Chapter 22
Meanwhile, Isabella, having left the La Celes ducal estate, headed toward a quiet brunch café slightly removed from the central square.
If she went straight home like this, she could already vividly imagine herself slumping in misery for the rest of the day. At the very least, she needed to refresh this gloomy mood so she could calmly prepare her next plan.
—Whenever you feel down, go to a café and order your favorite dessert. It’ll make you feel a lot better.
As she recalled her beloved idol’s interview, her lips naturally curled upward. Isabella ordered a warm cup of coffee and a slice of tangy lemon tart, then took a seat by the window where sunlight streamed in generously.
Outside the glass window, the streets of the square were full of life as merchants and customers began their morning business.
Unlike the vibrant streets, she alone felt detached, as if she had been cut off from everything.
Perhaps it was because she had just revisited her past filled with wounds and regret in front of someone she once loved. A sharp, needle-like pain pricked at her insides, and Isabella’s face twisted in discomfort.
It had already been ten years since she came to the capital and lived as Ekanuel’s fiancée, entirely alone without a family by her side.
She endured the aristocratic society alone, where even a small mistake could lead to endless scandals. She gritted her teeth through loneliness, afraid that even her younger brother—who was expected to become a talented knight—might be burdened by rumors because of her shortcomings.
—You are our proud daughter. We believe you will always do well.
She had not seen her parents, always busy managing their territory, for a very long time. They seemed to believe she could handle anything on her own; their occasional letters were always filled with subtle expectations and encouragement.
Unable to betray their expectations, Isabella could not easily speak of the wounds she had received from Ekanuel and others. All she could do was pretend she was fine, letting her wounds scab over while sending back polite replies.
Holding the cup of warm coffee tightly with both hands, she stared out the window, her gaze slowly blurring.
“Honestly… I’m so stupid.”
If only she had been a little more selfish, maybe she wouldn’t be worrying like this and could have just left.
The desire to run away from here was overwhelming. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t simply ignore everything and leave irresponsibly. As the next head of the Redia family, there were duties she had to fulfill. At the very least, she wanted to finish her responsibilities before leaving for Korea with peace of mind.
“Haa… I really am ridiculous.”
She gave a faint, bitter smile. She knew better than anyone that her parents and younger sibling couldn’t always be by her side, so she couldn’t blame them for her loneliness. If she had to blame anything, it was her own nature—what others might call foolish persistence.
Her first mission was still on hold, and her engagement had not even been properly resolved. Still, whenever she thought of Kairus, who had reached out to help her at Elena’s birthday party, her uneasy heart strangely calmed.
—If you help me, I’ll grant you whatever you want.
Every time she looked into his warm orange eyes like a sunset, she felt as if she had met him somewhere before. Even though it had been their first meeting.
Even during Elena’s fox hunt, when she had been nearly attacked by a wild dog, he had appeared at her side and protected her.
Only two encounters—but each time, he had helped her.
He felt like a guardian angel, appearing at critical moments as if to prove she was no longer alone.
“Did he put a tracking spell on me or something when we first met?”
Such an absurd thought crossed her mind.
She recalled how he had briefly held her hand as repayment for saving her.
Isabella opened her palm, remembering the warmth she had felt in that grasp.
Being on someone’s side willingly… was far warmer and more reassuring than she had imagined.
“Right. Nothing will change if I just sit here overthinking things.”
So she decided to stop worrying. After taking a deep breath, she ate her tart and began thinking quietly.
“Since I’m already out… I might as well go back to the park.”
Today, she had a feeling she might meet that man again.
With a much lighter step than when she had entered the café, she stretched her arms wide.
“Haeyun really is a cure-all!”
Following her idol’s advice, eating something sweet and sorting her thoughts genuinely made her feel better.
She looked up at the bright morning sky, now filling her entire vision.
“The weather’s perfect too.”
She walked toward the park, enjoying the warm sunlight.
As she crossed the square, she suddenly remembered the boy from her dream.
—I’ll wait here again next year.
The moment had been too vivid to dismiss as just a dream. Her steps slowed without her realizing it.
Lost in that memory, she eventually found herself not at the park—but in front of the imperial library.
The ancient ivory building bore traces of time, with green ivy climbing its walls. Between the trees, she could see the shimmering lake where she had once met the boy in her dream. As it was strictly restricted to imperial personnel, the iron gates around the library were tightly shut.
Feeling a pang of disappointment, Isabella leaned closer to the bars, peering inside at the building and lake.
“Maybe it’ll open during the festival?”
“It’s always open during the festival, so don’t worry.”
“Ah, I see… wait, what?!”
Startled by the unfamiliar voice beside her, Isabella quickly stepped back, wary.
“Who are you?”
“It’s me. Isabella.”
Without any sign of hostility, the hooded man raised both hands. He lowered his hood slightly.
Under the sunlight, orange eyes shimmered, and silver hair scattered in the wind.
It was Kairus.
“Your—!”
Shh.
He pressed a finger to his lips, stopping her words. Meeting her startled gaze, his lips curved into a familiar smile.
“I’m out on a secret excursion.”
“A secret excursion?”
“Yes. Since festival preparations are coming up.”
Isabella glanced around cautiously. The early morning streets were quiet.
She assumed the crown prince wouldn’t be out alone—there must be hidden knights nearby. Reassured, she nodded slightly.
“The Night of Harta is coming soon.”
Still, why was he here so early in the morning?
As if ignoring her question, Kairus turned his gaze toward the library.
“Your Highness?”
When she called him carefully, he finally looked at her again.
That same expression again.
Whenever he looked at her, he seemed to be seeing a long-lost friend—filled with warmth and inexplicable longing.
Yet they had never met before.
Kairus quickly erased that expression with a playful smile and stepped closer.
“Today makes our third meeting, Isabella.”
“Quite a coincidence, Your Highness.”
When she answered bluntly, he shook a finger.
“Three times isn’t coincidence. It’s fate.”
“Fate… between you and me?”
“Well then, who else has met you three times here?”
“That’s true.”
They laughed lightly together. Isabella even felt strangely pleased by the unexpected encounter.
“This must be a dream.”
“Want to hold my hand to check?”
As if to prove she wasn’t dreaming, Kairus naturally extended his hand.
Was she simply exhausted? Or had she been longing for someone to lean on?
Without hesitation, Isabella took his hand.
As if he had been waiting for it, Kairus firmly held hers in return.
He warmed her cold fingertips with his other hand, covering the back of her hand gently.
Looking into her eyes for a long moment, as if he already knew she had been having a difficult day, he finally spoke.
“Good work today, Isabella.”
