The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 34

“Finished eating? Let’s get going.”

 

“Now?”

 

“Yes. We’ve achieved our goal.”

 

Doris, who had been in a daze as if bewitched, realized the truth while inside the carriage on their way back from the restaurant.

 

“Now I understand. Why we covered our faces and chose that restaurant today. The reason for the perfume was all for this.”

 

“If you want to capture the king, it’s easier to catch the queen first.”

 

“Did you hear that from a chess teacher?”

 

“No.”

 

Shailoh shook her head and fiddled with the rosary she always wore inside her dress. It was advice Caleb had given her once when they played chess together.

 

“If you want to capture the king, it’s easier to get the queen first.”

 

“And then?”

 

“To capture the queen, you have to move the knight.”

 

“It’s been more than two weeks since I last saw him. He must be very busy.”

 

Normally, she wouldn’t have minded not seeing him for over ten days, but these days, she misses him even if a day goes by without seeing his face. As soon as she became aware of her feelings for him, it felt like a dam had burst. The affection she had been quietly accumulating surged forth.

 

“He’ll come back soon. For him, Milady is always the top priority.”

 

“Yes.” Shailoh smiled shyly and was about to draw the curtain over the window when another carriage passed by.

 

“Milady?” Seeing Shailoh freeze and not move at all, Doris called her softly. “What’s wrong? Do you feel like you’re being watched again?”

 

“Caleb?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“Wasn’t His Highness in that carriage just now?”

 

“Well, I’m not sure. I couldn’t see clearly.”

 

“It looked like he was with someone.”

 

“Should we turn around?”

 

“No, I’ll ask him later.”

 

Having had a few glasses of wine, Shailoh felt a bit tipsy. She pushed aside her uneasy feelings and closed the curtain.

 

* * *

The woman who was escorted out of the carriage smiled warmly. “Thank you for rescuing me when I was lost and bringing me here.”

 

“Think nothing of it. Anyone would have done the same.” The man smiled faintly as he took off his hat to greet her. Despite the simple gesture, Octavia’s cheeks flushed bright red.

 

“Is this how nobles in the capital usually behave?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“I’ve always been in the south, so I’m not familiar with these customs.”

 

Caleb gave a dry smile as he observed the woman who seemed too shy to meet his eyes. “You seemed like someone who grew up sheltered in a greenhouse, and indeed, you are someone of high status.”

 

“I wasn’t trying to hide it, but I feel a bit guilty.”

 

“There’s no need to apologize.”

 

Though his earlier words were meant to be sarcastic, they had no effect. Internally clicking his tongue, Caleb coolly assessed the woman before him.

 

Octavia Perus. She pretended to be an innocent young lady, but the woman before him was the niece of Duke Perus and soon to be the fiancée of the third prince, Albert. She is currently the most talked-about woman in the kingdom.

 

“It seems you’ve lost your way. May I assist you?”

 

“Oh! Thank heavens!”

 

Octavia Perus was a woman whose curiosity and adventurous spirit were unmatched, quite unbefitting of her position. She was reckless, sneaking out in disguise to explore the city, slipping past numerous guards and escorts. Fortunately, the tail Caleb had set on her, just in case, hadn’t lost her, allowing him to approach her easily. However, the moment he spoke to her, he regretted it.

 

Octavia Perus was the type he disliked the most—more than those who didn’t know their place, he despised those who were oblivious to the burdens they carried. The more he talked with Octavia, who was naive to the ways of the world, the more he thought of Shailoh, who could grasp ten things from being told just one. Could two people of the same age be so different? Or was Shailoh simply special?

 

“Sir?”

 

Lost in thought, Caleb masked his expression at the sound of her voice. He was well-practiced in hiding his thoughts and emotions.

 

“You said you came up to meet a potential match.”

 

“Oh, yes.”

 

“I hope you find a good match, Milady.”

 

“E-Excuse me!”

 

A hurried voice stopped him just as he was about to turn and board the carriage.

