EWOWMAIBTYPF Chapter 213

Chapter 213

 

Lucio’s expression was just as cold as it had been yesterday.

His eyes, icy and unfeeling, felt so unfamiliar that I felt a hollow ache in my chest.

I was about to call out to him with a sigh, but before I could, Lucio turned his head.

“Your Highness, would you like to tour the garden right away, or have some tea first?”

“Hmm… I’ll have tea later.”

Serphin, who had been closely observing Lucio’s attitude toward me, subtly curled her lips into a smile as she answered.

Just as Lucio had acted indifferent toward Diana, he now seemed the same with me, which appeared to satisfy her.

She really was shameless.

Even when I deliberately brought up the fact that Lucio had returned injured yesterday, she didn’t even bat an eye.

“Then I shall escort you to the garden immediately.”

At that moment, when I saw Lucio trying to lead Serphin toward the maze garden, I instinctively stepped in front of them.

“You can’t go there!”

I tried my best to remain calm, but my voice came out sharp and emotional.

Serphin—and even Diana—looked at me in surprise, but my gaze was fixed on Lucio.

The look I directed to him said, ‘Are you really going to take her there?’

Of course, the maze garden was a renowned part of the Duke of Elard’s estate. All visitors to the mansion took a walk through it at least once, and even the servants used it occasionally to hold secret conversations.

So, there was no real issue with the imperial princess visiting the garden.

However…

‘That place holds special memories for me!’

It was the very spot where I had first run into Lucio, back when I snuck into Diana’s birthday party. It was also where I met Lucio—disguised as the leader of Darel—numerous times.

Even if the Lucio of today remembered neither the past life nor much of this one, I couldn’t bear to see him spend intimate time there with Serphin.

“And what right does the Grand Princess have to block access to the Duke’s garden?”

Lucio asked coldly.

I looked at him with a conflicted expression, then turned my head away.

“Your Highness, unfortunately, a wild beast got into the maze garden at dawn and wreaked havoc. I heard there was even some bloodshed while subduing it, so I fear it may offend your refined sensibilities if you were to enter now.”

It was an utterly ridiculous excuse.

A wild beast? In the heart of the empire’s capital, and in the Duke of Elard’s estate, known for its impenetrable security?

But the facts didn’t matter.

What mattered was making it clear that I didn’t want the princess entering the maze garden.

And to subtly criticize how she treated Lucio yesterday, while I was at it.

Of course, I didn’t expect Serphin to feel even a twinge of guilt.

But people as arrogant as she often became surprisingly compliant when their shallow pride was satisfied even a little.

And sure enough…

“Oh my, did that really happen?”

Serphin looked quite pleased, seeing me try to block her way out of jealousy.

I deliberately stiffened my expression and said,

“Yes. The young duke must have left early this morning and didn’t know.”

I could feel Lucio’s gaze fixed on me, but I didn’t look back.

“Oh dear. What a shame, I came all the way here…”

“In that case, Your Highness, how about a stroll in the rear garden? It may not be as unique as the maze garden, but it has a quaint and cozy charm that’s quite different from the grandeur of the Imperial Palace.”

“I’m happy to go anywhere, as long as I’m with you.”

“Then I shall have refreshments prepared there.”

As the two continued their sweet exchange without missing a beat, my face finally froze over.

Watching the princess blush with joy made it impossible to maintain a neutral expression.

Then, Lucio glanced at me and asked,

“Surely nothing unfortunate has happened to the rear garden, either… without my knowing?”

“…”

It was a subtle jab—an indirect reproach for stopping him from going to the maze garden earlier.

As if my insides weren’t already in turmoil, that one remark from Lucio felt like a final shattering blow to my heart.

“Lucio, who do you think you’re…!”

“It’s fine, Diana.”

I tightly grasped Diana’s hand as she started to rush toward Lucio in protest.

Forcing a smile, I said,

“There’s nothing wrong with the rear garden. Please enjoy your time together.”

Lucio didn’t answer me. Instead, he looked at Serphin.

Under the frilly cream-colored parasol he held for her, Serphin beamed with joy as she nodded and walked alongside him.

Even though holding a parasol for her might have made him look like a servant, Lucio exuded such grace and dignity that anyone would see him as a noble gentleman attending to a precious lady.

“Sister…”

Still staring at Lucio and Serphin as they walked away, Diana called out to me, her voice trembling.

“It’s okay, Diana.”

I spoke with forced cheer and turned my head.

At that moment, the man who had been anxiously pacing ever since Lucio arrived at the duke’s estate—his expression full of things he wanted to say—suddenly widened his eyes.

