The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 24

“Your Highness!”

 

Shailoh froze. Below her stood an intruder—tall, slender, with striking blond hair. Around thirty, Shailoh guessed.

 

“Your Highness…are you alright?”

 

The man trembled, tears streaming down his face. Shailoh watched, her heart clenching at the sight. When she spoke cautiously, he lifted his head.

 

“The doctor said his life is not in danger.”

 

“Ah.” Relief flooded his features. Then curiosity replaced it as he tilted his head. “By the way, who might you be…?”

 

“I’m Sasha Griche.”

 

Given that the maid had opened the door so quickly at this early hour, it was clear the man was close to Caleb. Since he knew about Caleb’s true identity, he might also know about her, but safety was the priority, so Shailoh quickly gave her fake name.

 

“If you’re Sasha Griche…”

 

Silence stretched between them. He seemed to be remembering something. Then a faint smile crossed his lips.

 

“Ah. I’ve heard of you. His Highness is sponsoring you, isn’t he?” The man rose from his knees. Right hand over left chest, he bowed with perfect precision. “Nice to meet you, Miss. My name is Eric

 

“Nice to meet you, miss. My name is Eric Dwibon. My father is Count Benjamin Dwibon, the chamberlain of the royal household.”

 

His manners were flawless—as if measured with a ruler. Eric paused, waiting. Shailoh blinked, then extended her hand. He took it gently, pressing his lips to the back of it. The courteous gesture, as if she were a true lady, sent warmth flooding to her cheeks.

 

Perhaps the commotion had disturbed his sleep, Caleb furrowed his brow and shifted restlessly on the bed.

 

“For now…”

 

A patient needed absolute rest.

 

Eric spoke carefully. “Since Your Highness is safe, shall we leave a maid to nurse him and move to the next room?”

 

Shailoh nodded immediately. “There’s an adjacent room.”

 

Eric Dwibon, as it turned out, was Caleb’s childhood friend and milk brother, which explained his familiarity and lack of distance.

 

“My mother was His Highness’s wet nurse. When he was born, my younger sister had just been born as well, so on my father’s recommendation, she was appointed to His Highness.”

 

“I see.”

 

It was the first time she’d heard the stories of Caleb’s childhood from a third party. As the urgent situation passed and her breathing steadied, curiosity sparked in Shailoh’s chest. She leaned forward. “What was His Highness like as a child?”

 

“He was bright and gentle. A kind and shy boy.”

 

Someone else had said something similar. The overlapping images in her mind made her bold. “Do you happen to know Baroness Kildare?”

 

“It’s been a while since I heard that name!” Eric’s eyes lit up with delight as he nodded. “I certainly do. She was a close maid to the former queen. I got caught playing ball and messing around in the palace more times than I can count, and she was the one who scolded me. I was also quite close to her grandchild.”

 

“As expected, you knew her.” The familiar name made Shailoh’s throat tighten. She wiped away the tears that welled up with her index finger. “Were you acquainted with her grandchild as well?”

 

“Yes. The four of us were childhood friends. His Highness, myself, Baroness Kildare’s grandchild, and Lord Yesiol. Oh, since he already inherited the title now, so he’s the Duke Yesiol.”

 

Duke Yesiol. It was a name she’d heard often. One of the Three Dukes of Oath. Feeling as if a ray of light had pierced the darkness of the underground, Shailoh stood up abruptly.

 

“Miss Griche?”

 

“I heard the Yesiol family is very exclusive and reclusive, rarely leaving their territory. So how…”

 

“The duke and His Highness became close while suppressing the rebellion and going through the war together. They were so close that, at one time, there was even talk of a betrothal in the womb between His Highness and the duke’s daughter.”

 

“A betrothal… before birth?”

 

“Yes.” Seeing Shailoh’s face hardened, Eric quickly added. “Unfortunately, there is no lady. The Yesiol family has only one son.”

 

“Aah.” Relief escaped her lips in an unconscious sigh. She sank back into her seat.

 

Silence settled over the room. A cold breeze slipped through the slightly open window, brushing past them both. In the sudden quiet, Eric bowed his head.

 

“As you saw with your own eyes, it was definitely attempted poisoning.”

 

“What…?” Shock rippled through Shailoh as she stared at Eric. She’d suspected it, but hearing it confirmed made her heart plummet.

