Chapter 6 (Part 3)

Reina was at a disadvantage at the moment. If things went wrong, she could end up being seen as someone who stole another’s man.

If their relationship was discovered, her father would undoubtedly tell her to stay out of someone else’s romance. He would despise her involvement with an engaged man.

Could it be the curse of the necklace?

She should never have gotten involved from the beginning, but being forced into it made it feel like an unknown force was trying to separate her and Patrick.

No, let’s not think like that.

Reina tried to shake off the negative thoughts. Instead of dwelling on them, it was better to take action to ensure Lady Berkshire couldn’t cause any more trouble.

If she stayed idle, she might lose Patrick right before her eyes. The possibility was slim, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t happen.

What should I do? How can I keep Lady Berkshire away from Patrick?

While she was worrying, something soft touched and left her lips.

“There’s no need to be anxious. I’ll handle it, so please trust me and wait.”

Seeing Patrick’s gentle smile, Reina found herself nodding unconsciously. His face made her worries dissipate like grains of sand.

He gazed at her intently and then kissed her again. Their breaths mingled as something soft entered her mouth, brushing against the inside of her cheeks. Their breathing intertwined, and their tongues tangled.

Every time he sucked deeply, it felt like that place was burning hot. It was as if he was leaving marks all over her mouth, claiming it as his own.

As their breaths merged into one, a faint smile appeared on Reina’s lips. Only she could see Patrick’s anxious and impatient side.

Lady Berkshire would never know how possessive, persistent, and instinct-driven Patrick was, even if she were reborn.

Reina wrapped her arms around Patrick’s neck and deepened the kiss. Soon, a dense atmosphere enveloped them, filling the entire room.

* * *

Although Reina trusted Patrick, she couldn’t ignore the fact that Lady Berkshire had been attending social gatherings frequently. The next day, she visited Lady Eglinton. Since she arrived unannounced, Lady Eglinton seemed quite surprised.

“What brings you here? Is it something urgent?”

“It’s not urgent, but I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Do you know Lady Berkshire?”

“Oh, Lady Berkshire? I just met her recently. She introduced herself as Commander Marionus’ fiancée. I didn’t know they were engaged. Did you?”

As expected, Lady Eglinton knew about Lady Berkshire.

Just as Olive had reported, Lady Berkshire had been attending social gatherings, spreading rumors about her engagement to Patrick. Although Reina already knew this, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

“Yes.”

Reina answered, holding back her anger.

“Well, you train with the knights, so of course you would know. But why are you asking about Lady Berkshire?”

Lady Eglinton looked disappointed that Reina hadn’t informed her. Knowing well her keen interest in all sorts of rumors, Reina felt a bit guilty.

“The truth is….”

Suddenly, Reina felt like sharing her story. The events she couldn’t even tell Richelle about.

Lady Eglinton was known to be discreet. If asked to keep a secret, she wouldn’t let it slip. Knowing this, Reina decided to be honest.

Unlike her father and Richelle, Lady Eglinton never forced her to do anything she disliked, so there was no issue.

Of course, she didn’t plan to reveal everything. She would only share why Patrick and Lady Berkshire got engaged and that he recently became Reina’s lover. Even this much would be intriguing for Lady Eglinton.

“What? Is that true? How can she be so shameless? No wonder it seemed odd. When I asked why she had kept it hidden until now, she just made excuses about not feeling well.”

Lady Eglinton, recalling her encounter with Lady Berkshire at the social gathering, was excited after hearing the story.

Since Lady Berkshire rarely went out, it was natural for her to draw attention the moment she appeared at the social gathering.

‘I am Sandra Berkshire. I haven’t attended gatherings because I wasn’t feeling well, but I decided to come now, even if it’s late. Please take care of me.’

She introduced herself to the approaching ladies, adding,

‘I am also Commander Marionus’ fiancée.’

