The One Who Won't Be Abandoned - Chapter 68

In the morning, I played a dice game with Harmon. When I told him I’d never played any kind of gambling game before, he looked at me as though I were some rare creature and kindly explained the rules from start to finish. But despite his effort, I couldn’t find the slightest bit of interest in the game.

Afterward, I shooed away Harmon—who kept trying to cling to me—and endured a luxurious, overwhelming meal served directly to my room by a palace maid. In the afternoon, the princess herself came to visit and chat. Mostly, I listened. The one doing all the talking, enough to make me worry her mouth would get sore, was the princess.

“One time, when Titi came to see me, the emperor’s knight made an unannounced visit to my chambers. Titi had to hide behind a curtain—his shoes sticking out—and I didn’t even realize my lipstick had smudged when I greeted the knight!”

Listening endlessly to stories of their romance, I almost felt like I was part of their relationship too. Titi… I probably know the number of moles on his body. I’d heard so much about him—so often, and in such detail—that I felt oddly familiar with a man I’d never even met.

Just as I was suffering through the latest chapter in the epic of the princess and Titi’s love story, one of her maids burst in without knocking.

“P-Princess.”

The maid, who always seemed expressionless and dull, looked flustered and stumbled over her words—a drastic change from her usual demeanor.

“What is it? I told you not to interrupt when I’m with Jeanne.”

“It’s urgent.”

The princess and I both tilted our heads, wide-eyed.

“…His Highness the Crown Prince has passed away.”

There was a moment of silence before the princess asked quietly, “…Really? So suddenly?”

“Just now, Baron Tim Ferrier, acting as imperial regent, ordered the palace gates sealed and instructed the captain of the guard to investigate His Highness’s death.”

I tried to picture the crown prince—the brief time I’d glimpsed him. He looked terrible, yes, but not like someone on the verge of dropping dead. He hadn’t seemed suicidal.

“They say… he threw himself out a window.”

“Ah…”

Only upon hearing that did I nod slowly. So it wasn’t illness—it was a fall. But it still didn’t make sense.

‘He didn’t seem like the kind of man who’d take his own life…’

But then again, you could read the depths of water better than you could a person’s heart. Maybe the crown prince had troubles so painful and private that he saw no other escape.

Clap!

“Oh my! What a turn of events!”

The princess clapped her hands, looking equal parts surprised and delighted. There wasn’t a shred of grief or shock on her face, even though it was her half-brother who had died. I, a complete stranger, felt more somber than she did.

But I had already learned that the princess rarely responded to anything the way normal people would. Had she burst into tears at the news, I would’ve found that more suspicious.

“I’ll need a new black dress. I can’t wear the one from Father’s funeral again! Summon Madame Elizabeth to the palace—I’ll need a fitting.”

“She likely can’t come today, Princess. Lord Ferrier has sealed the palace gates…”

“Then summon her tomorrow. And bring me the whitening face mask. I need to look delicate and tragic, not haggard like last time.”

“Yes, Princess.”

Having settled her schedule, the princess stood and brushed the wrinkles from her dress.

“Now, Jeanne. Do try not to get too bored while I’m gone. Be good.”

“Take care, Princess.”

I eagerly stood and bowed as she left. She smiled softly at me and then turned to go. As she walked away, I heard her murmur, “Poor brother…” and let out a sigh like she was grieving—but the side of her face as she passed through the doorway was practically glowing.

“What on earth just happened?”

The crown prince’s death didn’t strike me as hard as the emperor’s had, but it unsettled me deeply that it had happened while I was here in the palace.

As I tried to steady my nerves, a disturbing thought crept into my mind—

Could Andrei have had something to do with the crown prince’s death…?

“…No way.”

If Andrei was really involved in this… what was I supposed to do?

Could I even help him if he was in trouble?

Until now, I’d felt a quiet resentment that Andrei had left me in the princess’s care and never once come to see me. But the moment I thought he might be in danger, that bitterness melted away like snow under the sun. In its place rushed a flood of worry and dread.

Even back in D’Hel, I could never do anything but fret helplessly. And now, here in the imperial palace, all I could do was pace in circles again. I was so disappointed in myself, so ashamed, that tears welled up and slipped down my cheeks.

“Andrei… my lord… you’re all right, aren’t you?”

I missed him so much it felt like I was losing my mind. I was burning with the need to see him, just to make sure he was safe.

And yes, I knew I was being excessive. I knew how irrational I sounded—fretting over him like a mother worried sick about her child playing near water. I didn’t understand it either, this overwhelming fear for Andrei. But the emotions that surged within me had been too powerful to resist, strong enough to make me run all the way to the capital on my own.

I wandered the room restlessly, casting anxious glances at the tightly shut door.

* * *

I asked the maid who brought my dinner about what was happening in the palace, but all she told me was that the knights were conducting an investigation and the palace was in chaos. Her expression made it clear she didn’t want to talk to me any further, so I couldn’t bring myself to ask more.

‘Why isn’t he coming…?’

I was waiting for Harmon. Unlike me, Harmon could move freely around the palace. Thanks to his smooth personality, he’d already made quite a few connections here. He had a habit of rushing over to me to share juicy gossip, so I was sure he’d come straight to me after hearing about the crown prince’s death.

