Chapter 3 – Part 3

“Are you… a parrot?”

“What do you mean?“

“Is ‘I’ll go get the doctor‘ all you can say?”

“……”

“Why? Is even pretending to care about me now too bothersome?”

Noticing the stark difference in Eliana’s feelings, Cedric sneered.

‘So, you’ve noticed, too.’

Even though he used to make a fuss about not wanting her by his side, now that she no longer cried sorrowfully when he was in pain, it seemed to irritate him.

“If you don’t want me to call the doctor, I won’t.”

Cedric wiped the sweat off with his hand. His golden pupils, which had been dull, gradually regained their original brightness.

“That’s not what I mean, Eliana Leiberte. Do you know what your eyes look like right now?”

“……”

“It’s like you’re just watching me. Seeing that you didn’t say a single word of concern, is this your true nature finally showing?”

Cedric snapped.

‘I helped you because you were in pain and stayed quiet just as you wanted. What’s the problem?’

Eliana was incredulous.

“Just because High Priest Somen praised you once, do you think you’ve become something great? But you’re so foolish. We’ve only been engaged, nothing more. Are you really going to show your true colors so soon?“

“Your Highness, you seem to have forgotten what you told me.“

Eliana was not swayed by his attack.

“And what did I say to you?“

“When you suddenly felt ill during the imperial event, I nursed you, but you told me to stay away because I was annoying you. You also told me to stop sniveling because you didn’t want to hear it. So I’ve been quietly following your wishes, Your Highness.“

‘If you have any conscience, you won’t deny remembering that.’

His brow furrowed, indicating he did recall.

‘If my concern and tears bother you, what should I do?’

Eliana had been endlessly confused. No matter how much she thought about it, it was hard to stop the tears from her heart.

In fact, Eliana was the type of person who would stop to ask a stranger if they were in pain. So, in front of Cedric, whom she loved, her heart naturally softened even more.

“Yes, I did say that. You cried so loudly. Can’t you find a middle ground? All you know is either sobbing or being completely silent with no concern. It’s frustrating!”

“……”

Eliana did not waver even as he shouted. Her face was expressionless, devoid of emotion as if something had been completely cut out.

‘She was like that from the temple too.’

Constant retorts. He had never imagined having such verbal battles with her before.

“I thought about taking you to the Emperor to get scolded. But there’s no need for that.”

“……”

“I’ll deal with you myself.”

Cedric said, getting up from the bed. His abdomen still tingled, but it was much better than before. He had relied on Eliana when he was in pain, but now that he could stand alone, he didn’t need her.

“I’ll make you regret that insolent tongue of yours.”

Cedric strode up to Eliana and grabbed her shoulders tightly. He pressed down on her, forcing her to look directly at him.

Even though he glared at her with a fierce face, Eliana’s blue eyes, as calm as the sea, didn’t show the slightest ripple. In contrast, Cedric’s golden eyes, not yet entirely calm, wavered in her defiant gaze.

“Lie down again, Your Highness. You’ll collapse otherwise.”

Eliana spoke each word clearly and deliberately.

“I won’t collapse. There’s no such thing, Eliana.”

Cedric replied through gritted teeth.

“I know my body better than anyone. Not someone like you.”

“……Indeed. It’s your body, Your Highness.“

Eliana’s response further irritated Cedric. It wasn’t a reaction he was familiar with, and it wasn’t the attitude the world expected from Eliana.

For their relationship, this nonsensical political marriage, to even remotely work and be maintained, Eliana had to bow down ultimately to Cedric. But this woman kept a high stance endlessly.

‘Since the party at the Lequizet estate… Yes, from that day. She’s been strange since that day.’

From the entrance, she talked back to him and asked Duke Calix about the war. It was clearly a deliberate question. After that, she appears with Duke Calix, where he is talking with Rachel.

The image of the Duke flashed in Cedric’s mind. His unyielding attitude toward Cedric. It shared similarities with Eliana’s current expression.

‘Is she plotting something shady with that bastard Calix?’

The thought that crossed Cedric’s mind made his face contort. There was no reason to keep a fiancée who associated with someone he despised.

