A New Life After Divorce - Chapter 117

It seems Lilien has arrived, as she had announced her visit to the shop during breakfast.

She was chatting with the staff while looking around the interior with sparkling eyes.

Her shy smile as she adjusted her half-tied hair was as radiant as the spring sunlight and as lovely as a flower bud.

A man, watching with a foolish grin, suddenly turned his head.

“……!”

His expression turned to one of distress when he saw me.

‘Well, that’s understandable.’

Right now, I probably look like the King of Hell.

I coldly stared at the man and raised my hand to call a passing patrol guard.

“Thank you for your hard work in protecting the citizens today.”

“Is something wrong, my lady?”

“It’s just that there’s an untrustworthy stalker right—”

“It’s me! Etricia!”

The man urgently shouted. Perhaps aware of his shame, the lower half of his face, visible beneath his hood, turned red and blue.

I looked him up and down with an unimpressed gaze.

“…Who is ‘me’?”

“It’s me, I said!”

The man swiftly pulled off his hood, revealing his face.

My eyes widened.

A handsome man with soft, sable-black hair and iridescent eyes that shimmered in the light.

I quickly scanned him.

‘No way… Jake?’

His once bear-like physique had shrunk, his belly—once like a small hill—had flattened. He had transformed into such a strikingly handsome man that passersby couldn’t help but turn and stare.

“Your Highness, did you eat mugwort and garlic or—”

Jake swiftly covered my mouth and glanced at the patrol guard. It seemed he didn’t want his identity revealed.

Having no choice, I gestured for the guard to move along.

The guard hesitated at first but, seeing my friendly gesture, scratched his head and left. Only then was I able to free my mouth.

I spat out the salty taste lingering in my mouth, while Jake wiped his hand on his robe with a look of utter disgust.

I coldly raised my hand in the direction the patrol guard had left.

“Officer, please come back. There’s a pervert—”

“Etricia!”

At his desperate shout, I lowered my hand and smiled sweetly.

“I’m joking. He’s already gone.”

Jake glared at me with burning eyes before quickly pulling his hood back up.

“I can’t relax for even a second when I’m with you.”

“I know. Men tend to get nervous around me.”

I held back my laughter at Jake’s chilly gaze.

I hadn’t been able to tease Edmund for a while, so all my pent-up energy was being unleashed here.

“What brings you out of the palace?”

Jake scoffed and crossed his arms. With his chin raised arrogantly, he carried himself with confidence.

“I came to observe the lives of the people.”

“Then why were you secretly watching Lilien?”

His pupils trembled slightly. Uncrossing his arms, he quickly tried to explain himself.

“S-Secretly watching?! I was just passing by!”

“Oh, really? Then you should continue on your way. I’ll be going now.”

“Wait!”

As I gave a polite nod and turned away, Jake hurriedly grabbed my arm.

“Why? Do you have business with me?”

Even though I knew why, I blinked innocently.

Jake lowered his gaze, his cheeks flushing.

“Well…”

“……”

“It’s just that…”

As I tapped my foot impatiently, he let out a deep sigh. My patience was reaching its limit.

“Actually, I went into the shop to meet an angel…”

I frowned at his overly romanticized wording, which still felt unnatural even after all this time.

Of course, I acknowledged that Lilien was kindhearted enough to put angels to shame.

“And?”

“She didn’t recognize me at all. Instead, she thought I was some suspicious person.”

How shameless.

“Of course! Even I almost reported you as a stalker.”

Jake furrowed his brows in confusion, then glanced at his attire and finally realized.

In the scorching summer afternoon, he was wearing a black robe with the hood up—he looked incredibly suspicious.

Although he seemed to realize it now, he showed no intention of removing it. After all, he was a reclusive man who despised standing in front of people.

“Ahem, so what should I do now?”

“Why are you asking me?”

“You’re the one who told me to step out into the world!”

“That’s essential, but you need to put in more effort.”

“Isn’t this enough? I’m the Crown Prince and highly capable. You won’t find a better groom even if you search the entire empire.”

That’s the problem—his clueless mouth.

“No, you need to try harder.”

“What exactly do I need to do?”

Jake glanced at me with a mix of concern and wariness.

