One Day, My Fiancé Brought His First Love Along - Chapter 127

“Carlisle, you go first. I’ll stop by somewhere.”

It had already been two weeks since Aileen started coming to the management office.

Less than five minutes after they met at the fountain, Aileen said goodbye. Carlisle’s lips moved slightly, but the movement was so subtle that the somewhat excited Aileen didn’t notice it.

“Don’t be too late. Do you have to come bring me back again?”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“If something dangerous happens…”

“Is there anyone in the Empire who could possibly threaten me—besides you?”

“No.”

“Alright. Then I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay. You go first.”

Carlisle stared at Aileen’s back for a long time as she disappeared like a drifting cloud, then finally turned away—only after she was completely out of sight.

After Retta introduced her to the management office, Aileen began visiting twice a week. She had received massages before at the mansion, but this was on a different level. It felt so good that even her muscles, tense from constant training, began to relax. It felt like she was becoming addicted.

I forgot how amazing this felt.

When I actually started managing it, I thought about telling Carlisle. I figured it might do him some good too. But the place was strictly for women.

Besides, Carlisle had always built emotional walls around himself. He could’ve taken it the wrong way—seen it as pressure instead of care. Still, he always said he liked everything I suggested, even if he probably didn’t mean it. It was obvious he would’ve agreed, even if he didn’t want to.

…And if I may add one more thing—because it’s tied to the idea of ‘marriage’—I felt too embarrassed to bring it up. It made me feel self-conscious all over again.

So, Aileen kept it to herself and secretly carved out time for her own peace.

She had never once thought Carlisle would be worried or anxious. He never showed jealousy. He had never acted suspiciously before—so she never imagined it might seem suspicious now.

“You’re here.”

The Emperor, Edys, was seated comfortably in a large, soft chair when she greeted Aileen with her usual arrogance. Aileen frowned slightly, nodded stiffly, and sat down across from her as if glaring back.

Edys ignored the rudeness and stared at her in silence, eyes sharp and unblinking.

Just as I began to feel uneasy, she asked something completely unexpected.

“Your face looks a bit better these days. Are you doing something different?”

“Yes?”

Aileen, startled, shrugged and answered awkwardly.

“You’re acting awfully surprised. That’s suspicious. Why are you so surprised?”

“What are you talking abou—”

“Is it really that shocking that I said your complexion looks better?”

“No, that’s not it. I was just… thinking about something else for a second.”

“I don’t recognize you lately. Just be honest—what are you up to?”

“……”

I let my guard down. Edys was always quick to catch things. No one in my family had noticed, but she had.

Only Sera knew. Sera, who helped dress me every day, couldn’t be fooled. When I told Carlisle I wanted to keep it a secret, he was overjoyed. He even gave me a light push on the back and told me to go more often.

“So, what—have you started going to management care?”

“Yes.”

“I thought so.”

Edys stroked her chin, a knowing look in her eyes.

From the moment she stepped into my office, I could tell right away.
Oh… what is she doing to her face?

He noticed the change the moment he saw her again after a long time. And he realized that what Carlisle had said the day before was likely related to it.

—”Airene has been disappearing a lot lately.”

I had called him in for work and casually asked how the wedding preparations were going. But instead of answering properly, Carlisle, whose expression had darkened slightly, suddenly blurted that out.

Edys tried to act like she hadn’t noticed the shift in mood, but it was rare for Carlisle to be like that.

With her brows furrowed in annoyance, Edys asked,

—“Disappearing? You two always leave work together. It’s getting annoying. People are starting to complain.”

Carlisle bit his lip, hesitated, and then finally said,

—“Twice a week, Airene goes somewhere before I do.”

—“If you’re that curious, why not just ask her directly?”

—“It doesn’t feel like she wants to talk about it.”

—“Then let it go.”

—“……”

Edys scratched her cheek, her expression growing more serious.

—“If something strange were going on, she would’ve told me where she was going.”

—“…You’ve been looking prettier lately.”

—“What?”

—“On the days you disappear… you come back looking just a little more beautiful.”

It was ridiculous.
Is he bragging in front of me now?
Edys nearly snapped. Her face, already sharp and clean-cut, grew darker with restrained irritation.

—“Then isn’t that a good thing?”

—“…I don’t know why, but it doesn’t feel right.”

He was clearly worried. Worried about Airene, who seemed to be growing more beautiful, for reasons he couldn’t understand. Only then did Edys begin to piece together what was going on in Carlisle’s mind.

