The second contact from Perdes came late in the evening, exactly a week after he had left Duke Leopold's residence.
I didn't take my ring off even when I was bathing just in case... I really didn't expect you to call me now.
I felt embarrassed and a little bit ashamed.
The magic communication ring only transmitted my voice to the other person and did not show them my appearance or situation.
I know that, but the moment the Pura embedded in the ring sparkled, my body instinctively flinched.
I hid my naked body in the bubbling bath foam and received the communication.
"Yes..."
[You did it?]
Before I could even ask what was going on, a question came flying in.
It was a vague question without an object, but I could immediately tell what Perdes wanted to ask.
The counterfeit gold coin incident caused the economy of the Eleftherian Empire to panic.
He was asking if I was the culprit who caused that incident.
Perdes was one of the few people who knew that I was making counterfeit gold coins.
So I expected that he would notice it right away when the incident happened, but it happened much sooner than I expected.
It's only been two days since the issue of counterfeit gold coins surfaced.
But it was a little surprising that it had already reached the ears of Perdes, who was on the border of the Kingdom of Anigma.
[That's what you did, right?]
When I didn't say anything, Perdes asked again, urging me.
"Yes, that's right."
[...]
“I did it.”
I gave him the answer he was hoping for, but he didn't respond at all.
Did you get shocked or something?
There's no way that's true.
He probably expected this to some extent.
“Are you shocked?”
When I asked him out of curiosity, he sighed deeply and answered.
[You're asking such an obvious question.]
I see.
[I thought that method was a means to becoming a Duke, but it wasn't.]
“Of course not.”
A lot of time and effort was put into making counterfeit gold coins, but it was too valuable to just use them once and throw them away.
I was planning this from the beginning.
[You know how dangerous that is, right?]
Perdes said in a low, warning voice.
[If it gets out that you did this, not only you, but the entire Leopold family will be in danger. The family itself could disappear into history.]
It's not like it's disappearing, it's definitely disappearing.
Forging gold is as serious a crime as treason.
[Are you listening to me?]
“I'm listening.”
I answered, wiping away the foam that had risen to my chin.
“Don’t worry. It won’t be easy to get caught, and by the time they realize I did it, they won’t have time to worry about me.”
[What does that mean?]
“What do you mean? You literally have nothing to worry about.”
[...]
As I spoke in a confident voice, Perdes was silent for a moment and then spoke in an even lower voice than before.
[Wait. I'll return to the dukedom right away.]
“You’re coming back?”
[Yeah. If you're going to do something dangerous, I can't be here alone.]
“You are not alone. You have Gnosis.”
As I spoke, somewhat jokingly, a deep sigh was heard.
[I'm not in the mood to joke around.]
“Then I’ll tell you right away. Don’t come back.”
[But...]
“What I asked of you, Lord Perdes, was not to guard my side, but to investigate the unidentified magic circle.”
I cut off Perdes and spoke firmly.
“So don’t come back until the investigation is over, or until I say it’s okay.”
[...]
“If you come back on your own accord, our contract will be over from that day on.”
So I emphasized again that he should not come back, and for a moment I heard him breathing heavily as if he was excited.
[You are...]
Soon a voice came out as if very suppressed anger.
[It seems like you still think our relationship is a simple contractual one. Even though I confessed...]
Confession.
The moment I heard that word, all the things Perdes had said to me came flooding back to me.
“Nothing has changed.”
Chat, the bubble burst and the memories burst with it.
“Our relationship is the same now as it was before.”
[...]
“It’s a contractual relationship where we met to achieve each other’s goals.”
[...Is that the answer to my letter?]
I flinched for a moment at the word letter, but I answered with an unwavering voice.
"Yes, that's right."
The bright lights disappeared, and pitch-black darkness fell.
Even after communication with Adele was cut off, Perdes sat there like a stone statue for a long time.
The clouds that had been blocking the full moon drifted away with the wind, allowing bright moonlight to pour in through the window.
Only then did Perdes wash his face dry and collapse on the soft bed.
And he thought back to the conversations he had had with Adele.
There were many things on his mind, but the one that bothered him the most was the answer she gave near the end.
The words that said the answer to the letter he gave were correct.
“...I should have just not asked.”
If that were the case, he would have been nervous, but he wouldn't have felt this bad.
