After All This Time, I Thought You Abandoned Me

Lariana started to get dressed with Jena’s help. She brushed her flowing platinum blonde hair and wore an elegant cream-colored muslin dress that complemented her hair color. Cain, on the other hand, dressed in a light black shirt.

Lariana constantly felt her strength draining away, and even sitting was exhausting for her.

“Your Excellency… my head hurts… Do we really have to do the sketch today?”

“Lariana, it’s just a simple sketch.”

Cain gently lifted her feverish body and moved towards a comfortable armchair.

He sat down in the chair with Lariana in his arms. Jena handed her a bouquet of roses.

Despite being surrounded by Jena, the butler, the artist, and the newspaper reporter, Lariana remained still, as if asleep.

It was something unimaginable for her usual self. But Lariana simply leaned her head against Cain’s chest, lacking energy.

The sound of his racing heart felt like a lullaby, and Lariana found it difficult to resist the drowsiness that was creeping in. She murmured softly.

“Everyone… they’ll curse me, won’t they? Yesterday, I was the lover of Prince Lejandro… and the next day, it’s the announcement of my marriage with Your Excellency…”

“Unless one has two lives, they can’t curse Duchess Delacroix. Don’t worry.”

“But still, I should be relieved not to be involved in the discord rumors with Prince Lejandro that have been circulating lately…”

Cain’s lips curled up slightly at Lariana’s words. He felt proud that she, who knew nothing, considered it a relief.

Rumors of discord between Lariana and Leandro had been circulating for about a month. There had always been rumors of discord during their one-year courtship, but recently, they had become more intense. Contrary to her expectations of an engagement, there were even rumors of a separation circulating publicly.

All of this was part of his plan. The talks of marriage between Lariana and Lejandro had already been going on for two months. The leaders of the noble factions aligned with the princess and the prince were all aware of this fact.

If it was the position of concubine, he could have sent her to Lejandro. But that was not what he wanted. He would rather have her as a duke’s wife than a mistress.

“Lady Heliosen, please turn your head slightly this way.”

The artist diligently continued sketching, and the reporter began jotting down notes for Cain’s marriage announcement.

Cain’s lips twisted slightly as he looked at Lariana, who was dozing off weakly. He had finally obtained her. It was the perfect satisfaction he had never felt before.

However, at that moment, Cain didn’t yet know that by having her by his side, he would be subjecting her to even greater trials and tribulations than being the prince’s mistress.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

The high ceiling and arched windows filled the bedroom with abundant sunlight, causing everything to sparkle and dazzle. It was a room adorned with beautiful white walls, furniture, decorations, with crystal chandeliers and golden candlesticks.

Even for Lariana, who had been born as the daughter of a poor noble, it felt overwhelmingly luxurious.

Moreover, the tea table in front of her was filled to the brim with various snacks.

This morning, before going out, Cain had entered the bedroom and kissed her forehead while she was still asleep. Even though this might be a dream, she could vividly feel his breath and touch.

Does Cain truly love her? Can she trust him this time?

“Jena, it feels like a dream come true. I think I like it even more than the palace. Don’t you think so?”

Lariana spoke in a lively voice to reassure the hesitant Jena.

“Yes, yes? It does feel that way…”

Lariana picked up the newspaper on the bronze tray. On the front page, there was a grand announcement of Lariana and Cain’s marriage. The article portrayed them as deeply in love for a long time.

Even Lariana was taken aback when she learned through the article that their marriage was scheduled for one month later.

What on earth was happening? Even though fate often flowed unexpectedly, could it change so drastically?

Now that it had become known throughout the empire, she couldn’t avoid the marriage. That was why Lariana made up her mind to become the perfect duchess.

Since Cain had taken her hand, she no longer needed to be led around by Lejandro or Count Beckdel.

Besides, this was what she had dreamed of. It may have taken a circuitous route, but in the end, she became Duchess of Delacroix.

“I will forget about the past.”

Lariana gently caressed the bracelet, an heirloom from her mother that Cain had retrieved for her.

“Did his mother give her consent for the marriage? Jena, did you hear anything important yesterday?”

When she recalled Cain’s appearance from last night, fear seized Jena. But she couldn’t bring herself to tell Lariana about what she had experienced, as Lariana was so immersed in the dream of marriage.

The only fortunate thing was that even in Jena’s eyes, Cain seemed to deeply love her lady. Cain cherished and treated Lariana affectionately.

Since the young lady had come to accept the proposal and directly declared her intention to marry, there was no need for further discussion. The Duke had simply confirmed what the two of them had already talked about.

After all, it was common for high-ranking nobles to be harsh to their subordinates. The Duke of Delacroix was no exception. Jena had needlessly trembled in fear of his notorious reputation. In fact, their conversation wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.

