Chapter 15
“Hmm?”
When Ishar questioned her, Anette began explaining in more detail.
“They say Prince Hernan’s arranged marriage partner was originally Lady Rike, but it was changed to Lady Rinzel.”
“……”
“Maybe His Highness became interested in fashion because of Lady Rinzel?”
“Do you know why the bride was changed?”
“I heard Lady Rinzel was the one who offered to switch.”
Ishar asked again, unable to believe it.
“Lady Rinzel?”
Anette nodded firmly. “Yes.”
“How do you know that?”
“I heard it indirectly from Lady Rike.”
“……I see.”
Ishar stroked his well-defined jaw and fell into thought.
Come to think of it, most unmarried noble ladies avoided marrying Hernan, the so-called war demon.
And yet Rinzel had stepped forward first and offered to change the marriage partner…
It was something Ishar couldn’t understand at all.
At that moment, a memory surfaced—her lying in his palace garden, crying.
Rinzel had wiped her tears with the handkerchief he gave her, and as she did, her sleeve naturally slipped down.
That was when Ishar noticed it—faint bruises scattered across her wrist.
His face hardened as he muttered to himself.
“Abuse…?”
Rinzel Valencia.
Was she being abused by her family?
If that were the reason she was forced into marrying Hernan, whom everyone avoided…
A dark shadow began to fall over Ishar’s face.
“……Pardon? Your Highness Ishar, what did you just say?”
Anette tilted her head.
“It’s nothing. Anyway, thank you for telling me.”
“Oh, it’s really nothing big. The servants at the duke’s estate all know about it.”
“I see.”
Everyone knows…
To Ishar, it sounded as if everyone in the ducal household knew she was being abused.
“Anette, send today’s order to the imperial palace.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“I’ll be going now.”
“Have a safe trip.”
Ishar waved goodbye and left the shop.
He climbed into the carriage waiting in front.
Naturally, his destination should have been the imperial palace.
He should return, discuss tedious politics with officials, study the tax reforms currently underway, try on the clothes Anette sent… and end the day like usual.
That was Ishar’s routine.
But—
He couldn’t bring himself to give the order to depart.
Letting out a sigh, he slowly blinked.
In his vision, Rinzel kept appearing again.
The way she bumped into things like he did. The way she cried in pain.
Her pale fingers wiping tears. Her long lashes still damp.
Her eyes, glistening with moisture, were beautiful.
He thought most women were pretty—but even among them, Rinzel stood out.
Perhaps it was her frailty that stirred his protective instincts.
That must have been why he unconsciously handed her his handkerchief.
And the moment he saw her up close, Ishar realized something—
The girl who had shyly greeted him from time to time before was not Rinzel.
That girl… was likely her twin sister, Rike.
“She… looked healthy.”
Despite being twins, Rike showed none of that frailty.
She only felt fresh, bright, lively…
Of course, Rinzel was bright too—but sometimes, she had a lifeless expression.
As if she carried something dark inside.
“……Was it really abuse?”
The word wasn’t unfamiliar to him.
Its familiarity dragged up a painful past.
A man’s furious voice echoed in Ishar’s ears.
‘Is that all you can do?’
‘The fact that someone like you is a prince is a disgrace to the empire.’
…Stop. Please stop.
Ishar covered his ears and curled in on himself.
His back grew hot, sweat running down his neck.
The sudden wave of anxiety was hard to shake.
He couldn’t believe he felt fear just from recalling that man’s voice.
He trembled for a long while.
The thought wouldn’t leave him—that no one would truly comfort him.
Not his father, not his mother, not his siblings.
They wouldn’t understand someone still bound by the past.
They would tell him it was all over.
That the man had already been punished.
That he should forget.
That his weakness would keep him from becoming crown prince.
Just as those thoughts reached their peak, another memory surfaced.
His father laughing happily, saying he and Hernan looked alike.
Everyone had been smiling then.
But Ishar couldn’t.
‘I… don’t resemble Father or Mother at all.’
