HTNSA 12

Chapter 12

Eila’s declaration of annulment was undeniably justified—so much so that no one could fault her logic.

“Because of me, Roshia has lived deprived of everything until now. I won’t let her suffer further.”

A prideful, stubborn choice—one only Eila would make. That very obstinance made it all the more infuriating.

‘Her demeanor made it obvious: she still has feelings for me.’

Kadin had assumed she’d remain within easy reach, but her defiance gnawed at him. Yet he clung to the belief she’d relent.

‘A woman raised as the Blanche Family’s noble daughter could never adapt to commoner life.’

From her plummeting status to the scornful stares of former peers—every facet of her existence would crumble. Unable to endure it, Eila would crawl back to him.

And as if summoned, a figure stepped into the garden.

“Eila?”

But the sight of Freya—not Eila—twisted Kadin’s expression.

“Eila? Who the hell were you expecting?”

Freya’s face contorted in irritation. “Don’t tell me you’ve been waiting for her all this time.”

Kadin’s reply was icy. “Don’t be absurd.”

“You’ve no idea the humiliation I endured today because of you.”

He’d already heard the rumors—how Freya had cornered Eila.

‘She claims Eila bullied her?’

The audacity of playing victim after instigating the conflict made Freya’s presence unbearable. His voice sharpened.

“You were Eila’s closest friend. Yet you’re unfazed by her downfall?”

Freya smirked. “That was when she was the Blanche heiress. Now? She’s beneath my notice.”

Kadin knew Freya had always seethed with envy toward Eila. Only their difference in rank had forced her to hide it.

‘Now that Eila’s a commoner, she’s baring her fangs.’

Freya’s whisper dripped venom. “A peasant daring to stand above me—disgusting.”

Then, her tone shifted, saccharine. “Speaking of, have you met Roshia? Such a docile girl. Perfect for an engagement.”

Kadin stiffened. The unspoken plan—to replace Eila with Roshia—was inevitable.

‘I knew this would happen. So why does it rankle?’

Since Eila’s rejection, even Roshia’s name soured his mood. Worse, he understood Freya’s motive:

She coveted Darien Celestia, the crown prince. With few families eligible for imperial ties, she’d eliminate rivals—starting with Eila.

‘If she weds the first prince, she’ll become empress.’

The second prince, Adolf, was a concubine’s son—no match for Darien’s legitimacy. Even the late empress’s daughter, the reclusive princess, posed no threat.

Kadin scoffed. “How generous of you to fret over my engagement. Feeling threatened?”

Freya’s frown deepened. “Then cut ties with that commoner. What if Roshia doubts your loyalty?”

‘Cut ties?’

His laugh was razor-edged. “Not your concern.”

“Kadin—what are you plotting?”

“Know your place, Freya.”

He strode away. If Eila wouldn’t come to him, he’d drag her back himself.

‘She couldn’t have severed her feelings so easily.’

‘Was the annulment just a ploy for my attention?’

If so, it worked.

Eila had become an obsession.

“Pardon—have you seen Eila?”

“K-Kadin? She’s…”

He intercepted magic department students until one pointed him to the infirmary.

‘Hiding there during lunch? Pathetic.’

He envisioned her in tears, abandoned by fair-weather friends. Freya’s torment would’ve already begun.

‘She’ll learn—commoners who anger nobles share Felix’s fate.’

That upstart swordsman’s disgrace was a cautionary tale.

Yet when Kadin shoved the door open, sunlight framed Eila like a portrait—skin luminous, lips curved in a smile he hadn’t seen in years.

‘Since when was she this radiant?’

The Eila he remembered had been faded, perpetually anxious. Now, even as a commoner, she stood taller.

And the target of her smile?

Felix.

The lowborn knight Kadin despised.

White-hot fury surged.

Her words echoed:

“I know my place now. A commoner like me shouldn’t stand with you.”

Was this what she meant? Discarding him for a peasant?

Their proximity—close enough to brush arms—ignited something primal.

‘Were they always this familiar?’

Eila had been his constant. His certainty.

Now that certainty shattered.

“What,” Kadin bit out, “are you doing?”

Eila turned, startled. “Kadin? Why—”

He stepped closer, voice a blade. “Answer me.”

Her gaze flicked between him and Felix. Then—calm.

‘Perfect. I needed rumors about Felix anyway.’