Charles's eyes widened in shock when he saw Tiana.
I really hate these kinds of chance encounters, but it's fine. With the way we look right now, there's no way Tiana will recognize us.
I glanced at Charles and spoke in a reassuring tone. "Don't worry, Charles. She won't recognize us anyway."
He tore his gaze away from Tiana and looked at me. "I know. I'm just…a little surprised."
Then he added, "And scared."
"Why?"
"Because if people find out I'm with you…it'll sound like a nightmare."
"Charles." I said calmly. "Don't provoke me."
His eyes widened. "Don't even think about doing anything crazy!"
I forced a smile. "If you keep talking like that, I just might."
"Alright, I'll shut up," he said like a scolded child.
Even though it wasn't exactly ethical, we began listening to Tiana and the young woman beside her.
The woman next to her had long brown hair and brown eyes. Her face really resembled Tiana's.
Could she be her sister? While I was thinking this, Tiana spoke, confirming it.
"Don't worry, sis. My future husband, my shield, and my supporter are all ready."
I didn't quite understand what she was talking about, but I had a bad feeling about it.
Her sister kept asking questions. "So you're saying your future husband will be the Crown Prince?"
Tiana's gentle smile clashed with her words.
"Of course. It's so obvious he's in love with me! The Crown Prince is in the palm of my hand."
"What about the others? Your shield and your supporter?"
"My shield is Charles Exeter, the son of Marquis Exeter. He's so in love with me you wouldn't believe it, sis! Even if he dies for me someday, he'll be happy about it!"
Her words shocked me. I never expected my own character to say such things.
I glanced at Charles; disappointment was written all over his face.
Hearing that from the woman he loved must have been devastating.
And Tiana wasn't done yet. "My supporter is Frances Allencourt. He's not skilled with a sword like Charles, but his political knowledge is excellent. I'm sure he'll be useful to me in the future."
I was furious. Why had Tiana become like this? The angelic, pure girl I created wasn't this person at all!
"Charles, let's get out of here!" I said, standing up.
"You don't have to listen to this," I added.
He stared at me for a while, then picked up the book I'd given him and kept reading. "You should sit down. It's still too early. Don't act like you're worried about me."
His voice was flat, almost depressed. I didn't reply and sat back down.
But at Tiana and her sister's table, a commotion broke out.
Someone had poured lemonade over Tiana's head, and the girl across from her was yelling angrily.
"Will you shut that damn mouth of yours? I came here to relax, but instead I'm listening to your ridiculous fantasies. You're seriously annoying!"
The girl I saw was wearing a hooded cloak that hid her figure.
Behind her stood two tall, handsome men. (I can't not mention the handsome part! They were very handsome.)
Despite the hood, her fiery red hair peeked out, perfectly matching her striking green eyes.
She was truly beautiful, her beauty rivaled Heather's.
Tiana, dabbing her face with a napkin with her sister's help, glared at the girl. "You! Who do you think you are, saying such things to me?"
Her sister also glared at the red-haired girl angrily.
Most of the café's patrons were watching the scene unfold. It was honestly entertaining.
The red-haired girl smirked. "If I tell you who I am now, it won't be any fun! For now, just know I'm above you."
One look was enough to tell she was a noble. The men beside her had to be her knights.
Even digging through Heather's memories, I couldn't recall ever meeting a noble like her.
Who exactly was this girl?
Maybe, like us, she was using transformation magic to change her appearance. Yes, that had to be possible.
But I really liked her. She was doing exactly what I wanted to do! I felt like we could get along.
With a satisfied smile, the red-haired girl waved "bye-bye" to Tiana and left the café.
Her parting words were, "We'll meet again someday, dear future empress!" The mockery in her tone was obvious.
When I looked back at Charles, he was still reading. I couldn't stand it anymore and snatched the book from his hands.
"That's enough! Let's go. I'm bored! Why don't you continue your depression at home?"
This time, Charles didn't argue. "I'm sorry. I must be troubling you too."
Why was he suddenly being so polite?
Could heartbreak make someone more polite?
~
Charles had dispelled the transformation magic, and now we were back to our true appearances.
He sat silently in the carriage, staring at the road. It must have been hard for him. Maybe he even wanted to cry.
There's no rule that says men can't cry.
It wasn't really my business, but I didn't want to see Charles like this. I'd only known him for two days, and he'd treated me badly.
But he was the character I loved the most, the one who loved the deepest was always Charles.
I couldn't just leave him like this.
I told the driver to stop, and when the car halted, I grabbed Charles by the arm and pulled him out.
~
Charles's POV
When the car stopped, Heather grabbed my arm. Normally, she wouldn't have the strength to pull me out, but I let her.
I just wanted to know the reason behind that determined look on her face.
"Why did we stop? What are you trying to do?" My voice wasn't loud. It didn't matter anymore.
I had no reason to hate her.
…
The woman I loved betrayed me, and now I had no reason to love her anymore.
But why…why did I feel so awful?!
It was like my soul had collapsed. Like I wasn't even alive!
Heather didn't answer. She just dragged me into the woods.
I was now walking into the forest with Heather Federline!
"I don't know what you're planning, but you can't kill me. I'm stronger than you in every way!"
"There's no need to be scared," she said, smiling at me. "I'm not going to kill you."
We reached deep into the forest before she suddenly stopped. She looked at me and spoke.
"Cry."
"What?!" Did I hear that right?
"No one can hear you here. So…it's okay to cry."
"What nonsense are you spouting? I don't cry!"
"Aren't you sad?"
I couldn't answer. Yes, I was sad. But I couldn't cry.
She continued, "Tiana's an idiot! She lost someone as amazing as you. That's entirely her fault!"
Why…why are you saying this now?
"But still, you must feel awful, right? Because you truly loved her. You gave her everything, and she only saw you as a shield."
"Keeping it all inside won't help!" she added.
I couldn't believe the tears streaming from my eyes. Something inside me was pushing me to cry.
I felt warm. Relieved.
As the heir to a marquis, I was never allowed to show weakness. They told me not to cry, even at my mother's funeral.
I didn't know why I couldn't stop my tears. But I had to,especially in front of this woman-
Then her arms wrapped around me, and time seemed to stop.
"Just for now…I felt like hugging you. You deserve the best. And I'm sure you'll find someone who truly loves you. So, for now, just cry."
Charles did something he would never normally do, he hugged Heather back and cried on her shoulder like a child.