Chapter 44 Chapter 44 Juliette let out a cold snort. Just a bunch of useless talk. Don't bother with it." Luciana followed up right after. "You're right. You can't go around helping people for no reason. Haven't we seen enough stories of people turning on those who saved them?" After she finished, Luciana shot Jacob a meaningful glance. Jacob felt a chill run down his spine like he'd just fallen into a frozen lake. His whole body went stiff and cold. He wanted to move but didn't dare. 'Is Luciana talking about me?' The words turning on someone who helped you hit Jacob like a blade. All these days waiting for Juliette had been miserable. He couldn't help but think about how much easier life had been in his previous life. Luciana came to mind, too. She'd helped him before. But when she was sent to Velmora Empire for the peace marriage, Jacob had personally told the palace servants to put her in an abandoned courtyard, gave her the worst food and water-just enough to stay alive. And there were countless ways he'd mistreated her after that, Jacob didn't want to think about it. He'd always felt like he hadn't done anything wrong-absolutely nothing wrong. He was afraid that if he thought about it too much, he might actually find fault in what he Hind. Actually, that was turning on someone who had helped him. But deep down, Jacob didn't want to admit it. And now Luciana was calling it out so plainly. Jacob thought, 'How can it be betrayal? There're reasons for what I did to her. "Back when I was a hostage prince, I lived just like that. The Duskwyn Empire owed me. And I suffered abuse there. What's wrong paying that back? with And why is Luciana? Because it's her help that led to me getting scolded and insulted by the palace staff. I could've had better options back then 'If Juliette had helped me instead, none of it would ve happened. Luciana didn't save me out of genuine kindness. That's right-it's all her fault As those thoughts ran wild in Jacob's head, his expression slowly cleared, and he finally dared to lift his eyes to look at Luciana. The Luciana he remembered looked nothing like this. She had been tucked away in a corner of the Velmora Empire palace, dressed in rough clothes, skinny and frail, with hollow eyes that had lost all life: That year, Jacob had been so pleased with himself. He truly understood what it felt like to watch someone else suffer humiliation. The Luciana in front of him now still felt unfamiliar. Back when she rescued him, Jacob hadn't even dared to look at her closely. All Jacob remembered was how untouchable she seemed. Later, his memories of her were full of cruelty. When does that start to change? Jacob's mind drified again. Meanwhile, Luciana and Juliette had already walked off Jacob just stood there like a statue, completely consumed by his memories of the past, forgetting where he even was Before long, a few servants from Silverwing Lodge spotted him. They rushed over, shouting and hitting him as they pushed and shoved him back toward the courtyard. "Prince Hutton, you've been acting pretty decent lately," one snapped. "That's why we haven't kept constant watch on you, and you go wandering off into the palace? Do you want us to just lock this door for good?" "Get in there!" another one shouted, giving him a rough shove that sent the frail Jacob sprawling to the ground. When he heard them talking about locking the door, Jacob begged quickly, "Don't lock it. I won't go out anymore" "It's not that you can't go out," one muttered, "just don't go out too much. There are too many high-ranking nobles in this palace. If you mess with the wrong one, we'll all be in trouble." 1/2 Chapter 41 After venting their anger, the servants finally left in a rush, like they had something else to do. The places they had hit him were starting to ache. A young servant, the one Dorian had spoken to before, quietly brought him two sandwiches. 2/2 Title: ReelTalk EP 43 - Recreating Iconic ReelShort Looks with Sarah Moliski, Sarah Noelle, and Maria Barseghian Author: CrushReel Genre: Romance Status: ongoing In the latest episode of ReelTalk, fashion takes center stage as host Sarah Moliski joins forces with stars Sarah Noelle and Maria Barseghian to tackle a captivating style challenge. Inspired by beloved ReelShort scenarios, the trio recreates iconic looks in a unique and exciting way that captivates both style enthusiasts and romantics alike. Exploring themes of creativity, teamwork, and individual expression, this episode delves into the artistry behind fashion while showcasing the chemistry between the hosts and guests. Viewers are treated to a delightful blend of romance and sartorial flair, making this installment a must-watch for fans of both genres. What sets this episode apart is its seamless fusion of storytelling through fashion, offering viewers a fresh perspective on how style can enhance narrative elements. Dive into a world where clothing becomes a character in itself, enriching each scene with depth and visual intrigue. Available to read at CrushReel for those eager to witness this innovative take on romance and fashion intertwining harmoniously.