The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 43

“Are you out of your mind? That’s basically throwing yourself into a grave!”

 

“I’m Baron Cal here.”

 

“What if the third prince recognizes you? Or Queen Ingrid?”

 

“There’s no way a foreign guest would get a private audience with royalty. The same goes for you, coming as Baroness Boris’s proxy. At most, we’ll just be watching from afar.”

 

Shailoh hesitated, then finally surrendered. “Just promise me you won’t do anything dangerous.”

 

“Of course.” Caleb purred like a well-fed beast and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Shailoh couldn’t help but let out a small laugh at how easily his feelings showed, even without him saying anything.

 

“By the way, was that cat talking to me just now?”

 

“Who knows.”

 

“You’re more of a cat yourself.”

 

“What?”

 

“Nothing.”

 

Shailoh quietly tilted her head back. She could feel her heart pounding. She hoped the chest pressed against her back was beating just as fast.

 

“I wish days like this would last forever.”

 

“Days like this?”

 

“Days when I’m happy and want for nothing. Even if I have a mountain of things to do.”

 

When Claire returned, when her family turned their backs on her, and when she tried to let everything go—on those days, she nearly died and was even accused of murder. It was this man who filled those days, worse than death, with small sparks of light.

 

At first, Shailoh had just found him fascinating. Then, he made her heart race. Now, except for rare moments, she felt at ease whenever they were together, like two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly, as if they had always been one. It was the love she’d always longed for, the love she’d dreamed of. And he was the only one who could give it to her.

 

“I told you before, didn’t I? That’s when all of this is over, we should live together. Maybe even have a couple of kids.”

 

Instead of answering, Caleb wrapped her hand in his. Shailoh savored the gentle warmth spreading from his touch and whispered, “I’d like that.”

 

“Sasha.”

 

“Let’s live together. In spring, we’ll plant flowers. In summer, we’ll grow vegetables in the garden. In fall, we’ll rake up the fallen leaves, and in winter, we’ll build snowmen with the snow that piles up.”

 

 

Just imagining it made her happy. While Shailoh closed her eyes dreamily, Caleb brushed his nose against hers.

 

“But first, we need to get ready for the engagement ceremony.”

 

* * *

Since it was the engagement of a royal with a strong claim to the throne, the ceremony was being held in the palace with all the grandeur one would expect. Shailoh found herself momentarily distracted by the sight of a massive diamond chandelier sparkling overhead—worth as much as a townhouse in the capital. Gentlemen in crisply starched, custom-tailored suits stroked their mustaches and chatted amiably, while women adorned with jewels on their ears, necks, wrists, and fingers sat at their assigned seats, fluttering fans made of peacock feathers as they exchanged pleasantries.

 

“The queen has finally secured Duke Perus as an ally. I heard Duke Diponz was quite eager lately too.”

 

At the sound of a familiar name, Shailoh unconsciously straightened her back. Her attention was drawn, almost involuntarily, to the conversation happening right beside her.

 

“That excuse about being too ill to attend? Please. Can you imagine how jealous he must feel? A few years ago, Duke Perus practically monopolized the mine profits by landing an exclusive steel contract with a foreign nation, and ever since, the profits for the others have plummeted. And then there was that whole other incident.”

 

“I wouldn’t be surprised if Baron Elton ends up divorcing her. Paranoia and attempted murder—no matter how beautiful she is, what man would want to stay married to a woman like that?”

 

“Honestly, Baroness Elton might be better off just staying in prison. Duke Diponz only sent a lawyer to keep up appearances; she’s basically been cast aside. She has nowhere left to go now.”

 

As long as they were at the top, other people’s downfalls were nothing more than idle entertainment. For a fleeting moment, Shailoh felt a twinge of pity for Claire. If it hadn’t been for the only marriage she ever chose for herself, she might have been the one sitting beside the third prince right now.

 

“Have you heard the rumors? About the curse of the fake lady.”

 

“A curse?”

 

“Yes. They say the woman who committed murder and vanished put a curse on the real lady.”

 

“That’s ridiculous. If she were alive, she would’ve been caught by now. The fact that she hasn’t means she’s probably dead. I don’t believe in curses.”

 

“You never know. Stranger things have happened.”

