Chapter 18 (1/2)

Edwin did not avoid her touch and merely said,

“I guess I have to cut it today.”

He seemed to have interpreted her actions differently. Herietta stared at Edwin. The two conflicting thoughts that came to her mind caused her to struggle for a moment. After a while, she took away her hand that had been brushing his hair.

“No, don’t cut it.”

When it comes to Edwin, she turns into a selfish and greedy person to the bone. She didn’t know when she became this twisted, but she prayed that Edwin wouldn’t know this ugly side of her.

“I think I will have to go to Lavant soon.”

Herietta changed the topic. Edwin looked a little surprised.

“Lavant?”

Herietta nodded at his question.

“I told you before. My aunt lives in Lavant. She lost her husband early and had no children with him, so she seems to have been very lonely. She wanted me to visit her as soon as possible.”

“…”

“I don’t think I’ll stay for a very long time. At the most, I think I will only stay there for a few months. I will probably be back by the time fall begins.”

“Three or four months. Fall…”

Edwin’s expression gradually hardened as he silently repeated Herietta’s words. It was because he remembered that summer is the most active time for social gatherings in Lavant and that it would roughly last for three or four months.

Seeing the change in his eyes, Herietta’s heart sank. And so, without knowing why, she hurriedly began to explain.

“I think my mother was very worried about me. She has been wondering if I’m going to die as an old maid if I went on like this and was seriously concerned. But going to Lavant wouldn’t change anything.”

“…”

“I’m just going to pass my time blankly again. Like a flower hanging on the wall, that’s it. Though, even I am embarrassed to call myself a flower.”

Herietta tried to lighten the mood by making jokes. But no matter how much she waited, Edwin showed no sign of smiling. The sound of her lone laughter gradually diminished, and then disappeared. An uncomfortable aura descended around them.

“So… It’s to find a suitor.”

Edwin mumbled softly to himself. Even as he was looking at her, he seemed to have lost his focus somewhere, as if he had been distracted. It seems that he was a little shocked judging by how he looked. Herietta nodded, slightly puzzled.

“Well… yes, that’s right.”

“Then, if you find that person…”

Edwin’s voice was a bit harsh as he continued his question.

“Then you may not come back here.”

“What? What do you mean…?”

Herrietta opened her mouth. What did he mean by her never coming back? How did the story suddenly turn out like this? She immediately smiled as if it was a ridiculous idea.

“Edwin, no matter how tiring I am, why are you making it look like I’ll never come back after going there when I said I’d come back? That’s too much.”

She teased him playfully.

“Think about it. What kind of crazy noble’s son would like to marry me? If I look around, there are a lot of girls who are much prettier and more elegant than me. Besides, no matter how crazy they are, even if there are talks about getting married, it doesn’t mean we’re getting married right away. There is an engagement period, and I have to prepare for the wedding. So no matter what happens, I will come back.”

Herietta rose from her seat. Edwin then followed her about a beat later and straightened his back. They both faced each other.

“Isn’t this good for you, Edwin? You will be free for a while because there will be no one around to bother you, and no one to get upset with.”

“…”

“Still, you can’t get used to it. When I come back, I might feel sad to see how well you are doing.”

Herietta grinned and joked around more.

She wanted to ask Edwin to go to Lavant with her. But she struggled to give up her heart.

No matter how much time passed, it was because she did not know what kind of ripple would happen if he, a famous socialite, appeared in Lavant. What’s more, Edwin himself didn’t seem to want that either.

“I…”

Edwin licked his lips. His thoughtful eyes looked at her as if longing for an answer, and his breathing trembled slightly. He looked confused as he couldn’t think of what he should be doing.

He shouldn’t care whether she was there or not, so she thought his reaction was a bit surprising. As she looked at him, vain hopes sprouted, and she wondered if she should ask him to go with her or not.

Her mouth was dry. If he says so, then maybe he’s definitely…

“… Have a safe trip.”