IBYSRHML | Chapter 35

Episode 35

3. Phantom Pain

In the end, Leopold had a fierce argument with Marius.

If there was any relief, it was that Edgar had returned to his room before the two raised their voices.

‘It’s fine. If Marius is like that, then I’ll just take better care of Edgar myself.’

Leopold steadied his emotions, making sure his troubled heart didn’t show on his face.

He didn’t want to meet Regina with a dark expression.

However, today, Regina had already decided to break up with him.

At first, it was because of her abilities and Alice’s political position.

Then, when Liliana fell ill a few days ago, she made up her mind completely.

‘Right now, I need to focus on establishing myself in the Empire…’

Seeing Liliana sick, she was finally forced to face reality.

If her relationship with Alice and the imperial family became strained because of her, Liliana might not receive the proper help she needed. The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

This wasn’t Trovancha.

That made the support of those around her even more crucial.

For that, she needed a friend, not a lover she would feel awkward with after breaking up.

“Have you been waiting long?”

“No. I just arrived as well.”

“That’s a relief. I… actually, I have something to tell you.”

“What is it? Please, speak freely.”

“Well….”

Do people with well-trained senses also have sharp intuition?

Sensing that Regina was about to say something bad, Leopold quickly brought up his own topic first.

“Oh, right. There’s a famous singer performing this weekend. I happened to get tickets, so why don’t we—”

“I’m sorry.”

Regina cut him off and ran her tongue over her lips.

Then, with a pained expression, she confessed.

“Leo, I’ve thought about it carefully… and I think this is as far as we should go.”

“……What?”

For a moment, time seemed to freeze.

Leopold felt like his brain couldn’t properly process what he had just heard.

“What do you mean, all of a sudden…?”

“If our relationship deepens, my sister might be put in a difficult position.”

“Alice has nothing to do with us.”

“What if we break up? If we grow even closer and then separate, things will become uncomfortable in many ways.”

“Why are you imagining the worst? We just won’t break up.”

His heart, consumed by anxiety, pounded violently.

Leopold felt the fear creeping up from his shoulders to his fingertips.

“Regina.”

Please don’t look away from me.

But Regina only stared past his shoulder.

Eyes that refused to meet his own terrified him.

After hesitating all day, Regina finally parted her lips.

“I…”

“Regina. Look at me. I know what you’re worried about, but you don’t need to think that way. I’ll try harder.”

Most ability users disliked explaining their powers.

There was always the risk of someone exploiting them.

But because Regina’s ability was unique, she had always been honest about it with her partners.

It was her way of expressing her feelings and showing respect.

Yet, for the first time, as she met his gaze—eyes filled only with her—she lost the courage to confess.

Even if she had to think of herself as pathetic,

she didn’t want to be remembered as a monster by a man who was willing to try harder for her.

“You’re at the age for marriage, Leo. And with your social standing, you can’t avoid it. But I have no intention of getting married.”

“Then we don’t have to. Marriage doesn’t matter.”

“In Trovancha, staying unmarried is accepted, but in the Empire—especially among nobles—marriage and having children to inherit the family legacy are expected.”

“If that’s the issue, I can just pass everything down to Edgar—”

“I’m sorry. I can’t do this anymore.”

Drawing a firm line, Regina turned and quickly left before he could see her face.

Leopold chased after her, but she clenched her teeth and shook her head.

Her decisiveness left him unable to follow or completely let go.

All he could do was watch as she walked away.

It was a truly miserable day.

“Big Sis, what should I do? I didn’t prepare a birthday present for Edgar.”

I had spent every day doing my best to comfort Edgar, who had cried his heart out because of Marius.

I made sure he and Marius didn’t run into each other and secretly planned to get revenge on his behalf.

That’s why every time I saw Marius, I crossed my arms and glared at him.

But then Marius would say—

“Is it because I’m too handsome?”

That completely drained my fighting spirit.

Anyway, since I had been so focused on Edgar, I ended up falling asleep like a log every night after dinner.

Because of that, I forgot to buy a birthday present.

“Is it okay to go to the party without a gift?”

“Of course. More than a present, what matters is that you sincerely celebrate with him.”

“Sincerity? Hmm. How do I express my feelings?”

“You’re his friend. Just give him a big hug and tell him happy birthday.”

“We’re not friends. Edgar is my subordinate.”

“But Edgar says you’re his subordinate.”

“WHAT? I played marbles with him because I thought he was my subordinate!”

That’s it. I’m not playing with Edgar anymore!

Well… maybe I’ll only play with him half as much.

Big Sis smiled warmly at my sulky face.

“All done.”

Even though we had maids now, she still brushed my hair and tied my ribbon herself.

