However, in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to confidently reveal her presence before them.
No, she couldn’t show herself.
At this moment, a single thought consumed her mind.
‘Did Cain truly accept the marriage proposal with Lady Decaraznan, just as the duke had claimed?’
Had they already formed a relationship that promised a future together?
…Of course, jumping to conclusions would be reckless.
Duke Decaraznan had only told Sarah that he was ‘considering marriage soon.’ He never explicitly stated that he had proposed to the idea to the concerned parties.
Perhaps they had merely crossed paths by coincidence and happened to meet here by chance.
Yes, that had to be it.
Rationally speaking, it was the only logical explanation for the current situation.
But what if—just by some cruel twist of fate—her worst fear was true?
What if Cain had actually accepted Duke Decaraznan’s marriage proposal? What if, as a result, they truly had become lovers, bound by a promise of marriage? What if what she was witnessing at this very moment was, in fact, a vow to spend a joyous time together?
“…Ha…”
Unknowingly, her breathing quickened.
A sharp pain stabbed at her chest over and over again.
All she wanted now was to run—anywhere, as long as it was far away from here.
…But she couldn’t flee.
Not like this.
No, she had to confirm it with her own eyes.
She needed to see for herself what kind of relationship they had, what the two of them were planning as they met in secret like this.
And at the end of it all, she wanted undeniable proof that her imagination had been nothing more than a delusion.
She didn’t want to suffer any longer. She just wanted peace.
That self-justification was all she needed to validate the underhanded and desperate act she was about to commit.
Sarah felt like she could do anything—not for herself, but for him.
“……”
Unconsciously, she held her breath.
Afraid of being discovered, she crouched down as low as possible, hiding herself in the shadows. Sarah still didn’t want Cain to see her like this—disheveled, vulnerable.
She felt utterly miserable.
“……”
Their voices drifted farther and farther away.
Sensing that they had moved a certain distance, she cautiously peeked out, just enough to catch a glimpse of Cain and the lady strolling through the flower garden.
They were holding hands.
“…Ah.”
There was no denying it.
They looked perfect together.
Cain, of course, was handsome beyond words.
But even Sarah had to admit—Lady Decaraznan was breathtakingly beautiful.
They suited each other so well.
Anyone who saw them like this would assume they were lovers.
…and Sarah hated it.
She hated it with every fiber of her being.
A conversation reached her ears, though she was too far to make out the words.
Then, amidst their exchange, she heard something unmistakable—laughter.
Ah.
They were laughing.
They were enjoying themselves.
Perhaps… they were already in love.
Perhaps they already cared for one another so deeply that merely being together filled them with happiness.
Perhaps… they had promised to marry.
Perhaps they had vowed to be each other’s future.
Right now, they might even be laughing as they dreamed of the life they would build together.
To Sarah, Lady Decaraznan’s laughter and joy were nothing but sorrow and despair.
‘…Ahh.’
Desperation clawed at her chest. The pain was unbearable.
Was Cain truly so happy with the princess?
If so, why? Why?
The sight of herself—hiding in the shadows, secretly watching them—was unbearably pitiful.
And at the end of her gaze, she found nothing but ugly, seething jealousy.
Why did she ever let him go?
If they had remained engaged—if they had never broken things off—if they had still been together…
Then it would be her by his side right now.
It would be her making him smile.
She would have been the one to monopolize his affections forever.
‘…..!’
Then, at that moment—
Lady Decaraznan suddenly leaned into Cain’s embrace.
The air around them shifted instantly.
They gazed into each other’s eyes—deeply, meaningfully.
Sarah’s heart pounded wildly, as if it might burst at any second.
Cain and Lady Decaraznan inched closer.
Lady Decaraznan’s eyelashes fluttered.
Her slightly parted red lips neared his.
Their lips—about to touch—
Bang!
She couldn’t watch anymore.
She turned around and ran.
Without thinking—without processing anything—she ran as though she were fleeing for her life.
“…Hah.”
She ran and ran.
She didn’t stop.
Only when she reached a place devoid of people—completely alone—did she finally come to a halt, gasping for air.
“Uh… uh…”
Tears streamed down Sarah’s face.
Why?
Why did it hurt so much?
She wished she didn’t know.
If only she had never developed feelings for him. If only she had never loved him.
Then, she wouldn’t be suffering like this.
A growing hatred stirred within her.
Directed at whom—she didn’t know.
But slowly, surely, despair swallowed her whole.
The world around her faded, drained of color.
Everything felt so cold.
To Sarah, the world was nothing but sorrow.