The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 101

[Sasha Griche and Duke West Break Off Their Engagement!]

 

[Duke Weast Appears Alone at Official Event, Countdown to Engagement with Foreign Heiress Begins]

 

[The Cause of the Broken Engagement: Sasha Griche’s Promiscuity with Men!]

 

As a month passed without Shailoh and Caleb meeting, newspapers eagerly printed sensational headlines. Some gossipmongers proposed conspiracy theories that he was preparing a political marriage to ascend the throne, but the majority of the public didn’t go that far. The reactions were split between ‘I saw it coming’ and ‘What a disappointment,’ both becoming hot topics in the capital.

 

The murderer lady, a woman who debuted as a singer under false accusations. The second prince’s lover. And now, breakup rumors. Sasha Griche was the subject of countless conversations and drew attention wherever she went.

 

“To stare so openly like that, don’t they have any manners?”

 

“If you make eye contact, just smile.”

 

“Huh? Why?”

 

“If you glare at them, they’ll just spread more strange rumors.”

 

Even while choosing hats in the boutique, Shailoh deliberately avoided looking in the direction Doris pointed. The curious, envious, or disdainful gazes were now as familiar as her own skin. However, Doris, who was always by her side, seemed to have different thoughts.

 

With a hint of frustration, Doris whispered. “It’s really infuriating. None of this is your fault, Milady. When a couple breaks up, both sides have reasons for it. So why only Milady the one getting criticized like this?”

 

“Well, the circumstances are different. I’m a woman, and he’s a man. I’m nothing more than a singer without any backing now, while he belongs to noble blood.”

 

“But!”

 

“Please give me this.” Shailoh brushed past Doris, who was about to argue, and placed the hat she was holding on the counter.

 

The clerk, startled by the sight of the woman who was famous only through rumors, accepted her payment. “Miss, is this perhaps a gift? If so, we can wrap it for you.”

 

“Ah, really? That would be great.”

 

As Shailoh nodded enthusiastically, the clerk quickly took a gift box and ribbon from the shelf above and completed the wrapping with swift hands. “Here you go. Thank you.”

 

As she turned the doorknob to open the door, the bell above jingled with a clear sound. Doris, who had been glaring at the group of customers whispering and staring at Shailoh, quickly followed her with small steps.

 

“A gift? Wasn’t that hat for you to wear, Milady?” Eyes wide, Doris asked curiously.

 

“No. We have a guest at our house.”

 

“Aah.”

 

“Since she can’t even go outside, I hoped something like this might at least cheer her up.”

 

“I’ll carry it.”

 

Raising a hand, Shailoh hailed a hired carriage. Doris climbed into the seat opposite her while holding the gift box.

 

* * *

Doris had only been told that Shailoh and Caleb had broken up. She didn’t know what had happened at the villa. Since Shailoh had never even explained the things between them had soured in the first place, it was only natural. Doris repeatedly stole glances at Shailoh as though curious, but in the end never managed to ask outright.

 

Doris wasn’t the only one dying to know why the two had broken off their relationship. Octavia was equally curious. The difference was that unlike Doris, Octavia didn’t bother being cautious.

 

“Why did you break up? Was it because it interfered with Your Highness’s future?” The momentary excitement she had shown upon receiving Shailoh’s gift vanished as Octavia immediately fired off questions. “Or did you really just have a fight? What happened at that villa? Is His Highness truly going to marry another woman?”

 

“That’s a lot of questions.” Shailoh smiled faintly as she continued reading the script.

 

Unable to stand her continued silence, Octavia clasped her hands together pleadingly. “Then answer at least one thing. Is it really completely over between you two?”

 

Shailoh paused from reading the script and slowly lifted her head. “Yes.”

 

“So it really was true…”

 

“Why? Is it hard to believe?”

 

“It’s just… a feeling, I guess. But I thought you and His Highness would never break up. Not until the very end.”

 

“And yet you still managed to leave your uncle’s side and stay beside His Highness. That was brave.”

 

“…Are you mocking me right now?”

 

“Of course not. It’s a sincere admiration.” Shaking her head, Shailoh lowered the script onto her lap.

