Chapter 11
“Wendy, stop it. This makes it look like we really came to bully Reina.”
“But, Isabel, she’s the one who started it with us…”
“I told you to stop. Are you ignoring me now?”
At Isabelle’s cold retort, Wendy grumbled and stepped back.
Reina stared intently at Isabelle.
In her hand, like Reina’s, was a lantern.
The only difference was that hers was burning particularly fiercely.
Isabelle took a step closer, wearing a gentle smile.
“If I scared you, I’m sorry, Reina. I just wanted to talk to you.”
“…”
“Honestly, I’m really hurt, Reina. To hear about your engagement through someone else? We’re sisters living in the same palace. How could you be so cold?”
At first glance, her tone seemed to express disappointment toward a sister, but her eyes were chillingly cold.
Reina suddenly recalled a moment from before her regression when Isabel had tormented her.
It was the day Isabel, whom Reina thought had been bullying her for no reason, finally revealed why.
“You asked why I’m bullying you? The reason is simple. It’s because I’m stronger than you. The weak are merely toys for the strong. That’s why you’re being tormented, Reina. Got it now?”
That day, Isabelle had “accidentally” set fire to Reina’s dress.
It was deliberate torment, knowing the dress was a gift from Reina’s brother before he went missing.
As a result, Reina sustained burns on her leg, leaving an indelible scar.
But more than the wound, the destruction of her brother’s gift had been far more heartbreaking.
Reina’s gaze sharpened as she recalled that memory.
“You’re as cruel as ever.”
At this moment, it was clear Isabelle intended to set fire to Reina again, just like before.
Isabel gave a pale smile and stepped closer.
“Cruel? That’s harsh. This is all your fault. The bad one isn’t me—it’s you, for being weak.”
How could a smiling face be so terrifying?
Reina’s body began to tremble with memories of the past.
‘Get a grip, Reina. You’re not the helpless girl from before anymore. She’s still just a child.’
As her body instinctively shook, Reina mentally chanted to herself.
And just as Isabel was about to “accidentally” drop the lantern on her, Reina snapped back to her senses and swiftly knocked the lantern away with Kaiden’s overcoat.
*Thud-! Whoosh!*
The lantern, which had been aimed at Reina, changed direction toward Isabel.
Unfortunately, it landed on the hem of Isabelle’s elaborately puffed-up dress.
“Kyaaaah!”
Isabelle screamed as her dress caught fire.
Those around her, startled, backed away.
Since they were all wearing bell-line dresses, there was a risk the fire could spread.
With no one stepping in to help, Isabelle stomped her feet and screamed.
“Put out the fire! It’s hot! Kyaaah! Please, I’m begging you!”
It was a shrill voice, unlike the usual calm and elegant Isabelle.
Seeing Isabelle cry like a child, Reina snapped back to reality.
If this continued, Isabelle might end up with burns all over her body.
Of course, Reina didn’t care whether Isabelle got hurt or not. After all, Isabel had attacked first.
But this party was one the Emperor had prepared for her and Kaiden.
Causing a scene and upsetting the Emperor was the last thing she wanted.
For Reina, who wanted to leave for the North as quietly as possible, this wasn’t a good situation.
‘Ah!’
At that moment, Reina’s gaze fell on the fountain.
That amount of water should be enough to put out the fire.
Reina pushed Isabelle toward the fountain with all her might.
*Splash!*
Isabelle, tumbling ungracefully into the fountain, looked like a drenched rat and shouted.
“Pfft! Pwah! What are you doing, Reina?!”
Fortunately, the fire was out, but her appearance was a mess.
Reina took a step back and said.
“You asked me to put out the fire, so I helped. You should’ve been more careful with your lantern.”
“What did you say?”
“Why did you clumsily drop the lantern like that? You almost set me on fire too.”
“You should’ve taken better care of your dress. Why were you standing there so carelessly, letting it catch fire? You almost set me on fire too.”
It was the exact same words Isabelle had once used against her.
Isabelle was stunned by the unexpectedly sharp retaliation.
“You… you…!”
Thanks to the layers of undergarments, she hadn’t been burned, but the psychological shock was greater than ever.
At that moment—
“Pfft.”
Someone in the distance, unable to hold back their laughter, approached while trying to compose themselves.
Their shoulders were shaking, clearly unable to contain their amusement as they walked.
Wendy, recognizing them first, gasped in shock.
“Duke Crensia?”
Kaiden?
Realizing who it was, Reina’s eyes widened.
She didn’t know how much he had seen, but it was a situation that could be misunderstood.
‘If Isabelle plays the victim here…’
As if reading her mind, Isabelle burst into tears at that moment.
“You’re so mean, Reina. How could you do this? I just wanted to congratulate you.”
As expected, Isabel didn’t miss the opportunity.
Reina was about to explain herself in a hurry.
“Kaiden, this is…!”
But he, already close, wiped the soot from her cheek with his hand and said.
“Was playing with fire fun?”
For some reason, his face was full of amusement.
As if he had enjoyed a fascinating spectacle.
* * *
As Reina left the hall, Kaiden noticed a group following her.
It was clearly the same group that had been watching her throughout the party.
According to Ben’s report, they were also the ones who had tormented her for a long time.
It was obvious they had been waiting for her to be separated from him.
“Tch.”
At the blatant display of their intentions, Kaiden clicked his tongue and left the hall.
He followed out of concern that Reina might be in trouble, but the scene before him was entirely unexpected.
Far from looking like a victim, she wore an expression of boredom.
As if annoyed, she countered their arguments point by point, pressuring her opponents.
Her demeanor was so natural, as if she had anticipated this situation.
Kaiden watched Reina with interest.
Unlike her bold approach when proposing to him, she never relied on him.
When he showed kindness, she responded with suspicion, almost absurdly so.
She seemed like a woman accustomed to handling things on her own.
“Why did you clumsily drop the lantern like that? You almost set me on fire too.”
Even Kaiden hadn’t expected the princess to throw the lantern, but Reina resolved the situation herself without giving him a chance to intervene.
Watching the entire scene unfold, he couldn’t help but laugh.
“Pfft.”
She was a woman entirely unpredictable.
Though the others noticed him late, he didn’t care.
He approached slowly, his eyes fixed solely on Reina.
At his appearance, she looked startled.
Perhaps she was worried he had overheard her bold remarks.
What would her reaction be if he said he’d heard everything?
Would she blush with embarrassment?
Or would she pretend it didn’t happen?
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By Anna 💓
