to fully support Jack.

But now, seeing Diana and Aiden together, I suddenly wanted to root for Aiden.

The choice was Diana’s to make, of course, but I found myself needlessly agonizing over it on my own.

Then, the banquet hall suddenly fell silent.

Curious, I turned toward the entrance.

“…!”

And just like that, my heart dropped to the floor with a thud.

 

***

 

Time seemed to stop for a moment.

Standing under the grand chandelier was a man who looked as if he had been carved from ice.

My mind went blank. I couldn’t think, couldn’t even move a finger.

How long had I been staring in a daze?

As he turned his head—perhaps searching for someone—our eyes met.

His calm, blue eyes widened slightly, then softened into a gentle curve.

At that very moment, I instinctively turned my head away, abruptly and obviously avoiding his gaze.

‘Oh no…’

I could feel my palms growing clammy.

Only then did I realize how intently I’d been staring at him before we made eye contact.

‘I must have had such a stupid look on my face…’

Regret flooded my chest so intensely it made me feel sick.

Earlier in the day, I’d heard Diana muttering, ⟨What is big brother even doing?⟩ but I never imagined I’d run into Lucio so soon.

‘Right… I was just surprised.’

I hadn’t expected him to appear at all.

Trying to regain my composure, I told myself that was the only reason.

But my heart, which had dropped with a thud, was now pounding again out of control.

Because Lucio, the moment our eyes met, had begun walking with clear purpose—his heels clicking confidently across the banquet floor.

And then… those footsteps stopped right in front of me.

“Lia.”

A shadow fell over my head as a deep, quiet voice whispered into my ear, just loud enough for me to hear.

When I looked up, Lucio was already standing before me, gazing down.

That familiar cool scent of mint and crisp wind drifted from him.

Suddenly, I felt overwhelmed with emotion, something like sorrow welling up in my throat.

“…Why.”

‘Why did you come so late?’

I almost said that, but bit my lip before the words slipped out.

Lucio tilted his head, as if to ask why I stopped, but I couldn’t think of anything to say.

I was sure I had things I wanted to tell him, and questions I wanted to ask.

But for some reason, everything felt stifling. And I just felt… stupid.

So instead of speaking, I simply looked up at him and froze.

Of course, since I’d returned to the past, I already knew what everyone would look like—Diana, Jack, and the others.

But no one remained as vividly etched in my memory as Lucio.

He still had those sharp eyes, that sculpted nose—the striking features of a beautiful man.

But…

The man before me didn’t feel like the same Lucio I remembered.

‘I always thought Lucio was expressionless…’

But the man in front of me had such a warm gaze, and a radiant smile…who was he?

As I stood there half dazed, Lucio, just like at Diana’s past birthday party, watched me intently and spoke.

“At last, we meet, Grand Princess.”

With a gesture as graceful as a dance, Lucio bowed and offered me his hand.

His demeanor was so formal and composed that I almost thought I had imagined him calling me by name just a moment ago.

Stunned, I handed him my hand as if in a trance.

Apparently pleased by my passive response, Lucio smiled softly.

Then he lowered his head and pressed a kiss to the back of my hand.

It wasn’t until I felt the cool touch on my skin that I realized what had happened.

I flinched, shivering involuntarily.

Lucio slowly lifted his lips from my hand and asked,

“Have you been well?”

“…”

I felt like if I spoke now, my voice would come out sounding foolish so I just gave a small nod.

Lucio somehow noticed even that tiny movement and let out a soft chuckle.

“I see. I haven’t been doing well myself…”

His voice trailed off, then he added bitterly, with a tone filled with resentment,

“Because the person who swore up and down they wouldn’t leave… left me behind.”

⟨So promise you won’t go anywhere.⟩

⟨Then it’s a promise.⟩

At the same time, our last conversation in the hedge maze flashed through my mind.

“That’s…!”

I was about to speak up emotionally, but quickly shut my mouth when I noticed the stares around us.

The nobles were exchanging subtle glances as they looked at me and Lucio.

That strange atmosphere was unsettling enough, but what really frustrated me was Lucio’s words.

‘He clearly knows I only left to return home with my parents.’

And at this moment, all I did was nod vaguely. I never actually promised I wouldn’t leave him.

I wanted to clear things up properly, but couldn’t because of all the eyes on us, which made me feel even more stifled.

“Your Highness!”

Just then, a man burst into the banquet hall and rushed over to us in a hurry.

A familiar face.

‘He was Lucio’s aide, right? His name was… Nick…’

“Don’t make a scene, Nyx.”

Nyx! Right, that was his name.

“B-but! You can’t just come straight here like this! No matter how high your rank…!”

Nyx, panting as he spoke, suddenly glanced over at me.

“In any case, you must head to the Foreign Ministry first. You have to report your return…”

“Tsk.”

Lucio clicked his tongue in annoyance and turned back to me.

With so many eyes on us, I didn’t know why he kept staring at me like this… it was troublesome.

And that’s when I realized: he was still holding my hand.

“Um…”

I was just about to gently pull away and tell him to let go…

“Your Highness!”

Nyx, who had been nervously hopping from foot to foot, suddenly looked at me with desperate eyes.

His expression practically begged me for help.

‘Hey, we just met today!’

I wanted to shout in panic, but those pleading eyes were too much to resist. In the end, I called out to Lucio.

“Lord Elard.”

“Yes, please speak.”

He had ignored all of his aide’s words up until now, but the moment I spoke, he responded immediately.

Naturally, the nobles watching us only stared harder.

It seemed I was the only one who could bring this situation to an end, so I quickly said,

“You should go. It seems you still have duties to attend to.”

“…”

What was he expecting me to say?

Lucio visibly looked disappointed.

“…I’ll be back soon.”

As if that wasn’t enough, he tightened his grip on my hand one last time, like he didn’t want to let go, before finally releasing it.

‘This… this totally looks like a touching reunion between long-separated lovers!’

I stared at him, flustered by the lingering atmosphere.

And just as I was trying to collect myself again, I noticed something.

Right before he left, Lucio glanced meaningfully at Diana, who was standing nearby.

That’s when I suddenly remembered Diana’s presence—forgotten in the silence—and turned to look at her, only to doubt my eyes.

Diana was giving Lucio a thumbs-up with a wink.

“Diana…?”

Startled by my voice, Diana immediately changed her expression.

Then, feigning innocence, she rubbed her eyes and said,

“Unni, I think something got in my eye.”

“…Really?”

If so, her eyes were sparkling just as brightly as usual…

Setting aside my suspicion for the moment, I leaned in and gently blew into her eye.

Diana burst into laughter, saying it tickled, and I couldn’t help but laugh along.

Then, without thinking, I glanced back toward the banquet hall entrance where Lucio had disappeared.

It felt like I’d been possessed by a ghost.

“Haah…”

For some reason, a strange uneasiness stirred in my chest and refused to settle, so I let out a quiet sigh.

Unaware that to everyone else, I looked like a woman already longing for her lover after just reuniting with him.

 

Hello dear readers, I have been extremely busy these days, and I still am for the rest of this week. However, it’ll be much better next week, so please bear with me till then (⁠ㆁ⁠ω⁠ㆁ⁠)