DYBAR - Chapter 52 < The True Nature Of The Beloved Princess >

DYBAR - Chapter 52 < The True Nature Of The Beloved Princess >

Do Your Best And Regret It

I said it all. Between regret and relief, Dean let out a sigh of relief. His hot breath hit the palm that covered his face. Red hair and light green eyes.

"If it weren't for you!"

Dean's earliest memories always started with those words. Violence is like a mother's sharp yelling and anger. And his sister's care.

"It's okay, Dean. It's okay."

Every time Dean heard his older sister, who was only two years older, comforting him, he felt reassured and curious at the same time. Why does his mom hate him, and why are his eyes green, unlike his mom and sister? 

All his doubts were answered when he was six years old. The moment he left the house, a cold voice stabbed Dean like a dagger.

"It's because of that kid that Natalie was abandoned by the Viscount."

"But, The Viscount, Natalie, and Daisy all have brown eyes, but he has such mean light green eyes."

His sister always said he had pretty eyes, but it weren't the best. At some point, the mother did not return, and the light green-eyed child without an adult to look after him was a perfect target for bullying. At least Dean was lucky.

"Take that kid away."

It was like any other day. When he came to his senses, it was the first place he saw. Dean's sister said this was Vikander Territory. They said the Grand Duke saved him. To repay the favor, Dean became a knight. He promised himself that he would persevere even if someone hated him. But Vikander Territory was a strange place. People didn't avoid Dean because he had light green eyes. 

Gradually, Jeniv Street was filled with people who looked just like him. Nevertheless, Dean covered his eyes with lenses. It was not easy to erase the wounds of childhood. But he didn't want to cast a permanent spell. Maybe one day, he will be able to remove the lens with peace of mind. It was because harbored a very small regret. Well, that lingering desire disappeared due to Olivia Madeleine's evil.

“Lord Dean.”

A faint voice came through his thoughts. Dean lowered his hand and looked at Olivia.

"You really think I have Madeleine's protection."

"Otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to walk around so casually with such green eyes."

"Is that so?"

Dean's face distorted at the light voice as if she was talking about someone else. But before he could glare at Olivia, a low voice followed.

"A half-hearted woman, the daughter of a lowly dancer, an illegitimate child, and a woman who was lucky enough to become the Prince's fiancée. A woman who is arrogant and shameless and covets what belongs to others."

Dean's eyes widened as the insults poured out incessantly. The mean rumors about Olivia that he couldn't bear to say out loud. Olivia smiled faintly as if she was no big deal.

"Just like you, I know my rumors quite well. I heard it a lot right in front of my face."

It's impossible to believe that she heard it right in front of herself. How can they say something like that in front of such a high-ranking Princess?

Dean, who was reflexively trying to deny it, paused for a moment. Something was strange.

"Not once. Have you ever thought it was strange?"

When Olivia spoke softly, a strange feeling touched Dean. He couldn't even guess what she was trying to say, but somehow after hearing this.

"The Prince's fiancée, the daughter of the Duke of Madeleine, the head of the imperial faction, and a precious Princess so loved that she proudly carries her green eyes as the Lord said."

Dean had a feeling that maybe everything he believed in might be shaken. Olivia, who was quietly listing the facts they both knew, raised her head and faced Dean. Dean unconsciously avoided looking at the straight gaze that seemed to pierce his inner self.

"To the precious Princess who is loved."

The grass swayed in the night wind.

"There is such a wild scandal going on. Not once, really."

A sweet voice continued.

"Have you ever thought it was strange?"

Dean had never thought about it. The beloved Princess whom he despised so much. A Princess proudly carrying her green eyes. For Dean, Olivia Madeleine has changed from his hopes of changing his perception of her green eyes to a Princess of the imperial faction who simply runs amok, trusting in the love and protection of the dukedom. 

But, is Olivia 'Madeleine' really a beloved and precious Princess? 

When Dean was faced with a fact he had never suspected, his breath caught in his throat as if he had been immersed in water. And then a kind voice came into his deaf ears.

"I'll ask you again, Sir Szellin."

Dean raised his head as if under a spell. At that moment, Olivia laughed in amusement, as if she had just told the funniest joke in the world.

"Do you really think I am under Madeleine's protection?"

***

A confused emotion appeared in Dean's eyes. I spoke softly, looking at his lips as if they were having trouble answering.

"As Sir Szellin said, I walked proudly with green eyes. It wasn't like the children of Jeniv."

"..."

"But unfortunately, It seems that I was not a precious Princess loved enough to change the perception of green eyes." 

"Ah..."

Dean said nothing. Above that, I thought of the people who were always hostile to me. As they always pushed me away, I was also pushed away. I've never asked them. Couldn't we have a better relationship with each other? 

No, I didn't even dare to ask. But not anymore. I faced Dean directly. And I meant it when I said it.

"... So, if you hated me for that reason. Maybe our relationship will change now."

"..."

