One Day, My Fiancé Brought His First Love Along - Chapter 129

Aireen had been acting strangely lately.

At first, it was twice a week. I always sent him home early, saying I had work that day.

Then, over time, there were two more days in the week when he was told to head home first.

That made it four times in total. He returned home alone four times in just one week. The uneasiness in Carlisle’s chest slowly built up each time he received that request—because it clearly wasn’t just a one-time thing.

Why on earth?

The reason was never clear. He said it was due to overtime, but it was clearly a lie. Had he really not noticed the subtle changes in Aireen?

Lately, Aireen had been avoiding eye contact. That always happened whenever something was wrong—especially when she was the one sending him away first.

Why on earth?

On top of that, Aireen’s condition was strange. Twice, she looked oddly beautiful. The other two times, she looked so disheveled that it was impossible not to notice. But those moments had one thing in common: they all brought life back into her.

I was anxious. What on earth was she doing? Who was she meeting that made her grow more and more radiant? Who else, if not me, was bringing her happiness?

It was a happiness Carlisle had fought hard to earn. And yet now, he was constantly haunted by the fear that it could vanish at any moment.

Until now, Aireen had always shown him unwavering trust. So much so that he had never once doubted her. That’s why this situation felt so unfamiliar—and terrifying.

What if Aireen leaves me?
What if she meets someone else?

A man.

No.

No way.

The pen in his right hand dropped to the floor as the realization hit him.

“…No way.”

His hand trembled. The pen was gone. And suddenly, Aireen—smiling beside another man—filled his vision.

“Aireen…”

Aireen turned to look back at him. Her bright smile faded into an awkward, uncomfortable expression. Her lips moved, forming clear words.

“I don’t want to see you anymore.”

That beautiful face shattered before him and disappeared.

Carlisle buried his face in both hands. A groan escaped his throat as his head dropped.
What if… what if she really does have someone else?
What if she tells me it’s over?
What if she leaves me?

He sprang to his feet in a rush and wandered without direction, heading toward where Aireen had gone.

As he hurried down the path leading to Khan’s training grounds, a voice called out from nearby.

“Lord Carlisle!”

A familiar voice. Carlisle stopped in his tracks and turned around.

“Are you looking for Sir Aireen? The Vice-Captain already left work.”

There was a slight note of confusion in Setsu’s usually calm voice. Carlisle gave a small nod and kept his expression neutral. Then, without another word, he turned back—returning to the Sel Knight Commander’s office.

The moment his back was fully turned, Carlisle’s calm façade collapsed. Cold sweat slid down the sides of his face.

She left work. Without saying anything to him.

They were always busy, working in the same field. If there was ever a change in their routine, they always made sure to let each other know. They shared everything. That’s why this hit so hard.

If she had to leave early for any reason, Aireen would always inform him in advance. If it was something urgent, she’d at least leave a message with Setsu or one of the knights from the other quarters.

But this…

Carlisle’s patience had run out. He turned away from the Knight Commander’s office and headed straight to the Emperor’s chambers.

“This is Carlisle.”

The visit was unannounced. Luckily, the Emperor was in.

“Come in.”

Permission came a beat later than usual. A strange feeling crawled down the back of Carlisle’s neck.

Click.

As I opened the door and stepped in, I saw Edys already seated on the sofa, legs crossed. Carlisle walked in and sat across from her without even a greeting. It was rare—and impolite.

“So, what’s going on?”

Edys asked, her tone sharp, her gaze steady—whether Carlisle had spoken or not.

“Aireen. What do you know?”

A flicker of light danced in her cold eyes. Edys giggled inwardly, though her expression stayed composed.

“What do I know about Sir Aireen? Why are you asking me that?”

“The only reason Aireen’s doing this… is because of Your Majesty.”

“What on earth is Aireen talking about?”

Carlisle frowned, paused for a moment, and then sighed.

“It disappears.”

“Oh, that thing you mentioned last time?”

“It’s happening more often. Today, I even left work early.”

“I might leave work early,” he said again, softer this time.

“This has never happened before.”

“Then I suppose… that’s what you really want to do.”

A low, harsh sound escaped from Carlisle’s clenched jaw. Edys saw his fists tighten on his thighs and let out a quiet, bitter laugh.

“No—what is this, really? If it’s urgent, can’t you just leave work without saying a word? Are you seriously trying to restrain Aireen like that?”

“…Redemption.”

Carlisle muttered in a slightly subdued voice, not even realizing that Edys’s tone had subtly changed.