Though I responded coldly, I was honestly surprised by his efforts. His sincerity toward Lilien was undeniable.

Maybe I should help him a little.

I gestured toward his robe.

“First, take off that robe.”

“I don’t like the sunlight.”

“Oh? So, you plan to keep scaring Lilien?”

After a long pause, he reluctantly removed his hood, his face clearly displeased.

“And another thing.”

“What now?”

“Let the palace tailors and hairstylists handle your appearance. Don’t add or remove anything.”

“…Are you saying my style is bad?”

“Of course.”

“Listen, Countess. Did getting divorced make you fearless?”

“Oh my, of course not. I’m trembling with reverence for Your Highness.”

I pretended to shiver, making Jake’s face flush as he bit his lip.

Honestly, my words were bold enough to warrant punishment.

Regardless of status, no one dared to be this blunt with him. Even as an old friend, I had no right.

‘But sometimes, someone needs to bring down that arrogance. And right now, he has no choice but to endure it.’

“Oh, and don’t act so arrogant when you meet her.”

Especially with Lilien, who was timid, sensitive, and always aware of others’ opinions.

“Think carefully about how your words will affect the other person before you speak.”

“…Like when I speak in the council?”

“Something like that.”

He was smart enough to understand quickly.

Then, I suddenly realized I was helping him.

‘No, no! If Edmund finds out, he’ll be furious.’

Edmund was still protective of his sister.

In the original story, Jake and Edmund never met—because Jake never fell for Lilien.

If these two, complete opposites, met… I could already picture an explosive collision.

I shook my head. I didn’t even want to imagine it.

Meanwhile, Jake was lost in thought, rubbing his chin, completely unaware of the admiring gazes from passing women.

I instinctively blurted out, “Is His Majesty doing well?”

Jake lowered his hand and raised an eyebrow.

“Doing well? He’s healthier than me. Why are you even worried?”

“…Well, as long as he’s fine.”

I guess I had worried for nothing.

The weather was hot and muggy. I brushed my hair back over my shoulder to cool the back of my neck.

“Well then, I shall pay my respects to the little sun, the future of the Empire. I’ll be off now.”

I gave a casual wave to Jake, who had fallen back into deep thought, and headed toward the shop.

But then…

“Lilien?”

“Y-Yes?”

Lilien, who had been chatting with me, glanced nervously toward the window and jumped in surprise.

“Is there something by the window?”

“N-No, nothing.”

She gave an awkward smile and tried to cool her flushed cheeks with the back of her hands. Sensing something unusual in the air, I turned to look toward the alley where Jake had been.

“Were you looking for the man who was just over there?”

Lilien’s eyes widened like lanterns.

“H-How did you know?”

Her reaction sent a sharp instinct through me—an unmistakable sign of romance. I smiled awkwardly, half in disbelief.

“I know him too. Do you know him as well?”

What followed made my jaw drop.

Lilien hesitantly began to explain. She remembered Jake from the celebration held after the monster subjugation in the Zether Forest.

At first, she hadn’t recognized him.

She thought he was a crazy gentleman for wearing a black robe in the middle of summer.

She had been on guard because of the man trailing behind him like a dog. But then she caught a glimpse of Jake’s eyes through the fluttering robe—and her heart dropped. Those bright, glowing eyes were exactly as she remembered from that day.

Since then, she had wanted to apologize for that night, but because it seemed he didn’t recognize her, she hadn’t been able to say anything.

She probably hadn’t realized it herself, but her flushed cheeks… they were proof of romantic interest, plain as day.

Others might not notice, but I, who was close to her, was sure of it.

Ah… What am I going to do about this?

I never imagined Jake would capture Lilien’s heart this easily. Sure, he’d grown into a stunning man—but still, he’s no comparison to Edmund.

I frowned, lips tightening in displeasure. I couldn’t even imagine how Edmund would react if he found out about this.

“Why don’t you go say something to him?”

I said something completely different from what I was feeling.

Lilien’s eyes fell, sadness flickering in her expression.

“But… what if he doesn’t remember me?”

“Don’t say that.”

Jake called you an angel, you know. But I couldn’t bring myself to say such an embarrassingly cheesy line, so I just bit my lip.

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