???????????

But still… even if I want to switch, I should clear up my relationship with Etienne. That’s a matter of decency. You can’t be forgiven for being two-faced.

I glanced up cautiously, trying to gauge his reaction.

He was silently staring at me, his gaze fixed. As our eyes met, he gently caressed my cheek. My body shivered involuntarily as if responding on its own. Versus’ eyes darkened.

He murmured softly, 

“Dahlia, you’ve really changed.”

His words felt somewhat melancholic.

Was he angry at my refusal? But why? I couldn’t understand.

He turned around, smiling widely as he always did

“Yeah, it’s getting late. Let’s go inside.”

He walked ahead, and I absentmindedly watched him recede. Suddenly, my legs gave way, and I plopped down on the ground.

“Idiot! Fool! Why are you kicking away your luck? If you keep this up, you’ll end up being discarded by Etienne and it’d be too late to go to Versus. Ugh, but still… I can’t do it.”

Frustrated, I pounded my fist on my forehead.

That’s why I can’t escape from this cycle of starving to death…

* * *

I returned to my room and lay down, but sleep eluded me for a long time.

I pondered over Versus’s demeanor, which I couldn’t have imagined when I read the novel.

And his meaningful words- what could be the unknown promise he mentioned?

Lost in thought, I rolled around on the spacious bed.

“He said they exchanged letters. Maybe it’s written in them? If they haven’t met in the past year and only exchanged letters, then if there’s a promise, it should have been mentioned in between.”

I suddenly stood up, wide awake.

There was no way Dahlia would have thrown away the letters she received from Versus. I looked around the room. Every corner was immaculately organized, untouched by the hands of the maids.

“Let’s think carefully. If it’s Dahlia, where would she hide the letters? Dahlia, the obsessed woman, the stalker…”

* * *

I carefully explored the quiet corridor, going back and forth. There was no one around. After confirming that, I turned my attention to the large frame in front of me.

It displayed portraits of the Emperor and Empress, with a portrait of Crown Prince Versus placed next to them.

This was the place I had discovered after I asked Penny this morning. Wouldn’t the previous Dahlia have sought solace here, longing for Versus?

I examined the paintings attentively. The portrait of Versus, which was unable to capture his true beauty, stared back at me intensely.

“What are you looking at? Stop staring.”

I confidently spat out the words that I couldn’t say yesterday. I even mimicked poking his eyes with two fingers.

“How dare you stick your snout so close to me! Did I look that easy to handle? Just because you’re handsome, Huh?”

It was satisfying to let out my frustration, even though it was a bit childish.

But that moment was short-lived, as I quickly turned my head again to survey my surroundings.

Etienne had mentioned that he was currently at the training grounds. It would still be a while before he returned, but I couldn’t afford to relax.

“I hope it’s nowhere near Etienne’s room.”

If he saw me hanging out in front of his room, he might explode in anger.

He’s not like Scrooge in any way, but he’s truly an eccentric husband.

I quickly examined the various parts of the frame. My hands couldn’t reach Versus’ face; all I could do was touch and feel the lower part of the frame.

“It’s just an elegant frame. Did I stumble upon something meaningless?”

I gently lifted the frame off the wall.

Concerned that it might come crashing down on my head, I looked up at the top of the frame. Carefully, I felt the back of the frame with my fingers.

Then, something soft caught my fingertips. It felt like paper.

Carefully, I peeled away the paper. It was a letter.

“Wow, I had a feeling, but did Dahlia really hide it here? Gives me goosebumps.”

The letter didn’t have a sender’s name written on it; it was more like a note than a letter.

I read the writing, slowly taking in the words.

Beloved Dahlia,

Rumors are just rumors.

There’s only you for me.

I’ll come find you when you’re ready.

I miss you.

“Huh? Is this really something Versus sent?”

It was strange.

The content was concise, but the words were affectionate as if they were meant for a lover.

Why would Versus say that there’s no one but Dahlia for him? He should only have eyes for the devoted Sophienne! What does he mean by rumors? Does that mean his attempt to kiss me yesterday was genuine?

There were no clues about the promise, and my questions only grew. One thing was clear: it was somehow different from the plot of the novel I knew.

Suspicious. It’s suspicious.

Just then, I heard a sound coming from outside the corridor. I quickly hid the letter inside my sleeve and stepped away from the frame.

Not long after, Etienne appeared at the end of the hallway.

I almost got caught if I had been a little late. I was on the verge of being exposed with a completely suspicious look.

I let out a sigh of relief.

???????????