Angie once again forced her reddening eyes and approached the desk. She picked up the letter and slowly tore off the Blackwell family seal from the center of the envelope. The first letter opened.
"My dear Angie.
I think you must have been shocked by the sudden news of my marriage. I wanted to go to you in person, but I couldn't. If I were to visit you at home, it would only rekindle the rumors that I had worked so hard to put down. I don't want your reputation to be questioned again.
I don't care. Our relationship is an honest truth. But I don't want anyone on this island to dare point a finger at you. If there is someone like that, I will never let it go, but I can't stand having your name tarnished because of me.
Angie, everything I've said so far is true. It's the truth, without a single lie, so please believe me. I heard you're not feeling well. But I want you to come to the Generalife Gardens tonight because I'm waiting for you. I want to talk to you face to face. I'll send a carriage.
-From your beloved, Kayle."
There was no denial or apology for the marriage. Angie stood there for a moment, then opened the second letter Jerome had brought her back the night before.
"My dear Angie.
I waited for you last night without sleeping, but you never came. I know you must be heartbroken, but can you listen to me just once? Just once, look me in the eye and listen to my story. Please, Angie. There will be no more lies. No, there were no lies from the beginning.
My marriage with Dervan was a fait accompli long ago. It is now inevitable. But this is only a formality. I swear to God, this marriage is in fact a lie. Nothing is more true than my love for you.
I love you, Angie. I can't live if you refuse my love. Everything will come true as I promised. This includes the plan to take you to the capital. Just trust me and follow me, Angie. Please.
I'll give you one more day. I'll send a carriage back to Jerome tomorrow afternoon, so come see me then.
-From your beloved Karl."
With a thud, the letter fell from Angie’s fingertips. The pure white paper fluttered like a butterfly for a moment before falling straight to the floor. Angie sat down and buried her face in her knees. In the end, nothing had changed.
From the beginning, you wanted me as your government. Your Highness... It was like that from the beginning.
Angie burst into tears. It felt like someone was squeezing her heart inside her body. It hurt so much that she couldn't breathe properly.
Angie sat on the floor for a long time, her shoulders shaking. Her long, luscious blond hair flowed down her spine and spilled onto the carpet. Her dark honey-colored hair had remained as radiant as ever, despite having been neglected for days.
That night, the wind and rain that had been blowing since the sun was setting were raging fiercely. The sound of the wind, echoing in his ears, was like a terrible tinnitus. There were a few flashes of light in the dark sky, but strangely, there was no thunder.
Michael was crouching inside a waterway, inside a hole that had been dug into the wall of the spiral staircase. It was a space that no one knew about, but only he knew about. The sound of footsteps was followed by the sound of someone crying up the wall.
Michael shuddered at the terrifying sound. He covered his ears as the monster continued to howl, and then came out of the canal. When he finally returned, a woman was standing in front of the door with her arms folded. It was his aunt, Hester, who had raised him like a mother and brought him to the Duke's residence.
“Michael, where are you wandering around at this hour? How many times have I told you to be careful?”
“Whoa, that’s a surprise! I’m fine, don’t worry. You should go in and go to sleep. It’s already past midnight...”
Michael shook off his startled chest and let out his characteristic teasing. Hester did not let up her hardened face despite his bright smile. There was even a hint of desperation in her eyes as she looked up at her nephew, who was much older than her.
“Michael, this is not something to laugh about. It is not the time yet. We must be as careful as possible and wait for the right time.”
“Yes, I know. I know better than anyone else... so don’t worry.”
Michael looked at his aunt with a serious look in his eyes, hoping that her anxiety would end. After a few more words, Hester gently pushed her nephew into the room, quickly getting up.
The shadows of the two people turning around in front of the door intertwined for a moment, casting a long shadow over the darkness.
When Jerome arrived, it was around noon, just as the Ridsdels were slowly leaving for their North Shore job. The rain wasn't as heavy as the previous night, but it was pouring down nonstop, giving the whole island a gloomy atmosphere.
