The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 57

“Countess Kalen said something interesting. That I seem like I’m from the same region as her, like a northerner. So it got me thinking.”

 

“Huh?” Doris gaped in surprise, then nodded as if it made sense.

 

“Now that I think about it, Milady does have that pale northern skin. I never really thought about it before, but maybe your father was from the North. Maybe that’s why you fit right into Baron Kildare’s family from the very beginning.”

 

At Doris’s words, Shailoh quietly nodded. It had been something she’d thrown out on the spot, but it wasn’t a bad theory.

 

“Maybe… you might be right.”

 

“If you really do have northern blood, would you have a similar air to Duke Yesiol?”

 

“What?” There was no way Doris could know that the man she’d met earlier that day was that very person, but Shailoh still flinched for no reason. She moved her hand, pretending to focus on the chessboard as she averted her gaze. “Even if I do have some northern blood, why would that make us alike? It’s not like we’re related.”

 

“Well, that’s true. Honestly, I always imagined Duke Yesiol might have horns growing out of his head.”

 

“Why?” Without stopping her hand, Shailoh shot Doris a sidelong glance.

 

“He’s famous for not even leaving corpses of intruders behind. The people in his lands practically worship him like a god, or so they say. Someone like that, I figured he’d be a little more…”

 

“You thought he’d look… dramatically different from everyone else?”

 

At Shailoh’s question, Doris nodded.

 

Shailoh toppled her own king for the last move and replied. “People who are truly terrifying never show it on the surface.”

 

“They don’t show it?”

 

“The one who hides what they’re thinking until the very, very end is the one who wins. Chess is the same. You can’t ever let your opponent read your mind.”

 

“For someone who says that, Milady sure lost the last game too.” Watching a chess piece roll, Doris teased her.

 

“…I do win sometimes, you know. Rarely.”

 

Having cleared away the tea things, Doris flicked her eyes toward the grandfather clock. “It’s about time for His Highness to arrive.”

 

“Really?” Like a puppy waiting for its master, Shailoh sprang to her feet and went straight to the front door.

 

At the sound of knocking, she opened it, and there was Caleb. The moment she saw his face, the worries that had been tormenting her just moments ago melted away like snow. Relief and that familiar affection washed over her like warm air.

 

There were no secrets between them. She didn’t know whether he’d been in constant contact with someone or had investigated in secret, or how the duke who’d always remained neutral came to know about ‘Baron Cal’. But Caleb at least had to know that man was in the capital.

 

“Caleb. I have something to—” She had just steeled herself and opened her mouth when Caleb, having taken off his hat, suddenly pulled her into his arms. Cut off mid-sentence, Shailoh found her face buried against his chest. She peeked up and met his gentle gaze.

 

“Sasha.”

 

“Ca–Caleb?”

 

His strong arm wrapped around her waist and refused to let go. Their chests were pressed so close she could feel the pounding of his heart.

 

“What’s going on?” Conscious of Doris watching from behind, Shailoh pushed at his shoulder.

 

Caleb met her eyes and smiled brightly. “I’ve got two pieces of good news.”

 

“Good news?”

 

“The charges against you have been dropped. Lack of evidence, and thanks to Baron Boris’s petition.”

 

Shailoh let out a long breath of relief and pressed a hand to her chest. “And the other news?”

 

“You can enter the royal castle.”

 

“What?”

 

“I’ve been officially invited to a royal event. As the second prince. I’m going to announce my return in front of everyone there.”

 

“What are you talking about? How is that even possible?”

 

Caleb stroked Shailoh’s cheek as she stood frozen in shock. “I met Albert.”

 

“What?”

 

It was an incredibly dangerous thing to do. Along with the fear, disappointment settled heavily on her chest. She’d wanted them to share everything, even the smallest things, with no secrets between them, yet Caleb hadn’t told her in advance about the commotion he’d caused on the day of the engagement ceremony. Or about his relationship with Octavia. And now this.

 

To Shailoh, he was always first, the center of her world. But she wasn’t that to him. The man who’d once said he wanted to give everything up and live happily with her felt like he’d vanished, like a mirage on a midsummer day.

 

Without noticing her face cloud over, Caleb took her small hand and guided it to his cheek. “Sasha.”

