Chapter 18

“Step aside.”

The thick doors slammed shut behind the helpless chamberlain and his guards.

The four stood still for a moment, taking in the scene. Aurelia was hugging Kaiden’s waist, and Kaiden’s hand was on her elbow.

Aurelia’s thin indoor gown was unsuitable for the colder season.

Rohana stared at the scene before her, momentarily dazed. Her violet eyes slowly shifted their gaze.

Aurelia’s golden hair flowed down to her waist, and as Kaiden’s two black eyes met hers, they wavered, seemingly startled for the first time. A bitter smile lingered at his lips.

Why is he startled?

Rohana felt like laughing. Or maybe crying. The situation was both absurd and pitiful.

“What are you two doing?”

Bardi’s voice boomed. Rohana slowly turned around. It was no longer a place for her. It was a good moment to leave.

Then, a thunderous voice stopped her.

“Rohana, stop.”

It was Bardi.

“Lady Aurelia seemed upset while recounting the events of her kidnapping. She was a bit shocked.”

Kaiden spoke lowly, releasing Aurelia.

“Kaiden Delcliff, why are you here?”

Kaiden ran his hand through his short silver hair, closing his eyes tightly as his handsome brow furrowed.

“Aurelia, did Kaiden come to see you? What have you done?”

Aurelia clasped her hands together, looking distressed. Rohana thought absentmindedly, as if watching someone else’s problem.

“Your Highness, it’s not like that…”

“Is coveting other men’s women in your blood, Kaiden? Your father didn’t stop there and lost his head for treason.”

“Your Highness! It’s nothing. I was just talking about something else and…”

The Prince sneered as Aurelia desperately tried to explain. Despite the insult, Kaiden listened with a slightly lowered head, his expression unchanged.

People used to say that Kaiden’s father, Dustin Delcliff, who married Yurie Rentworth despite already having a fiancée, coveted another man’s woman.

Eventually, he was executed for treason against the Empire when Kaiden was very young.

Because the former Emperor cherished his daughter so much, Princess Yurie and her son Kaiden were spared.

Already clashing over Aurelia, Rohana thought, shifting her gaze from Bardi to Kaiden.

For a brief moment, Rohana and Kaiden’s eyes met. She saw it then—the hidden look in the eyes of the polite protector of the Empire.

A dark, sharp gaze as if ready to tear someone’s throat out. An old sound echoed in her ears for a fleeting moment.

“Does it hurt, a lot?”

An out-of-place memory from childhood made Rohana frown.

‘What’s this?’

At that moment, Kaiden’s low voice growled.

“We were merely having a meal. I apologize if I’ve offended Your Highness.”

Moving slowly as if exerting maximum patience, he began to step away.

Then, Aurelia grabbed his arm again. Rohana could feel Bardi’s intake of breath beside her.

Kaiden shook off her hand more forcefully than necessary, stepping forward. Aurelia, looking distraught, pouted. Her pretty face turned pale.

That’s when Bardi took a step forward. His stride was aggressive and urgent. In an instant, he wrapped Aurelia in his arms. Her small body was engulfed.

At that moment, something clicked inside Rohana. Saying what needed to be said was the right thing.

It wasn’t selfish. Not in the past, nor now. It wasn’t something to be sorry for.

The timing was more perfect than when they were alone. Aurelia’s timely scream seemed to help.

“Your Highness.”

Bardi, holding the crying Aurelia, raised his head at Rohana’s voice. Kaiden, who was silently passing by, also stopped.

“Rohana, we’ll talk next time…”

Rohana began to speak slowly, feeling a sense of relief that she could finally say these words.

“I, Rohana Marcia Hanover…”

Bardi’s eyes hardened as before. It didn’t matter. Rohana continued speaking clearly.

“…request to break off the engagement.”

Neither the smile that bloomed on Aurelia’s lips nor Bardi’s face, which looked like he would threaten her as he had before if they were alone, meant anything to Rohana anymore.

How long did the silence last? Bardi’s brows furrowed menacingly.

His face, frozen in disbelief as if he had heard something that should never have existed, radiated anger at Rohana’s words.