 

It wasn’t entirely wrong. Shailoh opened her folding fan to hide her expression. The woman gossiping away, oblivious to the fact that the subject of her story was sitting right next to her, soon lost interest and changed the topic.

 

“Anyway, it’s a shame. It’s the first engagement ceremony for his child, and His Majesty is still bedridden.”

 

“It’s been more than ten years since he’s been unable to get out of bed. There’s no way he could walk now, even if he wanted to.”

 

“So now the kingdom will be completely in the hands of the queen and the southern duke. At least they’ve kept close ties with the house of lords, so that’s something.”

 

Pretending not to listen, Shailoh let her gaze drift over the crimson carpet stretching between the rows of guests. The carpet ended at the altar, reserved only for royal engagement ceremonies. She wondered if Caleb’s mother and the king also held their engagement ceremony here, followed by their wedding.  The thought made her glance at Caleb beside her. He looked straight ahead, his face betraying a hint of boredom.

 

Just then, one of the guests who’d been chattering away lowered her voice to a whisper. “It might be a little too soon to feel so relieved. After all, the right to the throne doesn’t belong to Duke Cornwall alone, does it?”

 

The second prince. Ever since he’d fled the kingdom as a child, his name had become almost taboo, especially within the palace.

 

Someone in the group cleared their throat awkwardly. “He… hasn’t returned, so it’s as good as giving up his claim. I don’t think he’s someone we need to worry about.”

 

It sounded like he was trying to change the subject, but the same tactless woman shook her head and insisted, “Still, don’t you remember? The first prince. He was more brilliant than anyone, upright in character, and a crown prince everyone admired. If his own younger brother is anything like him, he can’t be lacking in ability, can he?”

 

This was the first time Shailoh had heard such a thing. A chill ran down her spine at the sudden silence that fell over the room—a coldness far sharper than when Caleb had been the subject of gossip. She could feel every gaze in the room shift toward them.

 

“I don’t think this is an appropriate topic for discussion right now,” said one of the men, flustered, clearing his throat and turning away.

 

Shailoh lowered her eyes, unsettled by the inexplicable chill in the air beside her. Her palms were slick with sweat, and a cold bead trickled down her back.

 

Just then, the officiant’s voice rang out through the hall. “We will now begin the engagement ceremony of Duke Cornwall, the third prince and the queen’s own son, with Lady Octavia Perus, niece of the Southern Duke Perus, one of the three Dukes of the Oath.”

 

As if the weight of everyone’s attention had never been on her, the entire crowd turned as one to look behind them. Unlike at a formal wedding, the beautiful woman wore a pale blue dress. She looked to be about Shailoh’s age, her dazzling blonde hair catching the light. Walking beside her was a tall man.

 

“That must be…”

 

The moment Shailoh saw him, she knew at once—this was the third prince she’d only ever heard about. Like his fiancée, he had golden hair like spun honey and amber eyes, and his features bore a curious resemblance to Caleb’s. But their auras couldn’t have been more different. Caleb was taller and had a gentler air, while his younger brother, Albert, had a sharper, more irritable look about him.

 

As the two made their way slowly down the crimson carpet, Shailoh glanced at Caleb to gauge his reaction. But his expression remained unchanged, as if he were watching complete strangers. She found his composure puzzling. Just then, whispers drifted from the front rows.

 

“My goodness… You’d never guess he was taking medicine just yesterday. He looks so dignified.”

 

“I heard he gambles and chases women, too. Hard to believe, looking at him now.”

 

“Well, it’s not unusual for a young man to indulge in those things out of youthful bravado. Once he has a family of his own, he’ll settle down soon enough. That’s just how men are.”

 

The murmurs faded as the couple reached the altar, hundreds of pairs of eyes upon them. A priest sprinkled holy water, blessing their future, then guided the young man and woman to join hands.

 

“From this moment, the two of you are bound by a deep connection. Until the day of your formal wedding, may you come to know each other better and spend your days faithfully together.”

 

Unlike the many elaborate steps of a wedding, the engagement ceremony ended here. The third prince and the young lady, having pledged themselves to each other, looked up at the highest seat at the altar, veiled in a thin silk cloth.

 

It was none other than the queen’s seat. With everyone awaiting the words of the one who truly held the highest authority, a voice as smooth and elegant as rolling jade beads resonated through the hall.