Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 27

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 27

“If by any chance you would truly stay.”

“….”

“Everything I have would become yours. Even my life.”

Thump.

Heidi’s heart sank with a jolt.

Shamefully, she had completely forgotten. Why she had met him in the first place.

Heidi blamed herself for being too carried away all this time.

Exotic scenery. Sparkling lanterns. A dress she wore for the first time. Delicious food. Comfortable rooms.

And, wavering emotions.

She had been captivated by all sorts of unfamiliar things.

She knew there would come a moment when she’d have to choose.

But she truly didn’t know that moment would be now, that she’d hear such a heavy confession.

The surrounding scenery had already disappeared from Heidi’s attention.

The lanterns twinkling like stars, the gently flowing music, the sound of people’s laughter.

Only Deshion’s burning red eyes and his low voice remained before her eyes.

Heidi, who had been blankly meeting Deshion’s gaze, broke the silence.

“…Please, give me a little time.”

The words that barely flowed through her lips were just that. Heidi bit her lower lip tightly, unable to make up her mind.

After a moment of silence, Deshion nodded.

“I understand. I’ll wait.”

That calm response weighed even more heavily on her chest. Heidi’s face clouded with the burden.

Something as important as life to Deshion. But something so difficult and dangerous that one would have to risk their life to succeed.

‘Can I really handle this?’

* * *

As soon as Heidi closed the door, she let out a long breath.

The familiar room, the blanket filled with her scent, the familiar air.

As soon as she returned to Haizen Villa and lay down, the tension left her shoulders. Like someone who had arrived home after a long journey.

‘I’m home.’

The moment she felt that way, a part of Heidi’s chest stung.

‘…But it’s not home.’

Right, this place wasn’t Heidi’s home. Her parents’ house was in Everton.

Yet somehow, this villa had become the most comfortable space for Heidi.

The people working at the estate, the wind seeping through the window gaps, even the bird songs from the nearby forest. Everything was so familiar and kind to Heidi.

Heidi clutched the blanket.

‘This is strange. This isn’t where I belong.’

Even as she denied it, Heidi’s body and heart were already giving a different answer. The relief of returning had relaxed her entire body drowsily.

Heidi felt that sensation was somehow frightening and squeezed her eyes shut.

‘This life isn’t my life.’

When Deshion came to her with this crazy proposal. Even then, when all she had learned were various menial skills from working as a maid, Heidi knew the plan he was plotting was dangerous.

But now that she knew what kind of things Anastasia was capable of, the fear took on a clear form.

The Royal Palace was a world Heidi shouldn’t set foot in. Leaving was right. That way she could stay safe.

“…I have to leave.”

As she murmured quietly, the air in the room seemed to grow heavy.

The words that flowed from her lips soon became resolve, settling deep in her chest. Heidi clenched both fists tightly, pulling herself together.

I have to turn away. I have to leave this place and disappear without lingering attachment. I mustn’t get more deeply entangled.

But why was it?

Eloise’s face kept flickering before her eyes. The sight of her curled up crying in the dark room, the girl scratching her scars until they bled, kept circling in her mind.

And Deshion.

She recalled how the always calm and cool man’s eyes had boiled like lava. How his firm hands had trembled endlessly.

‘I didn’t know it would become so sincere.’

These were things she hadn’t factored into her calculations when making the contract.

Sincerity, memories, friendship, loyalty and….

With her heart feeling stuffy, Heidi finally left her room.

Perhaps if she strolled through the garden quietly lit by moonlight and felt the cold air, her head would cool down a bit.

The gravel made rustling sounds under her feet, and the scent of wet grass blades brushed her nose. With each step, her body grew a little lighter.

Crack.

Then she heard a sound like stepping on a small branch from behind her.

“…!”

Heidi turned around in surprise.

“Ah….”

Fortunately or unfortunately, it was Deshion who revealed himself under the moonlight.

“Did I startle you?”

Heidi awkwardly pulled up the corners of her mouth and nodded.

“I suddenly heard someone’s presence.”

“You seemed to want to be alone, so I was trying to give you space, but I ended up startling you instead. I’m sorry.”

