Chapter 20
“Looks like the Duke is more serious about his wife than the rumors suggest.”
“She’s such a lovable person, isn’t she?”
He smiled as he tucked my hair behind my ear. Isabel’s eyebrows furrowed slightly before she hid her expression behind a fan.
“Oh my, he’s such a romantic.”
Waving her fan, she still didn’t seem to want to leave. Her gaze remained fixed on Cedric.
“Originally, I was supposed to be your wife. I didn’t realize how charming you were back then. If I could go back, I wouldn’t turn down the Duke.”
“Wait, you’ve met before?”
This wasn’t the first time they had met? In the story, it was supposed to be love at first sight…
“What a pity.”
Her small, soft laugh brushed my ear, sending chills down my spine.
It was clear Isabel wasn’t happy.
She was probably regretting not being with Cedric now that she saw him in front of her.
I stayed in his arms, my hand still around his neck, watching Isabel.
She was clearly holding back her anger, just like someone whose possession had been taken away.
Is this really how it’s going to be?
My chest tightened, and it felt hard to breathe. I had opened my heart because things were different from the original story, but now I might lose him.
‘I won’t let him go. Never.’
Without realizing it, I pulled Cedric’s neck tighter, my eyes half-open. I could feel my dry swallow, and it seemed louder than usual.
Isabel, with a deeper smile, greeted me.
“Big sis, I’m here.”
She smiled sweetly, but her eyes were cold as ice.
“Aren’t you going to greet your little sister?”
She tilted her head slightly and asked me, her golden hair swaying as she held her fan, eyes still locked on me and Cedric.
I asked Cedric for permission to spend some time alone with Isabel.
My heart was racing as I faced Isabel. Her gaze at Cedric was sharp, but her expression was filled with confidence.
She hadn’t even sent a letter. She hadn’t responded to mine either.
Well, I guess she felt guilty, but now, out of curiosity about me and Cedric, she decided to show up in person.
She must have some reason for this, right?
Maybe there was someone she liked and that’s why she came here.
“It was a mistake.”
“You don’t expect me to believe that, do you?”
It wasn’t just a mistake—it was calculated. She had plenty of time to change things but chose not to. I felt a strange ache in my stomach.
‘Could it be stress…?’
Isabel, on the other hand, maintained her calm demeanor. Her golden hair shimmered against the snowy white garden, making her seem almost otherworldly.
“Of course, you’re smart. It wasn’t a mistake.”
“At that time, I suppose the Duke wasn’t to your liking. You probably didn’t think he was suitable for marriage, right?”
Isabel’s eyes widened, and she clapped her hands.
“I won’t deny that. You thought the Duke was a good match for me. We’re both halves of a whole, after all.”
How can someone be so shameless?
I had expected this, but still, my relationship with Isabel was like this—one that was shallow and could break at any moment.
Now what? What did she plan to do with Cedric?
“Regretful, aren’t you?”
“If I didn’t, why would I come all the way to the North? Do I look like someone with nothing better to do?”
“You sure seem like you have plenty of time, coming here to meddle in useless things.”
I had already seen how well Cedric treated me with my own eyes. What did it matter if she regretted it?
And he was handsome too. His body was perfect. He was the ideal husband.
“You seem to have a stomach ache. I guess you’ve lost your chance.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say I threw it away… I think there’s still a chance.”
I chuckled at Isabel’s words.
Her confidence was still unshaken. And, honestly, I wasn’t completely free of anxiety myself.
“The Duke’s gaze toward me was much hotter than I expected.”
Isabel smiled slyly and took a sip of her tea.
“I didn’t know he would be this handsome. Even the black hair I thought was unremarkable stood out beautifully against his white eyes.”
“So, what are you trying to say?”
“I’m trying to take back what’s mine.”
Her golden dress shimmered beautifully under the sunlight.
I wasn’t surprised by her attitude since I had expected it. I didn’t like how Isabel would throw something away when it wasn’t needed and then try to take it back when it became valuable.
It felt like she was treating Cedric like an object.
“You probably didn’t want to marry the Duke either. What about taking the chance now?”
“I have no intention of doing that.”
I had already tried, but he dismissed me. And more importantly, Cedric and I were starting to open up to each other. Our feelings were growing, and now it was Isabel who was intruding.
Her brow furrowed naturally.
If she returned, she’d have to marry the king of the neighboring country, Narnkas, so she was probably desperate.
“So? You know what I have, don’t you?”
Isabel muttered, and then it started to rain—right over me.
Her special ability was controlling the weather. She could make it rain, summon wind, or make the sun shine, whatever she wanted.
In the northern region where it only snowed, her ability would be crucial.
Only the royal family knew about her ability, so Cedric had no idea. If he had known, he might have tried harder to marry Isabel.
“I’m probably needed more here in the North than anyone else, don’t you think?”
“…Hah.”
Drip. Drip.
Water ran down my wet hair. I brushed it aside, looking like a drenched rat.
I clenched my fists.
If she was going to act like this, I’d have to respond in kind. I wasn’t going to just take it.
So, discreetly, I called the birds. Hawks and other birds flew through the sky, passing over us.
“Ah! What’s this?”
“Should’ve been more careful. There are a lot of birds in the North.”
It seemed like snow was falling over her head.
“Why only me?”
“Maybe if you had a kinder heart, this wouldn’t have happened.”
Isabel stood up suddenly, glaring at me.
“Well, it’s best if you wash up. Bird droppings don’t smell, but they sure look nasty.”
“…Hah.”
She looked really angry now. I thought it was better to leave the situation quickly.
I stood up as well and faced Isabel. She bit her lip and muttered under her breath.
“You seem happy. You’re actually resisting me.”
“You don’t like that I’m happy, do you?”
“That’s why I was sent here but I wasn’t sent here to watch this.”
I had told her to marry him, hadn’t I? I even tried to convince her several times, saying things might turn out differently.
This was all Isabel’s doing.
“Are you going to keep acting like this?”
“…Hah.”
I raised my hand and called for a maid.
The maid rushed over quickly and checked on me.
“My goodness! Your Majesty, what happened? What if you catch a cold…!”
“I’m fine. Could you please show Princess Isabel to the bathroom?”
“Oh, my…”
The maid covered her mouth when she saw Isabel covered in bird droppings. Isabel started to cry, tears like bird droppings falling down her face as she took out a handkerchief.
“I wanted to look nice since it’s been a while since I saw you… But then the birds came flying by.”
The maid flinched at the mention of “birds.” I put my finger to my lips and winked.
“I’ll show her right away, Your Majesty. I’ll make sure to prepare warm water for her.”
“Thank you.”
The maid hesitated before walking away, glancing at me a few times. When she was a little farther, I raised my voice slightly.
“Oh, by the way, Isabel. It’s my place, not yours. I think you’re confused.”
I figured I should set things straight.
Isabel, gripping the hem of her dress tightly, followed the maid into the mansion.
