“Oh my, Theo. What kind of state are you in?”
Riley glanced over at Theo, who was miserably crouched inside the wardrobe. The sight of him holding his breath, trying not to be discovered, was almost pitiful.
‘Did he really think I wouldn’t sense him with that much presence?’
As long as mana flowed, Riley could pick up on even the slightest hint of a presence. More than that, the moment she entered the room, she had anticipated that Theo would be there.
“What should we do? Riley, Theo has found everything out.”
Anna, with a triumphant expression, raised her chin. Theo, acting as if nothing was wrong, stretched his body from its previously cramped position. His gaze toward Riley was filled with murderous intent.
“To lock me up like some lunatic and deceive even the servants! How could you forget the grace that brought you here?!”
Theo trembled with betrayal.
The day after he was confined, Anna had secretly visited him in the early morning hours.
‘She must have thought I’d abandon Theo.’
But Theo had much more value than Anna initially realized. Among all the things he possessed, what most captured her heart was the title of Duchess.
Even if there were a trial, there was no way the Ducal family would fall. If something happened to Theo, she could just take over and run things herself.
Why would wealth matter? As long as she had the title, she could rebuild the family with the money she had hidden away secretly.
Anna had hidden much more wealth than Riley suspected, Even if Riley found out about the embezzled funds, she had hidden them in places that no one would know about unless she spoke.
“So, you plan to stick together until the end.”
Riley alternated her gaze between Anna and Theo with a look of disappointment. How could people be so predictable?
“Riley, how dare you! This ducal house is mine! What right do you have to covet my wealth? I picked you up when you were nothing, and this is how you betray me?!”
“Are you talking to me? I think those words suit you and Anna much better than they do me.”
Who did betrayal fit more, she wondered, as she scoffed at the sight of Anna and Theo. Together, they made a perfect pair.
‘If only I had left this to Ren…’
If she had, she wouldn’t have to look at such ridiculous faces now. There would be even more troublesome matters to deal with later, and if she died before then, it would’ve been meaningless.
That couldn’t happen.
‘It’s better to handle things myself, even if it takes more effort.’
Riley crossed her legs and shook her head.
“What? What did you just say…?”
Theo, looking like he had been punched in the face, wore a dumbfounded expression. Riley’s cold stare and indifferent tone dripped with contempt.
“I loved you! I loved you, the abandoned princess!”
He shouted like a madman. His face was filled with despair, as if he hadn’t anticipated Riley’s betrayal.
The sight of Theo’s face, now twisted with humiliation, was so satisfying that Riley’s lips curled up into a smile.
“Isn’t this just like spitting in your own face? You were the one who picked me up, knowing what I was. Now you’re saying you never wanted me in the first place because you couldn’t have what you desired?”
Riley felt sick to her stomach at Theo’s shameless, vile honesty. And how about Anna, sticking so closely to his side?
He didn’t even know the child in Anna’s womb wasn’t his.
Riley couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Theo’s face when he eventually found out. What would he do when the only thing left in his life was Anna, and he discovered the truth?
Enraged by Riley’s unshaken demeanor, Theo glared at her fiercely.
“Ha. What did you think I’d expect from an abandoned princess? How could you do this to me? To repay the love I gave you with betrayal?!”
Theo stormed over to her and violently grabbed Riley’s arm.
“To think something so useless would cause this much trouble! Did you really think I’d fall for you just because of that pretty face—”
Smack.
Riley raised her free hand and slapped Theo in the face.
“Ugh.”
Theo’s cheek throbbed as if he had been slapped, the dull ache making his head spin. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth, and he pressed a hand to his cheek in disbelief.
“What the…!”
Anna froze in shock.
Riley’s icy gaze pierced Theo.
“Can you stop with the tiresome love talk already? How long did you think I’d keep playing your little love games? I told you when I left. I don’t love a man like you anymore.”
Theo’s fists, clenched on the floor, trembled violently. His eyes, filled with humiliation and rage, were fixed on Riley.
“With both of you acting like this, there’s no choice left. I’ll see you in court soon. Anna, you should’ve clung to my skirts, not Theo’s.”
That would have been a better plan.
If she had played the sympathy card, using her unborn child, Riley might have wavered a little.
Railey wiped her hands with a tissue and walked out of the room. It seemed this wouldn’t end quietly.
“Riley!”
From behind her came a shout, as fierce as a beast’s roar.
