Chapter 46

After saying that, I glanced around.

‘I still don’t see anyone from the Duke of Akelos’s family.’

Did he not come today?

The book club meeting wasn’t just a social gathering. With members like these, they sometimes debate real policies and those decisions could even be adopted.

‘That’s why I thought he would definitely come to the book club meeting…’

Perhaps I should have sent a letter… No, if a letter went from House Delosif to House Akelos, even the emperor would take notice.

As I was thinking that, I sensed a strange atmosphere.

People were sneaking glances at Cleas and me.

Then, Cleas wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me in.

“Haven’t seen you around much lately. Are you sulking?”

‘…What is this lunatic talking about?’

I scowled and tried to push his hand away. However, no matter what I did, he wouldn’t let go. If anything, he leaned in, lips right by my ear.

“If you keep acting like this in front of everyone, people are going to start talking about calling off our engagement again. Are you really okay with that?”

That was what Cleas whispered.

Before my regression, hearing that would have left me totally flustered. I was afraid those kinds of rumors would reach his parents…. I worried they would use it as an excuse to call off the engagement with me, the one everyone called a troublemaker. So anytime Cleas threatened me like that, I just caved and gave him whatever he wanted.

“Cleas.”

“Yeah.”

“You do realize that sexual harassment and assault are still crimes, even between married couples, right?”

“What?”

“And if you’re only engaged, the punishment’s even worse. I’m sure the Chief Justice at the book club could fill you in on the details.”

“That’s an amusing joke.”

The phrase ‘what a funny joke’ was something Cleas would say when he was angry. Before my regression, that line used to terrify me.

But now…

‘So what? Like I care.’

When I shot him a cold glare, his grip finally loosened.

I gave a polite little nod to the young ladies who were watching the scene between Cleas and me with great interest before I made my way to the corridor past the main hall.

‘I can’t get up to the second floor where the club meeting’s happening. So I’ll just have to find someone from House Akelos instead.’

If I could just let them know I have stabilized Petra, I’d be able to meet with him.

The Grand Duke of Akelos hated crowds, so he would probably move through a secluded area. If there was a secluded passage that led up to the second floor…

As I was walking, someone grabbed my wrist.

“What’s your problem?”

Cleas wore an expression completely different from the one he showed in front of others.

“Seriously, everyone’s grabbing my wrist today.”

“Are you just going to ignore me?”

I let out a deep sigh.

Then—thud—I shoved Cleas hard in the chest and pushed him away.

His expression hardened.

I rubbed my wrist where he had grabbed me and parted my lips.

“And why shouldn’t I ignore you?”

“Nikaearsha Delosif.”

“You’re the one who’s always done this, ignoring me, pushing my hand away without a second thought.”

“Do you actually want to call off the engagement?”

I suddenly burst out laughing.

Pff-haha.

“What an impressive threat.”

“If you know it’s a threat, then know your limits.”

“I wasn’t scared by your threat. I was just being sarcastic.”

“You…”

Cleas was visibly trying hard not to lose his temper. Whenever this happened, I would always walk on eggshells around him. I would end up clutching his collar, pleading almost desperately, ‘It’s my fault. I’m not good enough. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’ Because I loved him so much, I became the most wretchedly powerless person in the world before him.

“What made you change like this, Nike? Who’s been whispering in your ear, and what did they say?”

“If I changed, Cleas, it’s because I wanted to.”

“What do you mean?”

“It just means… I don’t think you’re impressive anymore.”

Cleas’s expression turned to stone.

“Why?”

“That’s because…”

I was just about to answer when—

“It’s probably because she saw my face.”

“….!”

“….!!”

A low voice cut right between Cleas and me.

I glanced quickly, catching a glimpse of his eyes reflecting in the moonlight. They weren’t a deep navy but a blue as clear as a lake.

‘It’s really the Grand Duke of Akelos.’

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ୨ৎ ໒꒱ ‧₊ ୧‿︵

Cleas’s face turned downright hostile when he saw Grand Duke Akelos. It was that infuriated expression he always wore whenever he was around Nikaearsha.

I found myself gritting my teeth without even realizing it.

“Isn’t it rude for even a grand duke to interrupt a conversation between fiancés?”

“I only answered on her behalf because you were asking a lady a difficult question.”

“I’m sure that was the wrong answer.”

Cleas continued, clearly displeased.

“We’ll be going now. Nike, come—”

“Is the book club meeting already over? Or did you just arrive?”

“Nike.”

“Do you have a moment to talk with me? It doesn’t have to be long.”

Cleas’s face grew even more rigid.

Nikaearsha’s behavior was strange.

‘She used to act like that with me.’

Always interested in every little thing he did, always wanting to talk to him, even if it was just for a moment.

“Nikaearsha Delosif!”

“Ugh, you’re so loud!”

“….!”

Nikaearsha scowled fiercely at Cleas.

“You’re the one being rude here, so just leave. I came because I have something to discuss with this gentleman.”

“What are you going to talk about? Why, are you going to break off our engagement and ask him to marry you instead?”

Cleas, stung by pride, shot back with a sneer. He wanted to hurt Nikaearsha for daring to talk to another man right in front of him.

However…

“Maybe it is that kind of conversation. Which is why I need to talk to him privately, without you around.”

“…Fine. I’ll leave.”

“Sure, whatever.”

“I mean it. I’m really leaving, and I’m not looking back.”

Cleas turned and walked away.

Even as he strode away, he was so filled with anger that he wanted to break something.

“All I ever needed was you. When I’m with you, even the darkest place feels bright, and even wilted flowers seem unbearably beautiful.”

“All I need is you. When I’m with you, even the darkest place feels bright, and even wilted flowers seem so beautiful.”

She would say stuff like that, giggling and stumbling over her words, always saying things no one even asked about. Even if he ignored her all day, she would still chatter on, asking question after question, begging for attention.

The kind of fool who only ever cared about himself, as if he were the only man in the world.

‘Of course, she’d chase after me.’

It seemed she had heard some useless advice somewhere about using jealousy, but tricks like that never worked on him anyway.

Still, something was strange.

No matter how far he walked, even after leaving the salon and walking through the dark streets.

Even when he glanced back…

‘She didn’t come after me?’

Really?

That pushover who looked like she would even hand over her own organs if he asked?

“Cleas?”

At the sound of a voice from the alley, Cleas flinched and turned around.

‘Of course. Someone like you could never…’

“What are you doing here? I thought you were at the book club?”

“….”

“Why do you look so pale? You’re making me worried…”

The woman touching his cheek wasn’t Nikaearsha.

“I missed you so much, I just had to sneak out to see you. I went through so much trouble avoiding everyone’s eyes. Aren’t you going to give me a hug?”

Mikarin flashed a cheeky grin and opened her arms for an embrace.

Cleas irritably brushed her hands away.

“Cleas…”

“Tell me what’s going on with Nike. When did she start acting strange? Who did she meet? What happened to her?”

“Did my sister… do something to you? I’m sorry… I’ll apologize on her behalf. She can be a little, well, selfish sometimes…”

“On her behalf? Do you really think you can speak for the Grand Duke Delosif’s daughter?”

“….!”

“If you want to take her place, then bring me the status of the Grand Duke’s daughter!”

Cleas shouted, turning his back on her and walking off.

Mikarin’s face went pale.