Chapter 143

“So, who is this person you’re interested in?”That was what she had intended to ask.

That was the topic Robert had introduced as soon as he saw her, the reason he had suggested they move to a more private location. But somewhere along the way, her curiosity had vanished.

Her gaze was fixed on Robert, captivated by his story.

“I… finally realized it. That Theresa had ulterior motives.”

“I don’t understand. How could she…?”

How could anyone betray someone like him?

She had only met him briefly, but it was long enough to discern his character.

Robert Taylor was different from the rumors.

He was a good person, not the weak, timid man she had heard about. If he were truly weak, he would have crumbled after Theresa’s betrayal.

But he had overcome it, and now he was sharing his pain with her. She was drawn into his story, empathizing with his pain.

She couldn’t fault him for it. She felt sorry for him.

To believe you were loved, only to discover it was one-sided…

It took strength to speak of such things so calmly. Her admiration for him grew.

She looked at him, her heart aching for him.

“Forget about her. Dwelling on it will only hurt you.”

“I’m trying. It helps to talk about it.”

Robert almost laughed as Miragen patted his shoulder comfortingly.

He hadn’t expected her to be so easily swayed.

A few words, and her demeanor had completely changed.

He understood.

She was likely bored, confined to the Imperial Palace.

He, a messenger from the outside world, was a welcome distraction.

But she showed no signs of suspicion, no hint of disbelief. He wondered if her concern was genuine.

Her eyes, however, held no deception.

They flickered with genuine anger, a mix of emotions swirling within their depths.

He was grateful for her anger, but she seemed more upset than he was.

He chuckled softly and stood up, offering Miragen his hand. They had left the bustling ballroom for a secluded corner of the palace gardens.

Not the maze-like gardens, but the Princess’s private garden, meticulously maintained.

He had suggested they move to clear their heads, and Miragen, seemingly agreeable, had taken his hand and followed.

The warmth of his touch lingered even after they released each other’s hands. He didn’t dwell on it, but Miragen was acutely aware of the lingering warmth.

Perhaps she had been too absorbed in his story.

It was a poignant tale, especially for someone she had just met.

She rarely heard stories from outside the palace walls. And Robert’s situation was similar to her own.

The eldest son of the Taylor family, yet he possessed nothing.

No matter what he did, he couldn’t claim what was rightfully his.

She knew that their family names, Taylor and Imperial, were more of a burden than a blessing, perpetuating a cycle of misfortune.

Perhaps they were shackles.

Without those names, both of their lives would be better.

She had never been betrayed by a loved one, but she could empathize with Robert. They were in similar situations.

She could easily imagine herself in his place.

That was why she felt so drawn to him.

Robert had spoken calmly, but she sensed the pain beneath his words.

She had always been perceptive. She wouldn’t have survived this long otherwise.

She could read between the lines, understand the significance of the woman named Theresa in Robert’s life.

“It’s cool tonight. For summer.”

She didn’t mention Theresa.

He had suggested they move because he didn’t want to dwell on it. He didn’t respond to her comment about the weather.

The silence between them was awkward.

She sighed and nudged his shoulder.

“Are you going to say anything? You’re the one who wanted to talk.”

“I… I did have something to say.”

He looked at her, a smile playing on his lips.

He had approached her with a purpose, but her story was too compelling to simply use her as a tool. seaʀᴄh thё Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

She hadn’t mocked him after hearing about Theresa.

They shared a sense of camaraderie, born from their similar circumstances.

“You said you were interested in someone. So, who is it?”

“Haven’t you figured it out yet?”

Miragen didn’t understand.

He had been talking about the person he was interested in. But she had only heard him talk about Theresa.

He couldn’t possibly be interested in someone like her again.

Her eyes narrowed as she considered the possibilities.

Realization dawned.

She looked at him, her mouth slightly agape.

“Don’t tell me…”

“You guessed it.”

The object of his affection was, of course, the Princess herself.



Miragen’s face flushed crimson.

She hadn’t expected this. No one had ever expressed interest in her before.

“Step back. A little more. Yes, stay there.”

“We won’t be able to hear each other at this distance.”

She knew, but she couldn’t help it. Even this distance didn’t feel safe enough.

She hadn’t anticipated his interest in her.

Most people approached her for personal gain, or to establish a connection with her brother, Kaitel.

If Robert had ulterior motives, she would have assumed it was something like that. But he was interested in her?

She stared at him, suspicion clouding her eyes.

Robert sighed, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, but it didn’t alleviate her distrust.

“Are you serious?”

“About what?”

“About… being interested in me. If you had said it was me from the beginning, we wouldn’t be in this situation. What are you thinking?”

“I wanted to talk. I thought a change of scenery would improve the mood.”

He had approached her with the intention of using her.

That was true. But his approach had changed because of her reaction.

He couldn’t simply use her as a pawn.

He had to get closer.

His intentions were still impure, but his smile was genuine now. She was someone he could get closer to.

Not as a tool, but as something more.

Perhaps as a lover, a partner.

They could help each other.

He didn’t mind such a relationship.

In fact, he welcomed it.

He felt a warmth spreading through his cheeks under her intense gaze.

He looked away, flustered.

“I don’t understand. We just met.”

“We just met, but I could admire you from afar.”

His words implied he had been watching her for a while, even before they met.

Miragen suppressed a blush and touched her cheek.

No one had ever been so direct. She didn’t know how to react.

“You’ve been watching me… for a while?”

“Yes. For about ten years, I suppose.”

“How old are you?”

“Twenty.”

To him, it was simply the time he had experienced through his regressions. But to Miragen, it sounded like he had been watching her since childhood.

They shared a sense of kinship, born from their similar circumstances, their isolation. But he had been aware of her, while she had been oblivious.

The reality was far different from her perception, but she looked at him with a newfound curiosity.

“Even if you were watching me, why are you suddenly interested in me?”

They had nothing in common except their similar situations.

They were practically strangers. It was strange for him to approach her now, after supposedly watching her for so long.

Perhaps it was just an excuse.

Robert smiled and answered simply,

“Because you’re beautiful.”

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“I’m sorry?”

“I fell in love with you at first sight.”

Her cheeks flushed crimson.

She wasn’t stupid. She understood what he meant. She just needed time to process it.

They had just met, just heard each other’s voices, just looked into each other’s eyes for the first time. And he had confessed his love.

How was she supposed to react? Was he being sincere?

She couldn’t be certain, but one thing was clear.

Her heart was pounding in her chest.

This was a first for her.

Confined to the Imperial Palace, her knowledge of the outside world limited to books and stories, this was like a scene from a romance novel.

A gentle breeze, carrying the scent of late spring flowers, brushed against her cheek.

Perhaps that was why she felt so warm. She touched her burning cheeks, a smile playing on her lips.

Then she stopped, her smile faltering.

Robert had stepped closer, his gaze fixed on her.

His clear, blue eyes sent a thrill through her. She didn’t know how to respond.

A handsome man, like a character from a novel, had confessed his love.

What else could a sheltered princess feel?



Love, of course.

[Translator Notes]