 

Lifting her head, Shailoh barely managed to smooth her expression. He was a man of principle. Born noble in the truest sense, and because of that, he’d lost a great deal. He was similar to her, and yet fundamentally different. So she had to understand. Even if he didn’t tell her everything, even if he kept secrets. As long as his love for her was real, she could accept it and move on.

 

“…You met him and then?”

 

“We made a deal.”

 

“What kind of deal?”

 

“In exchange for handing over a few things I own, he agreed to let me enter the royal castle in peace.”

 

“That’s ridiculous. Things don’t get resolved that easily. And it’s way too dangerous! What did he ask for?”

 

“Nothing much. A few of my businesses. And one other thing he said he’d tell me later.”

 

“What if he asks for your life?”

 

“I made it clear that was off the table.”

 

“Do you really have to risk that much just to set foot in the royal palace? You can always find a chance to take down your enemies from outside.”

 

Shailoh tried desperately to persuade him. She had a bad feeling about this. It was far too dangerous. And even now, bit by bit, the man he used to be was fading. If he went back into the royal castle, she felt like a completely unfamiliar stranger would be all that was left.

 

“Can’t you reconsider it, just once more… for me? Please.” Shailoh pleaded, ready to throw herself at his feet if she had to.

 

But Caleb firmly let go of her hands and shook his head. “There’s something I absolutely have to do. Before my father, the king, passes away, I need to meet him in secret. There’s something I have to receive from him.”

 

“Something to receive?”

 

“I’ll explain the details later. For now, I have a favor to ask.”

 

Before she could ask what favor, Caleb brushed a finger down the bridge of her nose. Like a cat caught by the tail, Shailoh froze and just stared up at him. It was his little habit, the one that always left her unable to move.

 

“Be my escort at the royal event three days from now, Sasha.” His expression already said refusal would not be accepted.

 

Shailoh had no choice but to nod. “Nothing’s going to happen, right?”

 

“Of course. I promise.”

 

Pressing his forehead to hers, Caleb gently smoothed back the loose hair at her temple. “I won’t let anyone lay a finger on you. My Sasha. My cat. My canary.”

 

“…”

 

“What’s with that face?”

 

“When a co-star says lines like that to me on stage, I don’t really get embarrassed, but hearing it offstage is a little…”

 

“Are you embarrassed because it’s me?”

 

Instead of answering, Shailoh’s face flushed hot, and she looked away. They were just words, and yet her heart was pounding like a drum, making it impossible to think straight.

 

Right then, Caleb slid an arm around her waist and another under her knees, and lifted her up in a princess carry.

 

“Kyah!”

 

“Then I just have to do something that I could never do on stage.”

 

“How is that the conclusion you come to?”

 

Flustered, Shailoh protested, and his eyes narrowed with mischief.

 

“You don’t like it?”

 

“Well…”

 

Shailoh didn’t hate it. Not even now. The fact that she didn’t was the problem. But admitting it would hurt her pride too much. She already felt at a disadvantage, and she didn’t like the feeling of constantly losing to him.

 

While she hesitated, Caleb suddenly loosened his hold. Terrified of falling, Shailoh instinctively flung her arms around his neck and clung to him for dear life. When she heard his low chuckle, she realized she’d walked right into his trap. But it was already too late.

 

“That’s answer enough, Sasha.” Smirking, Caleb quickly started up the stairs toward the bedroom.

 

Even as the world swayed around her, Shailoh couldn’t bring herself to lift her head and buried her face against his chest.

 

* * *

The royal charity event was held in the castle gardens, bright with sunlight. With spring in full bloom, all kinds of beautiful flowers crowded the beds, and neatly trimmed boxwood and other shrubs were a delight to the eye. Simple yet elegant finger foods and champagne rested on silver trays as waiters wove busily through the distinguished guests.

 

Shailoh rested her hand on Caleb’s arm and looked around. The charity gala was a regular event created by Queen Ingrid, mainly to auction off her personal collection and donate items to the public. The winning bids went straight to the poorhouse she ran. It let her secure funds for her own social projects while being praised as a benevolent mother of the nation.

 

“It’s an event where she gets to pocket all the practical benefits. She’s a very clever woman.” Only after the words left her mouth did Shailoh realize she’d just openly praised her enemy.