Chapter 22
Sophia insisted that they should enjoy the picnic with only a small group, so no attendants followed. Naturally, the one driving the carriage was the Duke himself.
Thus, the Duke sat at the coachman’s seat, while inside the carriage only Sophia and I sat together. The carriage rolled smoothly toward its destination.
“Miss.”
We had been sitting in silence, each gazing out the window, when Sophia suddenly spoke. I only rolled my eyes toward her without answering, but that seemed enough, as she continued.
“What I wish for… is your happiness.”
Perhaps it was because my heart was twisted, but to me, it sounded like she was telling me to give up the Duke’s side and walk my own path.
Again, I didn’t reply. Yet Sophia didn’t seem to mind, and instead reached out to clasp my hand.
“I’ve put aside my own purpose. Because I don’t want to see your sorrowful face anymore.”
Something flickered behind her deep eyes. Her purpose had always been vengeance against the Empire that destroyed her homeland.
Did she just say she abandoned revenge… for me?
It was unbelievable. I had seen how much effort she poured into her vengeance. I even shed tears some nights while following the desperate emotions she carried.
Sophia was, true to her role as a romance heroine, a kind and compassionate soul. But her mercy did not extend indiscriminately to strangers.
For the sake of my happiness, when we barely even knew each other?
Lately, with my appetite and sleep dwindling, I had become prickly. My heightened nerves wouldn’t let me take her words at face value.
And yet… I couldn’t shake her hand away. The grip with which she held me was unexpectedly firm, and her gaze shone with sincerity.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
I muttered softly, and her slender fingers gently stroked the back of my hand.
“If there’s anything you want or need, please tell me anytime. Whatever it is, I’ll do everything I can to help you.”
Her words oddly resembled the Duke’s. Only last night, he had leaned close and said almost the same thing.
They say lovers grow alike.
My belief deepened: Sophia and the Duke’s bond seemed to be growing closer by the day.
Rumble—
Suddenly, the carriage jolted to a halt. The short conversation ended in an instant.
Something’s wrong.
The abrupt stop was suspicious. The road was smooth and deserted, and the Duke was a skilled driver.
“Forgive me. Did I startle you?”
The door opened, and the Duke appeared with a troubled look. He explained,
“It seems there’s a problem with the wheel. We can’t continue.”
Ha.
A scoffing laugh rang out from behind. Startled, I turned. It was Sophia.
Can’t even tell a proper lie.
Her low murmur was unfamiliar—strange. Had she really said that?
“Miss, are you all right?”
But when I turned to her, Sofia was smiling as brightly as ever. Had I misheard?
“Luen.”
The Duke drew my attention again. A vein stood out faintly on his forehead.
“Our destination may have changed, but since we’re already out, shall we look around a bit?”
He seemed eager to salvage the mood. I decided there was no harm in agreeing.
“All right.”
After dismounting, we hadn’t walked long before a marketplace came into view. Relief flickered across the Duke’s face.
“Why not leave the carriage to be repaired while we browse the town?”
He seemed desperate to enjoy the outing with his beloved, having gone so far as to adjust his schedule and bring his wife along.
His pleading eyes carried a weight I couldn’t easily reject.
“Then why don’t you and Sophia go together?”
“I’d rather stay with you, Miss!”
I had practically offered them a chance to date alone, yet Sophia looked at me anxiously, as if worried about my mood.
The Duke’s sudden changes left me unsettled, but even so, I couldn’t dislike Sophia—
Because she’s so gentle, so considerate.
She was, after all, the heroine meant to hold the Duke’s heart.
“Someone may covet the carriage. I’ll stay and rest here. You two should fetch someone to fix it.”
“I can’t leave you behind.”
“That’s right, Miss.”
Their answers came instantly, as though rehearsed. Both insisted they couldn’t abandon me.
“I have a headache and would like to rest.”
It wasn’t a lie. Since my failed escape, headaches had plagued me. Even after a full night’s sleep, I often woke heavy-limbed, head pounding, as though I had run a marathon. Today was no different.
“Then I’ll stay with the Miss.”
Sophia’s eyes were full of worry as she moved closer, but I waved her off.
“With both of you going, you’ll find help faster. Go on.”
“But…”
“I want to return as soon as possible. I’m tired.”
After I emphasized my condition several times, they finally relented. Better to fetch a repairman quickly than argue here.
“We’ll be right back, Luen.”
The Duke kept glancing back, reluctant to leave, until Sophia gently chided him to stop dawdling. Watching their retreating figures, I thought—what a well-matched pair.
The area was at the border of the forest and the village, dotted with large rocks. I chose one and sat down heavily.
“This outing was meant for her… yet she seems gloomy the whole time.”
Sophia whispered. She had spent the day preoccupied with Luen’s state.