That man used to say it often.
‘You really don’t resemble His Majesty. Perhaps your real father is someone else?’
“Gasp—!”
His breath caught, and he inhaled sharply.
When would he finally escape that miserable past?
“……Your Highness Ishar? Where should we go?”
The coachman asked, puzzled by the long silence.
Ishar steadied his breathing, licking his dry lips.
When he opened his eyes, they were cold and composed.
He finally gave the order.
“To the Valencia ducal estate.”
“M-M-Mini! Don’t tell anyone about my death…!”
I stretched out a trembling hand into the air, unable to lift my body from the bed.
Mini rushed over and grabbed my hand.
“Miss Rinzel! You mustn’t leave me behind like this…!”
I frowned and spoke in a strained voice.
“Of my inheritance… half goes to you, Mini. The other half… give it to Rike…”
“Please don’t say such things… sniff…”
Oh? She’s even acting like she’s crying?
Not wanting to lose, I forced out some fake tears too.
“Mini… there’s a reason you must inherit it…”
“Huh? There is?”
“I’ll confess. You’re actually my youngest sister.”
“……”
“You’re the duke’s illegitimate child!”
“Pfft.”
Mini burst into laughter.
I immediately dropped my dramatic expression.
That was the end of our little skit.
“Miss, that sounded like something out of a makjang drama.”
“Was it too much?”
Mini nodded.
It was a sunny afternoon, yet I was still stuck in bed at 3 PM.
Not because I was lazy—absolutely not.
I had overexerted myself going to the imperial palace yesterday.
I had no energy left. Even breathing felt exhausting.
And my leg? No need to mention it.
It was badly bruised, and even a little movement sent sharp pain through my body.
Looks like I’d be bedridden today.
Not that I hated it—but it was boring.
So I ended up acting out another skit with Mini.
This one was titled something like “The Secret of Your Birth I Must Tell Before I Die.”
What a dramatic title.
Mini, who had matched my energy from the beginning, was getting better at acting by the day.
She could probably become a stage actress someday.
I chuckled and said,
“Mini, come on. Secrets of noble families! Hidden births! That’s exciting stuff. Calling it makjang is harsh.”
“Then how about ‘The Secret Between Sisters’ next?”
Of course she’d escalate it.
“Sisters, huh…”
That made me think of Rike.
If there was a secret between us… it would be that I’m not the real Rinzel.
But then—
Did Rike have secrets too?
The thought crossed my mind.
Our conversation ended when a maid outside called out.
“Miss Rinzel! You have a visitor!”
Someone from outside?
…Ah. There was exactly one person.
I thought of a man with a strangely charming contrast.
Cold like ice when silent, yet unexpectedly cute when speaking.
“Mini… is it Prince Hernan?”
“Oh my, maybe it is.”
Mini blushed more than I did.
I called out to the maid.
“Who is it?”
The answer came immediately.
“His Highness Ishar has come to see you.”
…Huh?
Not Hernan, but Ishar?
That was completely unexpected.
“Let him in.”
And not someone I could turn away.
I hadn’t realized it before—but I had truly hoped it was Hernan.
The door opened.
I asked Mini to help me sit up, leaning against the headboard.
“My back—ugh…”
Seriously, how weak is this body?
I sighed.
Then I saw him.
Ishar.
As expected of the empire’s fashion icon.
He wore a white shirt embroidered with gold, paired with black trousers.
Simple—but complemented with bracelets and thin rings.
Elegant earrings shimmered from his ears.
Not excessive—just perfectly styled.
And of course, his face completed it all.
Unlike Hernan’s sharp features, Ishar had a softer, more beautiful look.
Honestly… if he cross-dressed, he might even be prettier than me.
I stared a bit too long before remembering my manners.
“Your Highness Ishar, I apologize for greeting you while seated due to my poor health. I ask for your understanding.”
“……”
He didn’t respond.
He simply walked toward the bed.
As he got closer, I could see his face clearly.
It was completely expressionless.
