~Chapter 95~
“Phew.”
I let out a sigh as I opened the door to my room and went inside.
I had just finished breakfast with tired eyes and returned to my chambers.
Seeing how exhausted I looked, my parents worried that I had overdone the exercise again. But that wasn’t the reason.
I flopped face-down onto the bed and sighed once more.
[“Milady, have you ever lived hundreds of years all alone?”]
[“Have you ever watched everything come and go with dull emotions, unable to feel anything?”]
“…If you say something like that and just leave, what am I supposed to do?”
Fabian’s words kept echoing in my ears. Because of that, I ended up staying awake the whole night.
Every single word of his pierced my heart like a dagger.
‘And I didn’t even realize…’
I had ended up looking like some shameless fool, whining about wanting to date him.
…Honestly, that was true.
Now that I thought about it again, I hadn’t really considered Fabian’s situation deeply.
I was someone who would soon be gone.
Even if we did end up in a relationship, what would happen once I left so quickly?
I had never once thought about what Fabian would feel, being the one left behind.
‘Just because he’s lived long doesn’t mean he’s used to farewells.’
If anything, the endless goodbyes he must have faced would only carve deeper wounds in his heart, sharper than blades.
And just because he couldn’t feel emotions well didn’t mean he was unbreakable.
I had misunderstood Fabian.
I thought he was detached from everything, strong and unshakable, that my presence or absence wouldn’t mean much to him.
But now I felt sorry.
I realized I had been making a huge mistake all this time…
[“You don’t know. You could never understand what kind of life I’ve lived. You’re just a fleeting being, here one moment and gone the next.”]
“Ughhh.”
I kicked the bed with both feet, groaning in frustration.
Did I make a huge mistake? Something I can never take back?
His eyes…
Those eyes that had, even for just a moment, revealed the loneliness he carried.
‘If I feel this sad just remembering that, then maybe… maybe I really do like him.’
Knock, knock.
Just then, I heard a knock at the door. Straightening my clothes, I stood up.
“Ahem. Come in.”
The maid opened the door slightly and peeked her head in.
“Young Lady, tea time has been prepared. His Highness the Crown Prince has just arrived as well.”
“I greet Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
“Irene.”
When I entered the Duke’s garden, I saw Albert sitting in a sunny spot. He smiled and greeted me.
It had been such a long time since we had tea together like this.
I had already opened my heart a little toward Albert and told him several times that he could come for tea whenever he liked. But after delaying and delaying, this was the first time he finally came.
“Why does it feel like it’s been so long? Have you been well?”
“Well, more or less.”
I naturally sat at the seat prepared for me, and Albert shrugged.
At his gesture, his knight stepped forward and handed me something.
“Hm? What is this?”
“A tonic I prepared. I thought it might help improve your condition.”
“Ohh.”
“It’s medicine from the distant East. I think they call it herbal medicine.”
“…Really? Herbal medicine?”
I opened my eyes wide and accepted it.
Inside the box were dark liquid packets, just like the herbal medicine I had often seen in my previous life.
“Drink one packet a day. It was prescribed based on your condition as I heard it, but if it doesn’t suit you, stop immediately.”
“Alright. But I feel like it will suit me well.”
I was so happy to see it—after being used to Western culture for so long, herbal medicine felt strangely familiar.
Luckily, I was good at drinking it too. Well… I had only snatched it a few times when my parents had given it to my younger siblings, but still.
Already, I felt healthier just holding it.
“Thank you. I’ll drink it well.”
I smiled happily as I answered.
Albert, despite his sharp appearance, was considerate. Seeing this side of him reminded me of his role as a male lead, and I smiled softly.
After handing the gift to my maid, we began our tea time in earnest.
“So, how is your treatment going these days? I’ve been getting reports that you keep fainting.”
“Yes, that’s true. It feels like I’m close to controlling my mana, but in the end, I keep collapsing instead.”
I answered while looking at Albert, who was crossing his legs and sipping his tea.
“But thanks to Sir Eric’s help with exercise, I’ve been getting a little better.”
“Ah, yes. Eric. He did say he wanted to coach you in training.”
Albert nodded knowingly.
“That guy… even during our travels, he exercised daily in his room. He’s serious about training. But I worry he might push a delicate lady like you too hard.”
“No, it’s fine. After all, my favorit—”
I almost blurted out that he was my favorite male lead, but quickly covered it with a laugh.
“…Anyway, as you know, Eric is very strict about knightly conduct toward ladies. He won’t push me too hard, so don’t worry. I’ll pace myself.”
“That’s good, then. …Still, I’m glad Eric has a role he can play.”
Albert smiled again and took another sip of tea.
“…Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my childhood.”
He put down his cup and gazed into the distance in the garden.
“Maybe it’s because I’ve been so concerned about you. It reminds me of my younger days. Back then, I was also very close to Alicia.”
“…Yes, that’s right.”
To be honest, I didn’t remember well. Maybe because this body wasn’t mine.
In my memory, the first time I saw Princess Alicia was at Albert’s crown prince ceremony.
Then suddenly, I remembered her looking at me during the hunting tournament.
Maybe that was why? That was why she had stared at me that day.
“…What kind of person is the princess? Is she still the same as when she was young?”
I thought it might be useful to know more about Alicia, so I asked.
“Alicia is… a truly kind sister.”
A soft smile appeared on Albert’s lips as he recalled her.
“There was a time we grew a little distant since we lived apart when we were young, but now we’re close again.”
“I see.”
“She’s also quite ambitious in politics and reads situations well. She often gives me advice. Sometimes, I even ask her for guidance first. Though now…”
“Yes?”
I tilted my head as he trailed off.
But Albert simply smiled as if it were nothing.
“…Nothing. Anyway, she’s a very good sister.”
“Hmm…”
I watched him carefully, twitching my eyebrows, when suddenly I remembered something.
“Speaking of which, I recently saw the Second Prince at a private gathering.”
“Hm?”
Now it was Albert’s turn to tilt his head.
‘Yes… it’s better to tell him about what happened at the Linchester Marquis’s exhibition.’
If I shared even a small detail, it would help him understand the enemy’s moves.
I made up my mind and began explaining.
“So, I went to an exhibition with my parents, and there—”
More than anything, I wanted to warn him.
That he should be careful of the Second Prince.
Because I knew better than anyone… that he was the true final villain.
