When You Started to Regret - Chapter 38

The carriage carrying Dominic and Elaine pulled up before the Royal Theatre of Sienne.
As the door opened, Dominic stepped out first and extended a hand to help her down. The moment Elaine placed her hand in his, all eyes turned to them.

Rumors had already spread throughout the capital in the days following Vanessa’s birthday celebration:
The lady of House Aiola was seeing a man of questionable birth—some common wretch.

But under the weight of those glances, Elaine held her chin high and walked with measured grace.
She moved like someone who believed the world itself was beneath her, as if daring the crowd to try leaving even the faintest blemish on her name.

The moment she reached the steps of the theater, the manager rushed out to meet her.

“Welcome, Lady Aiola! And Sir Dominic Cheshire!”

He bent into a near-perfect right angle as he greeted them.

Elaine responded with only the faintest twitch of her lips.
Even a slight nod was too generous; to people like him, disregard came naturally.

“We’ve prepared the third-floor royal suite for the two of you. This way, please.”

As he led them toward the suite—one of only two in the entire theatre—he lowered his voice slightly.

“Her Majesty the Queen has arrived with Prince Turner. They’re in the left royal suite.”

“The Queen?”

In Hermanda, there was only one person to whom Elaine had to extend courtesy first: Queen Clemencia.

“Take me to her.”

“At once, my lady.”

Elaine turned on her heel and headed in the Queen’s direction.

“Elaine of House Aiola, paying respects to Her Majesty.”

“Dominic Cheshire, your humble servant, pays his respects.”

Elaine lifted the hem of her gown with elegant precision. Dominic bowed deeply at her side.

“So, it’s Elaine,” the Queen said with faint amusement. “And you’re acquainted with Sir Cheshire?”

“I heard Sir Cheshire has been assisting Your Majesty. His achievements are a source of pride for me as well.”

Elaine didn’t shy away from the truth.
She made it known—clearly and proudly—that he was her man.

A flicker of displeasure passed through the Queen’s eyes.

“His achievements are your pride, you say? Sounds like the two of you are… quite close.”

“We’re seeing each other with sincere feelings, yes.”

The Queen’s gaze narrowed.

Beside her, Turner offered Elaine a gentle smile and waved quietly, still soft and warm as ever.

The Queen was well aware her son had harbored feelings for Elaine for a long time.
In fact, it was why she had granted the royal ballroom for Elaine’s coming-of-age celebration this past spring—to subtly declare her intentions of making Elaine her son’s match.

Perhaps it had been a mistake not to confirm Elaine’s feelings beforehand.
Now it was clear: the brilliant daughter of House Aiola had never planned to return Turner’s affections.
Her son had fallen in love—only to be quietly discarded.

“Well then, Your Majesty, I hope you enjoy the performance.”

Knowing full well the Queen was displeased, Elaine nevertheless curtsied with immaculate grace and exited without a hint of retreat.

Dominic, catching the slight furrow in the Queen’s brow, followed after her.

The royal suite prepared for them was decorated with delicate, refined taste—clearly catered to the preferences of the guests.
Daffodils, Elaine’s favorite, were arranged in elegant vases, and a low railing marked the front of the room for safety.

As the two settled onto the dark green leather sofa, attendants came in with drinks and refreshments.
The staff stole curious glances at the couple, but Elaine ignored them effortlessly, resting her head lightly on Dominic’s shoulder.

“You’ve been here often, haven’t you?”

“I used to come with Vanessa sometimes. Fernando doesn’t really care for musicals.”

“Ah.”

“…Ugh, of all days for the Queen to be here.”
She sighed in annoyance. “All that back-and-forth greeting her… we lost time we could’ve spent together.”

Her light, cheerful voice danced like a songbird’s as she chattered away—until she suddenly sat up straight.

“Oh! I think it’s starting.”

Excited, she picked up the opera glasses on the table with practiced ease and whispered with delight.

Dominic, instead of reaching for his own, quietly ran a hand through her soft platinum hair, stroking the crown of her head as she leaned against him.

The silky strands slipped between his fingers like water.

