~Chapter 22~
“…Let’s go back to my room first.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Rachel went straight to her room and checked the letter first. The contents were strange.
“Lady Rachel Ingrave,
You must know about the execution tomorrow.
I’ll come to get you in the morning.
From Nathan Valencia.”
It was just like his first letter—short and direct.
But there was something about it, as if he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
It felt like, no matter what she said, he would come.
‘What is this?’
Rachel had drawn a line between them, but their relationship wasn’t bad. Now that he was officially the Valencia heir, he should have some noble advisors helping him with etiquette and letters.
“…Is he still that busy?”
Still, since she’d received a similar letter before, it didn’t feel too strange.
Rachel hesitated over his proposal, then picked up her quill.
Actually, there was nothing to hesitate about.
Rachel didn’t plan on going to the execution at all.
It was all over, and she was busy preparing for a new life.
She didn’t want to stay tangled with things from before her regression.
“Prince Nathan Valencia,
Have you been well? The days are getting cooler now—it really feels like autumn is beginning.
Thank you for your offer, but I won’t be attending the execution, so I can’t go with you.
For me, it’s already over inside.
Please don’t worry about me anymore because of this.
Goodbye.
Rachel Ingrave.”
She used a firmer tone this time, drawing the line even clearer.
With this, he should understand not to send any more letters.
“Send this to Valencia.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Thankfully, there was no reply to her polite but firm refusal. Rachel was relieved.
Maybe he only sent that letter out of manners.
Maybe she was being too sensitive about it.
“Hm.”
His letter hadn’t been very noble-like either, so maybe it could be excused.
Rachel soon forgot about him and asked Becky,
“What’s for dinner tonight?”
“Seafood stew, my lady. The chef brought it specially for you.”
“Wow.”
It was good news. That day, Rachel ate plenty of delicious food and fell asleep happily.
A rich meal, a soft bed, a warm room.
She thought these comfortable days would go on, but—
The next morning, everything changed.
Lately, Rachel had been starting her day late, like any noble lady.
But today, Becky came early and woke her up in a hurry.
“My lady, wake up! Please wake up!”
“Ugh… Becky? What’s wrong?”
“Prince Nathan Valencia has come. The marquis is meeting him right now!”
“…What?”
Rachel’s half-open eyes snapped wide.
Who did you say came?
Just then, the bedroom door opened—without knocking.
It was her mother, the Marchioness Ingrave.
“Rachel, get up quickly. Prince Valencia wants to go to the execution with you.”
“What?”
“There’s no time.”
Her mother clapped her hands, and the maids rushed in.
Before Rachel could even think, they washed her, dressed her, and did her hair.
She wore a dress that hugged her body and had a square neckline.
Her beautiful face was made even more lovely.
Around her slim neck, a necklace of one large diamond and many small ones sparkled.
Only then did Rachel fully wake up.
“Wait, do I really need to be this dressed up—?”
“You do. Hurry.”
“Yes, madam.”
The maids worked even faster.
Finally, Rachel stood in front of the mirror, completely dressed up.
She looked as beautiful as a jewel.
The embroidery and jewels on her dress only made her look even more dazzling.
Her mother nodded in satisfaction.
“Let’s go.”
“Wait—”
Rachel was practically pushed along, her face stiff.
It wasn’t just the over-the-top dress.
She had no idea why that man had come.
Maybe her letter hadn’t arrived yesterday?
That couldn’t be…
Soon, the first-floor hall came into view.
And there, Rachel really saw Nathan Valencia.
His black hair was perfectly neat.
His cloak and formal clothes showed off his strong, well-built body.
He had fully regained his old look from before her regression.
Even his atmosphere felt the same.
Just for a second, their eyes met—his red eyes were cold.
“……”
Rachel stopped in place, but her mother went ahead.
“Honey, we’re here.”
Her father’s face lit up when he saw them. Ilya looked at his sister and froze.
“Oh, Rachel. Isn’t she beautiful, Prince Valencia? Even though she’s my daughter, I have to say so.”
“……”
Nathan just looked at her, silently. The Marchioness smiled with pride.
“Prince, I guess you’re speechless because my daughter is so beautiful. Before her engagement, she was even called the Jewel of Olsher. Now that she’s single again, so many young nobles will propose to her.”
“That’s right. Prince, you should get engaged soon. Is there any young lady you have in mind?”
Her parents seemed perfectly in sync.
So that’s why they came themselves instead of just telling her to come down for a guest.
“….”
But it didn’t seem to matter much.
Rachel looked down, unable to understand why Nathan stared at her with those cold eyes. Just then, her father asked,
“Rachel, you’re going to the execution with Prince Valencia, right?”
“…Well—”
“Yes. May I escort the lady? I want to use my own carriage.”
Finally, Nathan cut her off and spoke. The marquis smiled and agreed.
“Of course. Please take care of my daughter, Prince.”
Nathan turned toward her. His red eyes were still cold and dry.
But he stared right at her, stubbornly, and reached out his hand.
She could see all the little scars on his hand.
“Shall we go?”
“……”
Rachel looked up at him.
When their eyes met, his red gaze shook just a little, then calmed down.
Seeing that, Rachel’s heart started pounding.
Not from the usual discomfort, but because it felt like something was wrong.
She stood still, and her mother came closer to hurry her.
“Rachel, what are you doing? You need to accept.”
“……”
Rachel had no choice but to take his hand.
There was no way her parents would let her refuse now.
And her brother…
“……”
Ilya watched her with a worried face, different from their smiling parents.
Rachel looked at her brother, then slowly reached out to Nathan.
As soon as their fingers touched, his rough hand grabbed hers tightly.
Rachel flinched without meaning to.
“This way.”
“….”
She bit her lip.
She was sure now—something was definitely wrong.
When they stepped outside, she saw the Valencia knights lined up on both sides, all the way from the front door to the carriage.
Some of their faces were familiar.
Suddenly, she remembered the time she visited the Red Hawk mercenaries.
Some of those men were now wearing the Valencia knight uniform.
She felt like she couldn’t breathe.
And then the carriage with the Valencia crest.
A servant opened the carriage door.
When Rachel instinctively tried to pull back, Nathan tightened his grip.
“Get in.”
Rachel stared up at him blankly.
She’d meant to hold herself together at least until she got in the carriage—
But she couldn’t help it anymore.
