Chapter 15.1: Falling (Part 1)

The social circles, which had been abuzz with James Parker’s conscription, quickly turned their attention to other matters, as if nothing had happened. This was because Abigail Prairie’s birthday banquet was soon to be held. As the banquet had been prepared for months, anticipation was at its peak.

This was especially true as it was the first banquet since her engagement to Kiern Agaphel. Moreover, instead of the originally planned venue, the banquet was to be held on the Agaphel family’s private estate, suggesting it would be even grander than expected.

People were already flocking to the area around Agaphel Castle, hoping to secure an invitation. Many even openly sent letters requesting invitations. With summer nearly over, the banquet day promised to be a spectacle. The fruit would be sweet, the weather cool, and it would be the perfect time for an outdoor party.

Since the entire villa, famous for its beauty, was being used for the banquet, it was only natural that all eyes were on it. Meanwhile, Abigail did not seem pleased. Elizabeth vaguely sensed that this was because of James’s conscription.

“You’re lucky, Elizabeth.”

Such vague remarks without a clear subject had become frequent, but Elizabeth pretended not to notice. She knew Abigail wasn’t saying it to mock her.

Abigail had to admit it after some time. She was plagued by loneliness every night, longing for that damned James’s embrace.

It had been an unusually long summer. Autumn was said to be approaching, but the heat returned repeatedly, along with frequent rain. At night, the tropical heat made it impossible to sleep. Or rather, she knew it was because the space next to her felt empty, but she stubbornly denied it.

Abigail glanced at Elizabeth. Unaware that she was to become the Duke’s second wife, Elizabeth seemed to grow thinner by the day.

It was strange. Though she wasn’t the one separated, she seemed to be suffering even more than Abigail. While Abigail was consumed by loneliness, Elizabeth seemed to be overwhelmed by fear.

Elizabeth’s suicide attempt was a matter that was being hushed up even within the castle. Who would have thought that the Duke’s cherished, hidden mistress would try to take her own life? 

In hindsight, Elizabeth’s treatment had already been akin to that of a second wife. The problem was that she seemed unable to endure it.

Looking back, Elizabeth had been nothing more than a pawn in the Duke’s games. If not for Kiern, she might have married Theo Kabil. Abigail suddenly remembered how Theo had stopped attending the Ingrid Club.

She didn’t know the exact details of the confrontation that day, but she had heard that Theo’s expression when leaving the castle had been extremely grim. Knowing that he was avoiding Elizabeth, Abigail decided to bring it up.

“Come to think of it, Sir Theo hasn’t been seen around lately.”

A name that had been tacitly avoided suddenly came up. Elizabeth looked momentarily dazed. Theo’s absence from the Ingrid gatherings was simple.

He didn’t want to see her anymore.

Otherwise, there was no reason for him to skip a gathering that would be beneficial to his business. Elizabeth felt a momentary bitterness, but that was all. She lightly replied, as if unaffected.

“He must be busy.”

Then she focused on the embroidery in her hands. Abigail felt slightly awkward at her nonchalant response. Elizabeth spoke as if she were talking about a stranger. Abigail had assumed there had been some emotional connection between them, but perhaps she had been mistaken.

Abigail glanced at Elizabeth. For someone who had attempted suicide, she seemed too normal. It made Abigail wonder if it had been an accident rather than an actual attempt.

Previously, Abigail had thought Elizabeth’s overly expressive face was unsightly. Now, she couldn’t tell what Elizabeth was thinking.

With her emotions seemingly stripped away, Elizabeth seemed more like a doll than a person. Like a dried-up well, her emotions seemed to be absorbed without ever filling up.

Without any emotions to overflow, she appeared uninterested and indifferent to everything. Abigail decided to probe further and continued the conversation.

“Still, you’ll probably see him at the banquet. All the Ingrid club members are invited.”

“At the banquet?”

Only then did Elizabeth show a proper reaction. Abigail smiled gently and said,

“Yes. I asked everyone to come if possible. The atmosphere of the gatherings hasn’t been great due to the Parker family’s issues.”

“Ah…”

Elizabeth stopped her embroidery and fidgeted with her hands. If that was the case, Theo wouldn’t be able to refuse.

The thought of seeing Theo again on that day filled her with dread.

“So, Miss Elizabeth, please speak kindly to Sir Theo. After all, you’re the closest to him among us.”

At Abigail’s words, Elizabeth could only manage a faint smile. Even if she met him, she planned to avoid him first.

—

“How should we proceed? We can’t delay the response any longer.”

At the butler’s question, Theo stared grimly at the invitation. A few days ago, an invitation had arrived from Abigail Prairie.

It was an invitation to her much-talked-about birthday banquet. He should have been pleased to receive the invitation he had aimed for, but he hesitated because the pale, delicate face of Elizabeth came to mind.

The invitation was both an excuse to see her again and a humiliating reminder of their situation.

“If you refuse this, you won’t be able to remain in the Ingrid gatherings.”

“Then it’ll be a huge loss. All the efforts so far will have been in vain.”

“Shall I say you’ll attend?”

The butler pressed him again. The mood of the Ingrid gatherings had been tense due to James Parker’s situation. Using work as an excuse to skip the gatherings was no longer viable.

Refusing this would make it seem like he was distancing himself because of James’s issue. It would be tantamount to turning his back on the Ingrid members. That, in turn, would mean giving up business in Yelhen.

To be honest, his pride made him not want to go. After all, the host of the gathering was Agaphel.

“Damn it.”

The thought of the young Duke of Yelhen, who had Elizabeth, made him curse. Refusing an invitation that everyone else was desperate to get—it was absurd.

The reason it felt so burdensome was undoubtedly because of Elizabeth Lua. Theo’s gaze naturally shifted to the communication sphere on the table.

The package that had arrived a few days ago contained only the familiar communicator. It was the one he had given to Elizabeth, but it had been returned to him. Its meaning was clear. It was her rejection of his confession.

After all, she was the woman who had kissed another man in front of him. Theo had struggled to control his emotions when he saw it.

Remembering that moment made him resent Elizabeth and feel pathetic about himself. It was a relationship he couldn’t understand. And it had happened right after he confessed to her. She had chosen the Duke over him—a young Duke who was about to get married.

Theo still vividly remembered the humiliation of that moment. Yet, her sorrowful gaze had been so pitiful that he couldn’t completely hate her.

Knowing full well it was a losing battle, he had foolishly allowed himself to be tied to those golden eyes. When the anger subsided, rationality returned. Theo found the relationship between her and the Duke suspicious.

Was she staying in that relationship willingly? From what he had seen, Elizabeth was different from other nobles who sought power.

She was someone accustomed to treating people with genuine kindness. It was hard to imagine her deliberately planning such a thing. But since she had kissed the Duke in front of him, he couldn’t entirely deny it.

‘How frustrating.’

Perhaps he was questioning their relationship because he liked her. Maybe he was just enchanted by her, as the Duke had said.

But what if—

What if Elizabeth was truly in a dangerous situation?

If she desperately needed help more than anyone but was hiding it out of fear of the Duke, then it seemed only he, who knew the situation, could help her.

Theo looked at the invitation once more. Only one thought lingered in his mind. 

If I could rescue her from the Duke, might I have a chance too?

Theo wanted to bet on Elizabeth once more. Although he hadn’t even recovered his initial investment, he thought he should wager what he had left, and if there was no hope even then, he would give up cleanly without any regrets.

“Alright. Tell them I’ll go.”

If she rejected him even then, Theo decided he would give up on Elizabeth neatly.