Regret Is Unnecessary for the Substitute Princess - Chapter 63
He seemed to read my thoughts before I could even speak.
The Duke looked as desperate as a parent with a child near the edge of a cliff.
It was unlike Alexis Rise to show such visible concern. He was always the composed type—but now, his voice trembled with sincerity.
Still, my answer was firm.
“There’s no need.”
All of it—‘no.’ Trusting people had once led to betrayal, and I’d had enough of that three years ago.
If I learned anything from being cast out, it was this:
Never rely on people for salvation.
“I have nothing to tell you about the temple. I’m leaving in a year. Why should I trust you enough to share anything?”
And if they discovered I had inherited my father’s divine power?
They would use me.
Just like they once used him.
“And never go behind my back to find Alisha again.”
“I only did it because you care for her—”
“That’s exactly why you shouldn’t have!”
I swallowed the shout rising in my throat.
How can they all be so blind? Every action they took was supposedly “for my sake,” yet it was only ever for themselves.
Noble kindness was nothing more than self-serving charity in disguise.
“Stop assuming your actions are for my benefit. It’s not only presumptuous—it’s offensive.”
The Duke remained silent.
“Whatever you do, know this: it’s not for me.”
He opened his mouth to speak again, but I cut him off.
“Approaching my family behind my back? That could easily be read as a threat.”
He looked stunned. But the message had landed.
I stood to leave.
He didn’t stop me—until:
“I know how your father died.”
It wasn’t shocking.
Of course he’d looked into my father if he brought me into the Rise house.
But it did confirm something: he’d definitely gone to Alisha. Behind my back.
That would’ve only enraged her more.
After all, this was the man who had taken me back after his wife killed my father.
“So? Does knowing that make you want to throw me out again?”
“That’s not why I said it.”
His face darkened.
“If I were you… I’d never have come back here.”
“So?”
“But you did. You returned. Why?”
I said nothing.
What could I say? That I came back for revenge?
Even if he suspected, he couldn’t expel me now.
April wasn’t ready to return. So for now, I was still useful.
I smiled coldly.
“If you’re that curious… watch me.”
“You’ll understand, in time, why I came back to the Rise estate.”
He wasn’t stupid. He probably guessed already that my return wasn’t out of love—but hostility.
Whether he’d let me stay out of caution or curiosity, I didn’t care.
I left the study.
But instead of heading back to my room, I made for the exit.
Near the stairs, Lian was waiting—clearly trying to stop me.
“Irina, where are you going this late?”
“Let go.”
I tried to pull my wrist free, but years of swordsmanship had given Lian a grip like iron.
I cursed under my breath.
“Wait until morning. It’s dangerous now.”
“Let go of me.”
“Just wait until sunri—ugh!”
I kicked him.
Hard.
Right in the shin.
He crumpled with a groan.
The commander of the Imperial Guard, clutching his leg like a kicked puppy.
“Since you tried force, I used force too.”
He winced, limping slightly as he stood.
“I just said that because I was worried.”
“Is that the Rise family’s favorite excuse? ‘I did it because I care’?”
It was always the same—pretending their control and manipulation was ‘concern.’
“Who asked for your concern?”
“Irina—”
“Don’t say you did it because of me. Every one of you only does what benefits you.”
“…”
“If it were really for me, you would never have come looking for me. You would’ve let me go.”
Lian said nothing.
His face crumbled.
I stared down at him.
“Do you keep acting like this because you think I’ll eventually give in and forgive you?”
Still, no answer.
I leaned closer.
“Lian, you and the Duke… you’re worse than Barak.”
The words echoed down the grand staircase.
Even Barak—at least—was honest about his hatred.
But you two? Wrapped your guilt in ‘care’ and called it love.
The way his blue eyes shattered—like cracked glass—almost made me feel something.
Almost.
But not enough to stop me from walking away.
⸻
As I left the estate, the butler and Amber called after me, but I ignored them.
If Alisha hadn’t contacted me yet, it meant she was still hiding. But eventually, she would reach out.
Still, I couldn’t wait idly.
I needed to find her a safe haven—somewhere far from the temple’s reach.
Somewhere the Rise estate could never be.
I chewed my thumbnail, walking aimlessly.
Then a name came to mind.
One person with enough power to protect her. One who could keep my secrets—even from the temple.
Suddenly, my wandering feet had direction.
I nearly ran.
⸻
It wasn’t far from the estate.
The wind carried the scent of approaching rain. A drop hit my shoulder.
Two guards at the gate flinched when they saw me.
“Lady… Rise?”
“Tell Damian I’m here to see him.”
I didn’t bother explaining.
“Tell him I have something to say.”
⸻
A few minutes later, the butler returned.
“He says… he has nothing to say to you.”
…What?
He refused to see me?
It was raining. Cold.
Even out of courtesy, he should have let me inside.
But of course not.
He still thought I was April—the girl at the villa. The imposter.
I sighed and raked my fingers through my hair.
“Tell Damian… I know the person he’s been searching for.”
The butler froze.
“…The person he’s been searching for?”
“Yes.”
He hesitated.
Then finally, he stepped aside.
“…Come in.”
The doors to House Valstein opened at last.