Snap.
However, she was caught within a few steps.
Kyle's large hand snatched Ayla's thin wrist.
The strength in his grasp was gradually increasing.
A groan came out of Ayla's mouth.
Kyle's eyes waved a little, loosening the grip on the arm he was holding.
"Don't upset me. Ayla."
Kyle's dark brown eyes stared at Ayla.
Numerous emotions were reflected in his dark-sunken eyes.
Ayla, who was biting her lips, slowly opened her mouth.
"Do you really think that what you feel for me is love?"
"That's the only way to explain it. I told you I should have you."
"No. You're wrong. That's not love. It's an obsession."
"I want you because I love you. If it's nothing, would I have left the arrogant you alone… so kindly?"
"Were you also like this towards the late Delia?"
"…"
When the unexpected person was mentioned, Kyle's eyes began to shake greatly.
Delia's name was like a taboo for Kyle.
He used to go on a rampage whenever there were conversations about her.
"I don't know about her, but I'm different."
"How do you know her? Did the extraordinary Crown Prince tell you?"
"Ah… Is that important?"
"At least to me it is. Delia's name coming out of that son of a bitch's mouth is something unacceptable."
"I feel sorry for her. A person like you…"
‘Why did she love you?'
Ayla's eyes sank heavily as she looked at Kyle.
It was a pity that the relationship between the two of them was conflicted from the beginning.
The conversation she had with Theon a few days ago flashed through her mind.
The night before the visit to the Libro community.
The conversation that started with the purple drug from the dead baron's house traced back to the day Delia passed away.
She vividly remembered Theon's eyes, sinking sorrowfully.
‘Delia did her best.'
‘What are you talking about all of a sudden?'
‘You seem to be wondering. About what happened between the three of us.'
‘…'
‘It's certainly true that there were feelings between the two of us. But after the marriage, everything was naturally sorted out.'
‘Then why were they not happy? I heard that Grand Duke Ermedi took her seriously.'
‘Because he knew about her past with me and was suspicious of us and didn't believe us.'
‘From the beginning, and, funny enough, at the very last moment, the person Delia was looking for was Kyle, not me.'
Ayla's wet blue eyes turned to Kyle.
"She loved you. Until the last moment."
"…"
Kyle's brown eyes were swaying from side to side, in a state of confusion.
"I feel sorry for you… who don't trust anyone."
Ayla's low, sunken voice filled the empty hallway.
Kyle's gaze, which had been shaking incessantly, powerlessly headed downwards.
***
Knock, knock, knock.
The man who was reviewing the papers turned his gaze to the door at the unannounced knocking.
As the door opened, Ariel appeared, dressed in a splendid outfit.
"Oh my, it's Princess Ariel. What brings you here?"
"Since you haven't been attending the tea parties, I decided to stop by to see you."
"I am lacking in many aspects now that I'm taking care of national affairs."
"I heard that you're doing pretty well."
"It's just an exaggerated rumor. Beautiful lady. Oh right, now I have to call you sister-in-law."
Smiling nicely, Owen made small talk.
"You don't have to. We haven't even had the engagement ceremony yet."
"It's going to happen soon, isn't it? Your engagement is only four days away. It's going to be beautiful. A lot of people will cheer you on. Please enjoy it in its full glory."
"If His Highness doesn't attend, that's…"
"You don't seem to know Theon very well."
Owen narrowed his eyes at Ariel, who was blurring her words, and spoke.
Although he was smiling, his face was emotionless.
Owen's usual childlike brightness could not be found anywhere in his behavior.
"What… do you mean?"
Ariel tilted her head at Owen's mysterious words.
"He will definitely come to the engagement ceremony."
"Did His Highness say so?"
"Theon is not such an irresponsible man. I have already sent invitations to different countries. There's no way he won't attend amid all this. That's ridiculous."
"Why are you working so hard for our engagement?"
"It was an order from His Majesty. He left your engagement ceremony entirely to me."
"Is it just that?"
"Of course, that's what I should do as a younger brother who wants to see his older brother pledging his eternal love."
"Ohoh, isn't it because of Ayla? The look in the Grand Duke's eyes as you looked at that child wasn't ordinary."
The corners of Ariel's mouth rose slightly as she looked at Owen.
"As expected, I am no match for a quick-witted lady."
"No matter who looked at it, you could see it wasn't simple compassion. However… Ayla seems to have no feelings for the Grand Duke, right?"
"That's a matter for me to take care of. The Princess should hold onto Theon's heart firmly. I have finished what I had to do."
After he finished speaking, Owen's eyebrows twitched, and he smiled with satisfaction.
***