~Chapter 44~
‘The fact that I never believed the rumor won’t help matters, either.’
Furthermore, he had previously been willing to endure being her plaything. This meant Raiden had already given up a lot for Anna.
Guilt and regret twisted within her. It was heartbreaking and sorrowful that, knowing all this, she could only speak this way.
Her voice grew even more pathetic.
“I know it’s shameless to say this… but I hope you can still forgive him.”
Raiden, who had been silently listening and observing, asked in a hushed, deep voice.
“For your sake, My Lady?”
His tone was strange, but she assumed it was just her imagination and nodded eagerly.
“I heard he won’t be able to return. That if he’s dragged away by the people in the back alleys, it’s the end. For Father, who only cared about himself, that will be the greatest punishment.”
“……”
“I’ll apologize instead. I’m truly sorry. I will do anything if it will ease Raiden’s heart.”
Raiden still only stared at her. His gaze was both frank and passionate, hot yet cold, seeming disappointed and yet somehow welcoming.
Anna, who interpreted this utterly confusing look as anger, involuntarily shuddered. To her, who had only known his gentle and warm eyes, it was agonizing to endure the torrent of his gaze.
“……”
Raiden stared intensely at her, then slowly lowered his eyes. He let out a hollow laugh, recalling Louis’s words asking why he was still thinking of her even in this state.
Does she even know what her father’s mistake was…?
Suddenly feeling parched, Raiden picked up his wine glass and continuously drank the blood-red liquid. As he drank, he thought:
She is naive beyond reason, so how can she so confidently declare that she will pay the price on his behalf, knowing what she might be asked for…
This is the attitude one can take because they don’t know the harshness of the world.
The fact that she could speak so easily of apology and atonement, yet still shine so brightly, must be proof that she has lived an easy and comfortable life.
Therefore, you cannot be free of your father’s sin.
Raiden could not live under the same sky as her father, Count Evercline. He had an obligation to break and burn everything the Count held dear. That was the atonement Raiden knew. Yet, Anna considered it too simple and offered to pay for her father’s sin herself.
It didn’t matter if she didn’t know what her father’s sin was.
You, too, have a price to pay.
In a way, her actions were more wicked than her father’s. After all, she acted with good intentions in her own mind.
Even if it is more painful than falling into hell for the person involved, you won’t care at all.
Look at her now: she makes such a piteous face, offering to take responsibility for her father’s misdeeds, yet she doesn’t even recognize the wrong she committed as a sin.
The assassin who came to kill him was right. She doesn’t see commoners as people. She only sees them as objects to be manipulated and destroyed at will.
Such cruel innocence.
That must be why she could discard the ring he had given her with all his heart as if it were garbage.
‘Oh, don’t worry about this. My Lady said it was dirty, so she told me to throw it away.’
The head maid, who was said to be like her sister, held the ring up and shook it for him to see when Raiden couldn’t take his eyes off it. Then, with a malicious expression, she flung it away. The ring flew in an arc and plopped into the small stream flowing outside the mansion.
‘!’
Raiden felt the pain of everything, including his own heart, being thrown away at that moment. He looked away from the ring, which was now drifting somewhere unknown. Through the meticulously kept garden hedges, he saw the most radiant young couple: the ‘noble’ Anna, whom he had never seen before, dressed in luxurious clothes and dazzling jewelry, smiling brightly in the arms of her fiancé.
Raiden clenched his fist. His nails dug into his palm, but he felt no pain. It was the ultimate shame that he had sincerely loved a person like this, even for a moment.
But the pain of that day will soon turn into a perfect victory.
The corner of Raiden’s mouth twisted. He set the glass he was holding down with a clack.
The verdict was reached. Anna was guilty, and it was a serious crime.
The gray eyes under his prominent brow bone shone sharply.
Then what punishment should be meted out?
Just then, Anna’s words from moments ago replayed in his mind.
“I will do anything if it will ease Raiden’s heart.”
At that moment, her fate was sealed.
Raiden nodded.
“Very well. We will proceed.”
“…Huh?”
Anna, who had been bowing her head, looked up in belated understanding. Her face was full of bewilderment.
“What does that mean? Are you forgiving him?”
