Chapter 8

Her skin was still soft and smooth, her blue eyes shimmered with tears, and her lips were flushed with vitality… Lisbeth was still beautiful, but none of it mattered anymore. She stared at her reflection in the mirror for a moment, then gently wiped away the smudged makeup at the corners of her eyes with her fingertip.

She took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, and stood up tall. Leaving just like this would not be polite. She needed to say goodbye to the Madames before returning home. Earlier, when she had met Dion’s gaze, she had panicked and fled without thinking, but now that her mind was clearer, she remembered what she ought to do.

She unlatched the lounge door, grabbed the handle, and stepped outside. The commotion from the banquet hall could be heard even here, some distance away. She held her head high and took one step, then two, and on the third step—

“Miss Lisbeth.”

Her body stopped abruptly, as if caught on something.

The composure she had regained began to tremble again. She clasped her hands together to hide the shaking. The person who called her was behind her, but she didn’t dare look back. Lisbeth pressed her hands to her chest. Her heart felt as if it would leap out.

Then she heard her name called again from behind.

“Miss Lisbeth, please, just for a moment, even if it’s only for a very brief moment, let me see your face.”

“I don’t know why you’re doing this…. I have no reason to meet with you, Priest.”  

“Miss, please…”

His desperate voice called to her. Lisbeth squeezed her eyes shut. 

Really, what was this man thinking…?

She spun around abruptly, still keeping her gaze lowered.

“I don’t know what business you could possibly have with me, Priest.”

“Miss Lisbeth.”

Unlike Lisbeth, who was trembling so much it was almost painful to watch, Dion’s voice remained calm. Lisbeth resented that, too. She hated herself for standing in front of the man who had left her without a trace, showing no sign of agitation at all. She could have just ignored him and left—why had she turned around?

To the silent Lisbeth, Dion spoke in a low voice.

“There are eyes watching… Could we talk somewhere private?”

“I have nothing to say.”

“I beg you, please, just give me a moment of your time.”

How could someone sound so calm and gentle when pleading? The moment she heard that voice, Lisbeth realized she had no chance of resisting. She tried to re-enter the lounge she had just left, but Dion shook his head.

“Would you follow me? Too many people come through here.”

He was right about that, too. Lisbeth didn’t want to be caught up in rumors with Dion. With her head down, she followed him. Fortunately, since the banquet had just begun, it seemed everyone was gathered in the main hall; there were hardly any palace attendants or servants in this area.

Following Dion down the palace corridor, the two of them stopped in front of a door. It appeared to be a lounge the royal family had prepared especially for Dion.

Dion opened the door and stepped aside.

“Please, go in first, Miss.”

Lisbeth said nothing and simply walked inside. She heard the door close behind her. She closed her eyes, her eyelids trembling.

What could he possibly want to say? 

There was nothing left to discuss between Dion and Lisbeth. At least, that’s how she felt. There had been much to say in the past, but as time passed, she had swallowed it all, erased it, and now nothing remained.

Apparently, Dion did not feel the same. 

Should I listen to what he had to say? 

Now that she had come this far, there was no helping it.

The sound of footsteps approaching from behind sent a chill down her spine. Dion stopped in front of Lisbeth and faced her. Lisbeth quickly raised her bowed head.

You haven’t committed a crime, Lisbeth. There’s no reason to bow your head. Be confident…

“…To see you like this, it’s so unexpected…”

Her voice trembled, but she couldn’t help it. This was the best she could manage.

Dion did not answer immediately. He only looked at Lisbeth with an unreadable expression.

Why isn’t he saying anything?

Lisbeth felt her heart pounding wildly. Just facing him brought all the past flooding back, and it hurt. Words she wanted to say surfaced and sank again without order.

If only he would say something. Instead of just standing there, if he would just say even a single word about why he had disappeared without a word…

Just as she thought that—

Dion’s face slowly twisted with emotion. Only a moment ago he had worn the solemn expression of a holy priest. Now, tears welled up in his eyes. And then, down his pale cheek, a single tear rolled.

“Why…”

Lisbeth spoke before she realized it.

At that moment, Dion collapsed at her feet as if his legs had given out. His pristinely white, perfectly pressed priest’s robe became hopelessly wrinkled beneath Lisbeth’s feet.

Dion, crawling on his knees, carefully took hold of the hem of Lisbeth’s dress with trembling hands. Then he bowed his head low to the floor. No, it was more like he slammed his head down. Seeing him curled up in a posture of complete submission before her, Lisbeth was startled.

“Why, why are you doing this?”

“Miss, Miss…”

It was as if Dion had forgotten how to speak; he could only repeat “Miss.” At some point, his voice even carried a hint of tears. Lisbeth couldn’t make sense of what was happening. She tried to pull her dress free, but he gripped it so tightly it wouldn’t budge.

None of the scenarios she had imagined included this. At most, she had thought Dion might greet her warmly, or perhaps explain why he had disappeared and ask for her understanding.

She had never imagined he would kneel and cry before her in such a pitiful, submissive posture.

“I—I was wrong. I truly… ha… Miss… Miss, I missed you so much. Miss, I wanted to see you. I was wrong…”

“…Priest, please. Don’t do this. We are now…”

At the word “Priest,” Dion abruptly raised his head. His face was streaked with tears, shining. The sorrow in his eyes was unmistakable.

“Is it… is it really over for us?”

“What are you saying? Priest, please, get up.”

“Miss, have you forgotten me? Do you no longer love me? I, I… the moment I saw you….”  

At those words, it felt as if lightning struck Lisbeth’s mind.

Who forgot whom? Who doesn’t love whom?

Suddenly, tears she had held back began to fall. In a voice still suppressed for fear of being overheard, Lisbeth spoke.