Late regrets came rushing in like a tide.
He had no idea that the question he asked out of curiosity would come back to him like a sharp knife.
So what was I hoping Adele would say?
Could it be... that I was hoping that she would accept my heart?
Perdes laughed and covered his eyes with the back of his hand, finding it ridiculous that he had such an absurd fantasy.
He finally mustered up the courage to confess and even left a letter, but all he got in return was a gentle rejection.
His pride was hurt and he felt sick as if he had swallowed lye, but that was it.
He had no intention of giving up.
“Yeah, I won’t give up.”
If Adele had intended to completely push him away, she would not have left any room for him to return to Duke Leopold's residence.
But leaving room means there is still a chance.
He will definitely seize that opportunity.
The golden eyes revealed in the darkness burned brightly with will.
“...”
For a moment, an inexplicable chill ran down my spine and my body trembled.
I looked around the bedroom, hugging my arms, which were covered in goosebumps.
Then, May, who was making the bed, asked with a slightly puzzled look.
“What’s wrong, Miss?”
“No, nothing.”
I felt like someone was staring at me, but I guess I was wrong.
It could be because I was so concerned about Perdes' work.
I placed my clasped hands on my knees and buried myself deep into the back of the sofa.
And I thought back carefully on what I had said to Perdes.
No matter how much I think about it, it seems like it was too much, but there was nothing I could do.
Other than that, there was no way to prevent Perdes from returning to Duke Leopold's residence.
Even if I could turn back time, I would make the same choice.
So, even though I thought I shouldn't regret it, I couldn't help but feel depressed.
I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep like this.
I needed something to force me to sleep.
For example, sleeping pills.
Or maybe alcohol.
It was a bit of a hassle having to go to my doctor to get sleeping pills, but I was able to get alcohol right away.
“May, can you go to the liquor store and get me some liquor?”
“Alcohol?”
“Yes. Bring me something strong so I can drink it and sleep.”
May looked at me with slightly worried eyes but answered that she would do so without asking any questions.
I sat sprawled out on the sofa until May came back.
After a while, there was a knock.
“Come in.”
I thought it would be May, but unexpectedly, it was Sir Aldor who opened the door and came in.
Holding a tray in one hand.
I straightened my upper body, which had been hanging limply, in surprise.
“Why, Sir Aldor...”
“I brought it on behalf of the maid.”
Aldor placed the tray he had brought on the sofa table.
On the tray were a bottle of wine, some snacks, and two glasses.
“If you don’t mind, may I be your drinking partner?”
Only then did I realize Aldor's intentions and laugh.
“You came in with that in mind from the beginning.”
“If you don’t want me to, I’ll leave.”
Well, what should I do?
I thought about drinking it alone, but I thought that would be too sad.
I nodded, thinking it would be nice to have a drink with Sir Aldor after such a long time.
“Yes. Let’s drink together.”
As if he was only going to be Adele's drinking partner, Aldor only filled Adele's glass whenever it was empty and didn't say anything.
Glasses were tilted in the quiet silence.
Adele, who had finished her last glass, looked at Aldor with slightly relaxed eyes.
“Sir Aldor.”
“Yes, Miss.”
"I am..."
Adele, unable to forget her words, collapsed against the back of the sofa.
And then he put his hand on the snowball, exhaling a breath full of alcohol.
“I’m sleepy.”
“...”
“You should sleep when you’re sleepy.”
That's why I drank strong alcohol...
Adele muttered to herself and then closed her eyes.
After a while, the sound of even breathing resonated throughout the bedroom.
Even if the sofa is comfortable, it's not as comfortable as a bed.
Aldor tried to lift Adele up to move her to the bed, but he withdrew his outstretched hand.
Because if he touches her now, he feels like he won't be able to stop.
He couldn't even touch it because he felt like he would do something he would regret for the rest of his life.
Instead, he brought a blanket and covered her body, then stood a foot away and looked down at Adele's sleeping face for a long time.
"If..."
A pitiful tone flowed out as his twisted lips parted.
“If I were given one more chance to stand next to you, I would never let that opportunity slip away...”
Aldor was so surprised that he said it himself, and he hurried out of the bedroom.
Immediately after that, Adele's long eyelashes, which had been lowered, fluttered and smoothly rose.