“Perhaps it’s because of that night.”
After some thought, she jabbed the Duke lightly in the ribs with her elbow.
Even though Sophia was a princess of a fallen kingdom, she hid her identity. Still, she treated the Duke with such ease, as if they had known each other for years.
“I doubt that’s the reason.”
At last the Duke spoke, his voice so alluring that passing maidens turned to glance, though Sophia seemed unaffected.
Neither gave the other much thought—their concern was only Luen.
Luen is always looking for a way to escape me, the Duke thought. He knew. Even if she didn’t remember, the resentment lingered.
And she tries to match me with Sophia…
He was aware of her conclusion—how her eyes would sparkle as she looked between them, convinced they belonged together.
Why Sophia, though? Perhaps because of his own past mistake—confusing Luen with Sophia—he carried guilt. To ease Luen’s heart, he had played along.
But time after Kyle’s regression magic was twisted. Not everything returned.
Even Sophia retained traces.
She didn’t fully remember the previous timeline, but through recurring dreams she vaguely sensed it.
She said she had seen the abandoned, miserable Luen in those dreams. When word reached the palace that she herself was to wed the Duke, she had stormed into the fiár estate, ready to fight.
Are you out of your mind?!
The moment their eyes met, they knew. There was a trace—like a scent—that only those who had crossed time could recognize.
I won’t let her be hurt again. I’ll stop it.
Sophia’s resolve was firm.
She’ll only be happy if she leaves you. Let her go.
But the Duke could never agree.
I can’t.
Think of what you’ve done! Don’t you have any conscience?!
Her voice rose, tears streaming down her face.
Sofia had come to cherish the Luen she met in dreams, even to feel kinship. She couldn’t bear to see her meet such a tragic fate again. She wanted, in any way possible, to divert misfortune from her.
Why do you care so much?
The Duke couldn’t understand. Wasn’t it suspicious, to claim such attachment from mere dreams?
That doesn’t matter. Just let her go.
When he pressed, Sophia clung even more fiercely to Luen’s name. His focus wavered back to her.
It’s selfish, but this is my atonement.
But his determination was stronger. In his eyes swirled guilt and fierce devotion.
I won’t let her suffer this time. I’ll make her happy.
Then at least support her from afar.
No. She must be by my side.
Sophia couldn’t win against his desperate will. Instead, she decided to remain near, to at least watch over him.
Thus, though their methods differed, both sought Luen’s happiness.
The Duke accepted this arrangement.
And so, the “Project Happy Luen” carried on.
That night…
The Duke recalled Sophia’s guess. Luen, gasping for breath, cheeks flushed, lips parted—so lovely he wanted to devour her whole.
That night he and Sophia had argued again, as they often did. She sometimes burst out, insisting she could make Luen happier. To avoid disturbing Luen’s sleep, they had gone to the stables to quarrel.
Sophia is tiresome.
But Luen seemed to welcome her, in some way. And occasionally, her words had value.
Still, that night her chatter was endless. He had just turned away when—Luen appeared.
Luen!
Miss!
Both called to her at once. The Duke quickly raised his hands.
Luen, it’s not what you think.
Yes, Miss, it’s not like that.
But then Sophia blurted nonsense. His eyebrow twitched.
What are you saying…
Sorry for intruding. Please, continue your talk.
In that brief distraction, Luen fled. Sophia covered her face in despair.
Oh no. Won’t she misunderstand?
For once, the Duke couldn’t grasp her words. His expression showed it.
That she thinks you and I… are like that!
You and I?
At last he understood, his brows shooting higher. The idea was absurd. His cold stare silenced her.
Of course it’s impossible. But from her perspective…
Sophia muttered defensively, flustered.
That’s nothing to worry about.
He dismissed her concern. His disdain stung, and she bristled.
And what makes you so sure?
But he didn’t answer then. Instead, his mind sank deeper into guilt.
For there was a secret few in the fiár estate knew: the Duchess, Luen, suffered from somnambulism.
At times she would wander the halls in her sleep, even speaking to him or the maids. She feared violence—an echo of what had tormented her in her final days. Each time, he raised his hands to show he meant no harm, soothing her until she calmed.
At least… she forgets by morning.
Her terrors vanished with sleep, though they always returned again.
It’s all my fault.
His eyes darkened further. He wanted nothing more than to give her peace, to shield her from anguish.
That night must be set aside.
To him, her escape attempt was just another episode of her sleepwalking. Since she never mentioned the stable incident or leaving the city gates, he believed her condition was worsening. Thus he planned this picnic as an excuse to take her discreetly to a physician said to treat patients swiftly, without anyone knowing.
“Let’s go.”
The one who had recommended the physician was none other than Sophia. The Duke’s jaw tightened as he urged her onward.
