CH 157

Chapter 157 - Meeting An Old Friend

Rey nodded at my question, which filled me with rage, and I threw a pillow at him. But he didn’t let it hit him and snatched it as he sighed, “What’s the problem?”

“Everything that’s happening is the problem.” I answered, my voice trembling in anger.

Rey came over to me and flicked my forehead with his finger. “Wake up. Will you be pushing your friends away for such petty reasons?”

“Petty reasons? Do you think it’s petty to deceive your friend?”

Ray became stern, glared at me, and snapped, “Marina von Harrant. Do you feel betrayed just because she hid her identity? Can’t you understand that there could’ve been a reason that she did that? Why do you always think only about yourself?”

“I know! I know! But…!”

“Sure, you would’ve kept her as your friend if she revealed her identity! You’re a fool who distances yourself away from everyone that’s higher in rank!”

I felt saddened by Rey’s outburst, which cut me off, and I felt like I would cry. My cousin, who had been with me since I was young. He was like my own sibling. Even though we argued a lot, we never hurt each other… but I didn’t want to cry and show my weak side to my cousin who was hurting my feelings. I was more angry at him because he knew me so well that he found my weak spots and spoke coldly to him.

“Is that all you’ve had to say?”

“No, I’m not done yet! This isn’t the first time you’re shooting at the wrong place! Why do you always think so lowly of yourself?”

I felt furious that he kept digging into my weakness. It made me say something that I shouldn’t have said to him. “Is that why you couldn’t even ask Beth out?! You can’t say such big words when you’re not much different either!” I spoke with the intention of harming my cousin, who had hurt me.

But Rey didn’t become angry. Instead, he looked tired when he replied, “Yes. You’re right. I’m a worthless coward with nothing to be confident about. But you’re different. You’re the eldest daughter of a direct bloodline of a noble and an officer of Internal Affairs… Couldn’t you have more confidence?”

I became dazed by his words, and Rey wore a bitter smile as he added, “I’ll leave you alone. Think about it.”

Rey left by closing the door behind me, and I sat on the chair while covering my face with my hands. You’re such a fool, Marina. Why do you have to attack the person on your side in a situation like this?

***

Beth invited me to dinner, but I refused because I felt sick. There’s no way I could put food down my throat in such a complex situation! I was easing my anger lying down alone when I heard a knock.

There was no way Beth, who was always very proud, would come by herself. Then it was either Chelleno, Rey, or Rian. Chelleno wouldn’t knock and call my name at the door instead. Rian wouldn’t knock so vigorously like that… so it was going to be Rey. I felt uneasy, but I also had the urge to push away my feelings stuck inside my heart, so I opened the door.

“Can you stop knocki- Huh?”

I was dumbfounded when I saw the person standing at the door. He was…

“I heard you’re sick.”

“Er… Yes, Your Highness.”

The Crown Prince.

“Why? How are you sick? When did it start?”

I felt like I would really get sick from the Crown Prince asking me with a grim expression. No, actually, it’s bad for my heart. It keeps pounding…

“…No, I think I’m alright. I may be too tired. You don’t have to worry-”

“How could I not worry?”