Chapter 21
“Guess I’ve been found out.”
With a crooked smile, Yuan looked at Serret as he spoke.
“Ha.”
At his words, Serret’s heart thudded violently. Her eyes wavered at the true face he had finally revealed.
When Yuan revealed his bare face, Serret instinctively took a step back. She forced herself to hold back tears and glared at him.
She had vaguely suspected it, but hearing it confirmed out of Yuan’s own mouth was an entirely different shock. What she had only imagined before, now spoken aloud, swept over her like a tidal wave.
Unable to withstand the weight of it, her body staggered.
“My lady.”
Yuan’s arm wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her into his embrace before she could fall.
In that moment, his scent overwhelmed her.
The refreshing fragrance, like the dawn forest—his scent that she had once adored to the point of madness. Now, it was nothing but repulsive.
“You bastard! So you really were planning to use me like that!”
Serret shoved at him, beating his chest as tears she had held back burst forth, soaking her face.
Yet no matter how she struggled, Yuan would not release his hold on her.
“How could you do something like this? How could you! Are you even human? Are you?!”
Her sobs tore out uncontrollably.
The grief poured from her chest, impossible to restrain. The memory of the moment she had swallowed poison and died came vividly alive again.
She had vomited blood, dying in agony—and how bitterly she had resented this man in that final moment. The resentment long knotted in her heart burst out now.
“Serret?”
Surprised by her reaction, Yuan’s expression briefly faltered. Then, he let out a quiet chuckle. A short laugh, like a sigh, before pulling her even tighter into his arms.
“Let go! I said let go!”
Her hatred flared. The man she despised, who had trampled her life without hesitation—she fought to escape him.
Though she shook with rage, Yuan only chuckled softly, pressing her head firmly against his chest.
Then, with startling gentleness, his hand stroked her hair.
A tender touch, as though urging her to calm down. Strangely enough, Serret felt her fury subside under it.
It was absurd—finding comfort in the arms of her enemy. But his chest was warm, and his touch so gentle that even her sorrow ebbed away.
“I don’t know what kind of melodramatic novel you’ve been reading, but it’s amusing. Still, fiction is fiction. You mustn’t confuse it with reality, Lady Inohater.”
Yuan pushed her slightly away, holding her by the shoulders.
“…What did you just say?”
Her face twisted at his words.
“I can see now just how vivid Lady Inohater’s imagination is.”
“You’re treating what I said as some delusion? All those things that happened to me…”
She bit her lip, unable to finish.
So that was it—he hadn’t exposed himself at all. He was mocking her. Of course, Yuan Frektuster would never admit it outright.
The moment he acknowledged it, his entire plan would be endangered—and his family’s honor dragged through the mud. It was easier for him to dismiss his fiancée as a delusional woman.
“‘Delusion’ sounds far too harsh. Let’s call it… exceptional imagination.”
A faint smile curved at Yuan’s lips.
“You’re trying to wriggle out of it like this.”
Serret’s hands clenched at her skirt, crumpling it in rage. Yuan Frektuster was far too meticulous to ever expose his true nature so easily.
“Why not write it down? I think you’d make quite the entertaining novel.”
He brushed away her tears with a maddeningly gentle fingertip.
“You insult me to the very end.”
She slapped his hand aside and turned her back on him.
⚜ ⚜ ⚜
Storming back to her room, Serret flung open her wardrobe and yanked out a travel case. Shoving clothes inside with angry force, she seethed.
“He’s not human! No human could do this.”
Even a devil would be kinder than Yuan Frektuster. How could he stay so utterly unfazed?
I revealed everything about his schemes—and he still intends to use and discard me that way. Chilling.
Panting, she pressed her hands to her waist to calm her fury.
Running away from a man like that was the only answer. Conversation was useless—Serret had realized that much.
The only way to deal with such a man was with action.
She would return home, persuade her father to send a letter of annulment to the duke, and write directly to the crown prince and princess, declaring she no longer needed the emperor’s favor.
“No… If I send the letter from Mosheli, it’ll take too long to reach the Imperial Palace.”
She decided to write the letter immediately. She needed stationery and a pen.