Angie put the brooch, the snowball, the satin dress, and the reply in a large box and handed it to Jerome. The 'holy tears', the diamond brooch that had been passed down to the women of the family for generations, was no longer hers. The dress she had worn only once and treasured so much was also no longer hers.
"To His Excellency the Duke of Kayle Lord Blackwell.
I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage. I believe that the family brooch should be in the hands of the future Duchess. I wish you both happiness and peace from afar.
-Angela Ridsdel"
As soon as Jerome left, Angie returned to the living room and took out her embroidery box. But she couldn’t get anything done. She forgot about the passage of time and was staring blankly at the window when she heard a knock again. Angie remembered what her mother had said, that Emma and Stephanie would be stopping by today. No matter how sick she was, she skipped the embroidery meeting without permission and didn’t show up for Sunday service, so it was no wonder everyone was worried.
Angie walked up to the door and took a deep breath. Her heart felt like it was going to burst at any moment, but she couldn't show it in front of her friends. She forced a smile to look as cheerful as possible and grabbed the doorknob.
But the moment she opened the door, Angie's expression changed. The smile she had tried to force upon the unexpected visitor turned into surprise. Michael, tall and thin, stood under the porch in his street clothes.
“Michael...?”
“Angie, I’m sorry for coming so suddenly.”
“It’s okay. What’s going on...?”
“I was worried... I stopped by on my way home after running an errand.”
Unlike her usual bright and playful demeanor, Angie took a step back at the look in her eyes asking if he could come in for a moment. It was a silent gesture telling him to come in.
The door closed as Michael entered. And diagonally, behind a large tree, someone was watching the scene.
Tea was served in the living room, but neither of them touched it. Angie tried not to show the nausea that was rising. Perhaps it was because of the pain in her heart, but the tea she usually liked smelled bad.
“Thanks for coming, Michael.”
Angie was the first to break the awkward silence, suppressing her rumbling stomach. The only change in the subject was from her friends to Michael, but her sense of duty to remain calm took precedence over her body.
“No. I’m the one who’s grateful that we met.”
“By the way, I apologize for being late in thanking you. Thank you so much for helping me that day.”
If he hadn't helped her when she was attacked by Leticia ten days ago, things would have been worse. Leticia was extremely excited and shaking that day.
“It was only natural for me. I should have gone up and stopped it sooner... But Angie, are you really okay? Your complexion is so pale. You’ve lost a lot of weight. Everyone is worried because you haven’t come out of the house for over ten days.”
“I really don’t feel well. I’ll feel better after a few more days of rest.”
“If that’s the case... you really don’t have to worry. It didn’t spread beyond the chapel, and since Louise confessed to lying, your name is cleared, Angie. Didn’t Dervan come to apologize too?”
Angie shook her head. A deep shadow fell over her lowered gaze. Michael narrowed his brows as if he were interpreting the darkened face in another way.
“Didn’t Leticia come? She said she was going to send someone from that house to apologize in person.”
Angie looked up and faced Michael. This was the second time she had seen his anger, despite his usual smile and gentleness. The first time was in the chapel when he had come between Leticia and her.
“She doesn't need to apologize... Michael. I don’t deserve an apology.”
She didn't even realize what she was saying in guilt, despair, helplessness, and a broken heart. Only when the sense of alarm that she shouldn't go any deeper kicked in did Angie stop talking.
“It wasn’t my intention, but that’s just how it turned out. I can’t go into detail, but... what I do know is that you don’t want to see Leticia again. And you don’t intend to receive an apology.”
Considering the results, it was not Leticia who should apologize, but herself. However, Michael, who knew nothing, looked at Angie worriedly as if he didn't understand. Fortunately, Michael didn't ask any more questions.
A heavy silence flowed. Michael picked up the cup of tea that had become cold and drank it down like water as if he were thirsty. Then he opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.
“Angie, actually, I have something to tell you.”
“Yeah. Feel free to talk.”
“I’m sorry for holding on to you when you should be resting. But still... I just want to say this one thing. Somehow I feel like if I don’t do it now, I might never get another chance....”
