Unrequited Love is Over, Fend for Yourselves (5 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 17
‘What if Ludvi did something here?’
If he truly had done something, and I happened to discover it by sheer luck, enduring the discomfort of attending this banquet would be worth it.
Two years from now, while Etienne suffers from a high fever caused by her abilities, many things will happen.
The Crown Prince dies, and the faction centered around the Second Prince grows endlessly—until, before anyone realizes it, the Second Prince is ready to ascend the throne.
By the time Etienne’s fever broke, the Crown Prince had already passed away, and soon after, the Second Prince inherited the throne.
‘The Second Prince himself said it: Count Pigmen’s family has something very interesting.’
There must be a clear reason he so readily accepted Count Pigmen later on.
Judging by how things unfolded, it was highly likely he had offered some object to the Second Prince.
Etienne, spotting Prince Ludvi from afar, quickly hid behind a wall.
‘Found him.’
She had indeed found him—but now she wondered how to follow him without being noticed. Normally, she’d just muffle her footsteps and tail him stealthily, but…
‘Would I get caught?’
Etienne glanced down at her lower body, wrapped tightly in her dress. She certainly wasn’t agile enough to sneak after him unnoticed.
“Of course…”
Etienne murmured softly and stepped back into the hallway. Far ahead, Prince Ludvi was still visible. Etienne began walking slowly toward him.
Instead of hiding, she decided to pretend they happened to be heading in the same direction and gradually close the distance.
‘If the butler finds out about this, he’ll definitely scold me.’
If he knew this was why she became Fernando’s partner…
‘I’ll worry about that later.’
She followed Ludvi at a measured pace—until, suddenly, he turned sideways.
At the same moment, Ludvi disappeared from view. Etienne hastened her steps and looked toward where he’d turned.
“This place…”
At the end of the corridor lay a garden.
‘I should go out there, I suppose.’
Prince Ludvi had already vanished, and the garden was exactly where he’d disappeared. He must have gone inside.
Etienne entered the garden immediately but couldn’t find Prince Ludvi anywhere. Unlike the corridor, the garden was full of obstacles—searching for the prince here would clearly be no easy task.
‘I lost him.’
Was she really going to return with nothing to show for it at all? Etienne sighed as she strolled slowly through the garden.
‘Turns out it’s harder than I thought. But can I really stop something so big all by myself?’
She hadn’t even managed to find out where the Second Prince had gone today. How could she possibly accomplish anything larger on her own? Her confidence wavered.
As she wandered aimlessly, she came upon a fountain. Standing before it, Etienne let out a long sigh.
‘It’s not like I have anyone to ask for help anyway.’
To protect her house, she—the sole survivor—had to act alone. She didn’t want to burden her family with her nightmares, and outsiders would never believe her story.
Just as Etienne sighed again and turned to head back to Fernando, who was surely waiting for her—
“Huh?”
Something shoved her back hard, and her upper body pitched forward abruptly. Seeing the fountain water shimmer before her eyes, Etienne instinctively raised her arms and shut her eyes tight.
A loud splash rang out as she plunged into the water. Underwater, her breath caught and everything went dark.
The moment she realized she’d fallen in, Etienne flailed both arms, grabbed onto whatever she could reach, and pulled herself up.
“Hah… hah…”
Wiping the droplets from her chin with the back of her hand, Etienne gasped for air.
Thankfully, the fountain’s water level was low—or she might have been in serious trouble.
“Who on earth…?”
Someone had definitely pushed her from behind—but she’d fallen in before even checking who was there.
Still lost in thought, not yet having climbed out of the water, she suddenly heard footsteps approaching.
“Etienne.”
When Etienne turned toward the voice, the first thing she saw was a head of black hair.
“Fernando?”
Fernando wasn’t alone. Behind him stood Crown Prince Reinhart as well. Seeing Etienne soaked in the fountain, both men hurried over.
“What happened?”
“Ah…”
Etienne was about to say it was nothing, but then looked down at herself—dripping wet like a drowned rat. She tried her best to sound casual.
“I sort of ended up in here. I was just about to climb out. Um?”
Before she could even lift a foot to leave the fountain, she heard the sound of someone parting the water. Seeing Fernando step in, Etienne cried out in alarm.
“Fernando! What are you doing? Now your clothes will get soaked too!”
“Take my hand.”
Fernando held out his hand.
“Fernando, I mean—why did you have to come in here…”
“The water’s cold.”
“Sigh…”
He clearly had no intention of listening until she took his hand, so Etienne reluctantly reached out and grasped it.
The moment his hand firmly closed around her wrist, Etienne rose easily to her feet. She met his eyes and said firmly,
“Don’t jump in like that next time.”
