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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: A Sudden Confession
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“Reshuan, do you remember what I told you about the Crown Prince?”
“...”
“And about Sir Kaysen, the Captain of the Knights?”
At my sudden words, Reshuan fell silent as if her lips were glued shut.
I had cautiously brought up Ryan’s and Kaysen’s attitudes toward me a few times.
It was a topic Reshuan disliked. She detested discord between people.
‘I'll do what I can...’
Reshuan had listened to my stories, sympathized with me, and offered encouragement.
I thought things might change. But that was just my delusion.
Even after Reshuan spoke to them, their attitudes never changed.
The same situation repeated itself several times, but Reshuan only ever said the same things, unable to change anything.
In fact, she grew reluctant to even talk about the subject.
The extent of ‘what she could do’ ended there. Ryan and Kaysen were more important to her than pushing my case.
It seemed she hated having uncomfortable conversations with them. She didn't want conflict.
I never intended to weigh our friendship, but I was quite hurt back then. And I realized I needed to keep a certain distance from Reshuan.
Since then, I'd maintained our relationship, hoping I might have been wrong.
I treated her with care, thinking she just hadn't opened up yet. I'd buy her favorite foods or remember a dress brand she'd mentioned in passing and gift it to her.
Small considerations were my specialty, my effort.
But I had never received any real consideration from Reshuan.
Until I said something directly, she never tried to know me. Her efforts only ever appeared after I pointed things out. And even those would quickly fade.
It was time to admit it.
“Reshuan, I'm not saying you were wrong. They must have been more precious to you than I was, so it was a natural choice.”
The definition of ‘friend’ that Reshuan and I could agree on was fundamentally different.
I am not that important to Reshuan.
As I organized my thoughts and spoke, my mind grew calm.
Yes, it should have been like this from the start.
I knew Reshuan wasn't inherently a bad person, and I didn't want to leave any regrets in this second chance at life, so I stubbornly tried until the very end.
But not everything goes my way, does it?
“Since we view the position of a friend differently, it would be better for both of us to part ways cleanly here.”
At my words, Reshuan's eyes trembled violently. Seeing her face turn bright red, I knew.
I knew how much my words must have hurt her.
But I offered no clumsy comfort. I thought this pain could be a stepping stone for the future.
That it would be a good way for us both to move forward.
“So I won't accept the gift. In honor of our final friendship, I won't hold your impolite visit today against you.”
Reshuan's pupils went vacant.
I seemed to bewilder her with my completely different attitude. It wasn't that I didn't understand.
After all, this world revolved around Reshuan.
How many people would ever leave her like this?
Especially someone who had been chatting with her face-to-face until just recently.
“Well then, I'll be going now.”
I gave her a polite farewell and turned away.
Reshuan clumsily grabbed my wrist and asked.
“What if I change? Can our relationship change then, too?”
I paused at her words, perhaps because of the last shred of hope I held for her.
When I turned my head, Reshuan's face filled my vision. Her eyes, lit by the sunlight filtering through the glass, sparkled. Her vibrant face was lovely.
It was the same sincere face that had always made me tell myself, ‘Maybe this time will be different.’
But in that moment, I discarded every last bit of hope I had.
I was tired of seeing that face. Sick and tired.
Why should I go back to a situation where I might get hurt again? No, to a place where getting hurt was almost a certainty?
“No.”
My fear was born entirely from my experiences.
The moment I answered firmly, Reshuan's hand dropped.
“I've waited long enough.”
Tears finally welled up in her eyes. Even the clear, glass-like teardrops looked as if they were drawn in a painting.
‘There's no one here to wipe them for you.’
I worried she might grab me again, but Reshuan didn't. She just stood there, as if rooted to the spot.
I delivered the final blow with my last farewell.
“Reshuan, thank you for everything.”
It was for the sake of closure.
Reshuan, who had been staring blankly at me, hastily averted her gaze.
As if she were feeling a sliver of guilt now.
She then hurried away. In the spot where Reshuan had been, the gift box remained.
I was alone in the garden once more.
‘I'm tired.’
I raised my hands and covered my face. Sinking into the sofa as if collapsing, I let out a heavy sigh.
