When You Turned Your Back On Me, We Became Strangers

‘What’s the use of regretting now?’

 

The past was filled with too much pain and scars that he could never erase.

 

‘Maybe that’s why she never reached out to him.

 

He thought he would have contacted her first, that if she had seen it, she would have written to him.

 

But instead of contacting him, Ren erased Riley’s existence. There was no trace of her anywhere.

 

Carver’s head was pounding. He pressed his thumbs hard against his temples, trying to relieve the pain.

 

He’d searched the town after the report, but walking into the jewelry store was a coincidence.

 

After hours of fruitless searching, he stopped in to buy a gift before heading home. He didn’t expect to see a woman who looked like Riley.

 

Anyone who has watched her for a long time would say they look alike. The aura and appearance were a little different, but…….

 

He didn’t realize it was Riley in disguise.

 

Harvan looked at the knight on the roof and nodded. He sighed slightly, then folded the paper neatly and stuffed it into his pocket, clearing his throat.

 

“I think you should go to Duke Trailla’s manor.”

 

“Hasn’t he come to his senses yet?”

 

“If he was in his right mind, he wouldn’t have done this in the first place.”

 

“Let’s go.”

 

The carriage moved quickly toward the Trailla family mansion.

 

When the imperial carriage arrived, he did not emerge. Harvan stepped out of the carriage and entered the ducal residence.

 

“You know it’s no use coming out like this.”

 

Seeing the imperial carriage arrive at the mansion, Duke Vetter sipped his tea and looked out the window. The imperial family had been pressuring him, but the duke had nothing to fear.

 

What do He have to lose now?” The Duke felt the sword’s aura as well.

 

Judging by the sword hanging in the room, the contract had not yet been finalized, but he knew it would be sooner or later.

 

Knock.

 

Soon there was a knock on the door. Seeing Harvan step out of the carriage, Duke Vetter sat back in his seat and waited for the door to open.

 

When Harvan heard nothing, he opened the door and stepped into the office.

 

“Did the king send you?”

 

It was Duke Vetter, sitting casually at his desk, smiling at him. Harvan bowed his head in greeting, then glanced at the sword on the wall.

 

“I hear they still haven’t sent it to the imperial court.”

 

“Who would entrust such a family heirloom with such carelessness?”

 

“Your Excellency, do not forget that you have deceived imperial family and proceeded to do things your own way. His Majesty is still watching you closely.”

 

“I am grateful for that, for if it was deception, my daughter did it alone……. I am, in a sense of betrayed as well.”

 

The Duke rolled his eyes in disgust. It was his two daughters who had deceived the imperial family and brought the family’s honor and reputation into shame.

 

If only they hadn’t hidden it in the first place, things wouldn’t have gotten so out of hand. If only Riley had followed through with his plans and become a swordswoman, House Trailla would have continued to reign supreme.

 

If only Leta had survived her time as a countess! He never thought she would have committed suicide and died.

 

“It breaks my heart as a father to see my two daughters turn out like this. I raised them as best I could, and then one of them hid her sigil and went to the duke’s mansion to announce her intention to marry. I’ve also been informed that my second daughter has died suddenly. Tell me, counselor, how can I remain in good conscience?”

 

The Duke covered his face with his hands, looking miserable. The water in the teacup in front of him clinked. It was still steaming, as if it had just been served.

 

‘It gives me the creeps. His Majesty will be furious if he sees this.’

 

He felt strongly that he had to deal with Harvan on his own terms. If not by words, then by force.

 

If he had the sword, he would not let her go as soon as the contract was signed. She was all he had left.

 

“I don’t think I can do this by words, so if you’ll excuse me.”

 

“You mean to tell me, that you would use force against me?”

 

Duke Verter stood up from his desk, slamming it in anger. A sharp voice came from behind him as he approached, ignoring the Duke’s attitude.

 

“Why not, Duke?”

 

Carver’s eyes flared with rage. The aura of the sword in his hand pulsed and surrounded him.

 

“……Sire. You’ve been dealing with auras?”

 

” I have been searching for a solution of my own, As you can see, I’m now able to use itself, something, and it’s all thanks to you.”

 

The Duke stood up, stunned. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

 

No one in the imperial family could control the aura, which was why the sword contractor, the manifestor of the power, had become the emperor’s sword in his family.

 

“Duke, don’t expect any more attention or anything from her.”

 

“‘Riley, that child is my daughter; I am her guardian, even though we are separated, and no one else can…… her!”

 

He was talking about the family connection between him and Riley. And he was the one who wanted to target her first.

 

In an instant, the sword in Carver’s hand was at the Duke’s throat. Blood gushed from his throat as the sharpened blade made contact. The glowing aura stood there, ready to slice into the Duke’s flesh at any moment.

 

“Shut up, Duke Verter. If you say another word, I will cut your bloodline right here and now, and then Riley will be free, and so will you.”

 

The Duke’s throat rumbled at Carver’s words. His mouth burned, and he swallowed repeatedly.

 

Behind him, Harvan carefully slipped past the Duke of Veriter and pulled the family sword from the wall.

 

“Remember, Duke Verter, it is because of her that I am keeping you alive.”

 

He wanted to give him a chance to beg for his sins before her eyes, so that he could properly kneel and apologize.

 

Not for him, but for Riley, for her.

 

“So you’d better save your life and stay quiet and do your probation at home.”

 

Carver removed the sword from his neck and scanned his surroundings. His eyes landed on the map on his desk, the markings on it seemingly following Riley’s trail.

 

Realizing where his gaze was going, the duke reached out quickly. In an instant, the dagger at Carver’s waist slammed into the hand holding the map.

 

“Aaahhh!”

 

The Duke’s scream echoed through the room. A cracked voice and bloodshot eyes turned to Carver.

 

He trembled, and red blood soaked the desk. Duke Verter leaned back against the desk, wincing in pain.

 

“If you find Riley one more time, then.”

 

Without hesitation, Carver snatched the map away. The shredded map fell to the floor.

 

“Maybe not your hand, but your leg.”

 

He has no intention of killing him until Riley returns.

 

The corners of Carver’s mouth curved upward in a graceful smirk. Harvan bit his lip hard at what had happened again.

 

“Is this what they brought me here for?

 

He rolled his eyes, wondering if he was going to have to heal trash again.

 

At least he didn’t want to use his powers on a human like this. Luckily, Carver hadn’t ordered him to heal him. He had only told him to keep an eye on the mouths of the hired help here.

 

Harvan vowed once more. As soon as He returns to the imperial court, he will submit his resignation to the king.

 

* * *

 

Before heading to the imperial palace, Carver changed carriages alone. He entered the mansion cautiously. In his hand, he held the gift he had bought that morning. Only a handful of maids stayed in the mansion.

 

They were puzzled about Carver’s visit. He had stopped by often, but never at this hour.

 

“Don’t worry about it. I have an urgent message to deliver.”

 

“Yes, I see.”

 

The maids breathed a sigh of relief. He was the crown prince, no matter what anyone said, and they couldn’t afford to be quiet when someone of such high rank came to visit.

 

“If you come in, I’ll make some tea.”

 

“That’s not necessary, we’ll talk outside. Did She take her food and medicine today?”

 

“Yes, she has eaten everything.”

 

Carver smiled faintly at the maid’s words.

 

Her condition was improving day by day, and she was now able to take simple walks.

 

Tsk.

 

He went to her room and knocked gently on the door. A moment later, a clear voice answered.

 

“Come in.”

 

He opened the door and walked in to see a woman sitting at a table, looking out the window. A silver-haired woman who looked like Riley, with a bright smile on her face, turned toward the door.

 

 

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