Acidity of Regret Ch 73
- Jan 25
- 8 min read
The number of servants working in the Imperial Palace was vast. If a story passed through their lips only once or twice, the rumor would already be widespread enough to sweep through the entire capital.
[Servant] "Yes, Lady Rohawk."
The servant took on a determined expression, as if he had been handed an order upon which his very life depended. He was about to leave the bedroom, but hesitated for a moment.
[Servant] "Um... but what should I do if the Grand Duke refuses to take them back?"
It was a sharp question. However, she had already considered that possibility.
Declan had never once acted as she expected. He had been that way even before her return to the past, but since then, he had behaved even more like an unbridled colt.
The probability of his refusing was high. Honestly, she wouldn't even be surprised if he barged into her room at that very moment, clutching the rejected bouquet with brute force. Based on his recent behavior, it was entirely plausible.
Yet, even if she feared his reaction, she refused to keep the roses. Returning the flowers to him wasn't just an act to ease her guilt toward Hayden. It was what Vanessa, herself, truly wanted.
To a tournament victor, the roses represented both triumph and love. She didn't believe for a second that Declan had gone to such lengths simply to offer her his victory. That left only one conclusion: love.
As if that could be true.
An empty laugh escaped her before she could stop it.
The thought was absurd. He did not love her. This stunt was undoubtedly a display of bravado—a tactic to make it look like love.
Just as before, the mere thought of the woman he believed he owned marrying Hayden was likely enough to make him act recklessly, his blood boiling with possessive urgency.
She lifted the teacup Dina had brought and answered calmly.
[Vanessa] "Throw them away."
Her tone was flat, but the meaning behind it was as piercing as a biting winter wind.
Looking back at their messy, tangled history, nothing was more laughable than his claim of love. She had no intention of stepping into that glittering hellfire a second time.
[Vanessa] "Don't leave a single one. Throw them all out."
[Servant] "..."
[Vanessa] "And if possible, I would like you to do it right in front of him."
She added that he should tell the Grand Duke it was her direct order.
At those words, the servant’s face turned as pale as if he were the one being rejected, and he hurried out of the room.
As the lingering crimson of the flowers vanished from her sight, she felt she could finally breathe again.
The sudden shower of flowers he had bestowed upon her had exerted that much psychological pressure. It was because she couldn't fathom his true intent. It would have been easier for her heart if she could have viewed the gesture as a poisonous scheme rather than an act of affection.
Declan’s "love" was like a violent current that triggered nothing but a visceral rejection within her.
The next day, Dina reported that rumors were quietly spreading about her rejection of the Grand Duke’s roses.
That was enough. She had done the best she could from her position to ensure their relationship didn't twist into something even more unsightly. Fortunately, Declan did not barge into her bedroom with the rejected bouquet.
Since the servant she had tasked didn't return, it seemed the flowers had been discarded as ordered. While there was a slight chance he had accepted the return quietly, it was highly unlikely given his foul temperament.
However, he showed a different kind of unexpected behavior less than a day later.
[Vanessa] "What?"
[Dina] "They say he... withdrew from the tournament."
Declan had suddenly declared his withdrawal.
[Vanessa] "...Why?"
Her reflection in the surface of her tea looked visibly unsettled.
Dina bit her lip and shook her head, her face showing that she couldn't possibly know the reason either.
His inexplicable actions became another source of gossip, adding weight to the rumors the servants had already spread. People began to whisper that the Grand Duke, heartbroken by Vanessa’s rejection, had lost all will to compete.
Just as Dina reported, he withdrew, and the knights of the Duchy followed suit, losing one after another in the subsequent matches.
As those who had been on an undefeated streak began to falter, the rumors only grew wings. In the eyes of the public, the love triangle between the three of them was now a confirmed fact.
Because the knights of the Duchy—who would have been his strongest rivals—were all disqualified or withdrawn, Hayden claimed the victory with relative ease. It was a dull conclusion compared to the feverish excitement that had preceded the tournament.
Vanessa hadn't attended any matches since receiving Declan’s flowers. Part of it was her own choice, but it was also a suggestion Hayden had made first.
[Hayden] "It will likely be difficult for you to endure, Vanessa. I don't want to place such a burden on your shoulders."
He had spoken heavily, as if he could already envision the scene. He told her she didn't need to force herself to watch the matches and endure the public's prying eyes for his sake. It was a proposal she couldn't refuse.
She had been feeling overwhelmed. The rumors of their entanglement were treated as fact, and she was the center of attention wherever she went. Even during a brief morning walk in the garden, she felt the weight of many eyes.
The way people displayed their blatant curiosity was so overt it was almost intentional. Since it wasn't an official confrontation, she had let it pass, but it was the kind of interest that would have turned into a predatory swarm given the slightest opportunity.