Just then, Hannah burst into the room.
“I rushed here as soon as I heard you’d returned, my lady! How was the Imperial Garden? Is it really as beautiful as they say?”
But her bright eyes soon landed on the luggage atop the bed, confusion replacing her curiosity.
Still fuming, Serret pointed at the case.
“Hannah, pack. We’re leaving today. But first, fetch me writing paper.”
“Today? But you said tomorrow—”
“No, today. I need to go home as soon as possible.”
“…Yes, my lady. Please wait a moment.”
With a disappointed look, Hannah slipped out. While she was gone, Serret finished packing.
When Hannah returned with the stationery, Serret handed off the bags and sat at her vanity, writing furiously. Though swift, her penmanship was neat and precise.
She informed them of the annulment with Yuan, expressing her deep regret at not being able to accept the emperor’s personal letter and medal.
She added flattery as well—how the time spent with the crown prince and princess would remain a treasured memory forever.
“Phew.”
Blowing gently on the ink to dry it, she fanned the page.
By the time the letter had dried, Hannah had finished packing.
“All done, my lady.”
“Good. Pack your things as well.”
“Yes, my lady.”
After Hannah left to prepare, Serret folded the letter neatly, sealed it with wax, and pressed the Frektuster family crest into it. With that stamp, it would safely reach the crown prince and princess.
Soon after, Hannah returned, carrying the bags.
“Give me the letter, my lady. I’ll make sure it’s sent.”
“No. This isn’t a letter to entrust to the household staff.”
If given to the Frektuster servants, it would inevitably fall into Yuan’s hands. If he saw it, the letter would never reach its destination.
“Then how—?”
“I’ll deliver it myself to the imperial postmaster. Now, let’s go, Hannah.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Together they descended the stairs toward the lobby. Hannah, still uneasy, spoke up.
“My lady, shouldn’t you at least say goodbye to the duke?”
“There’s no need.”
“But still—it’s improper to leave without a word. The duke will surely worry if you suddenly disappear.”
Trailing behind with anxious murmurs, Hannah wrung her hands.
“The duke and I are not on such terms as to exchange courtesies.”
If anything, they were on terms to kill each other. Serret quickened her steps through the lobby.
“My lady, where are you headed?”
As they approached the front gates, the coachman called to her.
Serret flinched at his voice, suppressing a sigh before turning.
“I’ll escort you, my lady,” he said politely.
“I just want some air. Don’t trouble yourself.”
“Air…?” His eyes fell on the two heavy bags Hannah carried.
No one went for a stroll carrying luggage. His suspicion was inevitable.
“They’re for disposal! We’re just throwing them out, Sir Pete,” Hannah said with an awkward laugh.
“This outing is known to the duke. Nothing to worry about,” Serret added with a graceful smile before walking away. Her steps were calm, but her heart pounded furiously.
Why was she so nervous? She wasn’t doing anything wrong—just leaving a day early, without farewells.
“My lady, my heart nearly burst!” Hannah whispered.
“Honestly. We’re not doing anything bad,” Serret muttered, feigning calm.
After bowing to the gatekeepers, they finally stepped outside.
But right outside the mansion, Serret froze.
“Serret.”
“Jeremy?”
Standing there was her brother—Jeremy Inohater, the eldest son of their family.
Why was he here? He was supposed to be studying abroad. It was far too early for him to have returned.
His face flickered with shock when he met her gaze. Then, to her bewilderment, he began stepping back—and suddenly turned, running away.
“Jeremy! Brother!”
Serret chased after him at once. Why was he fleeing?
“My lady! Young master!” Hannah cried, running desperately after them.
But no matter how she tried, she couldn’t catch up.
Jeremy, fleeing, nearly collided with a passerby before stopping at last, bent over and gasping for breath.
Serret caught up and grabbed his arm tightly, preventing him from running again.
“Jeremy, why are you running away? When did you even return to Eilune?”
“Serret. Serret…”
Looking at her, Jeremy suddenly began to cry.
Serret’s heart plummeted at the sight of his sorrowful weeping.
Why was he crying?