“Yes, arrest. And how exactly do you plan to take responsibility for coming to someone like me—a meddling busybody—with something like that?”

At Edys’s words, Carlisle fell silent. After a brief moment of thought, he finally spoke.

“Rather, I think it’s a problem because he’s not that kind of person.”

“What do you think the problem is, then?”

“……”

It was a different kind of silence. Edys wiped the smile from her face as she stared into his darkening eyes.

“Are you scared? Worried that Aireen might meet someone else?”

“……”

Even if that were true, what would I have to say?

The thought stabbed sharply at his chest. Carlisle lowered his head.

He had always known. He had no right to question Aireen. No, it was shameless of him to even feel anxious. How could he be this selfish—this shameless? After all, hadn’t he done the exact same thing to her?

The memory remained vivid. The day he had introduced Judith to Aireen and announced the breakup of their engagement. The way Aireen’s expression froze in that moment…

Even now, when he closed his eyes, he could still picture her from that day. The moments Judith had wounded her were as clear as if they’d happened yesterday.

Each time those memories returned, Carlisle was overwhelmed with guilt and gratitude—grateful to Aireen for still smiling at him, and ashamed that he never knew how to respond.

Aireen had said she was fine. But he knew the wounds buried in her heart hadn’t truly healed. No matter how much time passed, no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t erase them. All she could do was love him more—and try harder.

I didn’t know it would come back to me like this. I’m disgusted with myself for being so conceited.

Edys, who had been watching Carlisle sink into his own guilt, finally spoke after a long pause.

“I saw Aireen yesterday.”

Carlisle’s head snapped up. His eyes locked with Edys’s.

“I saw her at Karasu Palace. She was doing something. Maybe she’ll be there again today.”

“…Karasu Palace.”

“Do you know where that is? Then go.”

Carlisle bowed deeply to Edys, who waved him off like she was annoyed. She vanished moments later.

“Suffer a little more. Sorry, Carlisle.”

In the Emperor’s office, now silent once more, only quiet mutters remained—falling like autumn leaves.

There was one more thing Edys hadn’t told him: that Sanchez, who had been staying at Nisser’s Palace, had also been moved to Karasu Palace some time ago.

From now on, it was no longer in his hands.

After leaving the Emperor’s office, Carlisle kept walking—step after step—toward Karasu Palace. People along the way greeted him, but he didn’t respond. He looked only straight ahead. He had no energy left to return their smiles.

He arrived quickly. And as he stood in front of the palace gates, his heart pounded harder with every passing second. He recalled Edys’s words: “Something.”
Something that might involve another man. Or maybe not.
It felt like holding two bombs—one about to explode, the other already detonated.

Carlisle stood there for what felt like forever, as if nailed to the ground, before finally moving his legs. The palace was much larger than he’d imagined, making it difficult to find Aireen.

I was just passing by the pond, trying to ignore how loudly my heart was beating.

“Eat this and do it!”

A man’s voice echoed faintly. Carlisle turned instinctively, his steps quickening like lightning.

“I told you, this is really delicious!”

The voice came again through the slightly ajar door. It sounded a little younger than his.

A cold sweat trickled down Carlisle’s back. He pressed his lips together tightly and nudged the door open a bit more.

“Ah…”

A faint sigh escaped him.

He finally found her—Aireen.
His Aireen.

She was sitting beside another man, laughing as they shared a meal.
She looked genuinely happy.

The difference between imagination and reality was far greater than Carlisle had expected.
Seeing Aireen smiling at another man—smiling like that—without even telling him she was meeting someone… it tore him apart inside.

“This is delicious.”

At that moment, Aireen’s clear voice pierced his ears.

“Would you like some more?”

“Yeah. I want to eat this again next time too.”

“As much as you want.”

Without hesitation, Aireen nodded and smiled—promising to meet again.

Carlisle could only see the back of her head. But her long, radiant red hair was unmistakable.
So different from Aireen. Unlike Aireen’s dark, somber black hair, this woman’s vibrant red strands were full of life.

And with that realization, a terrifying thought surged through him.

What if you want someone completely different from me?
What if you’re tired of me?

He began to search his recent memories—desperately.
Nothing had seemed wrong. In fact, he had even set the date for their wedding.
They had shared days overflowing with happiness.

But as the realization struck, another truth came to choke him.

Isn’t it the same?

He had once walked Aireen to the edge of their wedding—only to bring Judith and shatter everything.

This was the price he was paying.

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