#90. An Unexpected Meeting (4)
‘But Pavel…’
Sasha remembered the worries that had troubled her recently.
When Pavel looked at her, his eyes had been filled with passionate affection, like someone courting her.
Sometimes he had even crossed the line.
Sasha had felt herself swayed by him.
Because of that, she had avoided him, unable to face him directly.
The thought of those days made her head ache.
How much had she suffered alone?
But now, could it be that all of it—
“Was it just my imagination?”
No way.
Sasha’s face turned pale.
“There’s no way I was acting like some lovesick fool or spoiled princess… right?!”
He never said the words out loud, but…
From the way he looked at her, the way he acted as if flirting, the way he treated her—
Even when she tried to brush it aside as her own misunderstanding, he had seemed to force her to see it.
That Pavel Volkov loved Alexandra Volkov.
But now, to think it was all a mistake?
“Oh no…”
Sasha clutched her aching head.
But when she thought about it carefully, she realized all her reasons had been subjective.
Through memories of her past life, she had only guessed—Pavel himself had never confessed directly.
So then—
“I really was mistaken.”
Otherwise, how could she explain what she had just seen?
“Ahh…”
Her face burned red with embarrassment, and she covered it with both hands, sighing.
Meanwhile, in the reception room with Irina and Pavel.
“Oh my.”
Irina blushed as Pavel’s hands firmly held her waist and shoulders.
Her voice trembled as she tried to hide her shyness, looking almost lovely.
“Thank you, sir. Thanks to you—”
But—
“Please step back now.”
Pavel cut her off firmly and pulled his hands away as if brushing off something dirty.
Irina staggered but didn’t fall. Still, being shoved aside with such a cold face left her stiff and humiliated.
‘How unpleasant.’
It had been like this from the start.
She had wanted something from Sasha, so she came out. Seeing Pavel waiting had pleased her.
She didn’t hate Sasha, but to get what she wanted, Sasha had to step aside.
What Irina wanted was the Volkov family—the most powerful house in the empire.
As a princess, her marriage was bound to be political.
Once Ruslan married, it would soon be her turn.
She couldn’t refuse marriage itself, but she wanted to choose her partner.
Someone rich and powerful enough to balance the crown prince’s faction.
That meant House Volkov.
And rather than the old Grand Duke with children, she preferred the handsome young Pavel.
It was a forced but inevitable choice.
“Sir Pavel.”
Irina called him, using a title different from at lunch.
She thought calling him “Sir” would both sound friendly and acknowledge his strength.
But—
“Sir… Pa…vel…”
“……”
Pavel didn’t respond, staring only at the door to Sasha’s room.
“Sir Pavel?”
She tried again, but nothing.
“……”
Not even a glance.
“…Ha.”
Irina gave a bitter laugh.
Still, Pavel didn’t budge.
Her eyes narrowed.
Since the meal, he had treated her as if she didn’t exist.
She had never been ignored like this in her life.
It stung her pride and fueled her stubbornness.
She had wanted Pavel before, but now she was determined to win him over.
She recalled her careful observations at lunch.
‘The Grand Duke’s wife acted innocent, but he was different.’
The way he looked at Sasha, the way he cared for her—it was obvious he loved her.
Even now, staring at the door like a dog waiting for its master.
‘Ordinary methods won’t work.’
Other men were easy. No matter their age or if they had wives, they all flocked to Irina’s beauty.
But Pavel was different.
“Your wife and you seem very close.”
At that, Pavel finally turned his head.
Irina’s face twisted.
Now he looked at her? Only because Sasha’s name was mentioned?
And the way his eyes widened slightly—it was as if he had just realized she was there.
Which was true.
After lunch, Pavel had hurriedly picked some formal clothes just to shake off Ruslan, then searched for Sasha’s location.
He had been waiting anxiously for her.
When the door opened, he thought it was Sasha, but seeing Irina killed his interest instantly.
But when Sasha’s name came up, he couldn’t ignore it.
It was instinct. Whenever her name was spoken, he reacted automatically.
And what Irina said next caught his attention.
“…Your wife seems very modest.”
“What do you mean?”
Pavel asked, and Irina continued.
“Most women of her rank or age dress extravagantly, but your wife is far more plain. She cannot even be compared.”
She was mocking Sasha’s simple dress and accessories.
Pavel’s face hardened.
“Are you insulting my wife in front of me?”
His cold, fierce tone was like a beast growling, and Irina flinched.
Quickly she tried to cover it.
“Of course, modesty is a virtue too… but some people may look down on it.”
Pavel’s expression twisted.
Mock her? Laugh at her? How dare they?
Irina added carefully,
“If she dislikes buying things herself, perhaps you could gift them to her, sir?”
That reminded Pavel of something.
Sasha never bought things for herself. No jewelry, no treasures—she only gave to others.
But she never rejected his gifts.
Though overwhelmed when he gave too many, she always accepted them.
“…I see.”
Pavel muttered, softer.
Irina quickly seized the chance.
“Since you don’t know Kalita well yet, I can show you the best jewelers and dressmakers. It would help your wife choose something she likes.”
“…If you would, I’d be grateful.”
Pavel agreed—because he wanted only the best for Sasha, no matter what.
Irina didn’t know his heart. She only felt glad he softened toward her.
“Then shall we go together? I’ll pick what suits her best.”
“No. I’ll buy them myself. Just give me the addresses.”
His refusal was sharp, cracking her smile.
Still, she endured it, though her mood sank further.
“…Then I’ll write the addresses.”
As she moved, she stumbled deliberately.
Falling sideways, she collapsed into Pavel’s arms.
It was intentional—her last attempt to spark attraction through touch.
And Pavel—
“Ah.”
By reflex, he caught her.
Because he had grown used to supporting Sasha.
Irina was similar in build to Sasha, and just moments earlier, they had been talking about her.
So for an instant, he mistook her for Sasha.
