Chapter 69
My chest burned like fire, leaving me shaken.
I hadn’t even had the chance to step in, and yet such a perfect reunion had unfolded right before my eyes.
Maybe that meant I didn’t need to do anything at all. Maybe fate would take care of it, just as it was supposed to.
Maybe my role had ended the moment I broke off his engagement with Nanael.
“Can you pretend to be my girlfriend for a while? At least until I find the right person, just like you said.”
Taking up that proposal so easily—it had been reckless.
Because I thought I knew him well enough.
Because I thought I wouldn’t waver.
Because I thought once Summer appeared, I’d cleanly step aside.
What a joke.
A bitter laugh slipped out at my own foolishness.
I’d forced myself into the space between them on the flimsiest of excuses.
And not just that—I’d even used Summer as an excuse to frequent the Ainrook estate, stealing her place in the story.
Whatever my intentions, however it began, the result was the same. I had stepped into the villainess’s role with my own two feet.
And that realization tore at my heart.
From extra to villainess… that really is the worst ending.
Still, at least I realized it before it was too late.
So I resolved to finish things once and for all.
While Alperen and Summer talked, I stayed quietly in the carriage.
If I went out now, she might mistake me for his girlfriend—and that would only make things worse.
I didn’t even try to listen to their conversation.
A little later, Alperen climbed back in.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. I ran into someone I knew.”
He smiled as if nothing had happened. He didn’t even explain who it was.
And of course—why would he?
We were only fake lovers.
The thought brought a strange, surprising calm to my heart.
No need to drag this out anymore.
Summer had already arrived in the capital.
It was time for me to step back.
Before he could cut me off again, I said it outright:
“Ren, let’s stop this fake dating. I can’t do it anymore.”
* * *
Nanael’s tea party was luxurious.
Contrary to my worries that she might stir up trouble, the event proceeded as smoothly as an orchestra’s performance.
And for some reason, that made me feel worse.
If she had picked a fight, I could’ve used it as an excuse to vent.
After I’d told Alperen I wanted to stop, he hadn’t said a word.
If he had left me behind right then, I would have understood.
But instead, he insisted on accompanying me to the tea party—only to sit there like a lifeless statue.
It was as if we were announcing to everyone that we’d just had a fight.
Normally, I would’ve tried to cover for him, making conversation to hide it.
But right now, I couldn’t even look at his face.
My mind had flown far, far away, and all I could do was slice my cake into tiny pieces, silently praying for this to end soon.
Sensing the atmosphere, fewer and fewer people approached us.
Then Nanael’s voice rang out:
“As thanks for attending today’s tea time, I’ve prepared gifts for everyone. My maid went to great lengths for this.”
Servants carried out boxes wrapped elegantly and set them before us.
The faces of the young ladies and lords brightened instantly.
One girl unwrapped hers and gasped.
“My goodness! The bottle is beautiful! Did you make this yourself? The scent is lovely.”
Inside the artisan glass bottle was honey. Judging by the color, it was natural honey.
“This is natural honey from my maid’s territory. It’s good for your skin, and also delicious in tea—please enjoy it however you like.”
“Oh! Could it be from Miranda?”
“As expected, you know right away.”
“Wow, that’s so rare! I’ll never be able to use it sparingly.”
The young lady’s eyes sparkled at the mention of Miranda honey.
The name of the region sounded faintly familiar to me, but I wasn’t in the mood to dwell on it.
“Thank you.”
I murmured politely, handing the unopened gift back to Mei behind me.
“Mei?”
Something was wrong.
She didn’t look happy at all.
Always smiling no matter the situation, she’d never looked this grim before.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick?”
“M-my lady…”
Mei clutched the box tightly, staring at me in shock—as if checking my complexion.
“What is it?”
“N-nothing at all.”
She ducked her head quickly, gripping the gift like her life depended on it.
It was obvious it wasn’t nothing.
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, but before I could press further—
“So, where is this maid? Such a rare gift deserves an introduction.”
“Indeed,” Nanael said smoothly. “I was about to introduce her.”
At the sound of a bell, the maid entered, head bowed deeply as if nervous.
I didn’t care who she was. She had nothing to do with me.
I just wanted to go home.
I stabbed the last piece of cake to bits on my plate—when her voice rang out.
“Hello, my name is Jessica Miranda. I’ll be serving Her Highness Nanael from today. Please take good care of me.”
A pleasant, clear, sociable voice.
Her greeting was perfectly ordinary.
And yet—
Thud.
My heart pounded violently. I raised my head to stare at her.
Her face. Her name. Too familiar.
The instant our eyes met, she jerked her head away—like someone who recognized me.
But I didn’t know her.
Who is she? Why does she make me feel so uneasy?
Cold sweat trickled down my palms. A wave of dizziness made my hands shake.
It was fear. A nameless, unfamiliar fear.
Or was it unfamiliar?
Normally I would’ve asked outright, Do you know me?
But this time, the words wouldn’t leave my lips.
Instead, a voice in my head screamed: Run. Get out of here, now.
Just then—
“We’ll be taking our leave.”
Alperen, who hadn’t spoken a word all afternoon, suddenly stood and helped me up.
Startled, I leaned against him, trying not to tremble.
“You’re leaving already? Won’t you stay a while longer?”
Nanael’s voice rang brightly.
“You just met Jessica—it would be such a shame to leave so soon.”
“Ha!”
Behind me, Mei let out a sharp scoff and clapped a hand over her mouth.
The young nobles around us looked confused, sensing the odd tension.
Alperen’s tone turned cold.
“Am I required to care about that?”
His arrogant reply made Nanael frown. Jessica Miranda flushed bright red in embarrassment.
On the surface, this gathering was meant as a step toward reconciliation between Nanael and me. If we left now, it would defeat the entire purpose.
I let go of Alperen’s arm and spoke calmly.
“The Duke is only concerned about my health. I haven’t been feeling well since this morning.”
“Is that so?”
“I beg your pardon for leaving early. Thank you for your hospitality today.”
I curtsied politely, and Nanael didn’t press further.
“Very well. Your complexion does look pale, so I won’t stop you. The honey my maid gifted you is also said to calm the body and mind.”
Her tone was almost kind—but the slight curl at the corner of her lips made my skin crawl.
Suppressing my trembling hands, I rested them on Alperen’s arm.
We managed to leave the reception room as if nothing were wrong.
And then—
“Ah!”
The moment we were outside, the tension snapped.
My breath caught painfully in my throat, and my body swayed.
