Chapter 67
He never imagined that Iella, who had always endured so firmly even when ignored and treated coldly, would one day cry so sorrowfully and pour out her emotions like this. Franz wanted desperately to comfort her, but he had no idea how.
He swallowed the sigh he couldn’t bring himself to release.
Was the kiss with me really so awful that she felt humiliated? If that were the case, it was an unbearable disgrace to him.
Yes, it had been his fault to press his lips to hers without a word of apology or explanation after treating her so poorly all this time. He knew it was wrong. But even so, he couldn’t find it in himself to lay the blame entirely on his own shoulders.
It felt as if Iella were denying him entirely, and that stung his pride. Was he the only one who felt that strange current flowing between them earlier?
Lies.
Franz couldn’t believe he was wasting time on such foolish thoughts. It baffled him that he had become so petty and childish.
Meanwhile, Iella’s sobs, once loud and unrestrained, gradually subsided.
“No matter if you’re a prince, I can’t tolerate you doing something like this without my consent. If you had even the slightest regard for me, you wouldn’t have humiliated a lady like me so publicly, where anyone could see.”
Her trembling voice made Franz sigh softly as he glanced around. Only then did he notice the scattered benches, some occupied, and people passing along the street.
Damn it.
Some people were openly staring in curiosity, while others paid no attention at all. Though it was too dark for anyone to recognize them, that wasn’t the point.
Franz’s face flushed with humiliation. To be fair, he hadn’t noticed any of it a moment ago. No matter how enchanting Iella had seemed in that instant, he should have restrained himself.
He saw the cut on her lips and the faint red marks on her neck. Realizing he had nearly behaved like a beast in the street, he felt a wave of dizziness.
If just this much happened from almost losing control…
The kind of man he despised most—that was what he had nearly become. Unless he admitted that, he couldn’t explain his own actions.
Franz slipped off his suit jacket and draped it over Iella’s shoulders.
“It’s fine.”
She tried to shrug it off, but he gently held her shoulders still.
“Even if you dislike it, just bear with it for now.”
His voice was so tender that she stilled at once, as if reassured.
“There’s a carriage below. Take it home. You’ll be uncomfortable walking with me like this.”
They walked down the steps in silence, keeping a step or two apart. The awkwardness between them was suffocating.
For Iella, it felt even worse than before. Their relationship seemed more strained now, and the thought nearly brought her to tears again.
Even if he hadn’t meant to humiliate her, his actions had been nothing short of degrading. If he truly cared for her—even just a little—would he have done this in such a place?
It felt as if he had no affection for her at all, and that broke her heart all the more because she loved him.
Distracted by Franz following behind her, she missed a step. Too shocked even to scream, she was about to fall when his arm wrapped tightly around her waist.
“You must be careful.”
She had nearly tumbled down the stairs. And it wouldn’t have ended with just a fall.
Iella steadied herself, heart pounding.
“Ah… thank you.”
“It’s dark. Hold my arm.”
When he offered his arm gallantly, she hesitated before finally linking hers with his. She hated even brushing his hand right now, but tumbling to her death would’ve been worse. More than that, she refused to embarrass herself so disgracefully in front of the man she loved.
“Your Highness, may I ask you something?”
“What is it?”
When he answered quietly, Iella gathered her courage.
“If you had no intention of insulting me, then… why did you do it?”
She stopped walking. Franz halted as well, turning to gaze at her steadily.
“Do you… perhaps like me?”
“No.”
The answer came without hesitation, swift and merciless.
Iella showed no surprise. She hadn’t expected anything else. She had only wanted confirmation—she hated the idea of her heart being swayed by false hope.
“As I thought.”
She nodded calmly and resumed descending the steps.
But Franz felt the weight of his own words. He hadn’t needed to hurt her like that. If he intended to take responsibility anyway, what harm was there in a little lie?
Not like her? Then what was that kiss?
He claimed he hadn’t meant to insult her, yet his actions had betrayed him. The realization that he was a man too weak to resist a fleeting impulse filled him with disgust.
“…Sorry.”
Franz spoke at once, unprompted.
“I’m sorry, Iella.”
His voice carried a sincerity that made her lips twist bitterly.
Sorry for what? For humiliating me? Or because you know how I feel about you?
Her chest grew heavy with tangled emotions. That weight left her feeling quietly sad.
Franz sighed and added softly, “I know ‘sorry’ can’t undo what I did. But I mean it.”
Iella forced a faint smile. At least he wasn’t pushing her to extremes.
“I’ll accept Your Highness’s apology. But please—let’s not bring it up again.”
He was a man she should never have cared for in the first place. She resolved to lock her heart away behind a hard shell.
“Alright.”
“Thank you.”
“And… I know this isn’t the right time to say it, but next time, don’t accept something like that. Men are simple. We’ll mistake it for affection.”
“Mistake it?”
“For thinking you like us.”
“…”
Iella blinked in surprise, speechless as she stared at him.
“Do you actually like me?”
It was a casual question, but if he hadn’t hoped for even a sliver of affirmation, it would’ve been a lie.
“No. I don’t like you.”
Admitting her feelings would’ve been easy. But if she did, she would end up like all the women who had passed through his life before her—discarded. So she denied it.
“From the beginning, you told me it would be troublesome if I liked you, Your Highness. I have no intention of causing trouble.”
Her words were a clear boundary. Delivered in an even, detached tone, they stung Franz unexpectedly. He had been the one to deny her first, yet he couldn’t understand the ache her rejection left.
“Fine. Then next time, resist me. Slap me if you must.”
“Yes. I’ll remember that.”
The smile that surfaced on her face was bright and serene. Franz felt guilt gnaw at him.
When they reached the carriage, Tom Wagon looked at Iella with wide eyes.
“My lady! You were here all this time?”
“I didn’t realize how late it had gotten.”
His genuine concern made Iella smile apologetically to reassure him.
Even after she boarded the carriage, Franz didn’t move. Tom glanced back, puzzled.
“My lord?”
“I won’t return tonight. Inform the palace not to wait for me.”
“…Yes?”
Startled, Tom hesitated but quickly nodded.
“Then I’ll return for you at dawn, my lord.”
Franz nodded once, then looked at Iella.
“Go safely, Iella.”
She lowered her head in silent acknowledgment.
At least she wouldn’t have to endure the suffocating awkwardness of being alone with him in the closed carriage. Whether or not he did it knowingly, she accepted his consideration in silence.
She kept her head bowed, feeling his gaze on her. Only when the carriage started moving did she finally raise her eyes. By chance, she looked through the window—and saw Franz still watching her.
But her eyes didn’t meet his. Her gaze landed somewhere near his shoulder instead. And then, like their hearts, their eyes slid completely past each other.
“…Haa.”
Only then did Iella release the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Her chest felt unbearably heavy, as if weighed down by stone.
Outside, night had fallen—dark and suffocating, like her heart. The plaza’s dazzling lights sparkled, but instead of joy, they filled her with revulsion. What once seemed so beautiful now felt cold and hollow.
Back at the estate, Iella went straight to her bedroom. Though she heard Betty calling after her, she dashed up the stairs and locked the door.
“My lady?”
Betty knocked when she realized the door was locked.
“My lady.”
“Betty. I want to be alone.”
“Did something happen? Please, open the door.”
“I’m fine. Just leave me.”
“…Very well. I’ll go downstairs then. Call me if you need anything.”
“Alright.”
Betty’s footsteps faded away.
Exhausted in body and clouded in mind, Iella collapsed onto her bed. She didn’t want to think about anything anymore. Forcing her eyes shut, she emptied her head.
