Chapter 67………………………………….

“There’s a wolf beastman named Alicia. We’ve been like family since we were young, and for the past three years, she’s been my only family.”

“A wolf beastman.”

“She knows I’m at the ducal house, so she’ll probably contact me. As soon as she does…”

“Tell her to go to the grand duke’s residence. Or she can come here.”

“She can’t come to the capital.”

The capital wasn’t possible because of the temple.

“Seems like you’re still hiding more.”

He, who had been staring at me intently, spoke in a calm voice.

“Are you not going to leave until you tell me the rest?”

At the joking remark, Damian—who had been stiff for a long while—finally smiled comfortably for the first time.

“I’ll wait a bit longer until you tell me. I waited three years, so I can wait a little more.”

His expression was complex, but there was a warmth different from before.

It was the same relaxed face he had when we used to talk about our academy days.

The relief of finally spilling a secret I couldn’t tell anyone made the tension leave my shoulders.

“I thought I’d never be able to tell anyone.”

“So you weren’t planning to tell?”

“It’s not that… I just thought I wouldn’t be able to say it right now.”

“….”

“Now that there’s someone who understands me, I feel a bit more at ease.”

I got up from the sofa and lightly brushed off my clothes.

Should I head back now? I thought I heard raindrops earlier.

I needed to leave before the rain got heavier.

Just as I was about to call Damian while looking out at the dark scenery—

“Wait.”

Feeling the warmth of a hand at my fingertips, I slowly turned my head.

His touch held my fingers, then slowly moved up to my wrist. I blinked.

His red eyes were steady. The light reflected clearly in them.

“Damian?”

“Then what should I call you now?”

“…What?”

“April isn’t your real name.”

“…”

“It’s not the name of the duke’s daughter I want to call—it’s your name.”

The corners of his pale pink lips curved softly.

“I want to know your name. What is it?”

I never imagined there would be someone in this capital who would call me by my real name.

Overwhelmed with emotion, I clenched my hand tightly.

It was the same feeling I had when Perpone spoke about me.

Why do I feel like smiling… and why do I feel like crying?

Holding it back, I finally spoke.

“…Vin.”

My dry voice came out faintly.

“Devin. Irina Devin.”

Damian’s eyes curved into a beautiful crescent.

There was a rumor in the empire that men of the North were so cold they couldn’t feel emotions—but his gentle smile proved otherwise.

“Alright, Irina.”

I swallowed the smile that threatened to escape.

“Thank you for trying to find me. I thought about contacting you, but I kept thinking it was too late.”

“It’s enough that you told me now. I’ll pass your request on to everyone at the grand duke’s house.”

“Thank you.”

It made me think again how foolish the nobles of the capital were.

To say Damian was cruel, emotionless, and cold—

Those were words from people who didn’t know him. To those he opened his heart to, he was endlessly kind.

“But aren’t you going to tell His Highness?”

“Ah…”

A groan slipped out. It didn’t make sense to tell Damian but not Perpone.

“I will tell him.”

“….”

“It’s just… not the right time yet.”

There was a specific moment I had in mind.

When April at the villa returns, I would bring up our promise and demand an engagement annulment right in front of her.

“I’ll wait a little longer and tell him when the time is right.”

“So there’s a reason you came back.”

Damian smirked. Even though I hadn’t said it directly, he seemed to realize I had returned for revenge.

“Irina, if there’s something you want, tell me honestly. Then I can help you.”

“This is my personal matter.”

I didn’t want to borrow someone else’s hands for my revenge.

I didn’t want to drag Damian into it and make him earn others’ grudges either.

“But I’m curious—about April…”

“Young master!”

My words were cut off as the door burst open without a knock.

It was rude, but judging by his subordinate’s behavior, it must have been urgent.

I could always ask later.

As I shut my mouth, Damian frowned.

“Rencia.”

“My apologies. It’s urgent.”

“What is it?”

With a look that said it better be important, he quietly set aside the chessboard.

“His Highness has arrived.”

“What?”

“…What?”

It wasn’t just Damian who reacted—I did too.

Perpone came here to the grand duke’s residence without any notice?

Damian and I exchanged glances.

“Let him in.”

“Yes.”

As Rencia’s footsteps faded, I asked Damian,

“Are you two close enough for him to just show up like this?”

I thought their relationship would be awkward or strained.

Damian shrugged, equally puzzled.

As the door opened again, instead of Rencia, golden hair came into view.

Perpone brushed raindrops off his robe, then noticed Irina and looked confused.

“Why are the two of you together?”

A natural question.

It was late, and us being together wasn’t expected.

“Were you two secretly discussing something without me?”

Though he smiled, his words weren’t entirely warm.

Seeing an unexpected person in Damian’s office made a slight crease form between Perpone’s brows.

“I didn’t know you two had become close again behind my back.”

Normally it wouldn’t have bothered him—but why did it now?

Why did seeing April in Damian’s personal space irritate him so much?

Perpone shook off the moisture from his robe, his lips curling crookedly.

“Is the reason you said you’d break off the engagement… because of Damian?”

The words slipped out before he could stop them.

As soon as he spoke, the room turned cold.

Seeing April’s shocked face, Perpone bit the inside of his cheek.

It was a clear mistake.

Words that came out before he could think—almost like his true feelings surfacing.

He covered his face with one hand.

“My apologies. I spoke out of turn.”

It wasn’t like him, and he felt pathetic.

He knew better than anyone how close the two had been during their academy days.

If they reconciled, he should have congratulated them.

Instead… how narrow-minded of him.

It was rare for royalty to apologize—and even when at fault, they rarely did so easily.

At the quick apology, April looked slightly flustered before speaking.

“I didn’t realize it would make Your Highness uncomfortable. I acted thoughtlessly. I’m sorry.”

He hadn’t meant to make April apologize.

Why was he being so shaken by her?

Just a few months ago, he had wanted to break off their engagement.

Why now?

Was he just unsettled because someone who always liked him suddenly wanted to leave?

Did he simply not want her—but also didn’t want anyone else to have her?

Perpone let out a dry sigh.

“I didn’t expect to find you two together. It seems I’ve interrupted, so I’ll come back later…”

“No, it’s alright. We’ve finished talking.”

April hurriedly prepared to leave the office.

And Damian, looking concerned, moved to follow her.

Whatever had been said between them, one thing was clear—

From today onward, their relationship had definitely changed.