Regret Is Unnecessary for the Substitute Princess - Chapter 67
“There’s someone named Alisha. She’s a wolf beastkin. We’ve been like family since childhood, and for the past three years, she was the only family I had.”
“A wolf beastkin,” Damian repeated quietly.
“She knows I’m staying at the duke’s estate, so I’m sure she’ll try to contact me. As soon as I hear from her—”
“Tell her to come to the Valstein estate. Or I can go pick her up.”
“No. Not in the capital.”
The capital was too dangerous. The temple was here.
“There’s more you’re not telling me, isn’t there?”
His gaze softened. His voice was calm but persistent.
“You’re not going to leave until you hear everything, are you?”
He smiled for the first time, a gentle, genuine smile that made my chest ache.
“I’ll wait a little longer. I waited three years—I can wait a little more.”
It was the warmest expression I’d seen on his face. Like back in the Academy, when we’d talk as friends.
And just like that, a weight lifted from my shoulders.
“I really didn’t think I’d ever be able to say it out loud.”
“You didn’t plan to?”
“Not that I didn’t want to… I just thought I wouldn’t be able to. Not now, at least.”
He said nothing.
“But knowing there’s someone who understands… makes me feel lighter.”
I rose from the couch, brushing off my skirt.
Time to head back.
Earlier, I’d heard the faint patter of rain. I needed to return before it got worse.
I turned toward the window, ready to call for Damian—
“Wait.”
I stopped.
Warmth touched my fingertips.
Damian’s hand gently moved from my fingers up to my wrist.
I blinked.
His red eyes looked directly into mine—calm, serious, deep. I saw the glow of the lamp reflected in his pupils.
“…Damian?”
“What should I call you now?”
“…Huh?”
His voice was quiet but firm.
“April isn’t your name.”
“….”
“I don’t want to call you by the name the duchy gave you. I want to call you by your name.”
His lips curled into a soft, almost shy smile.
“I want to know your name. What is it?”
I never imagined someone in this city would ask me that.
Emotion welled up inside me. I clenched my hands to keep it in.
It was the same overwhelming feeling I had when Perfoné first treated me like a person.
Why did I feel like crying?
I fought the tears, then finally opened my mouth.
“…Devin.”
The words were faint.
“Devin. Irina Devin.”
His eyes curved into a beautiful crescent smile.
They say northern men are too cold to feel emotion. But his smile proved that was a lie—it was so gentle, so kind.
“…Irina.”
His voice held the name like it was precious.
I bit my lip, trying not to laugh or cry.
“Thanks… for looking for me. I thought about reaching out to you. But… I kept thinking it was too late.”
“You told me now. That’s enough.”
He nodded slowly.
“I’ll make sure everyone in House Valstein knows what you asked.”
“…Thank you.”
Suddenly, I realized how foolish the capital’s nobles were.
They called Damian cold, ruthless, incapable of feeling.
But they were wrong.
He was simply guarded. And when he did open up, he was warm—deeply so.
“…Are you planning to tell the Crown Prince?”
“Ah…”
A low groan slipped out.
I’d told Damian the truth. Not Perfoné.
“I will tell him.”
“…”
“But now’s not the time.”
I had a plan.
When April returned to the villa, Perfoné would bring up our engagement—in front of her. That’s when I’d say it.
“That’s when I’ll speak.”
“…So you really did come back for a reason.”
Damian smiled faintly.
I hadn’t told him I was here for revenge—but he understood.
He could see it.
“If there’s something you want, Irina, tell me. I’ll help you.”
“This is personal. I won’t drag you into it.”
I didn’t want to involve him in my revenge.
Didn’t want him making enemies for my sake.
“…There’s something I’m curious about,” he started. “You and April—”
“Master!”
The door slammed open without warning.
Rude, yes—but it had to be urgent.
I closed my mouth. There would be time to ask questions later.
Damian frowned.
“Rensia.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s urgent.”
“What is it?”
His glare said this better be important.
Rensia bowed, then announced:
“His Highness has arrived.”
“…What?”
“…Excuse me?”
It wasn’t just Damian who reacted.
Even I couldn’t hide my surprise.
Perfoné had come to House Valstein—without any notice?
Damian and I exchanged glances.
“…Let him in.”
“Yes, sir.”
Rensia left, and I turned to Damian.
“Are you two close enough for surprise visits?”
I always thought they were awkward—or even distant.
Damian shrugged, clearly just as puzzled.
Then the door opened.
Not Rensia.
A flash of gold.
Perfoné stepped inside, shaking rain off his cloak. Then he spotted me.
“…Why are the two of you together?”
Fair question.
He hadn’t expected this.
“Are you sharing secrets behind my back?” he asked, smiling—but it wasn’t friendly.
He looked between us, brow tightening.
“I didn’t think you two were on such… good terms again.”
Just a few months ago, he was desperate to break the engagement.
So why did it sting now?
Why did seeing me in Damian’s private space make him so uncomfortable?
His jaw clenched.
“…Is Damian the reason you asked to annul our engagement?”
The words fell out.
And the room froze.
He hadn’t meant to say it—not like that.
Damian’s study fell into dead silence. My eyes widened.
Perfoné bit his cheek.
It had been a mistake.
“…Sorry. That came out wrong.”
It was rare—royalty didn’t apologize easily.
Yet here he was, face half-covered in embarrassment.
“…I didn’t expect you’d be uncomfortable,” I said gently. “I acted without thinking. I’m sorry.”
He hadn’t wanted my apology.
Why was it so easy to lose control around me?
A few months ago, he’d wanted this engagement to end. Now?
Was it pride? Was it because I didn’t need him anymore?
He sighed.
“I didn’t expect you two to be together. I’ll come back later—”
“No need. We’re done.”
I quickly stood, ready to leave.
Damian moved to follow, his eyes lingering on me protectively.
Whatever we’d just shared… had changed everything.