014. No longer fun
“Take it.”
Hardius glanced back at the box and faced Emilia. His unfamiliar gaze flowed back to the box, and then back to Emilia.
It was still the same.
The child who had offended him so long ago was still cold and distant, full of pride and stubbornness.
He knew it.
The reason she did such a childish thing, even though he expected it all, was because she wanted to break that lofty gaze that seemed to pierce the sky. It was a childish, dirty, and petty feeling.
“An unwanted gift ends with Bravery. You probably don’t want to hear another reason for refusing it, so just take it.”
The box shook as if urging her.
What had changed was Hardius. Contrary to expectations, it was not as enjoyable. Feeling strangely tired, Hardius slowly opened his mouth.
“Nothing should come before my precious fiancée. But, Emilia, I’m so busy these days, I can’t even describe it. It’s a waste of time to stand around like this.”
“How long will it take you to stretch out that arm that is just hanging out? One second? Two seconds?”
“Then would you come closer? So that I can save you some time.”
His blue eyes burned with anger. For a moment, it felt like a fire was lit in his withered heart.
Hardius was so overcome with a strange mood that he just passed Emilia by.
“You mean you don’t want to accept it? Then it’s okay if I throw it away? Right here, right now.”
“As you wish.”
He shrugged his shoulders as if he were annoyed and walked slowly to the front gate. Emilia's face blushed noticeably every time his long legs stepped on the ground.
After a while, the box was really thrown with a thud. Had Hardius turned his head right away, he might have snickered. He would have found Emilia, who was even more surprised by the loud noise.
But Emilia did not come with a light heart. She braced herself as she looked at the broad back of the man who had stopped standing tall.
“If you keep doing this, I won’t sit still any longer. I’ll pretend the graduation ceremony and everything never happened.”
"...”
“Are you listening? I won’t cooperate. Should I just not sign the divorce papers?”
Hardius's body elegantly turned half a turn. His light gaze landed on the box lying on the ground. His eyes seemed to regard nothing so insignificant.
Grojean was quietly watching his master's actions from a few steps away.
Hardius stopped in front of the box and began to bend down. His tall and slender body, like a statue, slowly fell to the floor.
He lifted the box gently, then dusted it off.
It was a trivial action, but Grojean's heart started beating strangely. It must have been because some memory suddenly came to mind.
When was it?
It must have been a long time ago when Duke Meyer was able to walk on two feet.
At that time, Duke Meyer, who was a handsome man, habitually hit his son's head roughly. The onlookers were shocked, and rumors spread that he was not his real son.
The most memorable one was when Hardius Meyer was five years old. The boy was just bending down to tie his loose shoelaces. But Duke Meyer struck the boy on the head with his thick hand. In front of everyone.
The reason was ridiculous. He had bent down without caution. Somewhere across from him was the son of his political enemy, the Margrave of Wallendorf...
"Shit."
Grojean jumped out of the carriage without realizing it.
He was a capable aide before he was a spy. The reason Kaitlyn Meyer kept Grojean until the end, rather than being a professional spy, was that he did a great job as an aide.
“Please, my lord.”
Grojean quickly snatched the box away. The contents shook heavily.
Meanwhile, Emilia had strode right up to Hardius.
“I guess he thinks that this gift will solve all the problems that have been going on...”
“I told you clearly before. I absolutely do not think that way.”
“Then why do you do this? What disease do you have? Do you find it so fun to force someone to do something they don’t want to do?”
Instead of answering, Hardius smiled. It was a crooked smile that contained affirmation. Emilia was at a loss for words for a moment.
“One is right and one is wrong. It’s more fun to see your reaction than you think, but I didn’t really think you’d hate it. Quite the opposite.”
What does that mean? While Emilia was blinking, surprising words continued to be spoken.
“You like small and weak things. Family, Beppy, little gifts like this, a lovely dog.”
“Ha! Don’t frame it like that. The young master is just a weirdo. A bored bum who’s about to die, a worthless nobleman who harasses people for fun.”
“It doesn’t matter, whatever you think.”
“See, it’s all about yourself.”
“Yeah, just thinking about myself. Very selfishly.”
Emilia strained her eyes as she thought about what to say in return. Then, for a moment, her shoulders slumped. She seemed to give up, as if something that had been burning had died down.
“Uncle Beppy. Carriage. Brave. That alone is enough.”
Emilia muttered weakly.
“You promised me that you would willingly sign the divorce papers. So please, stop.”