 

“His Highness’s position is still unstable and precarious. Although he holds a noble and high status, he lacks the power to support it.”

 

“Who could it be? Do you have any suspects?”

 

“It’s likely the Diponz ducal family. To poison someone in such a place without anyone noticing… But they shouldn’t know His Highness’s face.”

 

“…Claire?” The name slipped out like a groan. Caleb might have drunk the alcohol meant for her.

 

“Pardon?”

 

“No. It’s nothing.”

 

* * *

The conversation ends quickly. Since Caleb’s identity was secret, Eric couldn’t stay long and left at dawn.

 

It was several hours later that Caleb, who hadn’t moved at all, finally regained consciousness. A breeze from beyond the fluttering curtains brushed his sweat-dampened forehead.

 

“Sasha…”

 

His heavy eyelids lift, and he wakes her from her restless doze.

 

“Sasha.”

 

“Caleb?”

 

“What happened? I remember the carriage ride back, and then—”

 

“Caleb.” She cuts through his words, pressing herself against his chest. “Thank goodness… I thought… I thought I’d lost you.”

 

In that moment when death nearly claimed him, her world tilted on its axis. The unbearable weight of almost losing him crashes over her, followed by waves of terror, alone in this vast, unforgiving world. She’d convinced herself her feelings were rational, that being his lover brought simple happiness. Nothing more. But when Caleb collapsed before her eyes, blood staining his lips, the truth struck with devastating force.

 

“I love you.” The confession spills from her lips like a whispered sin, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Maybe… from the very first moment we met. I only realized it now.”

 

“…”

 

“I knew you were in danger. Deep down, I knew. But I tried so hard to ignore it.”

 

“Sasha…”

 

His hand reaches out, fingers threading gently through her hair. She leans into his touch, her eyes red-rimmed and vulnerable. Caleb draws back from their embrace, his palm cupping her soft cheek.

 

“I’m fine. Look at me—I’m safe. This isn’t my first poisoning.”

 

“…”

 

“Honestly, if you haven’t survived at least three assassination attempts, you’re hardly worthy of the royal title.”

 

The unexpected joke catches her off guard. She stares at him, stunned, before a small laugh escapes.

 

Caleb Alexander Lancaster. Known to most as the Prince of the West. The second prince, son of the king’s first queen, would be the next crown prince. This man before her holds such noble blood that she should never dare meet his gaze. A royal so pure that even his lineage seems touched by something divine.

 

Shailoh knows she shouldn’t be an obstacle in his path—shouldn’t keep him from claiming his rightful place. While her heart swells knowing she matters to him, she refuses to be his burden any longer. The absurdity of it all draws another laugh from her, but she quickly composes herself, adopting a playful tone.

 

“Caleb, you’re terrible at jokes.”

 

“What? I’ve been crafting that one for ages. You’re wounding my pride.”

 

“I’m sorry to say this, but humor clearly isn’t your gift. Perhaps you should direct your talents elsewhere.”

 

Their gentle teasing dissolves the heavy atmosphere. As tension melts away, Caleb gestures toward his legs. When she hesitates to rise, he reaches out and pulls her into his arms.

 

“Do you think they’ve discovered who we are, Caleb?”

 

“Some people already view me unfavorably—they say I’m causing trouble since arriving from abroad.”

 

“No one attempts poisoning over petty grievances, especially not at the chief of the security’s residence.”

 

“Right now, we need to focus on clearing your name. This is a crucial time.”

 

“No matter how crucial, nothing matters more than my lover’s life.”

 

With a determined look, Shailoh turned her head away. Maybe because he had brushed so close to death, his chiseled face looked a bit gaunt overnight.

 

“I want to help you. Not just hide behind your protection like this.”

 

“Sasha.”

 

“Tell me. Is there something I can do?”

 

Caleb fell silent, seeming to weigh her words. Just as she was about to press for an answer, he pulled her close and playfully kissed the nape of her neck.

 

“For now, I’d appreciate it if you could indulge my whims a little.”

 

“What do you mean by—”

 

Before she could even finish asking, Caleb held her tight and drifted back to sleep.

 

Shailoh took his hand in hers, bowing her head. Guilt claws at her throat. She nearly brought Caleb to death’s door.

 

There was no more time to waste. She had to act.