“You offered to atone in his place, didn’t you? Or was that a lie to momentarily escape the situation?”
“Of course not! It was absolutely genuine!”
Clutching both fists and making a tearful face, she seemed truly wronged. Raiden chuckled softly.
“Yes. I am also genuine.”
“…Really?”
Anna was stunned by how easily the forgiveness had been granted. Raiden, momentarily lost in regret over her blank expression—which was exactly like when she was a child—shook his head to clear the thought and rose from his seat.
“Let’s deal with the most urgent matter first.”
He spoke quietly, looking down at Anna who was gazing up at him, wondering what he meant.
“You will break off your engagement first.”
“!”
Her eyes widened, and Raiden walked briskly, leaving the dining hall immediately.
“……”
Thump. The moment the dining hall door closed, his expression changed completely. Louis, who was waiting in the corridor, stepped forward and asked flatly.
“Shall we begin now?”
“Yes.”
As Raiden started walking down the corridor, Louis followed behind him and asked again.
“The hesitation is over, isn’t it?”
Raiden stopped abruptly, then immediately set his feet straight forward. His low voice echoed through the corridor.
“Yes.”
The tone was firm and unwavering.
From that moment, everything moved forward rapidly.
☕ Scene Change
Ding-dong. The door of the capital’s most famous café opened, and a clear bell rang out. Everyone’s eyes turned to one spot.
“!”
The person who entered was Edward, Lord Haimel and Baron Raven. Dressed smartly, he brushed his sweat-soaked fringe back and quickly scanned his surroundings. His intent to find someone was evident, and people watched him with curious eyes.
Just then, someone subtly raised a hand from a sunny corner seat. Edward’s face brightened.
“Anna!”
He strode quickly across the café floor toward Anna’s seat. Anna offered a welcoming look to her long-unseen friend and gave a slight smile. Sunlight streaming through the window scattered against her golden hair. Her deep blue eyes, fixed solely on him, shone brilliantly. Edward felt his heart might burst at the sight of her, whom he had missed so dearly.
“Why was it so hard to contact you?”
Standing next to Anna, he bent down and quickly placed his lips on her soft cheek. Anna was startled and opened her eyes wide, but he sat casually in the seat opposite her as if it were nothing.
“…Yes. I had a lot going on.”
Anna slightly pulled her neck back, uncomfortable with the gathering stares. Edward wanted to say something, but politely ordered tea from the approaching, blushing waiter. Once the waiter lingered and then left, leaving them alone again, he could no longer hold back the joy.
“I missed you.”
Edward reached across the table to take Anna’s hand, but she subtly pulled it back. His face froze for a split second, but it was momentary. Edward immediately smiled kindly and gently tapped the table with his fingers.
“My Anna is being shy again. That hurts my feelings.”
“What are you talking about? I’ve always been like this.”
Seeing Anna lightly furrow her beautiful brows, Edward internally chastised himself. He must have crossed a line in his excitement at seeing her after so long. He naturally withdrew his hand and straightened his posture before Anna could grow more guarded.
“You’re right, I forgot. Anyway, have you had anything to drink? I’m not too late, am I?”
“I’ve had tea. Don’t worry, you’re not late.”
As he changed the subject, Anna’s face clearly showed relief. Edward’s heart ached, but he didn’t let it show and glanced around.
I thought she wouldn’t come out alone, but…
At the table right next to them was the freckled personal maid, whose already large eyes were wide as she stared fixedly at him. Edward disliked how Anna favored her so much, and he had already decided to get rid of her on some pretext after they were married.
And… she brought someone else annoying too.
Sitting behind Anna, in a seat facing them directly, was a man who smiled openly with a cheerful air. He looked exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes, clearly having not slept the night before, but judging by his attire, he appeared to be a vassal of Marquis Marcus.
Edward hid his rising annoyance and asked Anna with the face of a caring friend.
“So… how have you been? Are you feeling better?”
“As you can see.”
“Yes, it seems so. You look lovely.”
As he continued with casual conversation suitable for friends, Anna’s guard lowered. Edward hid his true feelings and displayed a sad expression.
“I worried so much. You could have at least sent word that you were fine. I sent so many letters, and you didn’t reply once. I was hurt.”