“Why are you so serious? I even heard that Meyer lives off of gold. What I gave you was just a meaningless ‘thing’.”
As Emilia lost her will to fight, Hardius also became rapidly weaker.
“I would like to repackage it and give it to you again, but I think you would refuse.”
“Yes, thank you so much for coming to your senses now. Then I will go now.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Emilia turned around. Then she started walking hurriedly as if she were being chased by something. At the end of her steps was Beppy Dilson. He was fidgeting, his hat crumpled in both hands.
Just before Emilia got on the carriage, Hardius opened his mouth a beat late.
“I have one thing to tell you. The woman who calls herself my mother will come to see you soon.”
A woman called Mother?
Emilia slowly turned her head, trying not to frown.
“Why? Why did she come to me?”
“Just to check.”
“What... is she checking?”
“Obvious and boring. Could it be that a lowly country girl is only dreaming of the day she becomes a Duchess? Could it be that the heir to the family actually has other feelings for the girl?”
More words followed.
“At first, I was going to stop her from coming, but I’m going to just leave her alone.”
You're leaving her alone?
While Emilia was speechless in surprise, Hardius turned towards the arched iron door.
Between them, who were getting further and further apart, only the bright sunlight poured down dazzlingly.
Beppy glanced to the side again, his eyebrows furrowed.
Just as Emilia had been furious the moment she saw the gift box, the current Emilia, who looked dazed, made him restless. His rough hand scratched his chin, then the back of his head, and then his chin again.
Emilia, who had been sitting there feeling upset, noticed the old man only after a while.
What did the old man do wrong? You shouldn't make the people next to you uncomfortable just because you're in a bad mood.
Emilia forced the corners of her lips to curl toward Beppy. Only then was Beppy able to look Emilia straight in the eye.
“I don’t blame you, sir. You just did what you were told. But please promise me one thing.”
Beppy put strength into his eyes as if telling her to say something.
“Please don’t go to Master Meyer without saying anything like you did the last time you went to Cavendish. If you have to go somewhere, you must tell me first. Do you understand?”
“Tell Emilia first. I will definitely tell Emilia first.”
Beppy nodded vigorously. He nodded so vigorously that his hat blew back. Emilia couldn't help but laugh, forgetting everything for a moment.
Despite his firm resolve, Beppy commits another act not ordered by his master, not even a day later.
“A stable? You’re going to build a stable?”
Behind Beppy, who was nodding, there was a pile of wood, bricks, and extension cords.
“The horse will sleep, and so will Beppy.”
“Why? Sir...you can just continue to sleep at the farm.”
After answering, Emilia felt a little sorry because it seemed like she was chasing him away.
Charlotte whined last night, wishing she could spend the whole day with Uncle Beppy. Her mother also said she wished he had a little room to himself as she saw him off to the farm late that evening.
But Beppy Dilson is ultimately Hardius's man.
Emilia steeled herself.
“How about this? You can sleep in Charlotte’s attic. If you’re too tired to go back to the farm so late at night.”
“No. Beppy’s house is made by Beppy.”
“But you’ll only be here for a few months.”
He swallowed dry saliva and spoke firmly, but could it be said that he had no clue about that? Beppy didn't even pretend to listen.
“Beppy’s house is made by Beppu.”
Emilia swallowed a sigh.
Who can stop that stubborn old man?
Beppy was a loyal servant in name only, but he was also doing whatever he wanted.
“I don’t know why you have to go this far.”
“It’s dangerous at night. Protect Emilia.”
Protect?
Blue eyes blinked slowly.
“There are a lot of gypsies. There are a lot of vagabonds. Beppy protects Emilia. Beppy protects Kalia. Beppy protects Charlotte. The elm forest is dangerous.”
Well, this is a remote forest and not a very good place for three women to live. There was also the terrible thing that happened to Charlotte a long time ago.
“That’s right. I practiced, I practiced.”
A myriad of questions filled her eyes. Starting with 'Hardius' and ending with 'Hardius'...
Of course, she didn't ask a single question.
Emilia's life was going back to normal. She didn't want to do things like throw stones into a calm lake.
“Take it.”
Hardius glanced back at the box and faced Emilia. His unfamiliar gaze flowed back to the box, and then back to Emilia.
It was still the same.
The child who had offended him so long ago was still cold and distant, full of pride and stubbornness.
He knew it.
The reason she did such a childish thing, even though he expected it all, was because she wanted to break that lofty gaze that seemed to pierce the sky. It was a childish, dirty, and petty feeling.
