Chapter 35

“You’re the person I know best and want to know better. I want to learn more about you and share more about myself. I don’t want to keep secrets—secrets slowly create distance between people.”

“…”

“I want to be with you for a long time. I don’t want to lose you.”

Sabrina recalled the conversation she had with Chase a few days ago.

“The reason I keep being cautious and, uncharacteristically, clumsy…is because I sincerely cherish you.”

Surely, it was meant as trust and respect for her as his advisor and subordinate. That’s how she had interpreted it at the time.

But why?

When she revisited those words in her mind, an unfamiliar emotion quietly took root. If she had to describe it, it felt like… a tickle?

‘He really has a way with words. Male leads are truly built differently.’

Not just anyone could be a romance male lead.

Sabrina attributed Chase’s kindness to his innate warmth and nodded slowly to herself.

Just then, a deep male voice interrupted her thoughts, 

“What have you been thinking about all this time? You haven’t kept your head still.”

The voice belonged to Clayton Hatchet. Sitting in the front seat of the carriage, he crossed his long legs and faced Sabrina.

Sabrina stared blankly at his handsome, expressionless face and thought, ‘See? This is normal.’

She adjusted her posture against the carriage’s backrest and replied, 

“Oh, nothing much. Just work.”

“That didn’t look like a work-related expression.”

“Then what kind of expression was it?”

“…A strange one?”

This man, seriously.

Sabrina shot Clayton a brief glare before changing the subject, 

“You heard from His Majesty, didn’t you? I’ll be joining the mission you mentioned.”

“I did.”

Sabrina suddenly asked, 

“Then, you knew, didn’t you? That the two of them weren’t actually involved.”

“Are you referring to His Majesty and Lady Elena Evenheim?”

Sabrina nodded, and Clayton replied in a calm voice, 

“I knew.”

Sabrina’s eyes sparkled as she asked, 

“But really, was there nothing between them?”

“What do you mean by ‘nothing’?”

“You know, that subtle tension between men and women.”

“I don’t concern myself with such trivial emotions. Nor am I interested.”

“Of course. That makes sense…”

Figures. Someone as indifferent as him wouldn’t notice such things.

Sabrina had hoped to extract some interesting or useful information from him but sighed quietly instead.

She had been utterly shocked to learn that their relationship was merely superficial.

Visually, practically, and even from the perspective of this world’s destiny, the two seemed like a perfect match. There was no reason for them not to be drawn to each other.

‘I thought the flow of the original story hadn’t changed, even if some details were different. But could other things change too?’

If Elena wasn’t Chase’s partner, then who would sit on the throne as the empire’s Empress in the future?

Sabrina’s curiosity about the matter was not driven purely by idle interest. The royal marriage was a topic that appeared without fail during every major council meeting.

“We must hasten the royal marriage as soon as possible. Has it not been quite some time since the late Emperor’s passing? There is no reason to delay or hesitate any longer.”

“You are absolutely correct. The sooner His Majesty produces an heir to secure the succession, the more stable the throne will become.”

“That may be true, but there’s no need to rush as if there’s a fire underfoot. His Majesty is young and healthy; this can be observed for a little longer.”

“Don’t be absurd. The late Emperor had His Majesty in his arms at the age of twenty-two. His Majesty is surely well-prepared by now.”

As the chief aide, Sabrina could hardly remain indifferent to such an agenda. However, she had not paid much attention to it thus far because she believed in the future she knew—that Chase and Elena would eventually end up together. Or rather, she had trusted that to be the case.

There might be some twists and turns, but in the end, the two would meet, fall in love, and live happily ever after. That was why she hadn’t pushed the issue.

But if the relationship with Elena was truly beyond repair…

‘Should I step in and offer some advice? Although he’s probably already hearing about it enough to make his ears bleed.’

Sabrina crossed her arms and sank deep into thought. 

Who would be a good match for Chase? 

She hoped it would be someone truly wonderful.

