Chapter 17
A thought is just a thought.
Illyana gathered her emotions and slowly walked inside.
Rian, seated on a long violet sofa, skillfully poured tea. Then he extended a teacup toward Illyana, who sat across from him.
She had no intention whatsoever of leisurely drinking tea and making small talk. But she also lacked the courage to storm out. More than anything, she wanted to ask why he had brought her here.
“I can’t stand those chaotic, noisy banquets.”
Leaning halfway back against the sofa, Rian savored his tea at ease. Illyana fiddled with the handle of her cup. The slight tremor of her fingers made the tea inside ripple gently. A faint orange fragrance gradually filled the room.
“You look like you have a lot of questions.”
“Will you answer them?”
“Gladly.”
Rian’s eyebrows curved like crescents as he held the teacup. Unlike when he faced the Emperor, he appeared unusually calm and relaxed. Illyana stared blankly at the steaming tea. After her sudden run earlier, her mouth had gone dry.
Red roses, a dress, a partner—and tea.
If she drank it, it felt as though she would be bound to receive something else in return. Because of that, she didn’t take a single sip.
“Why did you come here?”
His gaze, which had been wandering elsewhere, turned to her. For a brief moment, confusion flickered across his face.
Illyana already knew that his relationship with the former duke—his father, Duke Carlson—had not been good. The fact that he had never once returned to this room after his father’s death proved it.
She clearly remembered Cedric complaining in her past life about why a room he didn’t even use wasn’t given to her instead. So she needed to know—why now, of all times, had he opened this room to her?
Just as the light faded from the reflection of Rian in her clear eyes, he finally spoke.
“I think I said it’s because this place has the best view of the imperial garden.”
“That’s all?”
“Nothing else comes to mind.”
A lie.
The faint tremble of his brows, the slow reply meant to hide his surprise. But Illyana didn’t press further. If he had decided not to speak, there was no way to force the truth out of him—and she had no time to waste.
Whatever reason the garden held for him, it sounded like an excuse for now. In any case, her role was finished. Accompanying him to the banquet was enough.
“And what His Majesty said earlier…”
Rian lifted the teacup to his lips before finishing the sentence. Only after draining the last sip did he speak again.
“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not what you’re thinking.”
Then what are you thinking, Duke?
It wasn’t the answer she had expected.
Outside, the music began to fade. It seemed the Emperor and Empress had left the banquet hall. Right on cue, the clock tower in the square rang twelve times.
My brother must be worried.
The sound snapped Illyana back to her senses. Jeffrey, who had been concerned about her going with Rian, came to mind. It was time to return to the estate.
But the duke didn’t seem willing to allow that.
“I still need you, my lady.”
“…!”
“As you know, the imperial family intends to send me to Targa as a hostage. I have no intention of going.”
Illyana placed her hands neatly on her lap, trying to suppress her tension.
“I want you by my side.”
Illyana stared at him blankly. It didn’t take long for her to realize that “his side” meant marriage.
“…That wasn’t part of our deal. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it.”
Only after attending the banquet did she realize how urgent his situation was. The Emperor’s curious gaze toward her, the Empress’s wary expression—it all made sense.
But this was different.
If she took his hand, she could leave Kritia—with a powerful ally behind her. He wouldn’t be dragged to Targa as a hostage, but in return, her father would make endless demands.
Did he not know how greedy Count Vincent was?
Then again, that must be why he can make another proposal without changing his expression.
There was nothing she could offer him. Even if the nobles seemed to have turned away now, they could always support Rian again—just as they had in the past.
“It wasn’t part of the deal. That’s why I’m proposing it again.”
“There’s no need. My answer is the same.”
“No—you’ll accept it. Because you have no other option but me.”
Her clenched hand tightened around her dress. She couldn’t deny it.
But how could the man who had once taken her life now ask her to save his?
Even if he didn’t know, the truth would one day pierce his heart like a dagger. There was no such thing as a secret that lasted forever.
Her face darkened with worry.
Click.
Rian set down his cup and stood. The bright light faded, replaced by shadow. Illyana looked up at him.
“I don’t tell pretty lies. So I won’t say nonsense like I love you. But I can offer you something else.”
“Something else?”
“That depends on what you want. Though with the title of duchess, most things would become easy.”
“…And what do you gain?”
Instead of answering, Rian walked to the window and threw it open. A cold wind rushed in. Illyana’s neatly styled hair fluttered.
He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, gazing outside with faint amusement.
“A moment of peace.”
His quiet voice didn’t match his expression.
Illyana almost thought it was absurd.
“Is that really all?”
“If there’s more, would you accept?”
“…Is there?”
“If you want, I can make one.”
Was he always this good with words?
She wondered about the thoughts hidden behind his silence—but even if she knew, her answer wouldn’t change.
Should I pretend not to know and stay by his side?
If she accepted, she would gain a powerful ally. Perhaps her memories of the past could even help him.
But time had already begun to change.
Did everything shift because I returned?
She couldn’t let him believe she could change the future. That burden was hers alone.
In the end, her conclusion was simple.
This won’t work.
She rose from the sofa and walked toward him, preparing to refuse as politely as possible.
The closer she got to the window, the colder it became. The thin dress meant for elegance offered no protection.
Just five steps remained.
“Anyway, it’s time to uphold our agreement. Clear proof of an affair.”
Rian gestured outside.
Illyana followed his gaze.
The imperial garden spread below them—arched rose trellises, carefully trimmed trees, soft lights illuminating secret lovers.
And among them—
Cedric, with a serious expression.
A sparkling necklace in his hand.
Bella, smiling brightly.
It was all too clear.
“That necklace the young marquis is giving to the baron’s daughter—it’s quite valuable.”
Rian handed her a small sketch of the necklace.
“That should be more than enough justification.”
More than enough.
“When did you find out about them?”
“In the square. And in Sonia territory. Quite an intimate exchange of glances.”
Illyana let out a hollow laugh.
The duke could obtain so easily what would take her months.
And standing beside him meant gaining that same power.
She stepped back and bowed her head.
“Thank you for keeping your promise.”
“Since your problem seems resolved, perhaps you can help with mine now.”
Her mouth felt bitter.
Slowly, she picked up the teacup.
Do I really need to take the hard path?
I just have to close my eyes. Think of one thing. Just one.
As if making a vow, she drank the tea in one gulp.
It had gone cold. The sweetness was gone—only bitterness lingered.
“A moment of peace… If that’s something I can give you, then I will.”
Her voice, layered over the cold filling the room, was frozen solid.
