Chapter 8

Chapter 8

“This really is worth something to bring to the question,” he whispered as he questioned.

Raeliana clenched her fists. 

I need to care for my own life.

As Raeliana was about to speak, Francis Brooks, who had just happened to chase her out, broke the silence.

“Raeliana?”

Francis Brooks?

Raeliana turned around and bit her lips.

In the middle of the beautiful garden stretched out before her stood Francis Brooks, dumbfounded, staring at the couple.

Why did you have to show up here now?!

***

Seriously, he is of no help to my life.

Raeliana silently setneced Francis Brooks to a life-long denouncement in her head. 

Even if the man rescued a poor little kitten from the rain, she was going to rebuke him without remorse. 

Whether or not the man knew of her frustration, Francis stared at Raeliana and Noah as if he could not imagine why the two would be seen together.

Raeliana’s eyes moved as did her brain.

What should I do now?

A woman, standing between two men.

The strange tension would have led unknowing spectators into thinking that there was something of a love triangle. Were it not for the fact that one man was Noah, everyone would think so.

She looked from Noah to Francis. Francis, huffing through his nose, seemed ready to take away Raeliana by her wrist, while Noah seemed to fully enjoy what was about to happen.

“Hah, Raeliana.” Trying his best to not provoke Noah, Francis called out to her in an annoyed tone.

Raeliana took one step back.

I threw him a hint, so maybe I should wait for a next chance? Or… actually, this may be the perfect opportunity since it seems like a situation where two lovers were caught in a tryst.

She could put an end to all the dirty tricks she had pulled to break up with him, as if she was cheating on her fiance.

Recalling what she read from Idiot’s Guide to Break-ups, she stood closely to NOah shamelessly. “I can no longer hide it.”

“Raeliana…?”

“Lord Brooks, I offer you a sincere apology.”

“What?” 

Francis was taken aback while Noah stared at Raeliana silently.

“I have given my heart to Duke Wynknight.”

Francis awkwardly froze on his way toward her.

Noah also looked down at her in surprise. Then, Raeliana looked up at him mouthing the words “Royal Seal.”

For a moment, NOah seemed as though he was caught unaware. 

Raeliana felt like she was holding onto a ticking time bomb in her hand. Would it or would it not go off? Her hands felt clammy and her head was spinning.

Francis was so shocked that he was speechless. Then, he looked up at Noah as if to ask whether it was true.

Noah put his smiling persona back on and pulled Raeliana by her shoulders close to him, hinting wordlessly that what she said was in fact true.

Did it work? Did it?

Raeliana glanced quickly at Noah and wondered if she could now relax. 

Silence as heavy as the night fell among the three. It was stifling.

When Francis, who had been rendered mute by shock, began to mumble, “My lady, where are you?”

It was Raeliana’s carriage driver.

Johndein McMillan had imposed a strict curfew on his daughter and the driver had come to find her when it was time.

She was infinitely grateful to her father who had set the harsh curfew and the carriage driver who had come to pick her up. She should give the man a pay raise.

“Here! I’m over here!”

Raeliana raised her hand and waved, then the driver came toward her. He stood primly while eyeing the surrounding nobles, gave a bow, and stood next to her.

As if she wasn’t the one who had set off the bomb, Raeliana shamelessly and cheerfully bade farewell. 

His reddened face about to explode, Francis grabbed her wrist as she turned to leave.

“Wait, you can’t leave like this…!” 

Again? Feeling the deja vu, Raeliana stopped with an annoyed face, and her carriage driver, who could not raise his voice against a noble, stood by anxiously.

“Raeliana!” While chewing on his lips, he looked at her eyes in confusion. “Is that true? What… what you just said.”

“Yes, it’s true. As I have continuously told you, please let us break up.”

“Wait, wait! Wait!!” Francis anxiously cut her words. 

She made a small sigh and continued, “It is late. Let us end here.”

He gritted his teeth. “How dare you! Do you know what the likes of you are doing to me right now?” 

His furious voice rang out across the space. He breathed heavily, as if he felt sick. He seemed like he would lift his hand and slap her cheek at any moment.

This is it. It would be even better if he slapped me.

Raeliana calmly faced him as if she would gladly take a hit if he wanted to slap her.

Francis sensed it too and unconsciously raised his hand.

“Stop.” 

Putting his hand on Francis’s wrist, Noah spoke out softly. He then nodded to the carriage driver. “Take the lady and go home.”

“Yes… Yes, sir.”

The driver bowed hastily and led Raeliana to the carriage.

Is it going to be alright?

She peeked back while following the driver.

“My lady, if you arrive late, I’ll be in trouble.” The driver continued to fret on their way to the carriage, but Raeliana generously listened to his words. Or rather, she was too preoccupied with other thoughts to care.

As soon as the driver opened the carriage door and she got inside, Raeliana’s legs gave out.

“My lady? Are you alright?”

The driver was flustered and helped her to her seat.

“I’m alright. I just feel a little tipsy.” 

As if the alcohol was catching up to her, Raeliana felt her head spin and leaned back into the cushions.

“Oh dear. I must be crazy.”

After Raeliana abruptly left, there was tension between the two man.

Trembling with rage, Francis Brooks slapped away Noah’s hand and walked away. Was this the secret behind why she had been avoiding him recently? 

Of all men, she is with Noah Wynknight?