She began to mentally list the names of noble ladies who had been mentioned as potential matches for him. They were all graceful and elegant young women, but none seemed as lively and lovable as Elena.

Clatter.

Just as Sabrina was lost in her new dilemma, the carriage they were riding in jolted violently.

“Ah!”

As Sabrina’s body swayed, Clayton, who was sitting across from her, extended his arm to steady her.

“Careful.”

After briefly glancing at the view outside the window, Clayton spoke. 

“The road will be rough from here on. But we’re almost there, so bear with it a little longer.”

“Phew. Alright.”

Sabrina nodded as she clung tightly to Clayton’s arm.

Their destination was a lake owned by the Hatchet family. It was also where Clayton had spent his boyhood at a nearby villa.

Just as the jolting became nearly unbearable, the carriage came to a slow stop.

Clayton was the first to jump down and extended his hand to Sabrina. After testing the damp ground beneath his feet a few times, he said, 

“It rained yesterday, so the ground is a bit muddy. If it’s uncomfortable, you can step on my feet as you get down.”

“No need. A little dirt won’t hurt.”

Sabrina took Clayton’s hand and landed safely on the ground.

“I don’t see the lake.”

“We have to walk a bit further in that direction.”

“Ah.”

Clayton extended his arm as if to escort her. Sabrina stared at it for a moment before narrowing her eyes and looking up at him.

“Is this really necessary?”

“Yes, it is.”

Clayton nodded firmly. 

“I’m sure one of my father’s loyal men is hiding somewhere, watching. They won’t be able to hear our conversation, but they’ll need to see the right ‘picture’ to believe it. So cooperate.”

“Ah, fine.”

Without further comment, Sabrina linked her arm with his. Fortunately, the awkwardness didn’t last long. Before they knew it, a breathtaking view of the lakeside unfolded before them.

“Wow!”

Sabrina exclaimed in admiration at the fairy-tale-like scenery before her.

The shadows of trees draped like paintings over the pale green lake, resembling a Monet masterpiece.

Clayton glanced down at Sabrina and remarked, 

“If we had come on a clear day, it would have been even more beautiful.”

“It’s already incredible. It’s almost a shame that such a beautiful place is privately owned.”

Sabrina smiled brightly as she spoke. 

“The bumpy ride was definitely worth it. If it weren’t for you, I’d never have known about this gorgeous spot. Thank you.”

“…Well.”

Perhaps embarrassed by the unexpected compliment, Clayton averted his gaze.

“But, Lord Clayton.”

“Yes?”

“How many more meetings will it take for your family elders to feel reassured?”

Clayton’s gaze shifted back to Sabrina at her question.

“Honestly, this is already our third meeting. Not that I’m complaining.”

After a moment of silence, Clayton furrowed his brow and asked, 

“Am I that uncomfortable to be around?”

…Did he really just ask that outright?

“You’re not as uncomfortable as I thought you’d be.”

At Sabrina’s response, Clayton squinted one eye and asked, 

“Not as uncomfortable as you thought?”

Sabrina shrugged and replied, 

“To be honest, you’re not exactly the easiest person to be around.”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, it’s true. You have a stern expression, and your words can be harsh.”

Clayton let out a short, incredulous laugh before retorting, 

“I’m not sure about my expression, but have I ever spoken harshly to you?”

“I mean your tone. It’s too blunt.”

Shaking her head, Sabrina chuckled and continued, 

“Still, you’re easier to be around than I expected. You’re not as scary as I thought, and spending time with you isn’t bad.”

“Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“Well, it’s not an insult, is it?”

Sabrina looked up at Clayton with a cheerful smile.

“When this ridiculous charade ends, I think we could still be pretty good friends.”

“Friends?”

“Yes, friends.”

Sabrina playfully tapped Clayton’s arm as she spoke.

“You don’t have many friends, do you?”

Clayton laughed in disbelief. 

“Neither do you.”

“Exactly.”

Sabrina casually accepted his jab and said, 

“Let’s get along as people who only know work. We actually have a lot in common.”

Though there were far more differences…