Chapter 5 – Part 4

“His Highness is arriving.”

At Lydell’s words, Eliana turned to see Cedric entering with Noah. He approached swiftly.

The two entered the room where the High Priest awaited without exchanging words. Eliana hoped they could quickly exchange a few words to confirm their intentions to end the engagement, throw away their rings, and be done with it.

‘Cedric must be thinking the same thing.’

“I’ve received the Emperor’s message,“ the High Priest Somen began, looking between Cedric and Eliana.

“It feels abrupt to have this discussion so soon after our last conversation about the marriage.“

“When it comes to major decisions, there are always unexpected variables, aren’t there?“ Cedric responded as if he had prepared the line.

“Let’s not waste time and get this over quickly, High Priest,“ Cedric urged.

“Ah, but I must mention that no matter what the High Priest says, the decision will not change. There’s no point in wasting time.”

Cedric was firm. Somen looked at Eliana, trying to understand not just her words but something unspoken as if he were peering through her past and future.

“This marriage… is a good one,“ Somen said quietly.

“It is also an excellent marriage for His Highness Cedric,“ Somen added. Cedric lowered his head slightly, clearly showing his displeasure.

“The Leiberte family has an outstanding lady. You are noble and upright. Coming from a family with a long lineage of healing abilities, you naturally possess that talent. You were born with a unique strength no one can take from you.”

Although Cedric’s body language screamed his unwillingness to listen, the High Priest continued to praise Eliana.

“In that sense, breaking this engagement would be a loss for the Empire. And there is something else that I see…”

“Enough,”

Cedric interrupted, barely able to contain his frustration. Though he knew it was rude, he could no longer sit there. He didn’t want to hear any more of the tiresome praise of Eliana, none of which he agreed with.

“Please stop, High Priest. This woman has caused me too much harm, and all I want now is to end this relationship as soon as possible.”

Cedric was as impatient as if Rachel were waiting outside, ready to wear a wedding ring. Eliana was curious about what the High Priest had started to say.

‘Is he referring to the fact that I’ve returned to the past?‘

“You haven’t said a word, My Lady. Do you share the same thoughts as His Highness Cedric?“ the High Priest asked, confirming Eliana’s intentions.

“Yes, I also wish to break the engagement,“ Eliana replied hesitantly.

“But… there is one condition.”

At the word “condition,“ Cedric turned his head sharply towards Eliana, his golden eyes narrowing vertically. His expression was strong suspicion as if she might be up to some trick.

“What now? At this point?“

“Go ahead,“ the High Priest encouraged Eliana, ignoring Cedric’s outburst.

“I want a promise made before the High Priest. From this moment forward, we will be completely irrelevant in each other’s lives.”

Cedric let out a derisive laugh as if the request was absurd.

“Why? Do you think I’ll try to keep you close even after the engagement is broken? You’ll never come near me again.“

“I’m concerned about incidents like the one with the newspaper article happening again.”

Despite his harsh response, Eliana persisted with her request.

“What are you talking about?“

Cedric’s forehead veins bulged as he spoke.

“You know exactly what I mean,“ Eliana said calmly.

“Are you worried that I might cause you harm?“ Cedric asked.

“Yes. If you wished, you could do so.”

Cedric scoffed exaggeratedly.

“There’s nothing in that article that’s untrue,“ he said, his face contorting with annoyance.

“Are you saying that includes the suspicions about the temple and me?”

Eliana asked. Cedric glanced at Somen. The article had been written to tarnish Eliana’s reputation, but it was not something that would be viewed favorably by the temple either. The High Priest observed their exchange quietly.

Cedric was concerned about Somen. The article had been crafted to discredit Eliana, but he hadn’t intended to antagonize the temple—at least not before he became emperor.

“I admit that the last article may have been somewhat exaggerated.“

“Then promise me here, in this place, that there will be no more such articles… that we will be completely irrelevant to each other. Have the temple certify this. That’s all I ask.“

“Fine, there’s no reason I can’t promise that. Satisfied?“ Cedric said, raising his chin defiantly.

“In that case, I agree to the engagement being broken.”

They had reached an agreement. Cedric looked at the High Priest, urging him to make the certification. Eliana did the same. Both wanted the High Priest to finalize the vow.

“Will there be no regrets?”

“None.“

“I have none either,“ Eliana said, removing the engagement ring from her finger and placing it on the table. Cedric quickly grabbed it as soon as she set it down. Eliana noticed that Cedric was not wearing his engagement ring, indicating he had already ended things in his mind.

“I hereby certify the promise made by His Highness Cedric, Crown Prince,“ the High Priest declared.

* * *

Outside the temple, two carriages were waiting. Noah stood by them.

“Lady Leiberte,“ Noah said as their eyes met, walking toward her.

“Thank you for caring about me all this time, Noah,“ Eliana said.

Noah looked unsure of how to respond to her words.

“It’s I who should thank you, My Lady. You’ve been so considerate of me. The food and gifts you sent were more than I deserved.“

Noah’s voice wavered slightly at the end.

“I am considering returning the gifts I received from the palace…“

“Throw it away.”

Cedric cut off Eliana’s words before she could finish speaking to Noah.

“There’s no reason to bring back anything tainted with your presence into the palace.“

“Those are quite valuable items. Are you sure about this?“ Eliana asked, testing his resolve.

“They may be valuable to you, but not to me,”

Cedric retorted coldly, his words filled with disdain. Noah looked at Eliana with a hint of sympathy in his eyes.

“Ah, I’ll throw away everything your family sent as well. It’s quite a lot, so discarding them will be a hassle. Truly, what a nuisance,“ Cedric added, mocking the expensive items her father had sent.

“…”

It is really over now.

‘This connection between us…’

They had reached the conclusion he wanted and that she, too, desired. She knew public opinion would harshly criticize her, but she had already steeled herself for it.

“Let’s go home, Mila. The procedures are finished,“ Eliana said as she turned to Mila and headed for the carriage. Noah watched her retreating figure as she climbed into the carriage.

Her face was strangely calm. Unlike before, in the temple, she didn’t raise her voice at Cedric.

‘Back then, I was surprised to see Lady Eliana argue fiercely… But now, she’s turning away without any regrets.’

***

“What should I do with this?”

On the way back to the palace, Cedric looked at the ring with a smirk. It was the engagement ring Eliana had removed.

“What do you think, Noah?“

Cedric’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he looked at Noah.

“What are you referring to, Your Highness?“

“I’m thinking of getting rid of this so she can’t try to reclaim it. But it’s too much trouble to dispose of it properly.“

“Are you concerned Lady Eliana might hold onto some lingering attachment?“ Noah asked.

“Yes. It’s disgusting, but she might,“ Cedric replied, his voice dripping with contempt.

‘I doubt that will be the case, judging by her expression…‘ Noah thought. As the carriage paused momentarily, a thick tangle of bushes came into view, overgrown and unkempt.

Without a word of warning, Cedric casually flicked the ring out of the carriage window, treating it as if it were mere garbage.

“Done. That’s the end of that,“ Cedric said, a self-satisfied smile spreading across his face.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.