92. A Bird Caught in a Trap

Seeing my increasingly dark expression, Deon added,

“…My bird doesn’t cry unless it’s in front of me.”

“Really? Then perhaps what I heard was a scream. There have been many intruders lately, so we’ve set traps around the forest near the prince’s domain.”

Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have believed him, but after hearing aboutIsella’s persistent threats and her departure from the prince’s domain, the idea of traps didn’t seem so far-fetched.

My bird might not fly much, but if it were to wander into a trap and break its fragile leg while walking on the grass…

The thought was horrifying.

“So, you’ve been starving the bird until now?”

“Why don’t you see for yourself?”

“You could tell me whether it’s starving from here.”

“I don’t know.”

I shot him a glare, but he merely shrugged.

This man quickly understood my weaknesses. He was adept at handling people, not just on the battlefield but also in social circles. And his threats were always effective.

Well-trained soldiers stood by the carriage, ready for his orders. Swords at their waists, they stood rigidly, awaiting his command.

Deon could have pulled me by my wrist with his rough hands, ordered his men to grab me and force me into the carriage, or even hoist me onto his shoulder and toss me inside.

But instead, he mentioned the bird, tugging at my heartstrings.

And those words were more compelling than anything else to make me get into the carriage.

“I really won’t dance,” I said in a barely audible voice.

“I’ll just sit in a corner and eat. I’ll check on the bird and then return to the villa. If you need me to stand byIsella’s side like a decoration… I won’t comply. Don’t expect me to act anymore.”

The cold wind tickled my cheeks. My wrist, illuminated by the moonlight, looked pale and white.

At the mention ofIsella, his head tilted slightly.

“I don’t understand what you’re thinking.”

He said, staring at me intently.

“Why are you refusing? It’s just a banquet. Is it necessary to be so cautious?”

He seemed to be probing for any hidden motives. I shook my head vigorously.

“I realized I’ve done some incredibly foolish things. I don’t want to repeat them.”

“Foolish things?”

“Yes.”

“And what kind of foolish things are those?”

A large hand suddenly reached out towards me. The shadow cast by the soldiers’ torches made it look even larger.

Startled, I flinched and leaned back to avoid his hand.

His hand lingered in the air, seemingly intending to smooth my disheveled hair.

“Leonie.”

Instead of touching my hair, he lowered his hand and sighed softly. Then he gave an order to the soldier.

“We’re leaving tonight. Make the preparations.”

He was determined to take me with him. I sighed deeply, accepting my fate.

* * *

My throat felt itchy. As I coughed lightly, Suren handed me a handkerchief.

“I’ve prepared some fruit tea that’s good for your throat. Sip it on the way.”

She handed me a flask of tea, indoor slippers, and the handkerchief. She was packing everything I might need for a long journey.

As she wrapped a shawl around my shoulders, I asked,

“Do I really need to take all this?”

There were spare horses. Suren could ride with me or follow in the carriage.

But Suren shook her head.

“I can’t get in the carriage. They told me to stay here.”

What I had thought was just a passing remark turned out to be true. Deon had no intention of taking me to the capital permanently. If Suren was staying behind, it meant I would be returning to the villa right after the banquet.

I didn’t want to think about it, but I couldn’t stop myself from wondering why.

Why? If that’s the case, why take me to the capital at all?

A deep sense of loss washed over me.

Suren hugged me tightly as I stood there in a daze. When she heard someone approaching, she quickly let go.

Suren handed me the rest of my things as Deon arrived, then she stepped back.

With Suren and the Butler seeing me off, I climbed into the carriage.

The Butler was using a cane I hadn’t seen before. It seemed the soldiers had given it to him.

I sighed in relief, but it was short-lived. Deon climbed into the carriage after me and locked the door securely.

Trapped inside, I felt a suffocating sense of confinement. The air in the carriage was tense.

A blanket was neatly folded on one of the seats. The brightly colored blanket indicated it was meant for a lady.

