Chapter 76
After eating a full meal of her favorite dishes, Cynthia left the Grand Duke’s residence with a satisfied face.
“Are you sure you don’t need me to escort you all the way to the Bailey estate?”
“Of course! I’m already grateful that you lent me the carriage. Besides, you’re busy — you don’t have time to personally take me there.”
At her words, Ruth, who was walking a few steps behind, looked strangely pleased. It seemed he was happy that the Grand Duke hadn’t wasted working hours escorting her himself.
“Understood. If anything happens, please let us know.”
“Of course!”
Cynthia had absolutely no intention of going back to the Bailey estate — but she also didn’t plan to stay in the Lumanov Grand Duke’s mansion any longer. By now, the Duke of Castleton must have realized that his coachman had failed to kill her. She needed to run — far away and fast.
‘I’ll tell them to drop me off somewhere nearby, then switch carriages and cross the capital’s mountains!’
And after that…
Just before getting into the carriage prepared for her, Cynthia hesitated and turned to look at Tesion.
‘This will be the last time I see him.’
The last time — truly.
Still, maybe because she’d been slowly preparing herself for this moment, her heart felt calmer than expected. At least she didn’t think she’d cry in front of him.
More than anything, she felt relieved knowing Tesion could now freely enjoy beautiful, cute, and wondrous things — that he could live without nightmares anymore.
‘He’ll probably be shocked that his fiancée left him, but…’
Even so, Cynthia believed that leaving before their feelings deepened any further was truly for his sake. Tesion would soon find a good woman anyway.
And she herself needed to think about how to survive in this novel’s world on her own.
So this was the right choice…
After hesitating for a while, Cynthia finally spoke up timidly.
“Your Grace, I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it? Please, go ahead.”
“For the last time… could you… um… h-hug me…”
With all the servants’ eyes on Tesion, her lips refused to move properly. Ah, saying it out loud was so embarrassing!
“Hug? What do you mean?”
Tesion took a step closer to the flustered Cynthia. She looked up at him, and he gave her a gentle, beautiful smile.
Yes, just this once…!
After a short pause, Cynthia stretched out her arms and threw herself into his embrace.
Tesion looked startled at first, but soon raised his arms and wrapped them around her back.
“Is this a surprise gift? I like it.”
“Your Grace, you know… I really want you to be happy.”
Her muffled words vibrated softly against his chest. Tesion smiled again and tightened his arms around her.
“Thanks to you, I already am.”
“And in the future too!”
“Understood. Please keep helping me, Cynthia.”
Cynthia nodded in his arms.
Leaving him was another way of helping him. A fake noble lady like her — it was time for her to exit the stage.
“Then, I’ll be going now.”
She stepped back from Tesion and quickly turned toward the carriage. She didn’t dare look back again; if she did, the sorrow might root her feet to the ground and keep her from leaving.
“Take care, Cynthia.”
Through the window, Tesion watched her. Cynthia waved back.
“Your Grace! Goodbye!”
“Don’t look so sad. We’ll see each other again soon anyway.”
With those words, the carriage began to roll. Cynthia kept watching him as he grew smaller in the distance until she finally left the Grand Duke’s mansion.
See each other again soon, he’d said.
Cynthia shook her head. His last words had sounded far too confident — almost certain. But that couldn’t possibly be true.
“Excuse me, could you stop in the city before we reach the Bailey estate? There’s someone I need to meet.”
Once they were far enough from the mansion, Cynthia called out to the coachman. He smiled politely and nodded.
“Of course, miss. I’ll wait up front while you take care of your business.”
“Oh, no — that won’t be necessary. I’ll go on from there myself.”
“I’m afraid not, miss. The Grand Duke specifically ordered that I escort you all the way.”
“Ah… no…”
The situation felt eerily similar to what happened with the last Bailey coachman.
Cynthia pressed her lips together awkwardly.
Ah, this coachman’s stubborn too, huh?
“Phew… very well, my lady. Take care!”
“Thank you!”
Finally shaking him off, Cynthia hopped out of the carriage.
It had been a long battle — but she’d won. After a lengthy tug-of-war with the coachman insisting on taking her to the Bailey estate, she managed to convince him to stop.
She waved politely at the worried coachman and slowly began to walk, scanning her surroundings.
Now, where should I go…
Just then, something familiar caught her eye. Cynthia froze and turned her head sharply.
“…!!”
Not far away, a carriage marked with the Bailey family crest was parked. Her heart started pounding violently.
Had they already found out she’d escaped from the Grand Duke’s coachman?
If it was the Baileys, it was entirely possible. Quickly raising her hand to cover her face, Cynthia slipped into the nearest alleyway.
“…”
She stopped again once inside. The people walking past looked ordinary, but any one of them could be someone sent by the Baileys. Fear clawed up her spine.
If she went somewhere too quiet, she might be ambushed again like last time!
She began stepping backward, carefully leaving the narrow alley.
Ah, this is bad…
The Baileys — people who would eliminate anything that got in their family’s way without blinking an eye. And right now, the greatest obstacle to them was none other than her — the fake lady who dared break off their contract and disappear.
I could be attacked again anytime, anywhere…
Cynthia frowned and bit her lower lip. She had to get out of the capital — now.
“I’m sorry—!”
As she stepped back, she bumped into someone. Startled, Cynthia turned around.
A tall, burly man she’d never seen before was looking down at her.
“Ah, are you all ri—”
He reached out kindly, but before he could finish, Cynthia spun around and bolted forward.
Carriage… I need a carriage…!
She ran fast, turning the corner — when suddenly, someone appeared out of nowhere. She collided hard with them and fell to the ground.
“Ah…!”
A small groan escaped her lips.
“Oh my! Are you alright, miss?”
A woman bent down and offered her hand. A pale, round palm entered Cynthia’s view.
“Ah, thank y—”
Cynthia froze mid-sentence. The hand, the sleeve — they looked familiar.
Her face went pale as she slowly lifted her gaze. The woman smiling down at her looked all too familiar.
“Our Lady Elizabeth, it’s time to return to the estate now. You’re not planning to just sit there on the ground, are you?”
“…!!”
The woman spoke gently, but her words sent chills down Cynthia’s spine. It was one of the maids from the Bailey mansion — dressed in the very uniform she always wore.
Cynthia’s trembling hand braced against the ground.
“Oh dear, your dress is all dirty. Come, stand up. The Duke has been desperately looking for you.”
“N-no…”
“Someone, help me please! Let’s escort our lady back to the carriage.”
The maid turned and called out — and several passersby turned their eyes toward them.
Were they all part of the Bailey group? If they caught her now, she’d be dragged straight back to the Bailey estate. And if that happened…
She couldn’t guarantee her life.
With shaking legs, Cynthia forced herself up, grabbed her bag, and ran.
She didn’t know where she was going — only that her instincts screamed at her to run.
