For the One Who Hates Me - Chapter 62

Aura had never had a drink with Ruan. Even putting the alcohol aside, he rarely made such a sudden suggestion.

Ruan wouldn’t do this without a reason.

“Alright. I’ll meet you in the reception room.”

A moment later, the two met in the reception room, which was open to the public. This was the last line of defense for a royal to have a lover. It was a bit risky, especially at night.

“This wine isn’t that mild. Just have a little,” Ruan said as he poured wine into a glass. Aura took a sip. It was quite strong.

“Where did you get this?”

“I stole it from the kitchen.”

Aura laughed it off, but she felt like something was off about Ruan.

He wouldn’t have actually stolen it. Did he intentionally buy a strong one?

“It’s tomorrow, Aura. We have to leave this place tomorrow,” Ruan whispered.

“I know.”

“When we leave and find Finn and break the seal… will you lead Zenia?”

Aura shook her head. “That’s impossible. Karl will be trying to capture me for a while. I just want to live a quiet life. Zenia will have to choose a new leader.”

“What about me?”

“What about you?”

“…Can I continue to stay by your side?”

Aura avoided Ruan’s eyes and took another sip of wine. It was a sharp and bitter taste.

“I might have to live as a fugitive for the rest of my life. I can’t live as a princess anymore, and you have no duty to protect me.”

“You’re trying to break the seal on Finn as a princess. Then I have a duty to protect you, even after that.”

He said ‘duty,’ but in reality, it was ‘his heart.’ To be precise, his love for Aura. But Aura couldn’t accept his heart. To her, he was just a friend.

“Ruan, if you’re helping me because you’re the son of the Mayer family, then I’ll gladly go with you. But if it’s for any other reason…”

I can’t be with you.

But Aura couldn’t bring herself to say those words. How could she be so cruel to Ruan?

“Ruan, let’s stop. We have to think only about Finn right now. I’m trying to do that, too…”

“What are you trying not to think about?”

Aura was about to answer but stopped.

“Aura, you…” Ruan bit his lower lip. He then asked with a hint of resignation, “Do you love the Emperor?”

Aura’s eyes widened. “Wha… what are you talking about?”

“It’s what it looks like.”

“My goodness, Ruan. No. If I did, why would I try to leave the palace?”

“Your duty as a princess and the feelings in your heart for someone can be two different things.”

“…”

“You might have chosen your duty over your feelings.”

Aura avoided the conversation by emptying her wine glass. She then slammed the glass on the table.

“Why do you think that?”

“You’re always giving him what he wants. Even if you don’t realize it.”

If Ruan had to give evidence, he could give a hundred of them.

The rumors that she was the one who was helping Karl with his insomnia. The way Karl’s hands naturally touched her body. The tension she showed at his touch. The occasional smiles she gave him. The way Karl came out of her room in the mornings.

“Aura.”

“…”

“Everything you give him is provoking, attracting, and tying him down.”

“Stop it, Ruan. You’re drunk.” Aura tried to get up as if to tell him to stop. Ruan grabbed her arm.

“Why do you keep trying to avoid this?”

“Stop.”

“Just for once, face your feelings-“

“Now is not the time to face my feelings. It’s time to empty them.” Aura said flatly.

“…So don’t make my mind complicated.” She sighed and put a hand on her forehead. She closed her eyes slightly, as if she was feeling tipsy.

Ruan clenched his fists.

The words, ‘You’re giving him what he wants.’ Aura didn’t ask him what he meant by that. It meant she unconsciously knew. That fact made Ruan feel hopeless and made his head spin.

Why? Why can’t it be me? Why? Even in this situation where she’s leaving him.

Ruan quietly bit his lower lip. Aura was still taking shallow breaths with her eyes closed.

He slowly moved closer to Aura. He knew he shouldn’t, but it was hard to stop. He wanted Aura to open her eyes and stop him, but at the same time, he hoped she wouldn’t.

Just as Ruan and Aura were about to touch.

“Back away. Now.”

At Karl’s voice, Aura’s eyes snapped open. Karl, who had come in an instant, violently pushed Ruan’s shoulder onto the sofa.

“I told you clearly. Not to get any closer.” Karl’s arm pressed hard on Ruan’s neck.

“…Ugh.”

Karl glared at Ruan as if he wanted to kill him. But Ruan didn’t back down. He glared back at Karl, as if he no longer wanted to retreat.

“Karl! Stop it!” Aura grabbed Karl’s arm. Karl’s cold gaze turned to Aura.

“Karl…”

“Be quiet.”

Karl let go of Ruan and grabbed Aura’s arm. He then walked out of the reception room. Aura was helplessly dragged along. She couldn’t understand why Karl was so angry.