As far as Edys knew, Airene had never acted secretively toward Carlisle. She wasn’t good at keeping secrets—she even got caught planning her own surprise parties.

This must be the first time. You must really be anxious, Carlisle.

Edys smiled to herself, amused at how things were unfolding.

The truth was, he’d always carried a quiet sense of guilt toward Airene—because of Judith.
Because he had pretended not to know Carlisle’s secret, even though he did. Because when the truth came out, it looked like Airene had been the only one who suffered.

Now, it was time to pay that debt back. And what a perfect opportunity it was.
Carlisle would finally get a taste of it—even if only a little.
How awful… but how satisfying.

Today, when I met Airene, everything made sense.
What could possibly be going on with a bride-to-be who’s about to get married?
And yet she keeps disappearing like that?

I didn’t understand why he kept it a secret. But in a way, it was good for him.
The two of them were never going to break up anyway.
He just needed to get a little payback on Carlisle.
Still, this was too weak. He needed to make it sting a bit more.

A strange little smile crossed Edys’s face. She shrugged casually at the charming young knight in front of her.

“Well, that’s normal. Doesn’t everyone do that kind of thing?”

“…That’s not it.”

“It may sound normal, but if it weren’t for Sir Airene, I wouldn’t believe it. Fine, I’ll let it slide.”

Airene’s brows furrowed deeply. The way Edys spoke made it sound like she was doing her a favor.
Edys pretended not to notice and smoothly changed the subject.

“Anyway, do you know how many people came from the northern tribes this time?”

The moment the conversation turned to work, Airene’s expression shifted.
Edys was secretly pleased by her seriousness and began speaking in a quieter tone.

“One of them wants to learn swordsmanship. Will you take care of him?”

“Swordsmanship? Me?”

Airene looked surprised.

“Yes. Santinu himself mentioned this one specifically. He thought your swordsmanship would suit him best and asked me to assign you.”

Everything up to that point was true. But now, the lie began.

“But if I teach them openly, some of the nobles who still dislike the northern immigrants might complain. Do you mind keeping it secret for a month or two while we observe them quietly?”

It was a clear lie.
There was no reason to keep it a secret.
And even if there was—so what? The Emperor had the power to do whatever he pleased.

But this was also a good chance. A great opportunity to build a stronger alliance with the northern tribes.
If they shared experiences—both culturally and emotionally—the hostility between them would start to fade.

There hadn’t been anyone from this side who had gone north yet, but fortunately, Santinu didn’t mind. He agreed easily, even though he might end up being sent to the Empire as a hostage.

Edys was secretly grateful. She’d been thinking she ought to pay more attention to him, and just then, Airene appeared—as if sent by fate. Maybe it really was divine timing. It was just the final bit of seasoning for something that already needed Airene, so fine.

Edys glanced at Airene’s expression. She seemed deep in thought, her lips pressed into a tight line.

He began persuading Airene without even licking his lips.

“This is all for the peace of the Empire and the Northern Barbarians. I trust that you, of all people, will understand.”

“…If you say it’s a secret, how far does it go?”

“Of course—just you, me, and that boy. No one else should know. Only the three of us.”

Airene nodded quickly at Edys’s words.

“I know very well that even if I refuse, you’ll go through with the imperial order anyway. So just let me know once the schedule’s decided.”

“You know me too well, Sir Airene. I’ll reach out to you soon.”

Thankfully, Airene wasn’t the type to overthink things. If she had dwelled on it a bit longer, she might’ve noticed something odd.

Edys waved politely as Airene left.

Not long after, a secret letter arrived for Airene from the Emperor.

[Twice a week. After finishing your work, go to Karas Palace.]

Luckily, it wasn’t too difficult after the first two visits. I had been a little nervous about keeping it from my family—and from Carlisle—but there was really nothing I could do.

Her family didn’t care much about where she went or how late she returned, especially now that Carlisle was by her side. He was the only problem. No matter how much I thought about it, the best thing to do was simply to gloss over it.

Carlisle would probably figure it out anyway. He’s the one who’s suffered the most from Edys’s unpopular mission orders. He’ll understand.

Airene felt relatively calm as she made her way to the place Edys had mentioned.

Karas Palace was located in a somewhat remote part of the imperial estate. It wasn’t too close to the Khan’s training grounds, but not so far that it was a burden. Airene walked at a relaxed pace.

A narrow forest path marked the beginning of the road to Karas Palace. As she walked, something suddenly jumped out from the bushes with a loud rustle.

“Evil!”

Startled by the sound, Airene instinctively swung her sword still in its sheath.

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