How to Get a Stolen Husband Back - Chapter 27

Turning his head reflexively, he met the eyes of the owner of the voice. A beautiful woman with brown hair and emerald eyes was looking at him.

“Hello. Since I’m here, may I sit next to you?”

She only glanced at him briefly. The woman asked for permission out of courtesy and then promptly approached and sat beside him.

In fact, it was almost a unilateral notice since she didn’t give him a chance to respond.

Aiden felt uncomfortable and wanted to leave, but he held his ground, fearing it might seem like an insult to the woman.

“Hehe, you seem like a quiet person. But you allowed it, right?”

Allowed or not, you’ve already sat down.

“Anyway, nice to meet you. I’m Systea, from the Kingdom of Shatra.”

‘Systea… the princess of the Kingdom of Shatra.’

Aiden quickly understood who the woman was. As he was assisting his father, the Duke of Yentrice, he was well aware of the information about the delegations.

“I am…”

He hesitated before finally opening his lips with difficulty.

In truth, he wanted to keep them shut.

Despite having a face like a nobleman and a pleasant voice, he hated his stuttering that left a poor impression on others.

However, since she had introduced herself first, it was only polite to respond.

“…Aiden… from the Yentrice Ducal House.”

Aiden introduced himself reluctantly and quickly closed his mouth. He hoped she would take the hint and withdraw her interest, but suddenly, Systea’s demeanor became strange.

“Oh, I see. The Duke, he…”

Trailing off her words, she furrowed her brows and scolded the air.

“Systea, did you mess up again? Honestly, everything you do is just…”

She was clearly muttering to herself, but the voice was so soft it seemed like her inner thoughts had slipped out.

What was certain was that the emotion on her face wasn’t ridicule, disdain, sympathy, or pity.

If anything, it was… self-reproach.

‘She must have heard of the rumors about me.’

Given the honesty of her reaction, Aiden quickly grasped the situation. Realizing that the person she spoke to was the stuttering young duke, he expected her to make some excuse and flee.

However, Systea surprised him once again by approaching and sitting next to him without hesitation, as if nothing had happened. She wore an even more cheerful expression than before as she spoke to him.

“Nice to meet you, Lord Aiden. Seeing you here, you don’t seem to like dancing much either?”

“Yes, well…”

Aiden replied awkwardly, but Systea didn’t mind.

“I’ve found a comrade, hehe. I also hate dancing. No matter how much I learn, my skills are just terrible. I escaped for my partner’s sake. I’m quite famous for that back home, you know.”

“Is… that so.”

“Yes, indeed. Haven’t you heard? The rumor about the princess of the Kingdom of Shatra breaking her partner’s toe while ballroom dancing.”

“What?”

“Oh? You haven’t heard? The rumor spread widely.”

“……”

“The empire must be vast. Or is it because toes are such a small part? Perhaps I should have broken a spine instead…”

“Pfft, haha.”

Aiden couldn’t help but chuckle. Just moments ago, he found the woman incredibly uncomfortable, but now he was amazed at how a few words had made him like her.

At the same time, he felt frustrated. He wanted to enjoy a back-and-forth conversation, but his mouth wouldn’t cooperate.

In Systea’s eyes, as if waiting for his response, Aiden gave a short reply.

“That’s… amusing.”

“Really? Should I tell you more funny stories?”

Even with his terribly monotonous response, Systea seemed satisfied. As if she needed a conversation partner, she began to share her stories.

Tales of her causing trouble due to her bold personality, or declaring a breakup just six months after an engagement because she couldn’t develop romantic feelings.

The backstory of how she broke off an arranged relationship set by her parents and fled to the empire under the guise of a delegation.

She said she had a hard time making her ex-fiancé, who was crying and clinging, give up. Aiden listened to her stories with a smile or light responses.

The smile vanished from Aiden’s face when Systea’s emerald eyes pierced into his blue ones with a question.

“But why are you so quiet? Is it really because you’re naturally reserved?”

“Haven’t you heard…? I s-stutter when I speak.”

He could have just nodded, but Aiden didn’t. He wanted to answer with sincerity.

He wanted to. For the first time, he cared more about her opinion than his pride.