How could this be easy for me?
‘Maybe I'd feel better if I cried like Reshuan.’
But no tears came.
Just then, a knock sounded on the main garden gate again.
‘Is that Leticia?’
I didn't want to let even Leticia in. Especially considering her earlier behavior.
I walked slowly toward the door.
To lock it.
But an unexpected guest stood before the glass door.
“...Lidro?”
I blinked in surprise, then understood when I saw his formal attire.
‘He must have come to say he's leaving.’
When our eyes met, Lidro smiled warmly. He was like a puppy happy to see its owner.
After practice, Lidro would always come find me to offer his thanks. It wasn't hard to listen to his gratitude, and it made me feel good, so I never refused.
But now was different.
I was in a bad mood and couldn't control my expression. I really didn't want to open the door.
‘What should I do?’
After a moment's thought, I gestured for Lidro to leave. At my shooing motion, he looked troubled.
‘...What is it?’
Did he have something to say? As I tilted my head, Lidro hesitated. It was similar to how Reshuan had looked earlier, waiting to speak.
‘Why are so many people visiting today?’
I grumbled to myself but eventually opened the door. The uninvited guest who had appeared after Reshuan didn't seem inclined to leave until he had achieved his purpose.
He was someone who had a personal liking for me, and I didn't think badly of him either. I didn't want to stir up unnecessary trouble.
Even though I was living as a noble, my modern-day mindset remained.
As the glass door opened, Lidro immediately bowed his head deeply.
“Thank you for allowing us to use the magic tool again today!”
“It's nothing special.”
After the usual greeting, Lidro took out a small box he had hidden behind his back.
“I feel we are always indebted to you, Lady Etoile, so I've prepared a small gift. Would you accept it? The other troupe members and I prepared it together.”
Inside the box he opened and offered me was a handkerchief. Made of a smooth material, it was neatly folded and adorned with flower embroidery.
Receiving a favor after so long lifted my spirits.
Yes, it's such a happy thing when you do something for someone and get something in return.
I don't always offer kindness expecting something back. But it's gratifying to know that just as I considered them, they are also thinking of me.
My past year had been so draining that receiving kindness like this felt new again.
I smiled and took the handkerchief. Its smooth texture felt like a spring breeze.
“It's really nothing. I'll gladly accept the handkerchief. Thank you.”
Sending Lidro as a representative instead of giving it to me in front of the whole troupe was likely a consideration for my usual discomfort around people.
How strange. My mood, soured by one person, was improved by another.
I felt a little better knowing my kindness had genuinely helped someone.
“...Is something wrong?”
Lidro asked, studying my expression.
I quickly shook my head. I didn't want to show any sign of distress in front of him.
I felt sorry for him, but Lidro was a famous actor embroiled in gossip and scandals. Considering what Darcy had told me about a lover, it was better to be careful.
I had received the gift, so that was enough. I dismissed him.
“No. You should go now, Lidro.”
But Lidro didn't listen. Instead, he just studied my condition with the same passionate expression he wore when acting.
‘...What?’
I was taken aback by his unexpected reaction. I told him to go, so why was he staring at me?
“If something is wrong, please tell me. I can listen.”
...I'm not exactly in a position to be confiding in Lidro, am I?
This is suspicious. Something smelled fishy.
This wasn't something one would say out of mere gratitude.
Was this friendly affection, or romantic interest? Sirens blared in my head. Every nerve in my body was on edge.
I tore my gaze from the handkerchief and slowly raised it to his face.
A slightly flushed face. Gentle eyes. A face staring intently at me.
“...I want to be by your side and listen.”
Darcy's words came to mind.
Lidro's hand, drawing closer, subtly brushed against the back of mine.
I flinched at the unexpected contact. I instinctively pulled my hand away.
“An actor named Lidro has started to openly take your side.”
...This is dangerous. I had a feeling I knew what Lidro was about to say. My body went rigid.
Lidro confessed his feelings to me.
“I do not wish for the spot beside you, Lady Marso. I simply want to be your lover, to be with you even from the shadows.”
He said this as he knelt, looking at me ardently.
‘...Excuse me?’
Of course, for me, it was an utterly absurd confession.
