Chapter 40 ….
“You probably didn’t know. How could someone of noble standing just talk about such things? Isn’t that right? Besides, it’s a story even the aristocrats and royalty keep hush-hush about.”
Camellia spoke sweetly. Elena wondered if she could stay composed after hearing this. Her pale face said it all.
Camellia’s words grew faster.
How wonderful it would be if Elena, knowing the whole truth, just stepped aside on her own.
“Why do you think Maxim acted that way?”
Elena kept her lips tightly shut, staring at Camellia. It was clear she was frightened. Camellia’s smile deepened.
“He kept dreaming about Rosaline, couldn’t eat… he was falling apart. It was like he was broken.”
Camellia tapped her temple with her index finger.
“In short, he went insane. He tried to end all his nightmares by attempting suicide three times. Naturally, the royal family was anxious and worried while watching Maxim. He left the palace as if running away. That’s why a woman like you could end up as Maxim’s partner. Do you understand what I mean?”
Camellia spoke sharply.
“Of course, it wasn’t just Maxim who was broken… even the royal family lost their minds…”
“How can you say that…”
Elena drew in a shaky breath. Her emotions surged, making her breathing rough. She took a slow, deep breath and continued. Camellia’s face bore an expression of expectation.
“How can you… say something like that… with a smile?”
Camellia’s smile faltered.
“Is that just gossip to you? Someone almost died.”
Elena’s voice trembled.
She, too, had once wished to die. It felt as if no one in the world was on her side, and she resented her father who had passed away first. But for the sake of those left behind, and out of fear, she never attempted anything.
Only after casting aside all fear and attachment could one make such a horrifying choice. How unbearable must Maxim’s suffering have been for him to choose that path? Maxim was by no means a weak man.
Now, he was overcoming everything.
Or at least, he was pretending to.
And no matter the reason, such a story was never something Camellia could laugh about or consume lightly.
“Elena, aren’t you scared? Don’t you feel fear? No one knows when he might do such things again. You could even end up a widow, you know?”
Camellia spoke urgently, seemingly trapped in her own narrow sense of justice. Elena let out a sigh and was about to rise from her seat when…
“I’m the only one who can heal Maxim! Maxim broke down because he lost Rosaline! So the only one who can fix him is someone who resembles Rosaline—me!”
Camellia trembled, confessing her true feelings. Her face twisted with stubbornness. Elena calmly watched her.
“Who decided that?”
“It’s obvious! Who else could be suitable if not me? Maxim may not admit it, but the truth is…!”
“Maxim decides that, Camellia. It’s not for you to decide. And he’s already decided that I’m fine for him.”
Elena plainly stated the truth. No matter what she said, she knew it was unlikely Camellia, consumed by her own thoughts, would understand.
Elena issued a command to leave.
“Go back now, Camellia.”
Exiting the reception room, Elena trembled with anger.
‘How could she say such things…’
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t understand Camellia.
“As if she were some great hero… acting like it’s not even her business.”
Now Elena understood why Penelope and all the royal family had avoided speaking of that matter. Just thinking or talking about it caused heartache. She now understood the meaning of Penelope’s expression that day.
Penelope had been in pain. She feared the same tragedy repeating and dreaded losing Maxim. Elena stopped in the hallway, covering her face with her palm.
“How….”
Until now, Elena had thought her own misfortunes were the heaviest and most painful in the world. But that was just a narrow perspective. Everyone hides their deepest wounds inside.
Even Maxim, who had seemed extraordinary, had wounds festering beneath his shining exterior. Elena took a slow, deep breath. She felt like crying but did not.
She was not alone. Sheryl remained in Audrey Hall, waiting for her. Elena opened the doors of Audrey Hall again, her face calm, composed, and collected.
“Sheryl!”
“Elena.”
Sheryl called Elena with the same proud expression she had when they first met. Crossing her arms, she stood up and mocked Elena.
“You wrote dozens of letters without a single reply, and now you appear so dramatically?”
“Well, that’s…”
“Too proud to ask a friend for money, but not a man?”
Elena inhaled and exhaled slowly. She fully understood why Sheryl might be hurt or angry. Even in that situation, Sheryl had been a precious friend who sided with her.
Where should she even start?
It was almost unbelievable that Sheryl was here at all.
“It wasn’t like that.”
At that, Sheryl lifted her chin.
“Wasn’t like what? I clearly said I could at least help with Leana’s medicine. I told you that we were close enough for that. But you refused and then appear like this? What was I supposed to think?”
Elena drew a slow, steady breath.
Sheryl was right. She hadn’t just offered words; she had offered to cover Leana’s medicine. She had truly wanted to help Elena as a friend. And Elena had refused.
“…It was because of my mother.”
Elena gave a bitter smile.
“It wasn’t something money could fix. I found out my mother had been stealing Leana’s medicine money to gamble and indulge herself. That’s also why our family was ruined.”
Sheryl watched Elena, silently urging her to continue.
“I knew your intentions were good. I was truly grateful, and your letters comforted me. But I feared that if I accepted the money, my mother would steal it to gamble.”
“…So that’s why you refused. I understand. But why did you lose contact?”
“There was no time. Every day was a war. If I earned money through translation work, my mother would steal it. And I had to work again to get Leana’s medicine. Sometimes, Leana was so sick she could barely breathe…”
Sheryl uncrossed her arms and pressed her hand to her forehead. Her pale face had turned slightly flushed.
“So you came here because…?”
“To marry, so I could change my registration, escape my mother’s shadow, and maybe gain the strength to take care of Leana. Especially since it was Duke Adeloff.”
Sheryl cut her off as if no further explanation was needed. She lingered in place, knowing Elena couldn’t convey everything in a single short story.
During the years of lost contact, how much suffering had Elena endured? She had grown up as the cherished daughter of Count Joseph, never facing hardship. Her experiences were unimaginable.
For Sheryl, and surely for Elena, life had dealt them unexpected misfortunes that held them back.
“…I just…”
Sheryl spoke in a low voice.
“I wanted to be by your side when you were struggling.”
Elena’s pupils dilated. Sheryl, always proud and haughty, was crying. Tears adorned her eyes. Sheryl turned her head and wiped them away.
“I missed you, Elena. Do you know how rare it is to find a friend who truly understands you? I’m glad you’re back.”
That was Sheryl’s genuine feeling. Always honest with her emotions. Elena smiled, almost teary.
“I missed you too, Sheryl. I wanted to contact you and talk. I’m… so happy to meet you again.”
Sheryl wiped her face and pressed her lips together. She approached Elena and hugged her tightly.
“Welcome back. You’ve been through so much.”
“…Sheryl.”
“If you disappear like that again, I won’t forgive you next time.”
“I’m sorry.”
Sheryl rubbed Elena’s shoulder. They say misfortune and luck always come together. But since coming to Andres, it felt as if luck had grown even greater. After all, she had regained a friend she hadn’t seen in so long.