“Then don’t fall in next time.”
No matter what she said, it wouldn’t get through to him. Deciding it was best to leave quickly now that things had gone this far, Etienne took a step. Thanks to Fernando’s steady grip, moving felt surprisingly easy.
All that remained was to climb over the fountain’s low rim—when suddenly,
‘Huh?’
She felt warmth envelop her back—and before she could figure out what it was, her body floated upward.
“Your Highness?”
Reinhart had lifted her into his arms. Now at eye level with him, Etienne called out in confusion.
“You looked like you’d have trouble getting out with that skirt.”
“Ah…”
Etienne glanced down and saw her skirt clinging tightly to her legs.
“You can put me down now.”
“It’s probably better to carry you like this.”
Reinhart tightened his hold as if he had no intention of setting her down. Etienne, flustered, couldn’t even meet his eyes.
Then she spotted Fernando, still standing awkwardly inside the fountain, and offered him a sheepish smile.
‘Thank you.’
When Etienne moved her lips to silently express her gratitude, Fernando finally shuffled out of the fountain.
[This is the timeline separator]Having given instructions to the steward and closed the door, Reinhart leaned against the wall and said,
“The bath will be ready soon—just hold on a little longer.”
“Thank you.”
Etienne, drying her hair with a towel, bowed her head slightly. Who would’ve guessed she’d end up falling into a fountain while tailing the Second Prince?
At least Fernando and the Crown Prince had shown up—it would’ve been disastrous otherwise. She might’ve had to wander the banquet hall soaked through.
As Etienne repeatedly squeezed and released her hair with the towel, Reinhart spoke with a meaningful smile.
“I wonder… who pushed Etienne into the fountain.”
She’d already explained someone pushed her in—but beyond that, she knew nothing. Seeing her stay silent, Reinhart asked as though piecing things together,
“You didn’t see anyone at all, did you?”
Etienne nodded—and a few strands of hair slipped out from under the towel. She quickly wrapped them back in.
“Then should I ask one of the stewards who was nearby at the time?”
“No.”
“Hmm?”
At Reinhart’s murmur, Etienne quickly stopped him.
“Why not?”
“…I don’t want to make things bigger than they need to be.”
If a steward happened to mention the Second Prince’s name, she had no idea how things might spiral. Better to let it go—for now, nothing was certain, and she couldn’t speak of the Second Prince’s plans yet.
Seeing the earnest look in Etienne’s eyes, Reinhart nodded in understanding.
“Well, it’s not like making a fuss would do anyone any good…”
“Thank you.”
Etienne fiddled with the towel, relieved. She really wanted to bathe soon—she was growing cold, even in the overcoat the Crown Prince had lent her, now damp from the water.
“Etienne.”
She heard Fernando’s voice from beside her—and simultaneously felt herself pulled into his embrace.
Blinking in surprise, Etienne looked up at him.
“You looked cold.”
“So you’re hugging me for that?”
Instead of answering, Fernando simply nodded. She suddenly realized that since earlier, other people had been moving her body around.
“I’ll hold you tighter.”
“No need.”
Just as Fernando tightened his arms, Reinhart, who had quietly moved closer, slipped a hand between them and pulled them apart.
“The bath’s ready.”
Reinhart met Fernando’s eyes and enunciated clearly,
“No need to cling like a dog anymore.”
Reinhart smirked as he delivered the cutting remark, and Fernando’s eyes narrowed sharply. A dangerous tension crackled between them. Etienne didn’t understand why they disliked each other so much—but she stood up anyway.
“I’ll go bathe, then.”
Surely things would calm down once she left. Etienne followed a maid out, leaving only Reinhart and Fernando in the room.
The moment Etienne disappeared, the two dropped even their forced smiles.
“Your Highness should return now. You’re not even Etienne’s partner—why keep following her around?”
Fernando pressed the fight, and Reinhart gave a snort.
“Being rejected as a partner doesn’t mean I have to stay away. We’re not children—do you really want to tell me not to play with Etienne?”
“Then act your age and stay away if you know it’s childish.”
“And if I refuse?”
Reinhart chuckled softly, accepting Fernando’s challenge.
“I originally found both you and Etienne merely interesting.”
Hearing Reinhart claim interest in him too, Fernando grew even more annoyed. But Reinhart continued, unfazed.
“But now you’re amusing as well—so I want to spend even more time with you.”
“Why must you be like this?”
“And why must you behave like a dog?”
Fernando gritted his teeth, and Reinhart smiled like a victor.
“There’s more to winning than just physical strength, isn’t there?”
Fernando understood what Reinhart meant the instant Etienne appeared: while he’d held her to keep her warm, the Crown Prince had already ordered a steward to fetch her a new dress.
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
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