It was only natural for those who didn’t know about Commander Marionus’ engagement to be surprised. He had never attended a gathering with his fiancée before.

So, while there had been rumors about his engagement, many dismissed them as mere gossip. But to think it was true.

Many women admired Commander Marionus, so Lady Eglinton wasn’t the only one surprised. The gathering buzzed with talk about him and Lady Berkshire.

“She didn’t mention Sir Bill at all, did she?”

Reina’s voice pulled Lady Eglinton out of her thoughts.

“Of course not. Hardly anyone knows they were lovers.”

Lady Eglinton, nodding, suddenly exclaimed excitedly,

“I can’t understand it! Sir Bill may not have the kind of face that appeals to ladies, but he’s not unattractive. Many ladies admired his physique!”

“Maybe her feelings faded after five years.”

“Even so, how can she switch to her lover’s friend? Isn’t she just trying to exploit Commander Marionus’ upright and courteous nature?”

Lady Eglinton thought Lady Berkshire’s actions were excessive, suddenly appearing in society when she noticed another man, after being reserved for her love.

“Seems like it.”

“What gives her the confidence to seduce Commander Marionus?”

“She seemed very confident in her looks.”

“Well, she does have the kind of appearance that can capture men’s hearts with just a bit of flirting. She must be very aware of that. Reina, are you okay?”

“It’s a difficult situation. If I reveal my relationship with Commander Patrick now, it will look like I’m stealing someone’s fiancée.”

“It’s ridiculous. Should I go and reveal everything right now?”

Lady Eglinton, eyes filled with anger, seemed ready to host a tea party immediately.

“No, there’s no need. I want to resolve this quietly. It’s not the right time yet. Besides, discussing someone’s private life in detail isn’t very ladylike, is it?”

“That’s true.”

They had been raised as noble ladies. They knew better than anyone that it was improper to gossip about others’ private lives.

Of course, some people broke this rule, but they didn’t want to lower themselves to such behavior. That didn’t mean they planned to keep this entirely to themselves.

Rumors would spread eventually. Lady Eglinton didn’t need to go around talking about it. They planned to let it out at the right time.

“Is Commander Marionus weak to women’s tears?”

“Not really, but after meeting Lady Berkshire, I realized she’s a formidable opponent.”

“Reina, you really can’t compete with her. You’ve never been in a relationship, so how can you beat a vixen?”

Lady Eglinton looked at Reina with a sympathetic expression, foreseeing a tough road ahead.

“There’s nothing I can do. I’ll have to trust and wait for Commander Patrick.”

Though she wondered if she could really just wait while Lady Berkshire provoked them, Reina wanted to trust Patrick, as he had never broken his word.

* * *

After meeting Lady Eglinton, Reina spent her time staring blankly at the ceiling. Her mind was so cluttered that she couldn’t muster the motivation to do anything.

“Sister, let’s play.”

“Huh? Sure.”

Even when Lilith spoke to her, she responded absentmindedly.

“Sister?”

“Huh?”

“Why do you keep not answering? Are you sick?”

“It’s not that….”

Reina couldn’t focus on anything because of Lady Berkshire. She had thought everything would go smoothly once she and Patrick understood each other, but who could have predicted this sudden obstacle?

Could the necklace’s color change between them?

A sudden, ominous thought flashed through her mind. The necklace was bothering her.

She had no intention of checking their relationship. If the color changed, it would be too unsettling.

She dismissed it as nonsense, but only because she didn’t want to acknowledge the possibility that she and Patrick weren’t meant to be. 

If the color changed between them….

The thought alone was horrifying. Reina shook her head, trying to dispel her anxiety.

After half-heartedly playing with Lilith, she returned to her room and took the necklace out of the drawer.

She had tried to forget it, but the fact that the color hadn’t changed between her and Patrick was too unsettling to ignore. She couldn’t take her eyes off the necklace.

Hoping it wasn’t a divine sign to end her relationship, she put the necklace back in the drawer.