Regret Is Unnecessary for the Substitute Princess - Chapter 68

• Damian wasn’t the only one whose attitude had changed. Perfoné was acting differently, too.

 

“Take the carriage.”

 

“I’m fine. Really.”

 

Funny, isn’t it? Just a short while ago, Damian would’ve barely spared April a glance. Now, he was speaking gently, almost protectively.

 

Perfoné watched them—Damian’s warm gaze, the soft shift in his tone—and something twisted inside him.

 

It reminded him too much of how things were… back when the three of them attended the Academy.

 

Was that why she asked for the annulment? The thought tormented him.

 

“The Grand Duchy offered a carriage for you, Lady April,” he said, forcing a gentle smile.

 

“It’s getting late.”

 

“…”

 

“You don’t seem to have come with an escort either.”

 

“Well… no.”

 

“I can’t let my fiancée walk home alone at this hour.”

 

“You came to see me, didn’t you, Your Highness?”

 

He had no escort either—and between the two of them, he was probably in more danger. If Lervian ever found out he’d slipped out, there would be scolding for days.

 

“I only meant to see your face for a moment. Talking with Damian can wait.”

 

Truthfully, Perfoné saw April as more important than any conversation with his cousin.

 

“Damian,” he called out, “could you prepare a carriage?”

 

He didn’t want April walking home alone. And truth be told, he wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

 

⸻

 

The ride back was quiet—unbearably so.

 

The sound of hooves on wet stone echoed outside while golden eyes stared at me, unblinking.

 

It was… a little overwhelming.

 

Does he want to say something? Then just say it, I thought, growing restless under the silence.

 

Perfoné had come out without any escort. That in itself was strange.

 

“I just wanted to see your face,” he said again.

 

So he hadn’t come to visit Damian. That much was clear.

 

Then why was he here?

 

Just as the question formed in my mind, he spoke.

 

“…About us.”

 

His voice was unusually heavy.

 

This was the same gentle, patient Perfoné who’d even requested the annulment with a smile.

 

But now, his voice was rough—like something was scraping against his throat.

 

And strangely, I didn’t mind it.

 

For the first time, he didn’t feel like a younger brother. He felt like a man my age.

 

“Yes, we agreed to annul the engagement in a year…”

 

The moment he said the word “annulment,” I sat up straight. My whole body tensed.

 

His usual warmth was gone. His eyes felt like cold moonlight—stern, unreadable.

 

“You were the one who said we should act like affectionate fiancés until then, not me.”

 

And suddenly, I understood why he was upset.

 

“…Did you ask for the annulment because of Damian?”

 

So he was serious when he blurted that out earlier.

 

“I’m sorry. If being with Damian tonight upset you—truly, I didn’t mean to.”

 

“…”

 

“But nothing’s going on between us. Damian and I aren’t…”

 

“I know. You’ve always said you’re just friends.”

 

His gaze slowly shifted to the window.

 

“You’ve always said that.”

 

It felt like there was more he wanted to say, but he didn’t.

 

The only people I’d mentioned the annulment to were Perfoné and Lervian. If Damian knew… then Perfoné must’ve told him.

 

Maybe while I was gone, Perfoné and Damian had grown closer.

 

It would be nice if they had. Lervian didn’t seem to approve of their relationship, but they were cousins after all. They could be good friends—maybe even allies.

 

I considered asking what Perfoné had been doing at the Grand Duchy, but he looked too troubled for small talk.

 

He used to be so easy to talk to. Now, I didn’t know where I stood.

 

“Is the reason you didn’t pick anything at the boutique… because of the scar on your shoulder?”

 

Ah. He meant the scar from the leopard when I was a child.

 

He’d always felt guilty about it.

 

It had been years, but the fact that he brought it up now made me smile.

 

He suddenly felt close again—like the little boy from our childhood.

 

“No. I just didn’t like any of the dresses.”

 

I hadn’t gone to shop anyway.

 

“And I’ve told you since we were kids—there’s no scar on my shoulder or back.”

 

That was the secret I told him to stop him from avoiding me when he cried so much back then.

 

When I repeated those words now, he chuckled softly.

 

“Just like old times. You sound exactly like you used to.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Nothing.”

 

Was he laughing because he didn’t believe me? Or because the memory was dear to him?

 

He kept staring out the window, the light fading from his face.

 

The silence returned. Heavy and uncomfortable.

 

I never thought I’d feel awkward around Perfoné.

 

It was so late that even the streets were asleep.

 

“About Lady Rozian…”

 

His gaze shifted slowly toward me.

 

And just then, I realized—his golden eyes and hair really did shine.

 

Even in this darkness, he still looked radiant.

 

“I’ve been wondering—she seems very close to the temple. Is that true?”

 

“I suppose. She was raised in the temple orphanage.”

 

That made me pause.

 

Tamitarte had told me what happened to those children. I couldn’t imagine anyone still wanting ties to that place.

 

“There are… too many things that feel off. Everyone else ages, but…”

 

The moon slipped behind the clouds, casting his face into shadow.

 

“…She doesn’t.”

 

That surprised him.

 

He’d never considered that maybe Rozian’s beauty wasn’t just care and cosmetics—but something else.

 

If she’d been able to bear a child, no one would’ve allowed her to stay close to the Emperor this long. That was the only reason she wasn’t seen as a threat.

 

“She can’t have children. That’s the only reason no one sees her as a danger.”

 

“…”

 

“And keeping a priest constantly by her side… It doesn’t sit right.”

 

“I wouldn’t say no one’s cautious of her. But yes… you have a point.”

 

He didn’t continue right away. His voice faltered.

 

“…Also…”

 

He winced, like a sudden pain had struck him.

 

I leaned forward, concerned.

 

“Your Highness? Are you alright?”

 

“I’m fine. Really.”

 

“Your expression says otherwise.”

 

He forced a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

 

“You said people don’t see her as a threat because she can’t bear heirs…”

 

“Yes.”

 

Just then, the carriage slowed. We’d arrived at the Duke’s residence.

 

“I’ve never once trusted Rozian.”

 

“…What?”

 

“Not since I was seven.”

 

Before I could ask what he meant, the coachman announced our arrival.

 

“It’s late. Go on inside.”

 

As the door opened, I gathered my dress and stepped down carefully.

 

Then I heard his voice again:

 

“And Irina.”

 

“Yes?”

 

His smile was dazzling—and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe.

 

Time changes people. But some things stay, no matter how many years pass.

 

“I’ll be sending someone to the Duke’s mansion soon. Please… don’t reject my offer.”

 

“Huh? What offer—”

 

“Goodnight.”

 

I had a feeling… I wouldn’t be able to treat him the same anymore.