Michael seemed to have made up his mind after much thought and then confessed.
“Angie. I love you.”
"My dear Angie.
I think you must have been shocked by the sudden news of my marriage. I wanted to go to you in person, but I couldn't. If I were to visit you at home, it would only rekindle the rumors that I had worked so hard to put down. I don't want your reputation to be questioned again.
I don't care. Our relationship is an honest truth. But I don't want anyone on this island to dare point a finger at you. If there is someone like that, I will never let it go, but I can't stand having your name tarnished because of me.
Angie, everything I've said so far is true. It's the truth, without a single lie, so please believe me. I heard you're not feeling well. But I want you to come to the Generalife Gardens tonight because I'm waiting for you. I want to talk to you face to face. I'll send a carriage.
-From your beloved, Kayle."
There was no denial or apology for the marriage. Angie stood there for a moment, then opened the second letter Jerome had brought her back the night before.
"My dear Angie.
I waited for you last night without sleeping, but you never came. I know you must be heartbroken, but can you listen to me just once? Just once, look me in the eye and listen to my story. Please, Angie. There will be no more lies. No, there were no lies from the beginning.
My marriage with Dervan was a fait accompli long ago. It is now inevitable. But this is only a formality. I swear to God, this marriage is in fact a lie. Nothing is more true than my love for you.
I love you, Angie. I can't live if you refuse my love. Everything will come true as I promised. This includes the plan to take you to the capital. Just trust me and follow me, Angie. Please.
I'll give you one more day. I'll send a carriage back to Jerome tomorrow afternoon, so come see me then.
-From your beloved Karl."
With a thud, the letter fell from Angie’s fingertips. The pure white paper fluttered like a butterfly for a moment before falling straight to the floor. Angie sat down and buried her face in her knees. In the end, nothing had changed.
From the beginning, you wanted me as your government. Your Highness... It was like that from the beginning.
Angie burst into tears. It felt like someone was squeezing her heart inside her body. It hurt so much that she couldn't breathe properly.
Angie sat on the floor for a long time, her shoulders shaking. Her long, luscious blond hair flowed down her spine and spilled onto the carpet. Her dark honey-colored hair had remained as radiant as ever, despite having been neglected for days.
***
That night, the wind and rain that had been blowing since the sun was setting were raging fiercely. The sound of the wind, echoing in his ears, was like a terrible tinnitus. There were a few flashes of light in the dark sky, but strangely, there was no thunder.
Michael was crouching inside a waterway, inside a hole that had been dug into the wall of the spiral staircase. It was a space that no one knew about, but only he knew about. The sound of footsteps was followed by the sound of someone crying up the wall.
Michael shuddered at the terrifying sound. He covered his ears as the monster continued to howl, and then came out of the canal. When he finally returned, a woman was standing in front of the door with her arms folded. It was his aunt, Hester, who had raised him like a mother and brought him to the Duke's residence.
“Michael, where are you wandering around at this hour? How many times have I told you to be careful?”
“Whoa, that’s a surprise! I’m fine, don’t worry. You should go in and go to sleep. It’s already past midnight...”
Michael shook off his startled chest and let out his characteristic teasing. Hester did not let up her hardened face despite his bright smile. There was even a hint of desperation in her eyes as she looked up at her nephew, who was much older than her.
“Michael, this is not something to laugh about. It is not the time yet. We must be as careful as possible and wait for the right time.”
“Yes, I know. I know better than anyone else... so don’t worry.”
Michael looked at his aunt with a serious look in his eyes, hoping that her anxiety would end. After a few more words, Hester gently pushed her nephew into the room, quickly getting up.
The shadows of the two people turning around in front of the door intertwined for a moment, casting a long shadow over the darkness.
***
When Jerome arrived, it was around noon, just as the Ridsdels were slowly leaving for their North Shore job. The rain wasn't as heavy as the previous night, but it was pouring down nonstop, giving the whole island a gloomy atmosphere.