"But it's okay if you don't."

For a moment, Dean's eyes trembled. I don't know what Dean was worried about, but I could wait long enough for Dean to change his mind. Because I've already waited for people I haven't looked back on for 14 years. 

But he turned his back on me, deliberately swallowing my words about waiting.

"Instead, don't interfere with me cleaning up Yeniv."

"..."

"People are like that. If you have no place to go, the place you return to is ultimately the place where you first settled down. If that place disappears, you really will feel like you have nowhere to go."

O recalled a memory that made me feel warm. The feeling of despair when I feel alone in that dirty alley. At that time, Edwin appeared like a miracle. And I now have a place to return to.

"So, I hope that the people of Yeniv will feel like Vikander is a home they can return to at any time."

Dean still said nothing. There was a change in his eyes, but that was it. Bitterness and relief spread at the same time. I raised the corners of my mouth.

"...I'll go in first."

Dean's eyes became desperate, but I smiled politely and took a step back.

"Have a good night."

As I turned around and headed back to the Great Siege, my back tingled. But instead of turning around, I smiled brightly at the man standing in the distance at the entrance to the garden.

"Are you waiting for me?"

"Sure. It's my job to escort the Young Lady, no matter who comes."

Edwin spoke proudly as if being an escort was a great honor. I placed my hand on top of his firm, large hand. I let out my light breath with his gentle warmth.

"... Did the conversation end well?"

"Well, the conversation ended well."

The corners of my eyes drooped sullenly. Edwin looked at my face, feeling his heart drop.

"Edwin is a liar."

"Yes?"

Edwin's eyes suddenly widened in resentment toward me. Looking into those eyes, I lashed out at him.

"You say I'm good at opening people's hearts. It doesn't work for everyone."

"I was surprised, Olivia."

As if he had taken a breather, Edwin took a deep breath and rolled his eyes. When I saw that, I felt a lot better. While I smiled, Edwin looked across the garden for a moment and muttered.

"... I don't think I'm a pure liar though."

"Yes?"

Edwin shook his head as if it was nothing. He knew well that people's hearts do not change that easily. 

When I went to bed, I told myself that over and over again. Even if his attitude towards me doesn't change right away. He promised not to pay much attention to Dean Szellin for the time being. But...

"Good morning."

Early in the morning, the moment I opened the door and went out, the voice I heard made me happier than I thought. 

Dean, neatly dressed in uniform, was polite and courteous. Dean's eyes were dark as if he hadn't slept all night. In response to the obvious sign of concern, I suppressed my overwhelmed heart and responded.

"Good morning, Lord Szellin."

"... Yes. Good morning, Lady."

I smiled brightly, looking at the embarrassed face. 

***

"It may be difficult to remove the lenses right away, but I'm going to give it a try."

"Maybe one day, someone will see me and decide to open their eyes."

".. I'm over."

A low voice interrupted my pleasant thoughts. Oops, I was so lost in my thoughts that I forgot my turn in the card game. Edwin raised the corners of his lips grumpily as he shuffled the cards. Even though I knew it, I pretended not to notice and complained.

"What is it, Edwin? I was winning."

"Olivia was the first to set a time limit. So who would think differently?"

Edwin carefully took the cards out of my hand and gathered them together. It seemed like he was sulking because he wasn't concentrating on the game. I chuckled 

"Instead, I will take back what I said about Edwin being a liar."

"It's already too late. Olivia. If you're going to tell me, you shouldn't have told me yesterday when Dean changed his attitude."

"But I was busy yesterday. Because Lord Szellin is telling us about Yeniv in earnest."

It seemed like an excuse, but it was true. Dean, who changed his attitude, was more capable than expected and seriously expressed his opinion on cleaning up Jeniv Street.

"If you make this street unique, not only people from Vikander but also people from other regions can come here. People out there may still be prejudiced against green eyes, so I wonder if you have any thoughts on how to prevent children from getting hurt."

"Or how about talking to the people of Jeniv directly?"

People who had not even shown their faces to me came out onto the streets thanks to Dean's persuasion. The moment I faced the green-eyed woman of my own age, who had been avoiding my gaze as if embarrassed, a strange feeling filled my heart. 

I felt like if I faced them for a few more days, they would tell me what they wanted. I, who was excited by the overwhelming anticipation, was disappointed to see Edwin's increasingly pouty expression. And I looked around innocently. The most suitable topic to turn his words to was flashed to mind.

"Anyway, when will Lord Calter return?"

Winster, who was said to be returning from the military, did not come for several days. It would be time for him to come. 

The moment I blinked my eyes, Edwin smiled vaguely and looked beyond the glass window.

"... I know, right. If nothing had happened, he would have come already, but I guess uninvited guests are hanging around Vikander."

I tilted my head at the unfamiliar words. Edwin shuffled the cards with expert skill, his eyes sparkling.

"Would you like one more round? Are you focused this time?"

Previous            Next