I Don't Need the Grand Duke's Regret - Chapter 145
As Mirabel listened to the conversation between Nasir and Ezio, a cold voice escaped her lips. She glared at Ezio and spoke sharply.
“Feel sorry for the Grand Duke? The man who made the woman he loves run away? That doesn’t seem right to me.”
Mirabel clenched her fists, feeling the sharp pain of her nails digging into her palm as she shot a glare at Ezio.
“…”
Ezio lowered his gaze, biting his lip in response to Mirabel’s accusations.
Seeing his defeated posture, she let out a long sigh.
She knew that Ezio was not at fault. He was simply trying to protect the lord he served.
However, hearing from a third party that Ricardo loved Armilla in this confusing time only fueled her anger.
She had managed to endure up until now.
She had tried to act as though she was someone unrelated to Armilla, just another guest staying briefly in Renato.
So why did she feel so overwhelmed?
Perhaps it was a defensive mechanism to avoid falling for Ricardo, or maybe her emotions were simply running high.
‘Regardless, it’s not fair to take it out on Ezio.’
Slowly relaxing her grip, Mirabel felt a chill wash over her at the thought of being harsh to an innocent person.
“I raised my voice unnecessarily.”
Rubbing her temples, she lowered her gaze. Swallowing a sigh, she continued.
“I guess I’ve become sensitive from not sleeping. I’m sorry, Ezio.”
“No, it’s my fault for overstepping.”
“I understand that the Grand Duke isn’t the same as before. But listening to the doctor, it seems he’s still stronger than an average person. So don’t worry, and make sure to rest well.”
“…Yes.”
Leaving behind Ezio’s subdued response, Mirabel stepped outside.
Although she had tried to brush off her reason for being upset, she wasn’t sure if it had worked.
‘They’ll probably think I’m a difficult princess.’
Mirabel thought bitterly. For some reason, it seemed like she kept clashing with Ezio. Given that she had received his help, she knew she shouldn’t be acting this way.
“Ah…”
As she walked down the corridor, Mirabel wobbled slightly. She had been running on little sleep for so long that it was beginning to take its toll.
‘I really need to get some rest.’
It was just as Mirabel was about to descend the stairs of the knights’ quarters.
“Just a moment, Princess.”
The sound of a door opening and closing behind her was followed by Nasir’s voice. He approached Mirabel, catching her step.
“Let me accompany you. I’ll escort you to the main building.”
“Are you not going to talk to Ezio anymore?”
“I was considering it, but he’s not in a state for conversation right now. He was just pulling his hair out as soon as you left.”
Mirabel let out a soft laugh at Nasir’s half-joking remark. He noticed the chill that had surrounded her earlier dissipate slightly as he walked alongside her.
“Ezio does tend to be hot-headed. He often acts before he thinks.”
Nasir glanced at Mirabel as they descended the stairs in silence and continued speaking.
“He may stumble over his words, but his nature is good. He’s an excellent knight with unwavering loyalty to the Grand Duke.”
“I know.”
Mirabel responded calmly as she listened to Nasir’s words.
“I was too harsh.”
“No, you did well.”
Nasir lightly brushed his fingertips over his round glasses as he spoke.
“Ezio’s words and actions were indeed disrespectful. As the Grand Duke’s former fiance, you likely wouldn’t want to hear about his wife. It was a lack of sensitivity on his part. In retrospect, I should have avoided bringing up the Red Room altogether. Please forget it.”
“I don’t think you need to…”
Mirabel’s words trailed off as she reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped in the lobby of the quarters.
She suddenly inhaled sharply at the mention of the term ‘Red Room’. Hearing it from Nasir felt unfamiliar.
It was as if it was the first time she had heard it.
‘Oh, my God.’
Mirabel clenched the hem of her skirt. The late realization made her legs tremble.
Nasir had never mentioned the ‘Red Room’ to her. Yet, during their last encounter, she had referred to it so casually.
However, Nasir didn’t point it out or seem surprised. He was too astute to have missed it.
‘He said it’s not their place to intervene.’
Mirabel’s heart sank as she recalled Nasir’s words when he was trying to dissuade Ezio.
He knows everything.
Yet, he chose to act oblivious.
Mirabel looked at Nasir’s back as he walked ahead, and her lips moved.
“Nasir.”
“Yes?”
Nasir turned promptly at the princess’s call. In the bustling lobby filled with knights, only he and Mirabel stood there.
Mirabel lowered her gaze briefly before lifting it to look at Nasir through her veil.
“Thank you.”
“Excuse me? For what…?”
“You know what I mean. Yet you choose to turn a blind eye.”
At Mirabel’s words, Nasir’s lips parted slightly in surprise. He raised a trembling hand to cover his mouth.
Seeing his reaction, Mirabel felt a sense of certainty.
Nasir knew that she was Armilla. Ezio also knew.
They just hadn’t shown it.
“I’ll say this: I don’t blame either Ezio or you. I’ve never forgotten or hated you both.”
“Lady Armilla…”
Nasir called out Armilla’s name in a low voice, bowing his head as he continued.
“I’m sorry.”
“Sorry for what?”
“For not being able to support you. Even though I knew you were struggling, I turned a blind eye.”
“Don’t say that. It was your kindness that helped me endure.”
Nasir let out a bitter smile. To think that he could only call it kindness.
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