IPWDP 36

Episode 36

“Could you move a little?”

She spoke to Ephelia, who was blocking the balcony window with her arms crossed.

“As far as I know, the only people who come in like this are thieves. Should I step aside and welcome a thief in?”

“If I were a thief, I wouldn’t have knocked.”

“He could be a polite thief.”

“There isn’t much here worth stealing anyway.”

“That’s true.”

He was a prince of the Empire. If he wanted something, there was nothing he couldn’t obtain. The only thing he had wanted all his life yet could never have… was inside this very room. Ephelia didn’t know that. Nor that the thing was her.

When Ephelia stepped aside, Hailen entered.

“But how did you know I was here?”

Ephelia had come suddenly and without notice. How had he known?

“I’m pretty popular, you know. I asked the maids.”

The idea of him casually coaxing information from the maids made her laugh. He was the only person in this suffocating world with whom she could relax. Just seeing him eased her heavy mind a little.

“Want some tea?”

“No. It’d be troublesome.”

Since he’d sneaked in, they couldn’t call the servants. One of them would have to brew the tea themselves. Ephelia let out a quiet chuckle.

“What’s so funny?”

“Just seeing you still climbing in through windows… makes me realize you haven’t changed at all.”

“…Do you want me not to change?”

“That’s not it. It would just feel… strange.”

What used to be her entire world now felt unfamiliar. In all of that, Hailen—unchanged—was her only familiarity.

“If I come properly, officially, your brother would hear of it. You know that.”

“That’s true.”

Come to think of it, Regios always reacted sensitively whenever Hailen was involved. She still didn’t understand why. Surely he didn’t think she and Hailen were involved? No way.

“What do you want to do?”

“About what?”

“You know what my brother wants.”

His intentions were painfully obvious—to put Ephelia back into the position of crown princess. If he set his mind to something, it wasn’t impossible.

“I don’t want that place anymore.”

The thought of standing beside him again was suffocating. There was a time when she’d desperately wanted it. When she’d begged for him to return to how he used to be, to be gentle to her again.

Back then, she had nowhere else to place her heart. Regios was all she had, so she clung to him desperately. Maybe, as Seluna had said, she must have looked like a leech to him. Maybe that was why he hated her so much.

If he had just been cold, she could have given up. But he was always kind in the end. And because of that, she couldn’t let go.

But not anymore. She learned how to live without him. She learned she could survive without his warmth.

“No. I don’t want it anymore.”

“Then, Ephelia.”

“Hm?”

Hailen hesitated, then shook his head.

“Never mind. I’ll come visit again.”

“Alright. See you.”

He had something he wanted to say. But he changed his mind. She didn’t want to drag the truth out of him. She simply said goodbye.

Once he slipped back out onto the balcony and disappeared, she closed the window. Silence was all that remained.

The peace he brought didn’t last a day.

Regios came the next morning. Seluna was with him. Seeing Ephelia and Seluna sitting together in the parlor surprised him slightly.

“…Lady Seluna, you’re here as well.”

“Yes. I was going to have breakfast with my sister, but I had no idea Your Highness would visit. I hope we aren’t being rude?”

“On the contrary, I’m the one intruding. Forgive me.”

“How could you say that? It’s an honor to have breakfast with Your Highness.”

Seluna smiled gently at Ephelia. Her gaze held surprise—Seluna, who normally woke around noon, was here early because Ephelia had asked her to come.

‘Tell Seluna to come before breakfast.’

‘But the lady will get angry—are you sure?’
Gina anxiously asked.

Gina hadn’t been at the duchy long, but she already knew Seluna’s schedule. This time was essentially dawn for Seluna. And since she wasn’t Gina’s mistress, Gina was risking much by disturbing her. But Ephelia replied kindly:

‘Just tell her it’s about the Crown Prince. She won’t get angry then.’

‘Yes.’

When Gina went to fetch Seluna, the maids snapped first—how dare a servant summon their lady? But when they heard it was related to the Crown Prince, Seluna came in irritation.

‘What are you doing dragging me out in the morning? If you need something, come to me yourself.’

‘The prince is coming.’

‘…Did he say so?’

‘No, but I think he’ll arrive before breakfast.’

Normally one would expect him at noon. Morning was too early, and evening seemed unlikely—if he was that leisurely, he wouldn’t have come to fetch her himself. Noon would have been logical.

But Ephelia felt it—he would come in the morning. And she was right. Seluna seemed suspicious, but when Regios actually appeared, she didn’t show it.

Breakfast was quiet and luxurious. Light conversation occurred, but the real dialogue was between Seluna and Regios—Seluna asked questions, Regios answered.

“It tastes better eating with the three of us. Shall I prepare tea?”

“I think it’s best if you leave us, Lady.”

Ephelia’s plan worked. The only unexpected thing was that Regios bluntly dismissed Seluna.

“…You must have something to discuss with my sister. Of course—how thoughtless of me. We’ll have tea next time.”

Once Seluna left, Regios prepared the tea himself. Ephelia took a sip.

Four spoons of sugar.

It should be sweet. Ephelia liked sweet things. Four spoons was perfect. But all she tasted was bitterness.

“Enough, Ephelia.”

“What do you mean?”

“Stop inserting Lady Seluna between us.”

“Did it occur to you that you are the one barging in?”

“Breakfast together at this hour, even as family? Is that supposed to be a coincidence?”

“And if it isn’t?”

“It feels like you’re trying to wedge Lady Seluna between us.”

“Why don’t you allow her to call you by name?”

“She isn’t family. I don’t want her speaking my name so freely.”

“Seluna is the future crown princess.”

His smile was beautiful—yet undeniably mocking.

“That assumes a world where you no longer exist. I’ve never considered anyone but you.”

His voice was thick with emotion. Possessive. Obsessive.

Ephelia couldn’t understand.

He was the one who had rejected her. When all she wanted was a fragment of his love, when she silently begged and endured, he never gave her anything.

“Why me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your imperial tour means you’ve decided to inherit the throne. Which means the coronation and marriage are near. The candidate would be Seluna. You could just proceed as planned.”

“Originally, yes.”

“Then why are you doing this?”

“My fate has returned.”

Fate.

The same fate that had driven her into despair, dragged her to death, and returned her to hell.

“That’s not love. That’s what you said. So why call it love now?”

Regios’ expression shifted. Then he let out a small laugh.

“Regios?”

Why was he laughing? It wasn’t a pleasant laugh. Something in it felt dangerous.

“Ah. Sorry. I didn’t think you’d interpret it like that.”

“Interpret what…?”

Ephelia knew she shouldn’t ask. She knew his answer would hurt. But she couldn’t stop herself.

“It’s better if you don’t hear it.”

“Say it.”

“I said it’s better if you don’t. I’m saying this for your sake.”

Regios smiled gently and reached for her cheek. Ephelia turned her head slightly to avoid his touch and met his gaze.

“Say it. I deserve to know.”

His expression turned pitying. As if scolding her—why choose the painful path?

“When have I ever called it love?”