Deshion asked.

“Can’t you sleep well? The sea journey must have been exhausting.”

“I slept like I was unconscious the whole time on the ship. My body is tired but my mind is too clear.”

The two walked side by side. Exchanging words about how the starlight was unusually bright here and there, or how the flowers the gardener had newly planted were pretty.

However, the conversation couldn’t continue long and soon broke off.

There was a different story they really needed to share.

Every time Deshion’s hand brushed against her hem, every time his arm touched hers, Heidi’s chest flinched.

Perhaps sensing such Heidi, Deshion carefully parted his lips.

“You don’t have to answer right now.”

“….”

“I can give you about a week more. Think it over slowly, Heidi.”

“A week.”

Heidi, who murmured quietly, slowly stopped walking.

“…I have a request.”

Deshion turned his head to meet Heidi’s eyes.

“Please tell me.”

Heidi said, clenching her fingertips tightly.

“Before I decide, I want to meet my parents.”

“….”

“It’s different from what we originally promised, so if you say no, I can’t help it. I want to know how they’re doing, and I need to think about the future too….”

Heidi rambled on with her words.

From Deshion’s perspective, her saying she wanted to meet her parents now probably wasn’t a very good sign.

If she saw her parents’ faces, the probability of Heidi choosing to return to her original life would increase much more.

“I understand.”

But Deshion nodded obediently.

“However, there’s a condition.”

“A condition?”

Heidi gulped.

“For two days, you’ll lie in your room all day and rest without moving. If you leave without recovering from the travel fatigue, you’ll surely fall ill.”

At the unexpected condition, Heidi slowly blinked. What was contained in his words was pure concern for her.

“Will you accept it?”

Heidi quietly gazed into Deshion’s eyes as he looked at her.

He was truly a difficult man. From his eyes with his back to the moonlight, she couldn’t read what he was thinking or what emotions he was feeling.

But that made her more curious. What thoughts lay behind this person’s upright face, how many wounds would pour out if she opened this person’s cool chest.

Heidi swallowed such thoughts inwardly and nodded her head.

“…I’ll accept it.”

* * *

“We’re here.”

Heidi’s face, which had become smooth and radiant after several days of proper rest, pressed close to the carriage window.

As they climbed the steep hill, the familiar family home came into view in the distance.

“Huh?”

But the house looked quite different from what Heidi remembered.

The crumbling fence had been rebuilt with neatly stacked stones, and the roof was covered with fresh green tiles. A small vegetable garden had appeared in the previously empty courtyard, and the broken fence had been completely repaired.

“The house has changed a bit.”

“We didn’t make too many alterations. We thought you two might find it strange.”

“You didn’t need to go to such lengths…”

Just then, the closed door opened and a person appeared.

‘Dad!’

Heidi pressed her hand against the window and leaned forward.

His steps, which had once been so unsteady that he could barely straighten his back, were no longer precarious. His face, smiling brightly under the evening sunlight, glowed with health.

Her father stood straight like he had in his healthy younger days, and though the wrinkles on his forehead were deep, he looked much more robust.

Then the door opened and a slender silhouette appeared under the red light.

‘Mom?’

Heidi’s eyes widened. She stared blankly at the sight of her father supporting her mother as they walked around the small courtyard together. It was like watching magic unfold.

Deshion, who had been sitting across from her, spoke.

“According to the doctor, she’s much better than before. It’s not a complete recovery, but recently she’s been able to walk a little with a cane.”

Heidi’s vision blurred. Tears welled up and her sight became hazy. Heidi covered her face with both hands and swallowed hard, barely holding back her sobs.

“This is wonderful. So wonderful.”

Deshion asked quietly.

“But why do you stay only in the carriage? Why don’t you go closer?”

Heidi wiped away her tears and shook her head.

“I can’t right now. If I go closer… I feel like I’ll never be able to leave again.”

Deshion’s eyes gradually widened as he listened quietly to Heidi’s words.

“You mean…”

“I’ll do it.”

Heidi looked straight at Deshion and said.

“I’ll help you with your revenge.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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