 

“I forgot to ask, what is your name? My name is Octavia.”

 

“I’m Baron Cal. I’m here temporarily from abroad for trade business.”

 

“From abroad? Is it vast?”

 

The prey had taken the bait.

 

Caleb, who was about to leave, nodded slightly. “It’s vast enough that one couldn’t possibly see it all.”

 

“Ah.” Octavia clasped her hands together, her expression dreamy and wistful. “If you don’t mind, could you tell me more about it?”

 

“Well, I don’t think it’s a good idea for someone who’s about to get engaged to frequently meet with a single man.”

 

“You’re right.”

 

Caleb added softly to the now crestfallen Octavia, “Unless there’s a professional reason.”

 

Octavia’s eyes sparkled as if she hadn’t been disappointed at all. “You mentioned you’re in business, right? In trade? My uncle controls the southern ports, and my father oversees one of them as well. You might be able to communicate with my father.”

 

“Really?”

 

Things were unfolding just as he had planned. Caleb, inwardly celebrating, took a step back.

 

“If your uncle controls the southern ports, is he perhaps Duke Perus?”

 

“Oh, yes! Since you’re a foreigner, you wouldn’t know. I wondered why you didn’t react to our family crest.”

 

“So, you’re the niece of such a distinguished man. I’m concerned about whether I can meet your father without proper consideration. It seems like you’re offering too much for a small favor.”

 

“It’s alright!” Thinking he was trying to politely refuse, Octavia shook her head and took his hand. “He’ll be back around lunchtime tomorrow. If you’re available, could you visit in the evening? I’ll let my father know in advance. If I tell him you’re a benefactor, he’ll welcome you.”

 

“I see. It seems I’m the one who owes a debt of gratitude. Thank you.” Caleb gently withdrew his hand and bowed politely.

 

Octavia, who briefly looked disappointed, soon responded with a bright smile. “It’s nothing.”

 

After ensuring she was safely inside, Caleb climbed into the carriage, and the coachman immediately snapped the reins. The carriage traveled for a while before stopping in a secluded corner of a park. A man, hidden by the darkness, tapped on the window. As soon as Caleb opened it, he got straight to the point.

 

“How’s Sasha?”

 

“She’s currently reducing her social engagements to focus on practice and performances.”

 

The man waiting was none other than the guard assigned to her.

 

“What about Baroness Boris?”

 

“They seem to chat every weekend. However, it appears they haven’t found any significant clues about her brother yet.”

 

“It looked like she planted a child there, but unless that child really blends in, it’ll be hard to uncover anything.”

 

“Today, she went to Korden Restaurant, which is unusual.”

 

“…Korden Restaurant?” Caleb frowned, looking down at the guard with cold eyes. “That’s usually a place for couples. Who was she with?”

 

Caleb knew rationally that Shailoh was deeply infatuated with him. He was aware that she wouldn’t dare look at another man, but just imagining her dining alone with someone else, even for business, made his vision turn red with anger. His precarious patience, like a spark on dry straw, threatened to flare up, but fortunately calmed down immediately.

 

“She went with Doris, who is always by her side.”

 

“Just the two of them?”

 

“Yes. I was waiting near the entrance, so I couldn’t see the details inside, but they didn’t stay long.”

 

“Since it’s by reservation, it shouldn’t be hard to check who dined there at that time.”

 

Perhaps she just wanted to indulge in a brief escape, but it seemed like a meaningful action.

 

Caleb murmured to himself and then issued a dismissal order. “I’ll call you from time to time, so continue to protect her closely, just like now.”

 

“Understood.” The man bowed deeply and disappeared back into the shadowy darkness.

 

Caleb closed the window, tapped the floor with his cane, and the waiting coachman took hold of the reins again.

 

“Shall we head straight home?”

 

“Yes.” Caleb answered immediately, but then changed his mind, resting his elbow on the window frame. “No, take me to Sasha.” He hadn’t planned on seeing her today, but for some reason, he suddenly wanted to.