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Chapter 88

Rosia was utterly dumbfounded.

After all the time her family had spent searching for the runaway bastard, to find her at a hunting competition of all places.

At first, she thought she must have been mistaken.

But she wasn't.

After seeing that detestable face for over ten years at the residence, there was no way she wouldn't recognize it after just a few months.

Rosia glared at Reina, who was bowing her head like a guilty criminal.

And she should feel guilty—very guilty.

Because of this ungrateful wretch, her family was suffering terribly.

Her father was scrambling to cover debts as it was.

And she was casually attending an event like this?

And pregnant, at that?

Rosia frowned, her gaze landing on Reina's swollen belly.

"Ha!"

Even if Reina had run away, she never imagined she'd pull something so audacious.

I need to consult Father about what to do next.

Judging by her appearance, the father of her child was clearly a worthless man.

And with a child already on the way, she couldn't just marry her off to some noble.

Rosia roughly grabbed Reina's arm.

"You're coming with me—now."

Just as she was about to drag her away—

Rustle, rustle.

Someone was approaching.

Rosia flinched and spun around.

"Ah..."

The other person let out a soft gasp, as if they'd witnessed an awkward scene.

Rosia's eyes went wide when she recognized her.

The Duchess of Valen?

The woman all the young ladies and noblewomen here had been buzzing about.

"I-it's an honor to meet you, Duchess. I am Rosia Ilake."

Startled, Rosia released Reina's arm and quickly greeted her.

No matter how common-born, the Duchess was still a Duchess—she couldn't afford to offend her.

But to her surprise, the Duchess clapped her hands as if she recognized her.

"Oh my, Lady Ilake!"

"You know me?"

Rosia asked, surprised.

"Ah, not exactly—I overheard a noblewoman looking for you."

"Pardon?"

"She had beautiful brown hair, I believe..."

Emilia trailed off, as if trying to recall.

"She seemed a bit upset—like she had urgent business."

"Really?"

The woman the Duchess described was Marchioness Lenore, the head of a related family who had accompanied Rosia to this hunting competition.

Because her father owed her money, the Marchioness had been giving her a hard time.

Rosia had even come here to curry favor with her.

Damn it.

Rosia bit her lip and shot a glance at Reina.

Dragging her to the tent right now would only expose Reina's pregnancy to the high nobles.

"You—don't let anyone see you, and stay out of sight. Got it?"

Rosia warned Reina in a low voice.

Then she spoke to the Duchess.

"Thank you for letting me know, Duchess. I'll take my leave now."

And with that, Rosia hurried away.

Silence fell between the two remaining women.

Emilia stared at Reina for a moment, then turned to head back to her tent.

But just then—

Reina's faint voice came.

"...Are you satisfied?"

Emilia stopped and looked at her.

"Pardon?"

"That I—the one who stole your fiancé—ended up like this. Are you satisfied?"

Emilia was momentarily speechless.

Reina bit her lip and lifted her head.

"I heard you became the Duchess of Valen."

The shabby commoner woman she'd seen at Cedric's house was nowhere to be seen.

She now looked every inch a noble lady.

While Reina herself was incomparably pitiful beside her.

"You met a great man and are so loved, while I'm like this—you must be thrilled, right?"

Reina's eyes were brimming with tears.

Emilia, who had been listening with a stiff expression, spoke coldly.

"Why are you taking your anger out on me?"

Flinch.

Reina flinched at the icy tone.

"Did I ask you to steal my fiancé? Or to sleep with him?"

"You told me... I'd regret it."

Reina's voice was choked with sobs.

Emilia let out a hollow laugh.

"Yes. You're getting exactly what you deserve. Now our positions are completely reversed, and seeing you like this makes me feel absolutely wonderful."

Then she asked, as if to confirm.

"So, does hearing what you wanted make you feel better?"

"Hic, sob."

Reina wept bitterly.

She'd started the fight, yet couldn't handle this much.

Sigh... I must be insane.

Emilia felt a headache coming on.

"What do you have to cry about?"

Seeing Reina wailing made her frown.

In truth, Emilia had intended to ignore Reina.

They weren't exactly glad to see each other, and she didn't want to make things awkward.

But she'd stepped in to get rid of Rosia because Reina looked so unwell.

Reina's face was completely pale.

Even from a distance, her hair was damp with cold sweat, and her gaunt body with only her belly swollen looked as if she might collapse at any moment.

"If you're in this bad shape, don't pick fights with people—ask someone for help."

At that, Reina swallowed her sobs and stammered.

"I've asked... for help... but no one... no one helps... so what's the point..."

She'd said that when she first arrived at the Ilake residence.

She'd said it to a maid who brought her rotten food one day.

And to a servant who dragged her away another.

But they all turned away—not a single person helped.

In fact, asking for help only exposed her weakness.

It revealed which food she hated most, which situations she found most painful.

So Reina had long since given up asking anyone for help.

"Hic, huff."

Reina stood there and sobbed openly.

Just then, a short sigh reached her ears, followed by footsteps approaching.

Soon, Emilia grabbed her wrist and began leading her somewhere.

"Wh-what are you doing..."

"I'm going to prove you wrong."

"I-it's fine..."

As Reina tried to pull away, Emilia spoke as if coaxing a child.

"Just come quietly. And—"

Her calm voice continued.

"I'm not doing this because I like you. It's only natural to help someone who's hurting."

At that moment, Reina remembered the past.

Her own self, standing frozen, watching as Cedric slapped her and she fell.

Shame washed over her in an instant, and she bowed her head.

Then she saw the hand holding her wrist.

"..."

It was the gentlest touch she'd ever felt.

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