By now, she felt relieved that she had confessed the truth of her relationship with Declan to Hayden early on. If this had happened while he was still in the dark, her suffering would have been far more severe.
And Hayden had not said a single word about Declan’s bizarre behavior, which was a clear sign of his consideration for her.
[Dina] "How do you feel, My Lady?"
Dina, who had finished arranging her falling blonde hair over her shoulders, stepped back and asked.
A necklace, the same color as her eyes, rested against her skin just above the curve of her collarbone. Then came the gloves and the rings. As each sparkling accessory was added, the reality of the upcoming banquet began to sink in.
Once the tournament officially concludes, a three-day banquet is held at the Imperial Palace. It was an event designed to celebrate and unwind after the competition. Some nobles even traveled to the capital specifically for this final celebration. Many young noblewomen attended, hoping to catch the eye of the handsome knights who had competed.
[Dina] "Oh, and here is this."
Dina handed her a mask that had been lying neatly on the table.
This time, the tournament banquet was being held in an interesting format: a masquerade ball. She knew that the introduction of such a unique theme was Hayden's way of looking out for her.
Gatherings of people always lead to talk, and the tournament was no exception. This particular tournament had been more eventful than any in history. From the unexpected participation of the Duchy to the scandalous rumors sparked by the roses and the lackluster final result, there was too much to talk about.
For some, the banquet would be a joyful social gathering, but for others, it was certain to be a terrifying hell.
As the center of the rumors, Vanessa clearly belonged to the latter group. It was for her sake that Hayden had suggested this special format.
The mask, dark blue with intricate gold embroidery, was magnificent. It felt a bit suffocating once she put it on, as it restricted her vision. However, she was pleased to see that her reflection in the mirror was no longer immediately recognizable as "Vanessa Rohawk."
The banquet hall was already bustling with people. Smiles were prevalent on the lips of those gathered in small groups, whispering to one another. The atmosphere was unusually heated, likely due to the thrill of everyone trying to guess each other's identities. She scanned the scene unfolding beneath the chandeliers.
[Elliot] "My Lady."
Elliot, who had returned to his post as her guard, called to her. Following his gaze, she saw a knight in a white uniform approaching. Despite the mask, his attire identified him as one of Hayden’s personal guards.
[Guard] "His Highness is waiting for you."
Vanessa followed the whispering guard and was led out to the balcony. Unlike the interior, which blazed like the sun under the chandeliers, the balcony was bathed only in the soft, dim glow of lanterns. It reminded her of the very first banquet after her return, when she had met him.
Nothing had changed since then—Hayden was waiting for her, leaning his arms against the railing.
[Vanessa] "Hayden."
And yet, there was a clear change that reminded her time had passed and the future was different. She was able to say his name so naturally. It was something she never could have imagined in the past.
He straightened his back and turned to look at her. He was wearing an ivory mask, decorated with lavish feathers along the edges, looking twice as elegant as any other.
[Hayden] "You’ve arrived?"
[Vanessa] "Congratulations on your victory in the tournament."
She had been in her bedroom when Hayden defeated the second son of the Clinton family—a rising knight in the Empire—to claim the title.
Even though he had granted her the favor of staying away, she had wanted to see the final match with her own eyes. She had even finished her preparations to go that day, but when the moment came, she couldn't bring herself to move. She had turned back from her door several times, unable to open it.
Now that they were finally meeting after the final match, she offered her sincere congratulations.
[Hayden] "It reminds me of the past. You stood on a balcony then, too, to congratulate me on my birthday."
It seemed he was also recalling their first meeting.
[Hayden] "Thank you. Though, to be honest, it was a bit of a dull match."
[Vanessa] "Oh..."
[Hayden] "I had heard the knights of the Duchy were exceptionally skilled, and I had hoped for a chance to test myself against them. I thought I would get that wish this time, but it ended in disappointment."
It was clear that everyone, including him, felt the tournament's conclusion was a letdown. After the excitement had reached such a fever pitch during the preliminaries, the lack of a fierce, blood-pumping final duel was a major disappointment.
Of course, that was entirely the result of Declan and his men’s whims, but Vanessa found herself at a loss for words. Even if it wasn't her fault, she couldn't help but feel responsible, given her connection to the situation.
[Hayden] "How is the mask?"
As she remained silent, his fingers suddenly reached out. His touch was cautious as he felt the mask that covered her face down to the tip of her nose.
[Vanessa] "Um... it’s a bit uncomfortable."
[Hayden] "Shall we take it off, then?"
Before she could even answer, he reached for the ribbon behind her ears and pulled the mask away.
Such an assertive action, taken without waiting for her permission, was unlike him. Since she had intended to agree anyway, she wasn't offended, but the unfamiliarity of the gesture made her eyes widen in surprise.
[Hayden] "I'm sorry. The truth is, I just really wanted to see your face."
As if sensing her confusion, he offered a soft, belated apology.
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