Is he angry because I met Ruan at this hour? But the reception room was open to the public… and he couldn’t have heard our conversation.

He took her to the Empress’s room. And he easily picked her up and laid her on the bed. He was truly furious. So much so that Aura was afraid to speak to him.

“Karl, what on earth…” Aura tried to get up. But Karl pushed her shoulder and laid her back down.

“Don’t get up. Just sleep like this. No more today.”

“What do you mean, ‘no more’? I just had a glass of wine with Emile.”

“Dangerously.” Karl abruptly leaned in close to her. Aura flinched. “No matter how gentle he seems, he’s a man. What do you expect when you’re drunk in front of him late at night?”

He was angry, but he didn’t seem to be blaming her. If anything…

Is he… worried?

“I wasn’t… drunk. I wasn’t asleep, either. I was just closing my eyes for a moment.”

“And in that moment, that bastard tried to kiss you.”

“Are you saying Emile would-“

“I told you. No matter how gentle he seems, he’s still a man.”

If it were true, she had nothing to say. Ruan was the one who crossed the line, and Karl had every right to be angry.

“…I’m sorry.”

“…”

“I should have been more careful.”

“Yes. Since you have two men who go crazy just by you closing your eyes, it would be best for you to be more careful from now on.”

It was obvious who the other man was. Aura felt her face flush. Karl pulled the blanket up to her neck.

“Go to sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow.”

“What about Emile? What will happen to Emile?”

“Your lover is dismissed from his knight position. It’s a shame, in many ways. Having to say goodbye like this.” Karl said with a hint of sarcasm.

That meant he would be kicked out of the palace.

“He can thank his good fortune for his life for his work in Ansena.” With those words, he left the room.

Bang.

The door slammed shut, as if reflecting his feelings. Aura stared at the closed door in despair, then covered her face with her hands.

“Haa…” Things just wouldn’t stop happening until she left the palace.

The morning of the hunting festival dawned. Aura put on her riding jacket in front of the mirror. It was a new outfit she had gotten for the festival. She asked her maid, “How much time do we have left?”

“You should be leaving soon.”

“…I’ll leave a little later.”

The maids tilted their heads. Aura was perfectly ready to go.

Bang!

Just then, Minah rushed into Aura’s room. She had been in such a hurry that she seemed to have forgotten to knock.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty. I have a message for you.”

Aura gestured to the maids. They quickly left. Aura asked Minah, “Did you see Emile?”

“How… how did you know?”

“Haa… Something happened.”

Ruan had to leave the palace in a hurry early yesterday morning. Aura had a feeling he would try to contact her somehow. And she had been waiting for that.

“Where is Emile now?”

“He’s hiding near the northern gate of the palace. Emile bribed the soldiers at the northern gate and had them tell me.”

“It’s a relief he’s acting so calmly.”

‘In that moment, that bastard tried to kiss you.’

Aura was bothered by what Karl had said. She couldn’t imagine Ruan doing something like that.

Was it the alcohol? Whatever it was, I should pretend I don’t know. For Ruan’s sake. And…

Aura steeled her resolve.

Today, I will leave the palace. Without making any mistakes.

“Minah, listen carefully.” Aura opened a console and took out a pouch. Inside were Finn and money. “Take this to Emile at the northern gate. And tell him we’ll meet at the agreed-upon location later.”

“Ah… yes, understood.” Minah received the pouch, looking bewildered. Aura’s words were ominous. The fact that Ruan had been kicked out overnight also seemed to point to the two of them eloping.

Aura noticed Minah’s thoughts. She gently hugged Minah. “Minah, listen to me. I’m leaving the palace today.”

“Your Majesty! Is that true?”

“Yes. But it’s not for the romantic reason you’re thinking of. I can’t tell you why, though.”

“Then why…! At least tell me where you’re going.”

She couldn’t tell Minah, even if she wanted to. No, it was better for Minah not to know. The more she knew, the bigger a target she would become.

“Leave the palace whenever you have a chance.” Aura took off a ring and put it in Minah’s hand. It was the only jewelry she had left besides her wedding ring. Minah stared at Aura with tears in her eyes.

“Go quickly, to Emile. It’s important, so don’t lose it.”

“Your Majesty… are you really…?”

“Go.”

“…Yes… understood.” Minah reluctantly left the room.

Aura, left alone, suddenly looked at the bedside table.

The wine bottle and the bouquet of blue flowers she had just noticed this morning. It seemed Karl had come to give them to her last night.

Aura deliberately looked away, out the window. The morning sun was so bright it felt dazzling.

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