“Well, I did hear about it. When I travel abroad, I tend to pick up local rumors first. It’s the best way to understand the local context.”

Adding, ‘I would have thrived as a spy,’ Systea’s green eyes turned back to Aiden.

“So? What’s the problem with that?”

“W-when I speak, people l-laugh. Or they f-feel uncomfortable. I don’t want to be a b-burden to those around me…”

“Isn’t keeping quiet more of a nuisance?”

“……?”

“Isn’t that right? How can one know your thoughts if you don’t speak? It just takes a little more time to listen, but there’s no problem in having a conversation, right? Don’t you agree?”

“Such……”

Aiden couldn’t continue his words. He merely felt a sense of salvation.

Such words, such thoughts……. Weren’t they all what he had hoped for?

“I have plenty of time, you know? I don’t mind not returning to the banquet hall, so let’s just chat. Oh, by the way, I also met your sister at the dinner yesterday.”

“A…ristie?”

“Yes. Isn’t she beautiful, wise, and full of grace? And how well she speaks……. Truly the best bride candidate.”

“She d…deserves such p-praise.”

Aiden felt proud as if he himself had been praised. At the same time, he felt deeply grateful to Systea for treating him without prejudice and recognizing his sister’s true worth.

So this time, he initiated the conversation. For the first time.

Feeling the intangible blade that had been lodged in his heart for so long tremble slightly.

“Did you have any sp, special conversation during the dinner……?”

“Oh my……. Didn’t you hear? The lady should have spread such an interesting story immediately.”

Systea chuckled and, with a smug expression, boasted about another incident she had caused.

“Listen, I actually called His Majesty the Emperor shameless on behalf of the lady……”

“Whaaat!?”

Hearing the whole story, Aiden showed a mixed expression of astonishment and delight.

After that, they shared many stories.

Not content with just sitting and talking, they walked through the garden together, laughed under the moon, and then sat somewhere to seriously discuss the values of life.

Systea naturally waited for Aiden’s stammering words to finish.

Then suddenly, she made a request to him.

“I plan to stay for quite a while, so I’d like to explore the capital. Could you guide me around? Of course, only if it’s not a bother.”

How could he possibly refuse her request?

“Of course. I’d love to.”

Aiden accepted with a face that couldn’t hide his joy. Systea’s eyes curved affectionately.

At that moment, neither of them realized that Aiden hadn’t stammered at all.

* * *

Two days after the banquet. Aristie put down the book she was reading and checked the clock.

It was precisely that time.

The time when she lost her hat during the harvest festival.

Despite trying to act indifferent, it proved she was on edge about Ryuel. Ryuel’s words that he would wait for her at the bridge today……. Could he really be there?

She was worried. She felt sorry.

She assumed he would have given up since she said she wouldn’t go.

But deep down, she felt anxious and impulsively wanted to go and check.

In the midst of such a chaotic mind, Khalid suddenly came to her mind. Why or for what reason she thought of him, she didn’t know.

‘……All these thoughts are futile.’

Aristie shook her head and picked up the book again. Just then, a maid knocked on the door and entered to ask.

“Miss, since you’re home, shall I prepare some snacks?”

“Would you? Preferably something sweet.”

“Is chocolate mousse with crepe suzette okay?”

“Thank you. That sounds delicious.”

“I’ll make it right away and bring it to you.”

Once the maid left, Aristie sighed in relief. This gave her an excuse to stay home.

Otherwise, she might have unknowingly stepped outside at some point.

‘It’s better this way.’

Aristie gently closed her eyes, shook off her confused feelings, and this time focused on her book.

* * *

Ryuel stood on the bridge, looking at the river flowing under the clear sky. Among the passing pedestrians, he was the only one standing still.

As expected, Alice did not appear.

He knew she wouldn’t come anyway.

But he couldn’t help but wait. At least while waiting, he could hold on to a thread of hope. Even if, in the end, the deepening chasm of despair weighed heavily on him.

‘Has that hat found a new owner…….’

Ryuel thought idly, recalling Alice’s hat that had drifted away.

At that moment, a woman who had been watching him from afar cautiously approached and spoke.