The Reason Why the Forsaken Fake Returned Chapter 96

“What are you talking about?”

 

As she frowned in disbelief, Caleb, who had been silently watching her as if measuring the slightest possibility, shook his head. “It’s nothing.” The possibility he had briefly entertained vanished at once. He clenched his fists beneath the table so tightly that the veins stood out on the back of his hand.

 

As if driving in the final nail, Shailoh enunciated each word clearly. “As Your Highness said, it doesn’t matter to me whether the one who becomes your consort is Lady Yesiol or Lady Perus. I only wish for this situation to end quickly. Because I want to be free of you as soon as possible.”

 

The conclusion had been reached.

 

Caleb lowered his eyes, then suddenly his shoulders shook. A chilling laugh burst from his lips. For some reason, goosebumps rose on Shailoh’s skin, and she could do nothing but remain still until he stopped laughing.

 

After laughing loudly for quite some time like a madman, Caleb erased all traces of expression from his face a few minutes later, as if he had never laughed at all. “I have somewhere to go with you.”

 

“Somewhere to go with me?” Feeling an ominous premonition, Shailoh instinctively leaned back. But with the couch backrest right behind her, she couldn’t move away.

 

“I’m not saying we’re going right now.”

 

Even if she ran, she was still in the palm of his hand.

 

Twisting his lips as if amused, Caleb informed her. “We’ll be staying there for a while, so pack your things. I’ll come get you this evening.” Having said what he needed to, he rose from his seat.

 

Shailoh followed suit, trailing behind him as he walked to the door. “Don’t tell me we’re going to that villa again?”

 

“…”

 

“Why? Why at a time like this? Why so suddenly?”

 

No answer came to any of her questions. Only when she followed him all the way to the door did Caleb, who had been striding forward without pause, turn his head.

 

“If you don’t want to, then run.”

 

Shailoh wasn’t fooled. It sounded as if he were giving her a choice, but the eyes looking down at her were a hunter’s eyes. The persistent, cruel gaze of someone who never lets prey escape once marked.

 

“I’ll drag you back.” With a mockingly gentle touch, his hand brushed beneath Shailoh’s frozen chin before withdrawing.

 

“Milady? Was the person who just left His Highness?” After he departed, Doris, who had sharply caught the sound of the door closing, approached.

 

“Doris.” Standing blankly, Shailoh took a deep breath. “I’ll be staying at that hideout from before for a few days. Pack my things.”

 

Run away? If she ran, Shailoh was confident she would not be caught. But if she fled now, she would have to live forever indebted to him. She no longer wanted to leave behind hatred, resentment, or even a fragment of love. So she decided to stay.

 

When everything was over, she would cast it all aside and go north. To do that, Shailoh would endure whatever came.

 

* * *

The villa they arrived at once again was, as before, surrounded by dense trees, exuding a secretive and secluded atmosphere. As the carriage continued deeper along the thread-like path, Shailoh swallowed dryly, feeling an eerie sensation. It was as though the mansion stood heavily armed, waiting for an attack. No, more like a hunter who had laid traps, waiting for prey. She felt like a moth, knowing it would burn if it got too close, yet unable to resist the lure of the flame.

 

“Milady, something feels off.”

 

Contrary to his words that he would come fetch her, Caleb had sent only an empty carriage. Since no one had said only she should ride in it, Doris, after briefly leaving Octavia in the care of the maids, had happily climbed in to sit across from her.

 

“Why would His Highness ask you to come to the villa? Moreover, so suddenly, at such an important time.”

 

“Who knows.” Answering vaguely, Shailoh gazed at the passing trees.

 

Doris, her only confidante, still didn’t know the truth about what lay between Caleb and her. She had only vaguely noticed that the two had become awkward recently and different from before. But she knew nothing of the circumstances hidden beneath it.

 

The situation was already complicated and difficult enough. Shailoh didn’t want to burden Doris with worry. Once everything with Caleb was over and she left for the north, she intended to tell her everything.

 

If they parted ways, she would give Doris all the money she had saved from her singing career. If Doris decided to follow her to the north, then she wished to live leaning on each other like sisters for the rest of their lives.

 

“Do you really have no idea?”