Angie put the brooch, the snowball, the satin dress, and the reply in a large box and handed it to Jerome. The 'holy tears', the diamond brooch that had been passed down to the women of the family for generations, was no longer hers. The dress she had worn only once and treasured so much was also no longer hers.
"To His Excellency the Duke of Kayle Lord Blackwell.
I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage. I believe that the family brooch should be in the hands of the future Duchess. I wish you both happiness and peace from afar.
-Angela Ridsdel"
As soon as Jerome left, Angie returned to the living room and took out her embroidery box. But she couldn’t get anything done. She forgot about the passage of time and was staring blankly at the window when she heard a knock again. Angie remembered what her mother had said, that Emma and Stephanie would be stopping by today. No matter how sick she was, she skipped the embroidery meeting without permission and didn’t show up for Sunday service, so it was no wonder everyone was worried.
Angie walked up to the door and took a deep breath. Her heart felt like it was going to burst at any moment, but she couldn't show it in front of her friends. She forced a smile to look as cheerful as possible and grabbed the doorknob.
But the moment she opened the door, Angie's expression changed. The smile she had tried to force upon the unexpected visitor turned into surprise. Michael, tall and thin, stood under the porch in his street clothes.
“Michael...?”
“Angie, I’m sorry for coming so suddenly.”
“It’s okay. What’s going on...?”
“I was worried... I stopped by on my way home after running an errand.”
Unlike her usual bright and playful demeanor, Angie took a step back at the look in her eyes asking if he could come in for a moment. It was a silent gesture telling him to come in.
The door closed as Michael entered. And diagonally, behind a large tree, someone was watching the scene.
Tea was served in the living room, but neither of them touched it. Angie tried not to show the nausea that was rising. Perhaps it was because of the pain in her heart, but the tea she usually liked smelled bad.
“Thanks for coming, Michael.”
Angie was the first to break the awkward silence, suppressing her rumbling stomach. The only change in the subject was from her friends to Michael, but her sense of duty to remain calm took precedence over her body.
“No. I’m the one who’s grateful that we met.”
“By the way, I apologize for being late in thanking you. Thank you so much for helping me that day.”
If he hadn't helped her when she was attacked by Leticia ten days ago, things would have been worse. Leticia was extremely excited and shaking that day.
“It was only natural for me. I should have gone up and stopped it sooner... But Angie, are you really okay? Your complexion is so pale. You’ve lost a lot of weight. Everyone is worried because you haven’t come out of the house for over ten days.”
“I really don’t feel well. I’ll feel better after a few more days of rest.”
“If that’s the case... you really don’t have to worry. It didn’t spread beyond the chapel, and since Louise confessed to lying, your name is cleared, Angie. Didn’t Dervan come to apologize too?”
Angie shook her head. A deep shadow fell over her lowered gaze. Michael narrowed his brows as if he were interpreting the darkened face in another way.
“Didn’t Leticia come? She said she was going to send someone from that house to apologize in person.”
Angie looked up and faced Michael. This was the second time she had seen his anger, despite his usual smile and gentleness. The first time was in the chapel when he had come between Leticia and her.
“She doesn't need to apologize... Michael. I don’t deserve an apology.”
She didn't even realize what she was saying in guilt, despair, helplessness, and a broken heart. Only when the sense of alarm that she shouldn't go any deeper kicked in did Angie stop talking.
“It wasn’t my intention, but that’s just how it turned out. I can’t go into detail, but... what I do know is that you don’t want to see Leticia again. And you don’t intend to receive an apology.”
Considering the results, it was not Leticia who should apologize, but herself. However, Michael, who knew nothing, looked at Angie worriedly as if he didn't understand. Fortunately, Michael didn't ask any more questions.
A heavy silence flowed. Michael picked up the cup of tea that had become cold and drank it down like water as if he were thirsty. Then he opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.
“Angie, actually, I have something to tell you.”
“Yeah. Feel free to talk.”
“I’m sorry for holding on to you when you should be resting. But still... I just want to say this one thing. Somehow I feel like if I don’t do it now, I might never get another chance....”
Michael seemed to have made up his mind after much thought and then confessed.
“Angie. I love you.”
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