But no matter how long I waited, Harmon didn’t show. Night had already fallen. I considered going out to look for him—but after nearly getting into a fight with some nobles the last time I left my room alone, I hesitated.

Back then, Harmon had gone pale and practically begged me not to leave my room if I didn’t want to see him die of a heart attack.

Other than the princess and Harmon, no one in the palace ever really spoke to me. Without them, I had no way to learn anything about what was going on, and it made me feel so powerless.

I was so worried about Andrei I barely touched my dinner. My throat was tight—I could hardly swallow water.

I walked in circles around the room, glancing anxiously at the closed door.

Every minute felt like an hour. Every hour felt like a whole day. Time dragged painfully until the palace finally quieted down for the night.

In the end, Harmon never came. Disappointed, I slowly made my way to the washroom, splashed water on my face, and changed into a thin slip nightgown before crawling into bed.

But even after lying there for a long while, I couldn’t sleep. My thoughts wouldn’t stop. They only got more vivid.

Wait… If they’re investigating, won’t I be questioned too? I’m a recent outsider in the palace.

Panic struck me like lightning. I imagined palace knights dragging me to some dungeon.

“What would I even say if they interrogated me…”

I wasn’t the type to lie with a straight face. If someone barked questions at me, I’d probably spill everything I knew in seconds.

‘I came all the way to the capital to see my boyfriend. He helped sneak me into the palace! Who’s my boyfriend? Oh, his name is Andrei Kaiman! You know, the princess’s fiancé. Hehe.’

“I’m doomed.”

Saying something like that would get me executed. Actually, even just thinking about it was killing me.

“Aaack!”

I screamed and tugged at my hair. My imagination was getting out of control—utterly horrible.

If I really were taken by the knights, I’d have to say nothing. Not a word. But could I really endure royal torture? Bound to a punishment chair, tendons severed, flesh burned with red-hot iron rods—could I survive something like that?

It hadn’t happened yet, but it felt like it was just moments away. I shuddered.

“…Hngh.”

Fear mixed with the feeling of being abandoned. That, along with the idea of being dragged away like a dog by royal knights, and the absence of Harmon—or rather, Andrei—brought tears to my eyes. I missed Andrei so much. It wasn’t really Harmon I’d been waiting for. It had always been Andrei.

But he didn’t come. I was both bitter and terrified.

I couldn’t hold it in anymore—I broke into sobs.

“Uwaaa… sniff sniff… waaaah!”

Just when I was deep in my tragic heroine moment, someone knocked at the door.

Knock knock.

“Gasp!”

Startled, I froze, holding my breath. Was it the knights? Was my wild fear becoming reality?

The knock came again. They weren’t forcing the door open—it didn’t seem violent.

I called out, my voice trembling with fear I couldn’t hide.

“W-who is it?”

“Jeanne. It’s me. Open up.”

The voice was soft. Familiar. Dearly familiar.

“Master!”

I leapt from the bed and ran to the door. Fumbling with the lock, I opened it—and there he was.

Andrei, smiling gently, stood before me.

With his tall, broad frame and strikingly handsome face, he practically glowed in the moonlight. His blue eyes, soft and kind, looked at me with deep affection as I stood there like an idiot, mouth agape.

He held out a bouquet of red roses. Still dazed, I instinctively accepted the flowers as they came into my arms.

“I thought I’d die, missing you so much.”

“Master…”

The moment I heard Andrei’s voice, I forgot all about what others might think and threw myself into his arms. It felt like embracing a sturdy tree—solid and warm and protective.

“I missed you so much. Why did you wait so long to come?”

Even though I understood why he couldn’t visit, I couldn’t help but pout and complain. Andrei held me like a child being comforted, gently and patiently.

“I couldn’t come before. The crown prince could’ve used you against me. I’m sorry.”

“Is it okay now?”

“Yeah. It’s over. We’ll be going back to D’Hel together soon.”

The moment I heard we could return to D’Hel, I lifted my head and looked up at him.

“Really? We can go back now?”

“Yes. You were scared while I was away, weren’t you? I’ll stay by your side now. You don’t have to worry about anything anymore.”

He lowered his head and pressed his lips to the top of mine. The warmth of that kiss flowed from the crown of my head to the tips of my toes, washing me in relief.

“Before I came here, I broke off the engagement with the princess. I won’t be tied to the royal family anymore.”

Now that he could truly be mine, Andrei wrapped his arms around me and lifted me off the ground.

Eyes wide, I blinked in surprise as my viewpoint rose—and I finally remembered that someone could see us. The hallway was dark and empty, but still…

“S-someone might see—let’s go in, quickly.”

Still holding me, Andrei stepped into the room. The place that had felt so cold and oppressive now seemed warm and safe, just because he was here.

He closed the door behind us, then buried his face against my neck and inhaled deeply.

“God… you don’t know how much I missed you.”

I’d bathed using the perfumed oils the princess had gifted me—I knew I smelled good. I tilted my head to give Andrei easier access to my neck. His warm lips and sharp nose brushed against my skin, sending prickles of sensation down my spine.

“You really broke it off? It’s truly over?”

He mumbled into my neck, voice thick.

“Yes… it’ll be publicly announced tomorrow. Then we leave this cursed place. I’m not letting you stay in this wretched palace a second longer.”