 

“Doris.” Turning her gaze from the carriage window, Shailoh looked at her and calmly instructed. “When we arrive at the villa, go back immediately. I’ll speak to the coachman.”

 

“What?” Doris’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden statement. “What are you saying? You might be staying for days!”

 

“It won’t be long.” This wasn’t a vague guess but a conclusion reached through logical reasoning.

 

Objectively speaking, Caleb was a man of tremendous ability and schemes. Over a long period, he seduced and used her first to strike down the Diponz family, the left arm of Queen Ingrid. Next came Octavia Perus. Shailoh had no idea what method he used, but he had quickly charmed Octavia too and obtained a lead on the letters exchanged between Duke Perus and Queen Ingrid.

 

Now Caleb would mercilessly sever the queen’s two arms. And Shailoh was the key to ensuring those arms were cut off more securely. The plan was to seduce Albert and extract crucial information. Unlike with Octavia, the reason he had invested so much time in Shailoh was probably for this. She would approach Albert, draw out decisive information, and help Caleb.

 

Honestly, it was surprising that Caleb had delayed this matter until now. He could have thrown Shailoh into Albert’s den at any time. The fact that he stalled with plausible excuses was unlike him. Since Albert had already begun showing interest in her, he must have decided it was time to set the plan in motion.

 

As Shailoh organized her thoughts, Doris, restless and anxious, tried to persuade her. “Milady, are you really sending me back? I think it would be better if I stayed with you. Won’t it be uncomfortable for you?”

 

“It’s truly fine. And as I said, I’ll be back in a few days.”

 

“But I can’t shake this ominous feeling.”

 

The coachman began to calm the horses, gradually slowing the carriage. They were almost at their destination. As soon as the coachman announced their arrival, Shailoh immediately opened the carriage door.

 

“Milady.”

 

“Don’t get down.” Stopping Doris as she tried to follow, Shailoh added. “Take care of Lady Octavia.”

 

“What? But…”

 

“Even if you don’t like her, look after her well. She betrayed the uncle who raised her and went into hiding all for love. If it becomes known that she entrusted herself to me, someone on the second prince’s side, she likely won’t be safe.”

 

No matter how much Duke Perus cherished and treasured his niece, Queen Ingrid’s side would never leave Octavia alone. Perhaps thinking the same, Doris went pale for a moment, then reluctantly nodded. “Alright”

 

“Thank you, Doris.” Shailoh gave Doris a grateful smile for finally agreeing to her wishes and then took the luggage the coachman handed down.

 

A moment later, the carriage retraced its path. Shailoh watched Doris leave until the carriage became a distant speck and disappeared. Once the carriage was completely out of sight, she slowly turned toward the villa. She waited for someone to come out and help with her luggage, but no matter how long she waited, the villa remained silent. Neither the maid she expected to greet her nor the caretaker couple appeared.

 

“Sasha.”

 

As she felt something was off, she reached for the handle of her suitcase again. Just then, a large hand quietly took the suitcase from her.

 

“Your… Highness?” Startled by the sudden appearance of someone without any sound, Shailoh turned to look at him.

 

Caleb, holding her luggage, silently led the way inside. As Shailoh, swallowing nervously, followed him with hesitant steps, the door slammed shut behind her. Though there wasn’t much wind, the unexpected noise made Shailoh flinch.

 

“Is no one here?”

 

Unlike the last time she had been here, the villa felt gloomy and eerie.

 

“The caretaker couple will come in the evening.”

 

Since they needed to have a private conversation, it made sense. Accepting this, Shailoh took off her coat and hung it on the living room coat rack.

 

“Why are you still dressed?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Take it all off.”

 

“What do you mean?” Even though Shailoh thought she was somewhat prepared, the shocking words made her blue eyes waver.

 

“You need to become the kind of woman Albert wants, don’t you, Miss Shailoh?”

 

“So you mean to roll around together? In broad daylight? In an empty mansion?” Horrified, Shailoh stepped backward. But before long, her back struck the wall.

 

“Then were you expecting at least a romantic atmosphere?” Throwing the luggage carelessly onto the couch, Caleb loosened his tie. “What we’re about to do isn’t love. It’s just sex. We’re going to mate like animals.”

 

“…”

 

“A skilled woman. Albert likes women like that.”

 

In the dim light, his piercing turquoise eyes shone eerily.