#91. An Unexpected Meeting (5)
This was the truth behind the misunderstanding.
But Sasha, who knew nothing of what really happened, misunderstood and thought the two were close and affectionate.
Of course, this wasn’t only Sasha’s mistake.
Irina also misunderstood Pavel’s actions in that moment.
“……”
“Oh my.”
Irina blushed as she felt the firm muscles of Pavel’s arms holding her as if embracing her.
‘So all that coldness before was just an act? Pretending indifference?’
For him to support her this closely must mean he liked her.
Otherwise, he would have just left her to fall or only touched her shoulder lightly.
This deep contact could only mean he had hidden intentions, Irina thought.
‘So he’s no different from other men after all.’
Irina swallowed a mocking smile.
She had almost given up, but now thought her plan to seduce him might succeed. Strengthened by that thought, she spoke brightly.
“Thank you, sir. Thanks to you—”
But—
“Please step aside now.”
Pavel pushed her away as if brushing off dirt.
He even dusted off the places she had touched.
Irina froze.
‘Am I filth? How could he reject me so clearly?’
Her eagerness to win him suddenly cooled.
She had thought marrying Pavel Volkov, the heir of the most powerful house, might be worth it.
But now—
‘If I married him, I’d die of anger before long!’
Unable to bear the humiliation, Irina turned her face and muttered,
“Has your wife finished choosing her dress? I’d better go help her.”
It was an excuse to leave.
Pavel replied flatly.
“Understood.”
He didn’t ignore it this time only because his wife was mentioned.
‘How dare he treat a princess like this…’
Grinding her teeth in frustration, Irina entered Sasha’s room.
Meanwhile—
“…Hmph.”
The moment Irina turned away, Pavel brushed his clothes even rougher, then crossed his arms and waited for Sasha.
Despite the unpleasantness, just the thought of seeing Sasha again lifted his heart.
‘What will she look like this time?’
Any dress would be beautiful on her, but a grand ceremonial dress was something special.
Irina watched Sasha smile at her.
‘How did this woman win over that stone-faced man?’
She had her guesses.
Sasha’s graceful, pure beauty was captivating. Her calm, noble air added to it.
And—
‘Even the cold Emperor cares for her. She must have real talent and ability.’
No wonder Pavel treated his wife as if he could give her the whole world. It irritated Irina.
She had never once thought herself lacking compared to anyone.
“Princess?”
Sasha looked at her with a polite smile, while Irina stared coldly.
Irina had not completely abandoned her plans of marrying into House Volkov.
But—
‘If that fails, I must prepare another path. What matters is gaining the Volkov family’s power, not Pavel himself.’
If she couldn’t win Pavel, then she could use his beloved wife.
With that decision, Irina changed her expression like putting on a new mask.
“Madam.”
She approached Sasha warmly.
“You’re still wearing that dress? Do you like it that much? Why not try others?”
“Yes. This one is enough.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Thank you for your care.”
Irina’s smile cracked slightly.
‘No sense at all. That plain dress ruins her beauty.’
Though it suited Sasha, Irina still felt annoyed.
‘Fine. Let her wear it and be mocked tomorrow.’
But aloud she said,
“Very well. But perhaps bring this dress too, in case you change your mind.”
She pointed to a yellow dress she had prepared.
It was the most beautiful in the room, and one that would flatter Sasha perfectly.
“Yes. I’ll do that. Thank you, Princess.”
Sasha smiled sweetly.
Irina bit her lip.
“…It’s nothing. I promised my grandmother I would look after you.”
Unable to keep looking at Sasha’s face, Irina looked away.
“If you’ve chosen, shall we go out? Your husband is waiting.”
“…Yes.”
Sasha recalled the embrace she thought she saw earlier.
‘Is the princess eager to see Pavel again?’
Meanwhile, Irina thought of Pavel’s cold rejection.
‘Ugh, that unpleasant face again…’
Lost in opposite thoughts, the two women walked out.
Pavel quickly stepped forward from the wall the moment Sasha appeared.
Never taking his eyes off her, he said,
“That’s the dress you’ll wear tomorrow?”
“…Yes. How is it?”
“It’s good. Beautiful.”
He truly admired her, even in a plain outdated dress.
“Really?”
“Yes. No matter what you wear, you’re beautiful. This is too.”
Sasha’s lips parted in surprise.
“…Where did you learn to say such things?”
Pavel only smiled, then quickly asked,
“…And what’s that dress you’re holding?”
“Oh, the princess picked this one too. She said I could choose tomorrow between the two.”
“I see.”
Sasha glanced at Irina, but Pavel’s gaze never left her.
Irina snorted bitterly.
‘They live in their own little world.’
Pavel’s love for Sasha was overwhelming, impossible to hide.
“……”
Irina crossed her arms, watching them with irritation.
Thankfully, before her patience ran out, someone knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
Sasha and Pavel turned.
“Oh.”
It was Ruslan.
Seeing Pavel seated so close to Sasha, he smiled knowingly.
“So this is where you were. You ignored the clothes I chose, refused my offer to guide you through the palace… I was wondering where you went.”
Sasha turned to Pavel in surprise.
“Is that true?”
“……”
He gave no answer, which was as good as admitting it.
“Pavel.”
Sasha called him gently, then quickly stopped—remembering Princess Irina’s earlier words.
“You two talk so comfortably, like old friends. That surprised me…”
What was natural for them could seem strange to others.
With more eyes watching, rumors could easily spread.
“…Sasha?”
Pavel called to her when he saw her sudden silence.
But it was Ruslan who answered.
“It was a joke, madam. No need to be so serious. I actually think the closeness between you two is wonderful.”