 

***

 

“I truly hate to speak this way about my own lord, but he is definitely not in his right mind! Honestly, I found it hard to believe the rumors that an imperial princess had aligned herself with a demon, but this is just…!”

Lucio’s aide, Nyx, who had rushed over to me, was clearly struggling to contain his outrage as he launched into his tirade.

“Frankly, it was already strange that he came into work at all today. But he skipped the morning meeting, ignored all the usual reports, and spent the entire morning at the princess’s palace!”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes! And when the princess mentioned she wanted to dine at Oblie Restaurant, he immediately told me to make a reservation—without hesitation!”

“Oblie Restaurant?”

I frowned, already overwhelmed with conflicting emotions.

That restaurant was the most popular date spot in the capital and was famous among lovers. You had to book it months in advance just to get a table.

“So, did you make the reservation?”

“Huh? Well, of course…”

Ahem!

Just then, Nyx noticed Diana clearing her throat meaningfully. He belatedly looked at me, realizing my mood had shifted, and quickly shut his mouth.

But by then, I was already visibly displeased.

‘He’s never even taken me on a proper date!’

Looking back, every moment I’d spent with Lucio had been hidden from others—like stolen meetings in secret. It had always felt like a forbidden affair.

‘But with Serphin, he’s going to a romantic restaurant?’

Even though I knew Lucio wasn’t in his right mind, I couldn’t help but feel bitter.

“Um, Your Grace. Still, it’s not as if His Lordship is meeting the princess on a whim.”

Sensing my frustration, Nyx cautiously continued.

When I looked at him as if to say, ‘Then what?’, he explained that last night, Lucio had told him and Bert—his closest aides—that Serphin had become a demon worshipper. He had then ordered them to monitor not only the princess but also every word and action he himself might take around her.

“Honestly, I didn’t quite understand why he gave such instructions at the time… but it seems His Lordship anticipated this. That when with the princess, he might not be in his right mind.”

Nyx, admiring Lucio’s foresight, wore a pained expression.

“His Lordship doesn’t remember anything he says or does when he’s with the princess. Even today, he had to get several reports from Bert and was stunned each time. So…”

Nyx trailed off, then looked at me squarely and spoke with serious conviction.

“What His Lordship said and did to you just now—none of it came from his true feelings.”

His pleading expression seemed to beg me not to misunderstand.

It was the same sentiment the duchess had expressed to me last night.

But somehow, it felt different now.

‘Last night, I felt like I could accept anything Lucio did…’

I knew something was wrong with Lucio’s state of mind. And the moment I saw him with Serphin, I even guessed what kind of spell might be affecting him.

‘It’s probably some kind of enchantment spell, one that makes the target blindly follow and fall in love with the caster.’

Fortunately, Diana had told me earlier that Lucio seemed to have some natural resistance to magic.

Or maybe it was just my wishful thinking, but he didn’t seem like someone who would risk his life out of love for Serphin.

Still—seeing him laughing and smiling with another woman right in front of me…

“Your lord doesn’t even remember me. Is it really appropriate for you to be telling me all this?”

I asked coldly, feigning ignorance of the fact that my mind understood, but my heart couldn’t accept.

Nyx jumped in response.

“Of course it is! You are to be our future madam. I’m sure once His Lordship returns to his senses, he’ll commend me for this.”

Hearing that made me feel a twinge of guilt.

Despite my resolve from the night before, it felt like I wasn’t doing a very good job of embracing Lucio through all of this.

I sighed shortly and stood up.

“I suppose I have to go see for myself.”

No matter how upset I was, he was still my lover. I had to see with my own eyes what he was doing.

 

***

 

I concealed my presence and made my way to the rear garden.

Lucio and Serphin were strolling leisurely, as if without a care.

‘Are they planning to head straight to dinner after this?’

The thought made me uncomfortable—and determined. I couldn’t let this continue.

‘There’s no way I’m letting them have a romantic dinner alone.’

While I quietly followed the two from a distance, a strange sense of déjà vu washed over me.

‘This feels like… like I’m tailing my cheating husband to catch him in the act!’

Honestly, wasn’t this exactly the kind of job noblewomen used to hire me for?

I never imagined I’d be feeling what they felt, so much that I could practically see steam rising from my head.

Then it happened.

Something seemed to catch Serphin’s foot, and with a startled “Ah!”, she stumbled forward.

Lucio immediately caught her by the waist.

“…?!”

The two of them, already close as he held the parasol for her, were suddenly pressed against each other.

The atmosphere shifted.

Serphin’s cheeks flushed, and she gazed up at Lucio with a dreamy look—then suddenly reached up toward his face.

‘W-What?! Is she about to kiss him?!’

I froze, holding my breath.