When I checked the mirror, I saw her smiling at me from behind.

Our gazes met in the reflection, and I couldn’t help but grin.

I was wearing one of the fancy dresses I used to wear in Trovancha whenever I attended important events with my sisters. That made me feel even better.

‘Alright, I’ve made up my mind.’

I jumped up, grabbed my box of cookies, and headed for the banquet hall.

The hall was so big that I was worried about how I would find Edgar.

But thanks to Leopold—who was a whole head taller than everyone else—it wasn’t difficult at all.

‘Why does he look like that on his birthday?’

Edgar’s expression wasn’t just grumpy—it was outright gloomy.

Anyone could tell he had been dragged here against his will, which made no sense to me.

There were mountains of presents!

If it were me, I’d be so happy I’d be bouncing all over the place.

Even Leopold, standing next to him, looked completely out of it.

Now I finally understood what my sisters meant when they said someone had “dead fish eyes.”

Right at that moment, Edgar noticed me.

His eyes widened as he rushed over.

Since this was an official event, he gave a brief greeting to my second sister before speaking to me in his usual blunt way.

“Your dress is really weird.”

“Isn’t it pretty?”

The bold patterns were typical of what Trovancha people liked.

I spun around in place, making my skirt flutter.

When I stopped, Edgar was staring at me with a slightly dazed expression.

“You look like a squirrel.”

“Hehe. Well, I am kinda cute.”

“I meant you look like a squirrel that swallowed a pumpkin.”

“WHAT? You little—”

I wanted to snap back that he looked like a giant asparagus.

But since it was his birthday, I decided to be the mature one and hold back.

“His Majesty the Emperor and Lady Alice Berchio have arrived!”

Hearing that my eldest sister had arrived, I turned toward the entrance.

Seeing them from a distance, I realized something I hadn’t noticed before—both Marius and my eldest sister had an overwhelming presence.

They were both tall, with striking appearances.

Marius, as the male lead, was, of course, dazzlingly handsome, while my eldest sister had a cool and elegant beauty.

‘When I grow up, I’m going to be a heroine too!’

If not a heroine, then at least the male lead… Since protagonists are always cool and smart.

Then, would that make Edgar the protagonist’s subordinate?

I glanced at his face.

He didn’t have the look of a mere sidekick.

Even though he was still young, it was clear he’d grow up to be just as handsome. He was definitely going to be a male lead someday.

‘But there he goes again, looking at Marius like that.’

For days now, every time Edgar saw Marius, his expression darkened.

I couldn’t imagine how hard it must be for him, and that made my heart ache.

When Marius gestured from the stage, the music stopped, and all the nobles in attendance turned their attention to the Emperor.

“Thank you all for coming to celebrate Edgar’s birthday. Even with my upcoming political marriage, I couldn’t ignore my only brother’s special day.”

But while Marius spoke, the supposed star of today’s party, Edgar, was more focused on handing me a cookie.

I was still annoyed about him teasing me earlier by calling me a pumpkin—was he trying to make up for it now?

But upon closer inspection, I realized the cookie he gave me was a pumpkin cookie.

When I glared at him, Edgar stuck out his tongue playfully and chuckled.

“The wedding between Lady Berchio and myself will take place on the 15th of next month. More details will be announced tomorrow morning, but for now, please enjoy the festivities.”

At the announcement of the wedding date, the nobles murmured amongst themselves.

Some stole glances at my eldest sister, while others whispered to each other and gestured toward me.

After stepping down from the stage, Marius suddenly remembered Edgar’s birthday and offered his congratulations.

“Oh, right. Happy birthday. I sent your gift in advance—did you receive it?”

“Thank you for acknowledging my birthday, Your Majesty.”

“Why are you speaking so formally? Just talk comfortably. I don’t know why you’re upset with me, but let it go already.”

Marius had assumed Edgar was just sulking and had left him alone.

But when Edgar bit his lower lip and remained silent, even I couldn’t help but sense the tension.

Then Edgar finally spoke.

“Your Majesty is not my brother.”

“What are you talking about? Of course, I’m your brother.”

“I’m sorry. I happened to overhear you telling Leo, ‘Be a brother on your own.’”

Marius, momentarily caught off guard, stared at his younger cousin without offering any excuses.

Edgar, his lips tightly pressed together, avoided his gaze and pulled me away with him.

Through our clasped hands, I could feel just how deeply hurt he was.

I watched him carefully, then spoke hesitantly.

“Edgar, I…”

I wanted to tell him, I’m on your side.

But before I could, a girl from somewhere else interrupted with a question.

“You’re the one from Trovancia, right? I heard people from Trovancia eat humans—is that true?”