The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 111

“That woman.”

 

Caleb stopped and turned his head. Albert, who had been staring into space, looked at his back.

 

“Is she still by your side, Brother?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“What will you do? Now that the hunt is over, will you cast her aside?”

 

Cast aside. The unfamiliar word made Caleb silently close his mouth. “It’s none of your business.”

 

Even though it was just a thought, his heart ached as if someone had seared his chest with fire. The unfamiliar pain made him furrow his brow as he resumed walking.

 

* * *

Queen Ingrid’s confession and execution proceeded smoothly, like water flowing, involving the king, the former queen, and even the eldest prince. With all accusations acknowledged, the few nobles who had held onto small sparks of doubt turned their backs completely. Meanwhile, the people were furious, throwing stones and condemning her.

 

Caleb’s final act of mercy was to execute her in front of the masses before she could suffer further humiliation and hardship. In the midst of the frenzied chaos, only Caleb stood calm, like the eye of a storm.

 

A week after Ingrid’s execution, Eric watched from afar as Caleb was surrounded by numerous seamstresses and maids, preparing for the coronation.

 

“Eric.”

 

“Your Highness.”

 

Noticing him through the mirror, Caleb gestured for everyone taking his measurements to leave. Once they were alone in the spacious room, Caleb spoke first.

 

“What about Albert?”

 

“As ordered, his tongue was cut out. He was given a new name and identity, and sent to a monastery abroad.”

 

“I see.”

 

Caleb had promised Ingrid that he would spare Albert’s life, but he never promised to send him away unharmed. If he were sent away intact, Albert could always prepare for rebellion and stab him in the back. So this was not only fair but also a generous act.

 

“Everything begins now. From the moment Your Highness wears the crown.”

 

“There is a mountain of work to do. We must distribute the wealth Queen Ingrid secretly accumulated to the people and appropriately reward those who have made significant contributions.”

 

“Yes. And we must reform the House of Nobles and establish the people’s assembly that Carl and Gordon mentioned, even though it feels quite disconcerting.”

 

“The backbone of the kingdom is the ordinary people. So it’s only right that they have some voice in the politics of this kingdom. After all, Carl and Gordon cooperated and pledged loyalty to me because of that condition.”

 

“But Caleb.” Out of concern, Eric, who had shifted from a vassal to a friend, advised him. “You won’t be able to wield absolute royal power like the previous kings. That won’t change, even if you sit at the highest position.”

 

“Eric.”

 

Caleb chuckled softly and walked over to sit on the couch in front of the fireplace. Throughout all the events, the seasons had changed several times, and winter was now approaching.

 

“I have no intention of standing alone at the pinnacle like the previous kings or Queen Ingrid, wielding this kingdom as I please. Besides, the world is changing rapidly. Someday, there might be an era where even the position of king doesn’t exist.”

 

“Caleb!” Eric quickly glanced around, worried someone might overhear, and hurriedly approached him. “Don’t ever say things like that anywhere. It’s really dangerous talk.”

 

Caleb shrugged and uncorked the wine bottle on the couch table. He poured the wine into an empty glass and took a sip. “Don’t worry about the decline of royal authority. The people’s assembly is not a concern either. It’s just a matter of showing my abilities and earning the trust of the people to establish my own authority.”

 

Eric sighed heavily as Caleb downed the drink in one go, which he would normally sip over two or three rounds.

 

“What could possibly be wrong? Everything has turned out well.”

 

“That’s enough.”

 

Caleb, who was pouring a second glass, paused and looked at Eric, who had taken hold of his hand.

 

“Please stop. It’s not good for your health.”

 

“It’s just two glasses.”

 

“You’ve been drinking almost every day lately. No matter how well you handle alcohol, drinking daily is harmful to your health.” Eric, naturally reverting to his role as a subordinate, took the wine and glass from Caleb’s hand and stood up.

 

Caleb, disappointed, showed his empty hands. “I’ll restrain myself.”

 

Eric looked down at him with a troubled expression. Despite his words, Caleb would likely seek out alcohol again.

 

As Caleb’s hand reached out lazily, Eric cautiously asked. “Is it because of Miss Griche that Your Highness, who should be basking in happiness, is drowning in alcohol?”