Then, his gaze shifted to Kaiden standing behind Rohana.

As if now realizing that his cousin had embraced Aurelia first, his gaze lingered long on Kaiden before slowly returning to Rohana.

His blue eyes were filled with an indistinct rage.

“Let’s break off the engagement.”

After a heavy silence, the Crown Prince’s harsh voice emerged. At those words, Kaiden, who had been standing still as if nailed in place, finally started to move.

Listening to the sound of his receding footsteps, Rohana slowly bowed her knees in a polite farewell. It was over, for now.

Click-clack.

Her sturdy heels echoed crisply against the marble. She walked briskly.

It seemed the imperial palace, anticipating the cancellation of the marriage, had already cleared away the overly extravagant decorations. The path didn’t feel as long as before.

Rohana felt drained, as if the walk to the Hanover annex would take forever, but her heart was lighter.

‘It’s done.’

It went as she wanted. With the Crown Prince initiating the breakup, even Gregory might not vent as much.

Rohana smiled bitterly to herself. As soon as she reached the duchy, she called for Jody. Though she had prepared for this long ago, the words were still hard to say.

“Jody.”

Not knowing the reason, Jody sat down in the drawing room chair. Rohana placed an envelope and a small bundle on the table.

“As of tomorrow, you are dismissed.”

Jody was shocked as if the world had split in two.

“L… Lady? What do you mean!”

“Jody, you know well. I can no longer protect you. I’m returning from breaking off the engagement with the Crown Prince. And soon…”

Rohana began to speak slowly.

“His Highness the Crown Prince will become the Emperor. Gregory will have countless reasons not to sit idly by. So, leave this place.”

Rohana continued as calmly and composedly as she could.

“You’ve endured so much. This is a letter of recommendation. It’s not in the capital, but the position is secure.”

Jody said nothing.

“I should have done this sooner…”

Rohana smiled faintly.

“I was selfish.”

It was true. Jody had been almost her only friend since childhood, and despite knowing the suffering, she hadn’t let her go.

She didn’t want to let her go.

“I also put in some money. Leave after tomorrow morning. Please.”

The Crown Prince would officially announce the breakup at the coronation. Tonight was the last time she could do anything without her father’s knowldge.

“My Lady.”

Jody cried, tears streaming down her face. Rohana gently stroked her arm, trying to remain composed.

She couldn’t afford to cry. She forced a smile on her lips.

***

Kaiden’s footsteps could be heard as he arrived at his quarters. Heath, walking out from his room to the drawing room, looked him up and down.

There was an odd atmosphere. His slightly raised lips contrasted with his icy gaze. This was how Kaiden looked before a battle, especially one he was sure to win.

Even when Heath had informed him with his impeccable sources that the Emperor would abdicate to the Crown Prince, Kaiden had shown no reaction.

Now, seeing Kaiden in a strange, almost buoyant mood was curious and even a bit unsettling.

Heath felt this was one of the rare times he couldn’t understand Kaiden at all.

“You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

At Heath’s question, Kaiden furrowed his brows.

“Forgotten what?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be more worried about Bardi Rentworth ascending the throne?”

“It was bound to happen soon anyway.”

Kaiden calmly replied, pouring whiskey into a glass at the liquor bar. The amber liquid gleamed richly.

The frail Emperor passing the throne to his young, popular grandson was welcomed for the Empire’s stability.

But for the Kark people, who desired independence, it was not good news.

No matter how much the world praised the Rentworth imperial family, the Kark people could not.

Heath believed Kaiden Delcliff, who had suffered “such an event,” wouldn’t be an exception.

Kaiden took a few sips before perching on a chair in the drawing room. Yet his eyes were busy, overly sharp for someone claiming indifference.

“So, what’s the next plan?”

Draining the glass quickly, his Adam’s apple bobbed as he finished the remaining liquor in one go.

A brief silence followed. Only the occasional crackle of the fireplace filled the room. Kaiden finally broke the silence, setting down the glass with a clink.

“Have you finished investigating that man, Job?”