TISND Chapter 83

Chapter 83

“Ah, it’s good to see your face after so long.”

Raul was getting dressed with the help of a servant after finishing his bath.

Caligo, meanwhile, sipped the tea the servant had poured him, unbothered by Raul changing behind him.

“It’s been days since you arrived in the capital, and I’m only now seeing you. Why do you act so busy all the time?”

“Because I ‘am’ actually busy.”

The servant stood by awkwardly, wary of the Duke’s cold demeanor.

In contrast, the Crown Prince chattered on playfully like a mischievous child.

“That’s why I told you to lighten your load, didn’t I?”

“Your Highness should consider increasing yours.”

“What?”

“Instead of spending time on jousting matches, I mean.”

Caligo let out a short sigh as he spoke.

“What would you do if an accident happened during such a dangerous sport?”

“That’s what makes it fun!”

Raul replied with a chuckle.

“It’s no fun without a little tension. Besides, I wear full armor and a helmet, so there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Those won’t be of any use if your neck snaps.”

“You’re far too grim.”

“I’m not lying, am I?”

“Can’t you flatter me just once?”

“No.”

‘He’s the same as ever.’
Raul, now fully dressed, sat across from Caligo.

“Ah, the rest of you may leave. I’ve got things to discuss with my old friend.”

Raul dismissed the servants, who had been anxiously glancing at the Duke.

Once they were finally alone, Raul began to chide him.

“Relax your face a little. Everyone’s afraid to even look at you.”

From the moment he stepped into the palace, he had worn a cold, expressionless face. The palace staff couldn’t hide their nervousness under his icy gaze.

“And maybe tone down the jousting as well. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, so don’t be so standoffish.”

Caligo had already warned Raul against doing anything dangerous, but the rebellious Crown Prince ignored his friend’s advice and was busy running off to play. To make matters worse, he had even fallen off his horse today, leaving him feeling quite embarrassed. Scratching his neck awkwardly, Raul spoke.

“Well, since we’ve run into each other, why don’t we get some fresh air?”

“You simply can’t sit still, can you?”

“Feels like I’ll break out in hives if I stay seated for too long!”

In the end, they decided to take a light stroll through the Crown Prince’s palace grounds. It was a place filled with memories of their youth.

Back then, the two of them used to sneak past the watchful eyes of the servants and climb over walls together. They had caused all kinds of chaos in the palace, and yet now, his friend seemed to have changed so much. The very same person who once caused more trouble than Raul himself now seemed like a different man altogether.

He knew the reasons behind this change, and that made it all the more bittersweet. Even so, Raul was grateful that Caligo still stood firmly by his side.

“Seeing you brings back a flood of memories! How about it? Should we jump over a wall together for old times’ sake?”

“Keep your eyes on where you’re walking, or you’ll trip.”

“Do you remember when I dropped my favorite rock into the lake? The one I kept because it was shaped like a star? We carried buckets and tried to empty the entire lake to find it.”

Raul’s mischievous mind started working, wondering how he could get a reaction out of his stoic friend.

“Oh, that reminds me. There’s another familiar face I’ll get to see.”

“And who would that be?”

“Your wife!”

There were no secrets between Raul and Caligo. Not only was Caligo a trusted friend who could handle any task, but he was also a loyal subordinate who helped lead the nation alongside him.

However, when it came to Helena, Caligo remained tight-lipped. Normally, he would report his plans and next steps, but this time, he had merely said he would handle things himself and left it at that.

Raul couldn’t help but feel a mix of pity and guilt about Caligo’s marriage to Lady Eskel. It felt wrong not being able to help his friend with such a burdensome situation.

But his instincts as a longtime friend told him one thing: this marriage wasn’t simply a matter of necessity for Caligo.

“Her name is Lady Eskel, isn’t it?”

“……”

For a moment, the friend who had worn the same impassive expression for years displayed a myriad of emotions.

Regret. Anger. Disappointment. Conflict. A faint trace of affection.

‘Oh ho, isn’t that reaction a bit too complex for someone who’s supposedly only seeking revenge?’

Rumors claimed the couple didn’t get along, but Raul couldn’t help noticing how strangely nuanced Caligo’s expression was.

“If she’s your wife, then she’s family to me as well. Why haven’t you introduced me to her?”

