Chapter 2 (1/2)
End Of Romance – 2
***
End of Romance – 2
She looked around as she recalled the red hair of the head that bowed to her. Whether it was that she knew that it wasn’t her place, she didn’t see any red colours. Ruiyan was 26 years old, so she was 3 years younger than him. He said that despite being a woman, she was an aide to the current crown prince. As Ruiyan went to the Imperial Castle everyday for work, given their environment, perhaps him falling in love with that woman was a matter of course.
‘Let me officially introduce her. This is Lady Marillian van Enderrick, who will be my mistress in the future.’
His plainly-spoken words hurt her. Her husband spoke stiffly towards her and grabbed that woman’s wrist. Isilia stared at the scene of his tender and careful touch without saying a word.
‘Mari, this is my wife, Isilia von Endrians.’
[Isilia, how many times have I said that it’s not like that?]
As she became immersed in her memories, Isilia closed her eyes. It was the fruits of her passionate courtship after about half a year. It was the first time he showed kindness. He didn’t hide his annoyed expression… But he spoke in the most gentle tone imaginable. Ruiyan’s tone towards that woman made her swallow back the smile that was about to leave her. It was clearly different from the kind words that the fruits of her passionate courtship bore after half a year.
It was perfectly gentle and he even spoke her nickname in front of her casually. A sense of emptiness overcame her. She found it amazing. It was almost commendable. The sincerity that she had used over a year to obtain, just how did that woman seduce him, such that he opened up that much.
What method did that woman use to win his heart, and make him become so cordial…? She envied her. She hated her.
‘Mari, this is my wife, Isilia von Endrians.’
Ruiyan’s eyes, his tone, and atmosphere. It was all unfamiliar to her. She has never experienced them before, so it could only have been unfamiliar. As it was her first time seeing such a side of him. It was the first time Isilia saw Ruiyan frankly showing that he was in love with someone. She was sure that it was love, as he behaved completely differently with her and others.
But, he had someone that he was willing to show more emotions towards.
‘Mari.’
Through that woman’s name, she heard a nickname that she has never heard before. Through that woman, she heard a gentle tone that she has never heard before. Through that woman, she now knew that he could use that kind of face to look at someone. As she looked at that woman, she realized that there was someone that he could show his love for more than her.
Did he love me?
The sudden doubt caused Isilia’s eyes to shake.
Did you ever love me?
Seemingly not noticing her mother’s disturbed expression, El approached and laughed.
Looking at her lovely smile, Isilia faced her and smiled.
… Did you not love me?
[A perfect romance doesn’t exist.]
***
Perhaps it was due to her father, who was trusted by the emperor, invitations flooded in.
She picked up a discreetly lying invitation she spotted from the pile of invitations that were left in a corner. Although it looked plain and simple, it didn’t look unsophisticated. In the eyes of the young girl, it seemed very unique. Isilia opened the envelope. At the duke’s mansion, where she was invited to, the young girl met him.
“Young Lord Endrians.”
Ruiyan’s expression hardened at the faint voice. As he stopped in his tracks, the child following behind him bumped into his back. Ruiyan let out a sigh as he looked at the way she looked up while gently caressing her nose. It has been seven days since the child started to chase him. A headache formed at the thought of the party that this girl turned upside down a week ago. She had declared her love for him the moment they had met, and it has become a regular occurrence.
‘I like you, Young Lord’
Then, she was bewildered by the fact that he passed her without a reply, despite the rudeness of that action. As a result of his actions, her golden eyes were filled with wounds. With golden hair and eyes, the visage of a child that has just turned sixteen. If an invitation was sent to such a child, then she must be the daughter of someone very important.
…He recalled the men whom the emperor had recently praised to have been hardworking.
The emperor was someone that was a sucker for talented people. As long as it’s a capable person, even if they are commoners, the emperor would raise them as noblemen at once. Before such an emperor, the competent count from the Agnes family said that he would return to the countryside, causing the emperor to become alarmed.
His officials were also quick to dissuade him. The Imperial Castle was always short of people. Moreover, the Count was in charge of complicated work, and there were not enough talented people in that field.
“…”