She had boldly used the emperor. But it didnât seem too serious at all, as Cade seemed to be quite obsessed with Abella.
Cade laughed at himself and tousled his hair.
And Abella knew Cade would keep Enoch and Yuri out of sight of the public.
It was only natural for Cade that the invitation issued in Abellaâs name could not be defiled.
If the rumors spread, Abella would become a woman who cheated on her fiancĂŠe and had an affair with another man.
In the end, Abella used Cade for everything.
Cade swept a hand over his face.
âNothing has changed.â
A bitter smile spread across his purple lips.
Both before and now.
Cade was the second.
Everything was second.
To endure the indescribable bitterness, Cade found a scapegoat.
Cade hurled a tell-off at Burke, who was sitting opposite him.
âSo. Did you find the priest?â
ââŚI searched for him, but he went into seclusion and refused to see anyoneâŚâ
âBurke.â
âIâll bring him in somehow.â
There was always only one answer Burke could give.
He was nothing more than Cadeâs magic wand. A magic that made even the impossible possible.
As Burke lamented, Cade thought of Abella.
He had been taken advantage of, but he wasnât upset at the fact. Rather, he hoped she got what she wanted with this.
âSuch a pushover.â
What would he do with something he was aware of but had no intention of fixing?
*
Enoch opened the door to the office and stumbled in. This was the first time heâd ever ridden such a fast horse.
He was also born as a prince and thought that he had been training his basic physical strength, but it was not comparable to the knights.
He was able to walk properly only after a few minutes of nausea.
Enoch said impatiently, âIâm here, Abella.â
âEnoch.â Abella smiled as if nothing had happened. However, Enoch saw the truth behind Abellaâs laughter.
Yuri must have been here already.
Since the secrets that Enoch had confided with ease had reached Abellaâs ears, it would be more accurate to say that the smile was close to a pretense.
The trust that had been built up between Enoch and Abella had collapsed to the bottom. And it was Enoch who brought this on himself.
It was stupid. He thought Abella wouldnât notice it. Wasnât this the same as deceiving himself because he was blinded by love?
He was ashamed of himself. When Abella gave him the invitation, he had accepted without any doubt. It was so sad that he had such a desperate heart.
Heâd been deceiving herself and, at the same time, heâd deceiving himself, too.
Enoch managed to tear open a candy and put it in his mouth.
Abella watched Enochâs series of actions silently. She pretended she was fine, but the thoughts in her head were complicated.
Had Cade accepted the marriage to the Princess of Clemington?
In fact, Clemington was a large kingdom, if not as large as Charope, and there were many benefits to be gained from this marriage alliance.
If Abella had been Cade, she would have accepted the marriage. However, if she made a more emotional choice rather than this rational choice, she hoped that Cade did not.
Indescribable vulgar emotions attracted Abella.
She knew she would look naive, so she couldnât ask Enoch about it.
Abella hesitated a few times before opening her mouth. âYou can leave whenever you want.â
Plopâ
Enoch dropped the lollipop he had in his mouth.
These cruel words, which made all his efforts so far in vain, pierced Enoch.
âAbella!â
âThe story of the First Prince of Clemington being ill is famous. And the story of the prince in the line of succession who wanders around is also famous. I never imagined that such a great person would be by my side.â
Enoch ruffled his hair recklessly. His heart was jumping like it was going to explode.
He felt completely pushed out of Abellaâs life.
Now, Abella would no longer treat him as she used to.
âDonât be like this,â Enoch whispered earnestly.
âIâm talking about reality, Enoch.â
âPlease donât, Abella.â Enoch was at a loss for what to do, and walked in front of Abella.
In front of Abella, who had a pale face, Enoch slowly knelt down.
âI was wrong⌠SoâŚâ Donât look at me with such cold eyes, Abella.
The reluctant, angry words that he couldnât bear to say were stuck in his throat. Oh, he knew why.
It must have been his tears that were blocking his throat.
Tears welled up and they fell onto his knees.
It was the result of anxieties and fears that he suffered through the night. While Enoch was with Cade, he thought of Abella the whole time.
Abella should have known the entire truth about him, but his face went white as he thought about what to do with her.
Enoch wished Abella would know his heart, but he also knew that if she did, Abella would push him away.
For Enoch, who had been struggling day by day with contradictory minds, this incident was like a nightmare that was too hard to bear.
âEnoch?!â Abellaâs surprised voice was heard. âWhy, Enoch?â
Now she looked like Abella. The Abella that Enoch knew.
Enoch embarrassedly wiped the tears with his hands. Abella turned around her desk and she sat down in front of him.
âEnochâŚâŚâ
âI was wrong⌠Donât tell me to go, Abella.â
Even though he felt Abella in trouble, Enoch couldnât stop. If he missed out now, he would be completely pushed out of Abellaâs life.
âHmm?â
Abella sighed as Enoch wept and begged like a child.
Nothing was easy.
Enoch did his job well, so it was right to have him around.
But, was Enoch okay?
Emotional discomfort was one of the factors that was quite stressful.
Could Abella and Enoch handle the discomfort?
The answer to that was unknown.
Abella stared at Enoch with her curious eyes. It was funny that she wasnât conscious of his feelings until his heart was in too deep.
Even though she knew she shouldnât trust anyone recklessly, she ended up believing in Enoch.
She was at a loss for her own complacency.
âEnoch, are you okay?â
This was the only kindness Abella could bestow at this moment.
âIâm going to pretend I donât know your feelings.â
It was also the last chance she would give.
A chance to escape from this muddy Timur.
An opportunity to leave this place as exhausting as a thick fog.
Enoch could have chosen a better life than he had now. He was the youngest prince, but was second in line to the throne.
Just by returning to Clemington, Enoch would be treated with dignity and would be able to lead a comfortable life.
Why did he have to go down this thorny path? Abellaâs life had never been so easy and she couldnât understand Enoch right now.
Why?
âItâs all right.â
What was love?
âItâs okay if I can be by your side.â
Enoch smiled fondly. He felt like crying for some reason.
How about pretending not to know about Enochâs kindness?
The fact that he was a good person was a fact that she, who had been with him, knew very well. With Enoch, she would definitely be better off than she was now.
He would take care of Abella and would do everything for her.
Even if his love faded, he was still someone who would cherish Abella.
She would be happy if she had him in this temporary world.
HoweverâŚ
Abella had a lot of work she hadnât done yet.
âI didnât even expect it.â
It was a voice of resignation.
âItâs just my feelings. I have to bear my share. JustâŚâŚâ Enoch murmured in a watery voice. âI will be by your side. I wonât ask for anything, I wonât beg you.â
Really, what was love?
To be able to bring Enoch Clemington to his knees?