Besides, as long as the young lady, her master, received good treatment, Jena would be satisfied with her role as a servant.

As Jena tried to think positively about this marriage, her mind became much more at ease.

“Lady, do you not remember anything from last night?”

“I have vague memories here and there…”

Her memories of last night were hazy. According to Jena, she had personally written a letter to her father, seeking his permission for the marriage, and she had even sketched a portrait with Cain, as well as giving an interview to the newspaper.

“Lady?”

“Yes?”

“What are you thinking about? It’s there’s Sir Hanson, the butler,” Jena said, gesturing towards the door. A couple of knocks were heard, followed by the voice of Hanson, the butler of Duke’s mansion.

“Come in.”

“Lady Heliosen, excuse me for interrupting your rest. It’s not a trivial matter. Prince Lejandro wishes to meet with you. Since the master is also absent, I’m not sure what to do…”

At the mention of Lejandro, Lariana’s face grimaced. Lifting her head, she finally spoke up.

“Sir Hanson, can you prepare the drawing-room?”

“Of course.”

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

The first scene Lariana faced in the drawing-room was Lejandro wiping away tears. He had tears streaming down his cheeks as he read the newspaper articles.

However, she didn’t feel any emotions upon seeing him. Over the past year, she had begun to doubt whether she truly loved him.

Lariana approached Lejandro and sat across from him. He had looked disheveled for the past few days.

Lejandro thrust a stack of weekly newspapers onto the table. Lariana picked up a yellow one on the table.

[In-depth Investigation: Lady Heliosen, the Enchanting Woman Who Took the Heart the Crown Prince and the Duke.]

[Inside Story: How Duke Delacroix Stole His Close Friend’s Mistress.]

[Breaking News! Duke Delacroix’s Wedding Was Planned Ahead of the Royal Engagement!]

Each headline was as tasteless and low as the next, making Lariana burst into a hollow laughter.

“What happened?”

“It’s exactly as you see.”

“If you’re marrying me out of revenge, please stop.”

“I’m not foolish enough to ruin my life just to seek revenge on you.”

Lariana calmly spoke while staring at Lejandro. He continued to shed tears endlessly. It was hard to believe he had loved her so deeply that he cried like this.

With a voice choked with tears, Lejandro finally spoke.

“…Cain is insane.”

Contrary to Lejandro’s expectations, Lariana showed no particular reaction. She absentmindedly lifted a teacup and took a sip of chamomile tea.

“Lari… Are you okay?”

Lejandro anxiously gauged Lariana’s reaction with a perplexed voice.

“Is that all you have to say?”

“Cain is going mad, and you’re completely unfazed?”

Seeing Lejandro’s gaze at her with pleading eyes, like a desperate child, Lariana couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

In noble society, there were frequent rumors about Cain’s cruel temperament and merciless actions on the battlefield, labeling him as a madman. Moreover, Lariana first saw him through the eyes of an outsider rather than a lover, she obviously knew.

The talk of Cain going mad or being afflicted by a mental illness didn’t faze Lariana at all. She simply found this moment of sitting across from Lejandro annoying and bothersome, hoping for him to leave quickly.

“As long as he doesn’t show that side to me, it’s fine.”

Lariana replied in her usual tone of voice.

“Ha… but Cain’s madness only manifests itself in front of you.”

In front of her.

Lariana lowered her hand, which was holding the teacup, at Lejandro’s incomprehensible words. The teacup and saucer made an unpleasant scraping sound.

“What are you talking about?”

“I’ve come to know about Cain’s madness during the year I spent with him on the battlefield. He’s afflicted by insanity.”

As Lejandro’s words became more specific, Lariana’s hand became clammy in an instant. She deliberately gathered her hands neatly on her skirt.

“Lari, when we visited Heline together with Cain, I fell for you at first sight. But there was nothing I could do as your feelings for Cain grew deep within a single night. During our stay in Heline, you didn’t hide your feelings towards Cain, and…”

“Your Highness, please stick to talking about the madness.”

As the preamble grew longer, Lariana narrowed her eyebrows and impatiently urged Lejandro.

“Not long after our departure, I noticed that you and Cain were exchanging letters. I asked Cain about your relationship. Naturally, I expected to hear that you were in a relationship, that you loved each other. But that wasn’t the case…”

“What did the Duke say in response?”

“Lariana, I can’t say.”

“Lejandro!”

“I still love you. I can’t bring myself to say such cruel words!”

“If you’re not going to say it, please leave.”

Lariana didn’t want to hear it. No, she didn’t want to know. The marriage was already unsettling enough. Even without Lejandro adding to it, Lariana was already in great confusion.

As she attempted to rise from the sofa, Lejandro opened his mouth.

“…He said he wants to kill you.”