 

“…”

 

For the first time, Caleb’s turquoise eyes wavered. The same eyes that had remained steady even when he ordered his stepmother to the gallows and his half-brother’s tongue to be cut out.

 

“Actually, I have something to tell you regarding Miss Griche.”

 

“What is it?” Caleb turned his head slowly, waiting quietly for the next words.

 

“Miss Griche wishes to see Your Highness. Before the coronation.”

 

“I’m going now.”

 

“Your Highness!”

 

Caleb stood up abruptly, losing his balance and staggering. Startled, Eric quickly caught and supported him.

 

“Not now. I’ll send a carriage to bring her to the palace tomorrow morning.”

 

“No, I’m going right now.”

 

“You’re too intoxicated right now.”

 

Caleb seemed ready to head to where Shailoh was immediately.

 

Eric, repeatedly dissuading him, firmly insisted. “Please look at yourself in the mirror. It’s been nearly two months since you last saw yourself in the mirror after rescuing her.”

 

Following Eric’s hand pointing at the mirror above the fireplace, Caleb quietly observed his reflection. Though he washed, ate, and lived properly every day, at a glance he appeared fine. But his eyes were sunken, and his cheeks were gaunt.

 

“If Miss Griche sees Your Highness now, she’ll be quite shocked.”

 

It was a reasonable point. Caleb rubbed his face with one hand and nodded in agreement. “…Alright. But I will go myself.”

 

When Caleb closed or opened his eyes, Sasha’s face kept appearing in his mind, yet for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to face her directly. A wave of events had come crashing down, and he had used them as excuses to postpone their meeting.

 

Sasha. Seeing her might reveal why her face lingered in his thoughts and why he hesitated to visit or summon her.

 

“Whatever the conclusion, I can’t delay any longer.”

 

A man with a haggard and anxious face stared back at him from the mirror. Unable to bear it any longer, Caleb tore his gaze away from the reflection.

 

* * *

Doris finished arranging Shailoh’s hair and stepped back with a satisfied expression. “You look truly beautiful, Milady.”

 

“Thank you.” Shailoh touched her neatly styled hair and looked up to smile at Doris. “Does my makeup look alright?”

 

“Of course, it’s perfect as always.”

 

“I’m relieved. I was worried it might look strange since it’s been a while.”

 

Feeling reassured, Shailoh quietly observed herself in the mirror. Just as Doris said, she looked just like she did when she was actively performing on stage.

 

“You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you, Milady?” Doris hugged Shailoh’s shoulders from behind, sniffing. “I can’t tell you how worried I was about what you might endure by Prince Albert’s side. You went there willingly, so I couldn’t just take you away.”

 

“There wasn’t much trouble. And I returned safely, with quite a good harvest too.” Shailoh chuckled softly and patted Doris’s hands as she embraced her.

 

Doris wiped her tears with her sleeve and cautiously asked, “What does His Highness plan for your future? You’re his lover and have achieved great things, so surely he’ll keep you by his side.”

 

“Well, considering the line of distinguished ladies waiting, it might be difficult,” Shailoh replied with a hint of sarcasm.

 

Doris bristled at the response. “Even so, there’s no woman who can compare to you, and His Highness knows that!”

 

Instead of answering, Shailoh smiled and slowly stood up to face Doris. She took both of Doris’s hands in hers. “Thank you for everything, Doris. I know you’ve endured a lot because of me.”

 

“Milady…”

 

“Just as you’ve helped me, now I’ll support you in whatever you want to do. What would you like to pursue?”

 

“What…?” Doris’s eyes widened at the unexpected question. “What do you mean? To suddenly—”

 

“It would be a waste for your youth and time to just serve me indefinitely. Didn’t you once say you wanted to become a poet? Should I send you to school?” Shailoh held Doris’s hands tightly and asked again, “If that’s not what you want right now, I could send you on a trip. How about exploring this kingdom or even going abroad?”

 

“Why… Why do you keep saying such things?” Doris’s eyes welled up again, despite having just stopped crying. “You’re talking as if you’re leaving. I’m going to stay by your side, Milady. And I’m not going anywhere.”

 

Shailoh quietly lowered her gaze. She was now set to leave the capital and head north, to the place where her only family, her brother, resided. She longed to live in a place where her roots were. And she had no intention of ever returning.