•?••? ? ?••?•

She let go of Chase’s sleeve when he tried to slow her down, coldly dropping her grip.

Once alone, she almost ran towards her destination, quickly distancing herself from both Chase and Julian, until she reached the western entrance.

“Iva!”

But getting away from Ray and his long legs wasn’t easy. He sprinted straight to her, blocking her path.

So close. Just a bit further and she would have made it. Now, facing Ray, embarrassment flooded over her once again.

Despite rushing to her, Ray hesitated to speak when he stood before Iva.

A brief silence followed before Ray cautiously began, “…I’m sorry.”

With those words, Iva’s face flushed even more. So, he truly had fallen for Julian.

Then why not just pretend you don’t know? Why chase after me? You sure make everything painfully clear.

“I’ve been by the princess because of my du…”

“No need. You don’t owe me an explanation.”

“Huh?”

“We’re not anything to each other, are we?”

Ray’s expression noticeably hardened.

“Hearts can be as fickle as reeds, you know.”

“…”

“Just because your feelings changed, I won’t blame you.”

“What are you saying…”

“Oh, if it’s because you couldn’t get a reply to your confession, I can answer now.”

She should have done this earlier. Ending things with Ray here would mean avoiding further danger for her family.

He’s someone who can never love me forever.

“My feelings are the same as when we dated. Your feelings…”

“Please don’t.”

“What?”

His voice dropped lower, his expression hinting at anger, causing Iva to shrink back slightly.

“Are you still doubting my feelings?”

“…Huh?”

“I waited, just like you asked me to. I truly waited, hoping you’d sort out your feelings.”

His sudden resentful tone made Iva flinch.

Who is he to blame when he was the one who changed his heart first?

“That’s why I’m giving you my answer.”

“I don’t want to be rejected when you don’t even believe in my feelings. If you’re going to reject me, at least do it once you truly believe in my love.”

What kind of nonsense is this? Before she could wrap her head around his words, Ray added more context.

“I still don’t have feelings for the princess.”

“What? That’s a lie.”

“…You really don’t believe me.”

“How can I? Just before you were arm in arm with her.”

Iva’s tone began to sharpen.

“I’ve been assigned to guard the princess for the next two weeks. I was penalized.”

She blinked in surprise. This wasn’t part of the original story.

“Penalized? Why?”

“Because I didn’t follow Prince Claude’s orders.”

“Wait. Aren’t you two really close?”

“His Highness wanted to welcome you as his princess consort.”

“Wait, what? Me?!”

“He said he wanted to welcome you as his princess consort.”

Thinking she hadn’t heard properly, Ray helpfully repeated the statement with clear pronunciation.

What kind of nonsense is this?! Who wants to be his princess consort?!

“Wait, so the prince… he said that?”

Suddenly, she remembered Adhvan asking if she was engaged.

“So, did His Majesty also say he wanted you as princess consort?”

Ray stepped closer, a look of concern on his face.

“No, he didn’t say that.”

“Haa…”

Ray exhaled in relief, brushing a hand over his face.

“So you got penalized because you opposed the prince’s wish to make me his consort?”

“Yes. I’m confined to the palace for two weeks, serving as the princess’s personal guard.”

“Why did you oppose his idea?”

Ray furrowed his brow at her probing question as if she was testing him again.

“Are you genuinely asking because you don’t know?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a lie.”

In a tone as firm as when Iva had just declared her indifference for Julian, he responded, “What do you mean?”

“You know how I feel. I even sent you a letter, afraid you might misunderstand. How can you not know?”

“A letter? I never received any letters at the mansion.”

“What are you talking about? I sent you one. Are you still unaware?”

Iva’s eyes narrowed. How was she supposed to know?

How could she possibly discern his feelings when he, who once so coldly treated her despite her tearful pleas after their sudden divorce announcement, kept them so guarded?

“Right, I don’t know. Neither your feelings nor your letter. I’m clueless about both.”

As Iva hung her head while speaking, Ray’s eyes welled up with sorrow.

“…Then, please don’t give me an answer until you recognize my feelings.”

Iva was not about to let Ray’s petulant, or seemingly petulant, stance go unchallenged.

“It’s better this way since we both don’t know. Let’s continue living in ignorance.”

“Pardon?”

“I have nothing more to discuss with you, so I’ll be on my way.”

As she tried to pass by, Ray flinched and attempted to block her path once more.

“Don’t stop me. If you do, I swear I’ll never see you again.”

Ray’s face darkened considerably at Iva’s stern warning. The thought of never seeing her again was a punishment too great for him to bear.

Reluctantly, he stepped aside. Iva walked away briskly, putting distance between them.

Unable to bear the sight of her receding figure, Ray shielded his eyes with his hand and muttered to himself, 

“…Damn it.”

•?••? ? ?••?•