There was no turning back. From the moment he brought the carriage, he had no intention of returning without me.

There was no option but to comply. The realization of being thoroughly manipulated weighed heavily on me.

Soon, the carriage started moving.

The interior was silent, except for the sound of horse hooves striking the ground. In the chilling stillness, I clutched the edge of the blanket tightly.

Deon closed the window to keep the night air out. In the sealed space, we shared the same air.

Deon sat with his arms crossed, leaning back. Though the carriage wasn’t so small that our knees would touch, just being in the same space with him made me feel crowded.

The carriage moved swiftly. Despite entering the stony road that had swollen my feet from walking, the wheels rolled smoothly. It was, after all, a royal carriage. The wheels were likely made from the finest materials.

I stared out the window.

Stones couldn’t reach the transparent windows and scattered away. As if afraid to touch the royal carriage, they neither struck the windows nor scratched the exterior.

The ease with which the carriage traversed the stones that had tormented me filled me with a sense of futility. The stones that had harshly battered my face now stayed silent, just because I was with him.

“Tell me, Leonie.”

Deon finally broke the silence.

“what foolish things are you talking about?”

The question hung in the air, just like the unresolved tension between us.

Deon, who had been leaning back and staring intently at me, finally spoke.

“With so much money invested, I’m curious what you failed to buy.”

He brought up the conversation I thought had ended. His eyes scanned me thoughtfully before he continued.

“Did you gamble it away?”

A bitter laugh escaped me.

He watched me closely, as if seeing someone else superimposed over my face.

Baron Sien. The man who had ruined the Duke’s birthday celebration.

Did Deon think that because my father gambled, I would do the same? Believing that blood cannot deceive?

“In a way, it was gambling. I didn’t get a return on my investment.”

It wasn’t a lie.

I had spent a significant amount of money over two seasons. Yet, I didn’t win you.

I decided not to elaborate. The longer I spoke, the more likely he would catch on. Better to let him think what he wanted and escape unscathed.

“Did you make an investment?”

“Yes.”

I bit my lip hard and nodded.

“That was careless. It must not have been a reliable investment.”

“It was foolish of me. I’m still regretting it, reflecting on my poor choices.”

I responded with as much sarcasm as I could muster.

“It turned out to be more expensive than I expected. I thought I could buy it with that much money. I didn’t realize its value until it was too late. It turned out to be a worthless item.”

I waited for his retort with bated breath.

But he simply watched me in silence.

He turned his gaze outside and then spoke.

“You bought wood for the bird and dug wells for the children. So I’m curious. What did you spend your money on this time?”

His eyes were clear, even under the dim red light of the carriage’s lanterns.

“Don’t worry. I won’t make the same mistake again.”

It sounded like a vow to myself. I clenched my fists.

I’ll no longer entertain the naive thought of saving you. No more overstepping my bounds.

I was foolish enough to forget my own situation and cling to you.

It was sheer arrogance. Believing I was the only one who could save you. And the result of that arrogance was devastating.

“Leonie, I’m not blaming you. Compared to the prince’s domain’s wealth, that money is nothing. I just want to know why you suddenly spent it.”

His words stung. His calm, gentle voice cut deeper than any cold remark could.

“There was no special reason. I just thought I could get it with that money.”

I toyed with my hair, uttering words that didn’t fully convey my thoughts. My hair was damp from the night dew, the ends split and rough. I couldn’t remember the last time I had properly taken care of it.

“Was there something you wanted so badly that you were willing to spend your entire savings on it?”

“…”

When I didn’t respond, he pressed on.

“Whatever it is, if you still want it, I’ll get it for you. Just be honest with me.”

“Your Highness, really?”

Would he give himself to me? A laugh burst out. He frowned slightly at my sudden outburst.

“No. I no longer want it. And…”

I took a deep breath before continuing.

“You wouldn’t be able to give it to me. Not ever.”

“Me?”

He looked puzzled.

“There’s something I can’t give you?”