“An unwanted gift ends with Bravery. You probably don’t want to hear another reason for refusing it, so just take it.”
The box shook as if urging her.
What had changed was Hardius. Contrary to expectations, it was not as enjoyable. Feeling strangely tired, Hardius slowly opened his mouth.
“Nothing should come before my precious fiancée. But, Emilia, I’m so busy these days, I can’t even describe it. It’s a waste of time to stand around like this.”
“How long will it take you to stretch out that arm that is just hanging out? One second? Two seconds?”
“Then would you come closer? So that I can save you some time.”
His blue eyes burned with anger. For a moment, it felt like a fire was lit in his withered heart.
Hardius was so overcome with a strange mood that he just passed Emilia by.
“You mean you don’t want to accept it? Then it’s okay if I throw it away? Right here, right now.”
“As you wish.”
He shrugged his shoulders as if he were annoyed and walked slowly to the front gate. Emilia's face blushed noticeably every time his long legs stepped on the ground.
After a while, the box was really thrown with a thud. Had Hardius turned his head right away, he might have snickered. He would have found Emilia, who was even more surprised by the loud noise.
But Emilia did not come with a light heart. She braced herself as she looked at the broad back of the man who had stopped standing tall.
“If you keep doing this, I won’t sit still any longer. I’ll pretend the graduation ceremony and everything never happened.”
"...”
“Are you listening? I won’t cooperate. Should I just not sign the divorce papers?”
Hardius's body elegantly turned half a turn. His light gaze landed on the box lying on the ground. His eyes seemed to regard nothing so insignificant.
Grojean was quietly watching his master's actions from a few steps away.
Hardius stopped in front of the box and began to bend down. His tall and slender body, like a statue, slowly fell to the floor.
He lifted the box gently, then dusted it off.
It was a trivial action, but Grojean's heart started beating strangely. It must have been because some memory suddenly came to mind.
When was it?
It must have been a long time ago when Duke Meyer was able to walk on two feet.
At that time, Duke Meyer, who was a handsome man, habitually hit his son's head roughly. The onlookers were shocked, and rumors spread that he was not his real son.
The most memorable one was when Hardius Meyer was five years old. The boy was just bending down to tie his loose shoelaces. But Duke Meyer struck the boy on the head with his thick hand. In front of everyone.
The reason was ridiculous. He had bent down without caution. Somewhere across from him was the son of his political enemy, the Margrave of Wallendorf...
"Shit."
Grojean jumped out of the carriage without realizing it.
He was a capable aide before he was a spy. The reason Kaitlyn Meyer kept Grojean until the end, rather than being a professional spy, was that he did a great job as an aide.
“Please, my lord.”
Grojean quickly snatched the box away. The contents shook heavily.
Meanwhile, Emilia had strode right up to Hardius.
“I guess he thinks that this gift will solve all the problems that have been going on...”
“I told you clearly before. I absolutely do not think that way.”
“Then why do you do this? What disease do you have? Do you find it so fun to force someone to do something they don’t want to do?”
Instead of answering, Hardius smiled. It was a crooked smile that contained affirmation. Emilia was at a loss for words for a moment.
“One is right and one is wrong. It’s more fun to see your reaction than you think, but I didn’t really think you’d hate it. Quite the opposite.”
What does that mean? While Emilia was blinking, surprising words continued to be spoken.
“You like small and weak things. Family, Beppy, little gifts like this, a lovely dog.”
“Ha! Don’t frame it like that. The young master is just a weirdo. A bored bum who’s about to die, a worthless nobleman who harasses people for fun.”
“It doesn’t matter, whatever you think.”
“See, it’s all about yourself.”
“Yeah, just thinking about myself. Very selfishly.”
Emilia strained her eyes as she thought about what to say in return. Then, for a moment, her shoulders slumped. She seemed to give up, as if something that had been burning had died down.
“Uncle Beppy. Carriage. Brave. That alone is enough.”
Emilia muttered weakly.
“You promised me that you would willingly sign the divorce papers. So please, stop.”
“Why are you so serious? I even heard that Meyer lives off of gold. What I gave you was just a meaningless ‘thing’.”
As Emilia lost her will to fight, Hardius also became rapidly weaker.
“I would like to repackage it and give it to you again, but I think you would refuse.”
“Yes, thank you so much for coming to your senses now. Then I will go now.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Emilia turned around. Then she started walking hurriedly as if she were being chased by something. At the end of her steps was Beppy Dilson. He was fidgeting, his hat crumpled in both hands.