The presence of Turner—the boy prince with the reddish-brown hair and gentle smile—no longer seemed to matter.

Just moments ago, his very existence had stirred a quiet spike of resentment.
Now, under Elaine’s touch and warmth, that bitterness faded into nothing.

Dominic’s gaze remained fixed on Elaine, who was wholly absorbed in the performance.
He had to resist the temptation to rip the opera glasses from her face and toss them far away.
Instead, he contented himself with admiring the soft curve of her profile. The way her expressions changed with each new scene was endlessly amusing.

Then, catching on that Dominic hadn’t been watching the stage at all, Elaine lowered her glasses and let out a small laugh.

“What’s the matter, Dominic? Bored?”

“Not at all. I’m thoroughly enjoying myself.”

“Doesn’t look like you’re paying attention.”

Elaine pouted slightly, and Dominic’s arm slipped around the back of her head, gently pulling her closer.

“I’ve been completely focused. On you, Elaine.”

He pressed a soft kiss to the bridge of her nose, grinning as he did.

Immediately, a warm blush colored her cheeks.

“Dominic, your eyes… they’re dangerous right now.”

Though she whispered the warning, Elaine didn’t push him away.
His lips glided from the tip of her nose to hers, settling into a kiss that grew slowly deeper—breaths mingling in its wake.

The green leather sofa in the royal suite was wide, luxurious—more than enough to lay her down.

Dominic rose, walked over to the balcony, and drew the curtains closed.

He used to scoff at “royal suites,” thinking them pompous perks for pretentious nobles and royalty.
But now, this private little world, free of interruption, felt surprisingly perfect.

“You sly little Aiola… Was this your plan all along? Inviting me to the theater for this?”

“Wh-what? Of course not!”

Without bothering to undress her, he kissed at every exposed part of her, over and around her dress’s lavish folds.
Each time his lips touched her skin, Elaine trembled and clung tighter to him.
That fragile, eager body pressed to his drove him mad with affection.

“Shh… Keep your voice down, Elaine. The room next door might hear.”

“But you’re the one—!”

“If you’re uncomfortable, say the word. I’ll stop immediately.”

“You’re really… insufferable—ah!”

Remembering that just next door sat Turner, the Crown Prince, only spurred Dominic’s wickedness.
Was he teasing her or tormenting her?

But the breathless delight on her face made it feel less like torment… and more like service.

In the end, the two once again failed to watch the performance and left the theater early.

✦✦✦

“I honestly can’t understand you, my lady.”

Elaine’s bratty handmaid, barely two years her junior, hadn’t stopped nagging her since they got home.
Elaine responded with a lazy shrug.

“And I can’t understand you. If only you’d shut up and do your job.”

“Don’t worry, my lady. I do know exactly what my job is.”

Despite Elaine’s sharp tongue, Anna—who had served her for years—was unfazed.
She wrapped a towel around Elaine’s freshly washed hair and began applying fragrant oil to her skin as she muttered.

“If only your speech were as soft as this skin of yours. But now, my lady just has to fall for some shady man instead of someone perfect like His Highness.”

“Shady?”

“He’s got scary eyes and a savage vibe. If Lady Kiara were alive, she’d be heartbroken to see you with someone like that.”

“You’ve never even met my mother.”

Elaine’s dry laugh escaped as she turned her head toward Anna.

Her mother had passed when she was just six.
At the time, Anna had only been four—raised outside the estate by Dora, her wet nurse.

Dora had died less than a year after the passing of Elaine’s parents, and it was Fernando who took Anna in as a handmaid.
She’d been far too young to truly serve, more of a companion than a servant.
In short: Anna had never met Kiara.

Faced with that fact, Anna pursed her lips in mock defiance.

“Still. You know what I mean. I just can’t understand why you’d fall for such a broody, dark man.”

“How is my Dominic broody?”

“His hair is black, his eyes are black… He’s like a shadow come to life.”

“Yes, like the deep, still ocean at night—beautiful.”

“You never know what he’s thinking.”

“I could tell you.”

Elaine suddenly lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
Anna, curious, paused mid-motion and leaned closer.

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