 

Octavia had chosen Caleb without hesitation or calculation. That both fascinated and impressed her. Even when Caleb had once been Shailoh’s faith itself, if someone had told her to abandon her entire life as a singer and choose only Caleb, she doubted she could have decided so easily.

 

“What exactly made you fall for His Highness so deeply?”

 

“Well, he’s kind and gentlemanly. And most importantly, his face is just my type.”

 

Shailoh was about to lose interest in the predictable answer when Octavia’s next words caught her attention.

 

“And sometimes he makes expressions I can’t understand at all. Whenever I see them, I get thrilled for some reason.”

 

“…You’re not frightened?”

 

“Why would I be frightened?” Octavia asked back, her eyes wide.

 

Quietly studying her eyes, Shailoh searched for the reason. Having lived her entire life inside a glamorous glass garden, Octavia seemed to yearn for adventure and romantic love.

 

Shailoh simply advised her. “Everyone has a front and a back. But some people… can truly be unexpected. It’s better to know how to distinguish dangerous people from harmless ones.”

 

It was when Octavia tilted her head at the meaningful remark.

 

“Milady.” A knock was heard, and Doris entered the room, handing over an invitation. “This arrived, but I don’t recognize the family crest.”

 

The moment Shailoh reached out and saw the seal, she blinked once. Before Doris could notice her subtle hesitation, Shailoh quickly took the invitation from her hands. Opening the envelope and reading the contents, she slowly turned around.

 

“Well then, Lady Octavia. I think I should start getting ready to go out.”

 

“Are you going to some kind of banquet?” Forgetting the strange atmosphere from moments ago, Octavia’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.

 

Instead of answering, Shailoh simply nodded.

 

“I see… Alright. I’m jealous.”

 

Only after Octavia left the room at the obvious dismissal did Doris quietly ask, “Do you know who sent it?”

 

Shailoh looked down at the crumpled letter in her hand, almost unconsciously. “The third prince. Prince Albert.”

 

The letter, which had the address written on it, included a brief note.

 

[Dress code is black. Wear a mask that completely conceals your face.]

 

* * *

The location written on the invitation was the deepest part of a street lined with luxurious establishments, a secretive place that could only be entered after passing through several guards. The moment Shailoh stepped inside, one of the third prince’s servants, dressed in a neat uniform, greeted her.

 

“His Highness has instructed me to guide you. Please follow me.”

 

“Yes.”

 

Shailoh nodded and curiously scanned her surroundings. The tropical plants immediately gave her the illusion of being in a foreign land. Large, vibrant tropical flowers harmonized beautifully with the ornate fountain, and chandeliers adorned the ceiling. The space, which she had expected to be dark and filled with the acrid scent of cigar smoke and powder, was hidden away in such a way that it seemed a shame to conceal its brightness and beauty. Members played billiards, summoned waiters for drinks, and laughed merrily.

 

As Shailoh followed the servant across the expansive area, several members seated in wing chairs and armchairs turned their heads towards her. Passing by them, she heard quiet snickering.

 

“The man leading her is His Highness’s servant, right? How long do you think that woman will last?”

 

“Who knows? I’ll bet my newly purchased thoroughbred horse on the three months.”

 

“Really? Then I’ll bet one of my vacation villas on one month.”

 

The men began placing wagers one after another, grinning lewdly as they peered at Shailoh through their masks.

 

Suppressing her discomfort, Shailoh continued to follow the servant until they reached another door. The servant had her wait two steps behind him, then knocked once, paused, and knocked twice more as though giving a signal. The door opened, revealing a hidden space that was dark and dim, starkly different from the outside. As soon as Shailoh stepped inside, the servant bowed politely.

 

“Then I shall take my leave.”

 

“Thank you for your—” Before she could finish responding, the door shut behind her.

 

Another servant who had opened the door respectfully guided Shailoh farther inward. Walking heavily in the direction he indicated, she saw a wing chair. The third prince, deeply reclining and smoking opium, turned his body to greet her.

 

“Welcome. After what happened last time, I truly didn’t think you would come. Seeing you here makes me very happy.”

 

“…”

 

“Miss Griche. Or perhaps I should call you Sasha?” Albert added teasingly with a crooked smile. “Like my older brother does.”