Just before Emilia got on the carriage, Hardius opened his mouth a beat late.
“I have one thing to tell you. The woman who calls herself my mother will come to see you soon.”
A woman called Mother?
Emilia slowly turned her head, trying not to frown.
“Why? Why did she come to me?”
“Just to check.”
“What... is she checking?”
“Obvious and boring. Could it be that a lowly country girl is only dreaming of the day she becomes a Duchess? Could it be that the heir to the family actually has other feelings for the girl?”
More words followed.
“At first, I was going to stop her from coming, but I’m going to just leave her alone.”
You're leaving her alone?
While Emilia was speechless in surprise, Hardius turned towards the arched iron door.
Between them, who were getting further and further apart, only the bright sunlight poured down dazzlingly.
Beppy glanced to the side again, his eyebrows furrowed.
Just as Emilia had been furious the moment she saw the gift box, the current Emilia, who looked dazed, made him restless. His rough hand scratched his chin, then the back of his head, and then his chin again.
Emilia, who had been sitting there feeling upset, noticed the old man only after a while.
What did the old man do wrong? You shouldn't make the people next to you uncomfortable just because you're in a bad mood.
Emilia forced the corners of her lips to curl toward Beppy. Only then was Beppy able to look Emilia straight in the eye.
“I don’t blame you, sir. You just did what you were told. But please promise me one thing.”
Beppy put strength into his eyes as if telling her to say something.
“Please don’t go to Master Meyer without saying anything like you did the last time you went to Cavendish. If you have to go somewhere, you must tell me first. Do you understand?”
“Tell Emilia first. I will definitely tell Emilia first.”
Beppy nodded vigorously. He nodded so vigorously that his hat blew back. Emilia couldn't help but laugh, forgetting everything for a moment.
Despite his firm resolve, Beppy commits another act not ordered by his master, not even a day later.
“A stable? You’re going to build a stable?”
Behind Beppy, who was nodding, there was a pile of wood, bricks, and extension cords.
“The horse will sleep, and so will Beppy.”
“Why? Sir...you can just continue to sleep at the farm.”
After answering, Emilia felt a little sorry because it seemed like she was chasing him away.
Charlotte whined last night, wishing she could spend the whole day with Uncle Beppy. Her mother also said she wished he had a little room to himself as she saw him off to the farm late that evening.
But Beppy Dilson is ultimately Hardius's man.
Emilia steeled herself.
“How about this? You can sleep in Charlotte’s attic. If you’re too tired to go back to the farm so late at night.”
“No. Beppy’s house is made by Beppy.”
“But you’ll only be here for a few months.”
He swallowed dry saliva and spoke firmly, but could it be said that he had no clue about that? Beppy didn't even pretend to listen.
“Beppy’s house is made by Beppu.”
Emilia swallowed a sigh.
Who can stop that stubborn old man?
Beppy was a loyal servant in name only, but he was also doing whatever he wanted.
“I don’t know why you have to go this far.”
“It’s dangerous at night. Protect Emilia.”
Protect?
Blue eyes blinked slowly.
“There are a lot of gypsies. There are a lot of vagabonds. Beppy protects Emilia. Beppy protects Kalia. Beppy protects Charlotte. The elm forest is dangerous.”
Well, this is a remote forest and not a very good place for three women to live. There was also the terrible thing that happened to Charlotte a long time ago.
But...
“Who said it was dangerous here?”
“Hardy.”
A strange feeling crossed her mind. At the same time, she realized something strange.
The day Beppy first came here.
She was so shocked by Hardius that she didn't notice it, but thinking back, Beppy had found his way that day without getting confused even once.
“Sir, have you ever been here before? Before you met us.”
“Once. I'm played to come here.”
"Played?"
I realized it right away.
“It's practicing, not playing.”
“Who said it was dangerous here?”
“Hardy.”
A strange feeling crossed her mind. At the same time, she realized something strange.
The day Beppy first came here.
She was so shocked by Hardius that she didn't notice it, but thinking back, Beppy had found his way that day without getting confused even once.
“Sir, have you ever been here before? Before you met us.”
“Once. I'm played to come here.”
"Played?"
I realized it right away.
“It's practicing, not playing.”
“That’s right. I practiced, I practiced.”
A myriad of questions filled her eyes. Starting with 'Hardius' and ending with 'Hardius'...
Of course, she didn't ask a single question.
Emilia's life was going back to normal. She didn't want to do things like throw stones into a calm lake.
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