“Are you asking because you really don’t know?”

“I’m really asking because I don’t know.”

“…….”

“Why won’t you let me meet her? Are you hiding something sweet like honey?”

Raul’s curiosity about the woman who could draw out so many emotions from his friend grew even stronger.

“It’s because there’s no reason for Your Highness to meet her.”

“No reason? What reason? I don’t understand. I just want to meet her! Introduce me! Your elite guards say she’s beautiful—how beautiful is she? Let me see for myself!”

“Stop whining.”

It was an uncharacteristic choice of words. ‘Stop whining?’ Raul barely managed to stifle a laugh, covering his mouth with his hand.

“Oh my, this is interesting.”

Was Caligo really this worked up just because they were talking about her? Now Raul was even more determined to meet her!

The fact that she was Eskel’s daughter didn’t matter to him at all. What kind of woman could make this stoic, statue-like man show such a complicated expression?

“Hmm, I feel sorry for you, but luck seems to be on my side. You haven’t forgotten about the upcoming hunting tournament, have you?”

Raul barely held back his laughter as he teased.

“I don’t want to see a married man like you showing up alone without a lady to escort.”

“…….”

“What? You don’t want to show her off?”

Raul smirked, watching his friend remain silent, clearly displeased.

“Are you suddenly nervous because I’ll meet her? Afraid I might steal her away?”

“Enough.”

“You want to keep her to yourself? Planning to monopolize her in a place where no one else can see her? Wow, I didn’t realize you were such a possessive man!”

“…Fine, I get it. Just stop.”

Caligo finally responded, barely holding back his irritation. However, his expression made it clear that he wasn’t happy about bringing her to the event.

Raul, suppressing his laughter, chuckled internally.

‘In moments like this, he’s no different than when we were kids. That short temper of his hasn’t changed one bit.’

—

The next morning, a short message arrived from Caligo.

It was an order to prepare for the hunting tournament hosted by the Crown Prince.

This time, she would be attending an official event without the children.

It was also the first time she would appear publicly since rumors about her had spread across the entire empire.

As expected, Helena prepared to attend the hunting tournament as instructed.

However, even on the day of the event, her lingering cold refused to go away. ‘Does a spring cold usually last this long? Or is my body just weaker than before?’

“Your Grace.”

On the day of the tournament, Helena waited by the front entrance and greeted Caligo as soon as she saw him. But he walked right past her without even acknowledging her presence, stepping into the carriage first.

Standing frozen in place for a moment, Helena quickly followed him into the carriage.

Once the carriage began moving, Caligo spoke in a cold and businesslike tone.

“There’s nothing for you to do.”

“…….”

“Just show up and fill your seat. Don’t cause any commotion.”

“…Understood.”

That was the entirety of their conversation in the carriage.

It felt as though her entire body ached, as if she’d been physically struck. Even so, she told herself to endure.

Other than the council meeting in the north, Helena had never attended a social gathering. She hadn’t even had a proper debutante ball. In a way, this event was akin to her debut.

But she was too exhausted to muster any strength.

Caligo’s cold gaze, Aiden’s constant presence, the suffocating circumstances surrounding her—all of it was unbearable. The rumors themselves didn’t bother her. But the weight of her surroundings made it hard to breathe.

It felt like being trapped in a prison, surrounded by unyielding walls with no escape.

“Do your best to avoid speaking with His Highness. Actually, avoid speaking with anyone here.”

“Yes.”

“I don’t want any unnecessary noise or commotion in the midst of all this chaos.”

“I understand.”

Helena responded weakly.

The journey to the hunting grounds was long, but she had no sense of how much time had passed. She didn’t have a fever, yet everything felt hazy.

At some point, she must have closed her eyes. When she came to, it seemed they had already arrived at the hunting grounds. Startled, she quickly looked around, but Caligo had already stepped out of the carriage and was nowhere to be seen.

Left with no choice, Helena stepped out of the carriage on her own.

Just as the surroundings grew louder, a blond young man suddenly appeared in front of her.

“So, you’re the infamous Helena Eskel I’ve heard so much about.”

“…Pardon?”

Helena, who had been enveloped in quiet moments until now, suddenly found herself facing a loud and flamboyant man.

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