Chapter 6 – Part 4

“Should I head inside too?”

Eliana muttered to herself as she moved toward the room with the stage when a face she didn’t want to see appeared in her line of sight. Rachel, wearing a purple dress, was walking towards her. As always, she trailed behind Cedric with a time gap, sneaking along like a mouse pretending not to follow closely.

‘Even after the engagement article was published, they still arrive separately. I guess the imperial family didn’t welcome you even after kicking me out.’

Eliana knew well how the royal family thought and acted. They would have made a swift move if they had preferred Rachel to her.

‘From their perspective, the obstacle named Leiberte has permanently stepped aside.’

However, even after the engagement article, nothing else had changed, and Rachel was still trailing behind Cedric.

Her dress style, always more extravagant than Eliana’s, hadn’t changed either. With puffed sleeves, a purple ribbon on her chest, and floral embroidery along the hem, she wore the most eye-catching outfit of any lady present. Walking with her chest out as if she were in a fashion show, Rachel abruptly stopped.

‘You…’

Their gazes locked in the air. Despite making eye contact, neither called the other’s name first. The two had never openly fought over Cedric.

If Rachel had, at some point, confessed that she couldn’t help falling for Cedric even though she knew she shouldn’t, perhaps Eliana might have foolishly tried to understand her feelings. But even while cheating and during the engagement’s breakup, Rachel had hidden behind Cedric. It was only after everything was settled that she dared to act confident.

‘Even in my past life, it was like this. You only showed your true colors after my death was set… Disgusting and vile.’

At that time, Rachel hadn’t even pretended to show remorse towards Eliana. It was proof of her lack of conscience. Even now, instead of avoiding Eliana’s gaze, Rachel glared back as if to say she belonged at the party and Eliana didn’t.

“Eliana Leiberte, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t look at me like that.”

Rachel was the first to speak, deliberately using a stiff tone to create distance.

“His Highness must have walked past you without acknowledging you, just as I intend to.“

“...“

“Just as you and His Highness are no longer related, you and I have nothing to do with each other. I have nothing to say to you, nor do I want to.”

It was a clear message to stay out of her way.

“Is that so? But what should I do, Rachel? I have something to say to you.“

Eliana’s response made Rachel’s cheek twitch slightly.

Clicking her heels, Eliana stepped closer to Rachel. It was the first time the two had faced each other so closely since their encounter at the temple.

“Listening to what you just said made me realize I have more things to say. And I intend to say them now.“

Eliana’s proximity made Rachel take a step back. She breathed, trying not to get drawn into Eliana’s rhythm.

“Eliana, let me give you one final piece of advice.”

“Advice?“

“It’s better if you quietly return home. If you don’t want to be humiliated any further.“

Rachel’s words, pretending to be for her benefit, were absurd.

‘You, giving advice to me?’

Eliana let out a short laugh. It was a sarcastic one.

“Why should I? I came to enjoy this party.“

“You won’t be able to enjoy it.“

“And why do you think that, Rachel?“

“Eliana.”

Rachel emphasized her name, intending to stop her.

“Please stop this nonsense and come to your senses.”

Her tone was like that of a superior reprimanding a subordinate. Rachel’s raised voice caused the nobles around her to begin watching the two. Given the circumstances, it was impossible not to be intrigued.

The Crown Prince’s ex-fiancée and the woman rumored to have captured his heart. And they had once been friends…

“No matter how much you hover around His Highness or pick a fight with me, nothing will change. You were rejected and severed ties with the royal family. The engagement is over.“

“...”

“You know best what that means, and it’s not good for you to dwell on your useless delusions, do you understand?“

Rachel’s lecturing tone made Eliana’s lips curl slightly. She laughed dryly.

“I have no interest in advice from a traitor.“

“…!“

“You did something filthy, and now you’re giving me presumptuous advice.“

“What, what?“

“No matter how you dress it up, you stink, Rachel. It doesn’t change the fact that you’re the one who betrayed your friend and cheated on me.“

“……!“

“I’m the one who’s disgusted to see you at this party, so go home.“

Rachel’s cheeks flushed, and her whole body shook.

Rachel clenched her fists tightly. She wanted to punch Eliana in the face right now, just to shut that mouth of hers.

When she thought of Eliana after the breakup article, she could only picture her crying helplessly.

‘No matter what I do, Eliana, you can’t stand up to me. She’s too timid and weak.’

But faced with the venom she’d never uttered before, Rachel felt an uncontrollable rage even in the face of a breakup.

“How dare you talk to me like that? I’ll go straight to His Highness and make sure you won’t get away with this, Eliana.”

Without remorse for the hurt she had caused, Rachel simply wanted to eliminate the person who dared disturb her joy on this fine day.

“Trembling, are we? I was only stating the truth.“

“It’s not the truth….“

“Oh, it absolutely is. No use trying to cover it up with lies. I’ve got plenty more to say.”

Eliana had always been the one to prepare Rachel’s favorite foods whenever her mood was even slightly off, and she was the one who would give up the prettiest dolls or the most interesting books when they played together.

But now, Eliana’s expression was cold and deadly. Her bold, unyielding stance made Rachel regret speaking to her first.

In fact, Rachel had met Bonita at a café the previous day. Bonita had told her about seeing Eliana by chance in the busy streets.

“Isn’t Eliana sick or something? She had the nerve to say she was coming to the party. I mean, what party? In her situation?”

“No way… she won’t come, will she?”

“No, Rachel. I thought the same, but she was insistent. I bet her she wouldn’t show up.”

“You’ll win that bet.”

“Haha.”

But the unbelievable had happened. She was at the party, and she was confronting Rachel.

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