Chapter 132
“I have never loved you, not even once.”
Killian spoke without looking at Sophia.
His cruel words made Sophia clench her fists tightly.
Killian wished she would just leave and run away.
“Stop it, Killian.”
“…Stop what?”
Killian asked in the calmest voice he could muster.
At that, Sophia looked up.
“…Everything you’re doing right now.”
Her eyes met Killian’s again. They were soaked with tears, but no hint of wavering could be seen.
“Struggling to speak with that mouth, pretending to be the villain, trying to push me away.”
Sophia wrapped her hands around Killian’s, which were clenched so tightly that his nails were digging into his palms.
Instantly, Killian’s pupils widened with shock.
Sophia remembered. The end he had chosen for Mikhail in the novel.
‘It’s just like back then…’
Like he did with Mikhail, Killian was trying to push Sophia away.
Realizing how dangerous his actions were leading to this point, he exerted all his strength to say hurtful things to her.
Struggling to support his own body, finding it difficult to breathe each time he opened his lips, he burdened himself with all the guilt alone, portraying himself as the villain.
“No matter what you say, I will believe in you.”
Sophia didn’t let go of their intertwined hands.
The cold and sarcastic facade that Killian had maintained for so long began to crumble.
“Sophia, please…”
Despite his efforts to push her away with all his might, this small woman didn’t budge.
All his efforts seemed futile in front of her.
“If we continue like this, you’ll be in danger too…”
Killian pleaded.
This was his last chance to send her away to a safe place, so please stay away.
Originally, when talk of a breakup arose, we should have parted ways.
But because of his greed, they had come this far.
And now he was showing her the side of himself that he least wanted her to see.
He hoped Sophia wouldn’t witness this pitiful sight of him, tied up like a beast, powerless and broken, with not even the strength to hold a sword.
But instead of leaving, Sophia embraced that very Killian with both arms.
“It’s okay if you’re not the prince on a white horse.”
Even if you’re the villain on a black horse, facing a thorny path ahead, it’s okay.
No, if you’re struggling, I’m fine taking on the role of the princess on a white horse.
“So please… don’t try to push me away.” (T/L: Sophia is the standard… damn.)
Killian sobbed quietly, clutching onto Sophia’s dress with all his might.
He can’t push her away anymore.
He knows he can only delay the curse that will eventually come.
He knows he can never be a blessing to Sophia.
But… he is selfish and foolish.
Despite thinking, he didn’t want to show this miserable side, his heart rejoiced when Sophia came here.
Throughout last night’s torture, he thought of her the most.
He feared dying without seeing her face.
He might appear pathetic and weak, but he wanted to live.
He wanted to spend more time with Sophia.
He wanted to hold her closer, kiss her more.
He didn’t want to end the time given to him in this place.
He didn’t want to part with Sophia.
Sophia embraced Killian even more deeply.
“I will get you out.”
From this underground prison, no, from everything that torments you.
—
With Mikhail and the royal physician returning, Killian soon lost consciousness.
Ian returned after dealing with Orhelien and saw Sophia by Killian’s side before leaving.
Mikhail had someone move Killian to a safe place, and the doctor attended to him.
Due to the extent of his wounds, the injuries on his waist and thighs were barely visible.
The doctor seemed to have a lot to say about the patient’s condition but chose to remain silent.
Being wise, he must have known it was not wise to discuss the inhuman torture that occurred in the palace.
As Killian stabilized with treatment, Sophia gradually calmed her emotions.
She knew sadness, fear, and anger were not completely gone, but to solve this situation she couldn’t be swept away by these emotions.
‘I need to first clear Killian’s innocence and protect Estelle.’
Tasks began to be sorted out one by one.
Somehow, they had to stop Beatrice.
“The time has flown by so quickly.”
Sophia gazed out the window where the sun was setting.
It seemed like just lunchtime when she had met Mikhail, but a whole day had passed in a blur due to Killian’s situation.
Then.
“…Lady Sophia.”
Mikhail called out to her, who had been overseeing Killian’s treatment.
As Sophia turned her head, Mikhail offered her a simple sandwich.
“You seemed like you hadn’t eaten anything all day.”
“Ah… thank you.”
Sophia accepted the sandwich.
Come to think of it, she had been immersed in Killian’s affairs since morning.
Her mind was so preoccupied that she hadn’t even felt hunger.
“Killian also wishes for your well-being, Lady.”
Mikhail comforted Sophia as he watched her, who stared blankly without touching the sandwich.
Carefully, Sophia took a bite of the sandwich.
Normally, she would have tried to eat it tastefully and show strength, but today, it didn’t seem to have any taste.
‘While I’m like this, the Empress might be preparing something else.’
That thought made her anxious again.
Now that Killian was recovering, she needed to do what she could.
Lost in thought, Mikhail watched Sophia slowly nibble at the sandwich.
“Lady Sophia.”
When Mikhail called her again, Sophia turned to look at him.
“I’m sorry.”
“Yes…?”
“If it weren’t for you, I probably would have left Killian to his fate.”
“… ”
Sophia looked at Mikhail, unable to lift her head due to guilt.
Honestly, she had briefly resent Mikhail. Just knowing he was Beatrice’s son made her feel resentful.
But soon, that resentment faded away.
It wasn’t Mikhail’s fault.
He simply… hadn’t been informed by anyone, and that’s why things turned out this way.
If Killian had been honest from the start, Mikhail might have been the one to sincerely help him more than anyone else.
Perhaps she wouldn’t have even met Killian today without him.
“I’m grateful that His Highness Mikhail is here.”
Fortunately, the original male lead isn’t a bad person. I can trust him without suspicion.
But there’s one thing that worries me…
“Your Highness.”
Sophia turned her body to face Mikhail.
“Do you believe in His Grace, the Grand Duke?”
Mikhail felt a prick in his chest at her question, as if struck by thorns.
Sophia seemed to recognize Mikhail, who had briefly doubted Killian.
“There is no precise evidence to call Killian the Black Moon,” Mikhail responded, neither affirming belief nor voicing doubt. He merely reasoned that such a label couldn’t be applied without evidence.
Sophia stared at Mikhail, who was avoiding giving a straight answer and opened her mouth.
“Your Excellency thinks highly of you.”
“… I know.”
Mikhail nodded slowly.
His answer seemed to contain many emotions and meanings.
Although he knew, it seemed like he just knew, or it also sounded like he wanted to know.
Mikhail was lost in a confusing and blurred relationship.
Sophia caught Mikhail like that.
“Your choices have always been for His Grace’s best interest. Even if it means keeping secrets from him…”
Sophia hoped Mikhail would continue to trust Killian until the end.
It might have been an unreasonable request to Mikhail.
However, Sophia always loved Killian and had no choice but to be by his side.
So, even though it may be difficult, she hopes Mikhail will look more deeply into Killian’s true feelings.
Wouldn’t that lead to a happier ending for Killian?
Mikhail’s eyes swelled momentarily, then cleared with a bright light.
“Lady Sophia is far better than I am. I’ve been with Killian all my life, and I…”
A faint smile touched his tense lips.
“I’m truly fortunate to have Young Lady by Killian’s side.”
“…Do you think so?”
To Sophia’s uncertain inquiry, Mikhail nodded without a doubt.
Encouraged by Mikhail’s support, Sophia took another bite of the sandwich.
“Well… So what will happen to His Excellency from now on?”
“Although Killian cannot return to the Grand Duke’s residence right now, I have asked His Majesty the Emperor to treat Killian well.
Mikhail explained the plans.