There was not a single trace of sleep in those trembling green eyes.
I didn't take my ring off even when I was bathing just in case... I really didn't expect you to call me now.
I felt embarrassed and a little bit ashamed.
The magic communication ring only transmitted my voice to the other person and did not show them my appearance or situation.
I know that, but the moment the Pura embedded in the ring sparkled, my body instinctively flinched.
I hid my naked body in the bubbling bath foam and received the communication.
"Yes..."
[You did it?]
Before I could even ask what was going on, a question came flying in.
It was a vague question without an object, but I could immediately tell what Perdes wanted to ask.
The counterfeit gold coin incident caused the economy of the Eleftherian Empire to panic.
He was asking if I was the culprit who caused that incident.
Perdes was one of the few people who knew that I was making counterfeit gold coins.
So I expected that he would notice it right away when the incident happened, but it happened much sooner than I expected.
It's only been two days since the issue of counterfeit gold coins surfaced.
But it was a little surprising that it had already reached the ears of Perdes, who was on the border of the Kingdom of Anigma.
[That's what you did, right?]
When I didn't say anything, Perdes asked again, urging me.
"Yes, that's right."
[...]
“I did it.”
I gave him the answer he was hoping for, but he didn't respond at all.
Did you get shocked or something?
There's no way that's true.
He probably expected this to some extent.
“Are you shocked?”
When I asked him out of curiosity, he sighed deeply and answered.
[You're asking such an obvious question.]
I see.
[I thought that method was a means to becoming a Duke, but it wasn't.]
“Of course not.”
A lot of time and effort was put into making counterfeit gold coins, but it was too valuable to just use them once and throw them away.
I was planning this from the beginning.
[You know how dangerous that is, right?]
Perdes said in a low, warning voice.
[If it gets out that you did this, not only you, but the entire Leopold family will be in danger. The family itself could disappear into history.]
It's not like it's disappearing, it's definitely disappearing.
Forging gold is as serious a crime as treason.
[Are you listening to me?]
“I'm listening.”
I answered, wiping away the foam that had risen to my chin.
“Don’t worry. It won’t be easy to get caught, and by the time they realize I did it, they won’t have time to worry about me.”
[What does that mean?]
“What do you mean? You literally have nothing to worry about.”
[...]
As I spoke in a confident voice, Perdes was silent for a moment and then spoke in an even lower voice than before.
[Wait. I'll return to the dukedom right away.]
“You’re coming back?”
[Yeah. If you're going to do something dangerous, I can't be here alone.]
“You are not alone. You have Gnosis.”
As I spoke, somewhat jokingly, a deep sigh was heard.
[I'm not in the mood to joke around.]
“Then I’ll tell you right away. Don’t come back.”
[But...]
“What I asked of you, Lord Perdes, was not to guard my side, but to investigate the unidentified magic circle.”
I cut off Perdes and spoke firmly.
“So don’t come back until the investigation is over, or until I say it’s okay.”
[...]
“If you come back on your own accord, our contract will be over from that day on.”
So I emphasized again that he should not come back, and for a moment I heard him breathing heavily as if he was excited.
[You are...]
Soon a voice came out as if very suppressed anger.
[It seems like you still think our relationship is a simple contractual one. Even though I confessed...]
Confession.
The moment I heard that word, all the things Perdes had said to me came flooding back to me.
“Nothing has changed.”
Chat, the bubble burst and the memories burst with it.
“Our relationship is the same now as it was before.”
[...]
“It’s a contractual relationship where we met to achieve each other’s goals.”
[...Is that the answer to my letter?]
I flinched for a moment at the word letter, but I answered with an unwavering voice.
"Yes, that's right."
***
The bright lights disappeared, and pitch-black darkness fell.
Even after communication with Adele was cut off, Perdes sat there like a stone statue for a long time.
The clouds that had been blocking the full moon drifted away with the wind, allowing bright moonlight to pour in through the window.
Only then did Perdes wash his face dry and collapse on the soft bed.
And he thought back to the conversations he had had with Adele.
There were many things on his mind, but the one that bothered him the most was the answer she gave near the end.
The words that said the answer to the letter he gave were correct.
“...I should have just not asked.”
If that were the case, he would have been nervous, but he wouldn't have felt this bad.
Late regrets came rushing in like a tide.