* * *
Tap, tap—
Someone knocked on the window.
Riley set down the documents she had been reading and approached the window.
The breeze blowing through the open window stirred her hair.
She leaned on the windowsill, looking a little tired.
“…How is Ren?”
Clearly, she was concerned. Carver cautiously took a seat next to Riley.
‘Ren probably won’t recover until you come back.’
Carver couldn’t bring himself to say it, so he simply shrugged.
The reason he had secretly sought out Riley in the dead of night was because he had concluded that she could no longer stay here.
“Riley, I think we need to go to the Imperial Palace.”
“I thought we had a little more time.”
Since her contract with Ren hadn’t been fully severed, she had assumed they had some breathing room.
According to Harver, her mana had been detected by not only the imperial magic mages but also members from other factions who were starting to move.
Above all, Duke Veriter had been working frantically to win her over, so it wasn’t a lie.
“Was it my father’s doing?”
“…I can’t say it wasn’t.”
So, he still couldn’t let go of his futile dreams for her? Riley hadn’t expected him to give up so easily, but realizing the extent of his obsession sent chills down her spine.
‘Even if I did nothing, the end is already decided.’
Unconsciously, Riley clenched her fists.
Her emotions surged along with her trembling hands.
“…I’m sorry I have to take you to the Imperial Palace.”
Carver gently placed his hand over Riley’s tightly clenched fist. The warmth from his touch spread to her hand.
‘It’s warm.’
Riley didn’t pull herself away. It had been a long time since she’d felt such tenderness, and it was comforting. Especially in this place, where even Ren was absent, she had been truly alone.
Carver explained the situation to Riley, knowing how much she despised the Imperial Palace.
‘You said you’d come willingly, but in the end, it looks like you’re being forced to go.’
No matter how much they searched, the only safe place was the Imperial Palace. Even Ren, who hadn’t said a word, had uttered a single command: “Bring her quickly.”
“I was looking for other places to stay, but I think it’s best for Ren and you to be together.”
Riley nodded at Carver’s words. Without a proper protective barrier, it wouldn’t take long for her to be discovered by others.
Before the trial tomorrow, there was a chance that everyone would come to the Prinz estate.
There was nothing good about the current situation. If Theo seized the opportunity, he could easily hand her over to them.
“Are you sure the trial doesn’t need to be held in private?”
Carver looked at Riley with concern. All eyes would be on her, and the story from that day would likely follow her for a long time.
“It’s fine. I’ll walk out of there smiling. You’ve to get him, right?”
“Yes, luckily, he came without any resistance.”
Riley had gathered all the evidence and witnesses needed for this day.
“Did he suspect anything?”
“He has no idea. He thinks it’s just a property division lawsuit.”
On the surface, the trial was framed as a lawsuit over property division.
“He won’t even suspect that everything will be revealed at that trial.”
Theo never imagined Riley would act so boldly. He thought she was too timid to make such moves. Riley glanced over at Carver.
As usual, he had come discreetly, his jet-black hair blending with the night, reflecting the moonlight.
Carver, sensing her gaze, slowly turned his head.
Their eyes met and locked. As a gentle breeze blew between them, Riley’s hair lightly brushed against Carver’s face.
Instinctively, he reached out and tucked her hair behind her ear.
“Oh…!”
Startled by his own actions, Carver quickly withdrew his hand and cleared his throat awkwardly.
Seeing him act so cautiously made Riley burst into laughter. His flushed ears looked rather endearing.
“Then, we should move now.”
Carver nodded in agreement to Riley’s words.
It was best to act quickly before dawn brought uncertain events. Riley planned to gather only the necessary documents.
“But…”
Carver lifted his head at the hesitation in Riley’s voice. She seemed a bit troubled, her gaze shifting toward her hand.
“Don’t you think you need to let go of my hand so I can pack?”
“Oh, oh!”
His hand was still holding hers tightly, as if he didn’t want to let go. It was only then that Carver realized he had been holding Riley’s hand this whole time.
‘Get it together, you idiot.’
Quickly, Carver pulled his hand back and stood up abruptly from the windowsill. His heart pounded so loudly it felt like it would burst. He avoided looking directly at Riley, instead gazing up at the sky.
He stood with his back to her as she prepared.
Clenching his fist tightly, still feeling the warmth of her hand lingering, he tried his best to calm his racing heart.