‘You’ve forsaken the only right and duty to enter the royal family, Eliana.‘

“Repeat what you just said.“

Cedric’s voice cracked.

“Think carefully before you answer. If you continue to act like this, I’ll ensure you can’t walk out of the palace alone.“

Eliana slowly closed and opened her eyes.

“Does it anger you so much that I said you know your body best, Your Highness? Didn’t you just say that yourself? If you say you know your body well, I can’t insist otherwise, can I?“

“Stop playing with words.“

“I’ve met the best doctors in the empire and scoured the imperial library for you. I’ve studied medicinal herbs and prayed at the temple hundreds of times.“

“Are you bragging?“

“No, I’m saying that despite all my efforts, you didn’t like any of it. So I don’t know what else to do.“

“So because you’ve done all that, it’s okay to treat me like this when I’m in pain today? That’s some audacious logic.”

Eliana could tell he wasn’t just picking a fight. Cedric’s eyes were burning, intending to find fault. He seemed eager to tell the world that his fiancée, Eliana, had done nothing for him.

‘An opportunity to expel her from the position of fiancée.’

He seemed to have seized it. Cedric pressed down harder on Eliana’s shoulders.

The sensation was uncomfortable and made her feel resistant.

“Take your hands off me, Your Highness.“

“Ha. Ridiculous, truly.”

“……”

“First, you begged me to stay close, and now you don’t want even this? Whatever I do, you should stay quiet and accept it.”

He spat the words out.

“No, I refuse.”

Eliana replied firmly.

Refuse.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

He had wanted to push her away endlessly, but when she spoke of refusal, he didn’t want to let go. In the next moment, Cedric forcefully pulled Eliana’s hand and pressed it against his chest.

“What are you doing…?”

She could feel his heart pounding erratically beneath her palm. The rapid beat was clearly abnormal.

“If you were truly of any help to me, my condition would improve when we have contact like this, wouldn’t it?“

“…….“

“But as you know, you’re no help to me.“

“…….“

“For someone so useless to become the mistress of the palace… It’s the worst for me and only good for you and your family, right?”

Eliana tried to pull her hand away, but Cedric gripped her wrist tighter.

“I no longer wish to bestow such an honor upon you.“

“…….“

“It’s all your own doing.”

Blaming others until the end.

“So, what do you want to do, Your Highness?”

Eliana responded with cold eyes. Cedric’s eyes twisted even more ferociously.

Eliana did not flinch and observed his fury. Provoking him had the desired effect. He was losing his temper faster than before.

“I’ll tell His Majesty. I’ll ask him to revoke the command that we must always be together as you wish. And furthermore!“

“…….“

“I will request that this marriage to someone as rude as you be canceled.”

He continued, panting with anger.

“This marriage has no benefit to me or the royal family. Having an incompetent person like you in the palace is a huge mistake that His Majesty must realize.“

“…….“

“What do you think, Eliana? I’m telling you, we will break off this engagement!”

Cedric shouted. He even asked for Eliana’s feelings about it. His previously pale face was now blotchy with excitement.

Break off the engagement.

‘That’s the phrase I’ve been waiting for.’

The crown prince, who hated taking responsibility, was willing to take action first. It was a welcome development.

‘I’ve been waiting and waiting for this moment.’

Cedric had no idea how Eliana felt and couldn’t even imagine her feelings.

“Do as you wish, Your Highness.”

Knock, knock.

When Eliana finished speaking, there was a loud knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Cedric shouted, and Noah entered with two court physicians. Noah began explaining the situation.

“Your Highness, I went to see His Majesty, but he was not there. When I returned, the servants told me you had gone to the west palace. So I brought the physicians immediately.”

Noah brought the physicians to Eliana, who were familiar faces, as they had always treated Cedric’s condition. They were skilled, as they had successfully treated other royal family members’ ailments, but they could not provide any significant treatment for Cedric.

“Planning to arrive after I’m dead?”

Even after hearing the explanation for the delay, Cedric sneered.

“Because of Eliana’s insincere care, I’m going to die, and you only thought to come after my grave was filled?”

Cedric was so furious that Noah’s face turned pale.

“I apologize, Your Highness. It’s my fault. Please forgive me.”