He had no idea that the question he asked out of curiosity would come back to him like a sharp knife.
So what was I hoping Adele would say?
Could it be... that I was hoping that she would accept my heart?
Perdes laughed and covered his eyes with the back of his hand, finding it ridiculous that he had such an absurd fantasy.
He finally mustered up the courage to confess and even left a letter, but all he got in return was a gentle rejection.
His pride was hurt and he felt sick as if he had swallowed lye, but that was it.
He had no intention of giving up.
“Yeah, I won’t give up.”
If Adele had intended to completely push him away, she would not have left any room for him to return to Duke Leopold's residence.
But leaving room means there is still a chance.
He will definitely seize that opportunity.
The golden eyes revealed in the darkness burned brightly with will.
***
“...”
For a moment, an inexplicable chill ran down my spine and my body trembled.
I looked around the bedroom, hugging my arms, which were covered in goosebumps.
Then, May, who was making the bed, asked with a slightly puzzled look.
“What’s wrong, Miss?”
“No, nothing.”
I felt like someone was staring at me, but I guess I was wrong.
It could be because I was so concerned about Perdes' work.
I placed my clasped hands on my knees and buried myself deep into the back of the sofa.
And I thought back carefully on what I had said to Perdes.
No matter how much I think about it, it seems like it was too much, but there was nothing I could do.
Other than that, there was no way to prevent Perdes from returning to Duke Leopold's residence.
Even if I could turn back time, I would make the same choice.
So, even though I thought I shouldn't regret it, I couldn't help but feel depressed.
I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep like this.
I needed something to force me to sleep.
For example, sleeping pills.
Or maybe alcohol.
It was a bit of a hassle having to go to my doctor to get sleeping pills, but I was able to get alcohol right away.
“May, can you go to the liquor store and get me some liquor?”
“Alcohol?”
“Yes. Bring me something strong so I can drink it and sleep.”
May looked at me with slightly worried eyes but answered that she would do so without asking any questions.
I sat sprawled out on the sofa until May came back.
After a while, there was a knock.
“Come in.”
I thought it would be May, but unexpectedly, it was Sir Aldor who opened the door and came in.
Holding a tray in one hand.
I straightened my upper body, which had been hanging limply, in surprise.
“Why, Sir Aldor...”
“I brought it on behalf of the maid.”
Aldor placed the tray he had brought on the sofa table.
On the tray were a bottle of wine, some snacks, and two glasses.
“If you don’t mind, may I be your drinking partner?”
Only then did I realize Aldor's intentions and laugh.
“You came in with that in mind from the beginning.”
“If you don’t want me to, I’ll leave.”
Well, what should I do?
I thought about drinking it alone, but I thought that would be too sad.
I nodded, thinking it would be nice to have a drink with Sir Aldor after such a long time.
“Yes. Let’s drink together.”
***
As if he was only going to be Adele's drinking partner, Aldor only filled Adele's glass whenever it was empty and didn't say anything.
Glasses were tilted in the quiet silence.
Adele, who had finished her last glass, looked at Aldor with slightly relaxed eyes.
“Sir Aldor.”
“Yes, Miss.”
"I am..."
Adele, unable to forget her words, collapsed against the back of the sofa.
And then he put his hand on the snowball, exhaling a breath full of alcohol.
“I’m sleepy.”
“...”
“You should sleep when you’re sleepy.”
That's why I drank strong alcohol...
Adele muttered to herself and then closed her eyes.
After a while, the sound of even breathing resonated throughout the bedroom.
Even if the sofa is comfortable, it's not as comfortable as a bed.
Aldor tried to lift Adele up to move her to the bed, but he withdrew his outstretched hand.
Because if he touches her now, he feels like he won't be able to stop.
He couldn't even touch it because he felt like he would do something he would regret for the rest of his life.
Instead, he brought a blanket and covered her body, then stood a foot away and looked down at Adele's sleeping face for a long time.
"If..."
A pitiful tone flowed out as his twisted lips parted.
“If I were given one more chance to stand next to you, I would never let that opportunity slip away...”
Aldor was so surprised that he said it himself, and he hurried out of the bedroom.
Immediately after that, Adele's long eyelashes, which had been lowered, fluttered and smoothly rose.
There was not a single trace of sleep in those trembling green eyes.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment