Episode 59. I Miss You
Eric and Beliana boarded the carriage side by side. The clattering carriage was incredibly quiet.
"It's been three years since I've been to the South."
Eric gazed at the exotic scenery, lost in memories.
Three years ago, he had visited the South with Rose. After their wedding, on their honeymoon.
When he arrived with Rose, the carriage was incredibly bustling. He suddenly remembered Rose, chatting nonstop with excitement. A completely different Rose, completely different from Beliana beside him, loomed before him.
It had been a pleasant trip, in its own way. It was a bit difficult to keep up with Rose's excitement about her first time in the South, though.
He watched Beliana, who was silently gazing out the window.
Unlike Rose, Beliana was not bright, and besides, she was a dull woman, day or night.
"A boring woman."
Being with her was boring. Eric broke the silence and addressed Beliana.
“Have you ever been to the South?”
“...Yes. It’s my hometown.”
“Hometown? I thought you were born and raised in the capital.”
Beliana’s expression turned awkward at Eric’s words. Then she quickly made an excuse.
“It’s the hometown of my heart. I fell in love with the beautiful scenery.”
Eric nodded without much doubt. The South was indeed a peaceful and beautiful place.
'I almost got into trouble.'
Beliana clutched her pounding heart and brushed her chest. She had to play the role of the young lady of the Marquis of Dikar, but her true self had unknowingly surfaced.
She constantly scanned Eric’s expression. Fortunately, he seemed unconcerned with Beliana’s words.
'...Thank goodness.'
“We’ve arrived,”
The coachman’s booming voice rang out. The carriage wheels slowly came to a halt. Eric got out of the carriage first, followed by Beliana.
"It's the same here."
Eric muttered to himself as he got out. Nothing much had changed since he and Rose had come for their honeymoon.
He stared blankly at the large tree in the middle of the square.
Covered in purple petals, it was breathtakingly magical. Over 500 years old, it was a symbol of the South.
Suddenly, Rose's admiration for the tree flashed through his mind.
"Wow, Eric. Look at this! It's so beautiful."
Eric and Beliana boarded the carriage side by side. The clattering carriage was incredibly quiet.
"It's been three years since I've been to the South."
Eric gazed at the exotic scenery, lost in memories.
Three years ago, he had visited the South with Rose. After their wedding, on their honeymoon.
When he arrived with Rose, the carriage was incredibly bustling. He suddenly remembered Rose, chatting nonstop with excitement. A completely different Rose, completely different from Beliana beside him, loomed before him.
It had been a pleasant trip, in its own way. It was a bit difficult to keep up with Rose's excitement about her first time in the South, though.
He watched Beliana, who was silently gazing out the window.
Unlike Rose, Beliana was not bright, and besides, she was a dull woman, day or night.
"A boring woman."
Being with her was boring. Eric broke the silence and addressed Beliana.
“Have you ever been to the South?”
“...Yes. It’s my hometown.”
“Hometown? I thought you were born and raised in the capital.”
Beliana’s expression turned awkward at Eric’s words. Then she quickly made an excuse.
“It’s the hometown of my heart. I fell in love with the beautiful scenery.”
Eric nodded without much doubt. The South was indeed a peaceful and beautiful place.
'I almost got into trouble.'
Beliana clutched her pounding heart and brushed her chest. She had to play the role of the young lady of the Marquis of Dikar, but her true self had unknowingly surfaced.
She constantly scanned Eric’s expression. Fortunately, he seemed unconcerned with Beliana’s words.
'...Thank goodness.'
“We’ve arrived,”
The coachman’s booming voice rang out. The carriage wheels slowly came to a halt. Eric got out of the carriage first, followed by Beliana.
"It's the same here."
Eric muttered to himself as he got out. Nothing much had changed since he and Rose had come for their honeymoon.
He stared blankly at the large tree in the middle of the square.
Covered in purple petals, it was breathtakingly magical. Over 500 years old, it was a symbol of the South.
Suddenly, Rose's admiration for the tree flashed through his mind.
"Wow, Eric. Look at this! It's so beautiful."
"What's so great about a tree like this? Just go inside and sleep."
She'd been so captivated by the fluttering petals that it took some effort to get her to her lodgings.
"How do I look? Do I look pretty?"
She picked up a flower that had fallen to the ground and pinned it to her hair, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"Not pretty."
"Stop being grumpy. What... Even when you're grumpy, you're so cool.'
'Don't laugh. You look inadequate.'
'How can I always laugh when I'm with Eric! I'm so happy?'
'What do you like about me?'
'Mmm. Everything. I like your handsome face, and you're so cute when you're grumpy.'
'... You're definitely crazy.'
'Eric drove me crazy. Now you have to take responsibility for me for the rest of your life, yes?'
Even though three years had passed, the memory of that day was still vivid.
Rose's brightly smiling face flashed before Eric's eyes.
Rose's smile, illuminated by the spring sunlight, bloomed lushly. Her flushed cheeks were as rosy as ripe peaches.
Rose's eyes, looking at him, shone with a dazzling light, like the Milky Way.
Back then, Rose expressed her love for Eric with her whole being.
Her every expression, every gesture, said it all.
That's why he could tell so clearly that she loved him without her having to say anything.
Eric blankly stared at the tree.
Somehow, he missed Rose.
Jane's eyes were swollen and puffy from crying all night. You could tell just by looking at Jane's eyes how much she had cried.
Next to Jane was Serun, whose eyes were just as swollen as hers.
Jane and Serun looked at each other. Then, without saying anything, they burst into laughter.
"Pfft."
"Huh."
"Oh, don't laugh."
"Jane laughed too."
Their faces were lined with exhaustion from staying up all night. However, their hearts were lighter than ever.
"Sir Serun, can I ask you something?"
"Yes, please ask."
Now, there were no secrets from Jane. He had told her everything.
“When did you start to truly like me?”
Serun’s face flushed at the sudden question. He avoided Jane’s eyes and muttered softly.
“That... I don’t know.”
Jane’s eyes narrowed at Serun’s ignorance.
“What? Are you sure you like me?”
“I do!”
Serun answered Jane’s seemingly doubtful words immediately. Then, slowly, he expressed his true feelings.
“At first, I just thought Jane’s smile was cute, but at some point, I kept missing you... wanting to be with you... That’s how I started liking you. If you ask me when, I wouldn’t know.”
"How do I look? Do I look pretty?"
She picked up a flower that had fallen to the ground and pinned it to her hair, her eyes sparkling with joy.
"Not pretty."
"Stop being grumpy. What... Even when you're grumpy, you're so cool.'
'Don't laugh. You look inadequate.'
'How can I always laugh when I'm with Eric! I'm so happy?'
'What do you like about me?'
'Mmm. Everything. I like your handsome face, and you're so cute when you're grumpy.'
'... You're definitely crazy.'
'Eric drove me crazy. Now you have to take responsibility for me for the rest of your life, yes?'
Even though three years had passed, the memory of that day was still vivid.
Rose's brightly smiling face flashed before Eric's eyes.
Rose's smile, illuminated by the spring sunlight, bloomed lushly. Her flushed cheeks were as rosy as ripe peaches.
Rose's eyes, looking at him, shone with a dazzling light, like the Milky Way.
Back then, Rose expressed her love for Eric with her whole being.
Her every expression, every gesture, said it all.
That's why he could tell so clearly that she loved him without her having to say anything.
Eric blankly stared at the tree.
Somehow, he missed Rose.
***
Jane's eyes were swollen and puffy from crying all night. You could tell just by looking at Jane's eyes how much she had cried.
Next to Jane was Serun, whose eyes were just as swollen as hers.
Jane and Serun looked at each other. Then, without saying anything, they burst into laughter.
"Pfft."
"Huh."
"Oh, don't laugh."
"Jane laughed too."
Their faces were lined with exhaustion from staying up all night. However, their hearts were lighter than ever.
"Sir Serun, can I ask you something?"
"Yes, please ask."
Now, there were no secrets from Jane. He had told her everything.
“When did you start to truly like me?”
Serun’s face flushed at the sudden question. He avoided Jane’s eyes and muttered softly.
“That... I don’t know.”
Jane’s eyes narrowed at Serun’s ignorance.
“What? Are you sure you like me?”
“I do!”
Serun answered Jane’s seemingly doubtful words immediately. Then, slowly, he expressed his true feelings.
“At first, I just thought Jane’s smile was cute, but at some point, I kept missing you... wanting to be with you... That’s how I started liking you. If you ask me when, I wouldn’t know.”
It was a rough but sincere confession.
“I’m five years older than you, and you say I’m cute...!”
Jane’s face flushed for no reason at Serun’s words. Even during their relationship, not once had he called her cute.
Jane was always the one who said he was cute.
Serun was the type of person who was often upset with her because, although he was very affectionate, he didn't express his feelings well.
"Then... Serun, how much do you like me?"
Jane asked, Serun lowering his head and answering softly.
"A lot..."
Though his face couldn't be seen, she could clearly see that his cheeks were even redder than before.
"If you could only save one between Rose and me, who would you save?"
"Of course, Jane!"
"You're Rose's bodyguard, aren't you?"
"Not anymore. And even if I were a bodyguard, I would have gone to save you first, not Rose."
It was an unsympathetic remark. However, Jane was more important to Serun.
Seeing Serun fidgeting, Jane couldn't help but laugh.
"Pfft."
Seeing Jane laugh, Serun looked at her and laughed back.
It had been so long since they'd laughed face to face. A warm atmosphere filled the space between them, who had been pushing and rejecting each other.
The two were incredibly peaceful, as if nothing had happened.
“Haa... This is why they said you shouldn’t date younger men.”
“Huh!?”
Did she regret meeting him? Serun was startled by Jane’s words and looked at her.
“You don’t know the basics of dating. I told you to leave, and you really did.”
Jane subtly revealed her darkened feelings because of Serun.
“That’s scary, isn’t it?”
Serun squinted his eyes and mimicked Jane’s expression.
Jane frowned at Serun’s imitation.
“What? I’m starting to feel bad. When did I ever make that face!”
“...It’s exactly the same.”
Serun slowly lowered his hand and glanced at Jane. Seeing Serun speak with a dejected expression, she chuckled.
“Sir Serun, do you know that?”
Serun tilted his head and looked at Jane.
“Actually, I’ve been hoping you’d hold me back.”
“Yes?”
Serun’s voice boomed. He had never dreamed she would be waiting for him.
“Even though you pushed me away like that...”
Serin looked at Jane with a puzzled expression.
Jane, seeing Serin’s reaction, made a face that suggested she’d expected that and opened her mouth.
“I wanted you to hold on to me until the end, even if I got angry and yelled at you.”
“...You told me not to show up in front of you again, didn’t you? With that expression on your face.”
“I’m five years older than you, and you say I’m cute...!”
Jane’s face flushed for no reason at Serun’s words. Even during their relationship, not once had he called her cute.
Jane was always the one who said he was cute.
Serun was the type of person who was often upset with her because, although he was very affectionate, he didn't express his feelings well.
"Then... Serun, how much do you like me?"
Jane asked, Serun lowering his head and answering softly.
"A lot..."
Though his face couldn't be seen, she could clearly see that his cheeks were even redder than before.
"If you could only save one between Rose and me, who would you save?"
"Of course, Jane!"
"You're Rose's bodyguard, aren't you?"
"Not anymore. And even if I were a bodyguard, I would have gone to save you first, not Rose."
It was an unsympathetic remark. However, Jane was more important to Serun.
Seeing Serun fidgeting, Jane couldn't help but laugh.
"Pfft."
Seeing Jane laugh, Serun looked at her and laughed back.
It had been so long since they'd laughed face to face. A warm atmosphere filled the space between them, who had been pushing and rejecting each other.
The two were incredibly peaceful, as if nothing had happened.
“Haa... This is why they said you shouldn’t date younger men.”
“Huh!?”
Did she regret meeting him? Serun was startled by Jane’s words and looked at her.
“You don’t know the basics of dating. I told you to leave, and you really did.”
Jane subtly revealed her darkened feelings because of Serun.
“That’s scary, isn’t it?”
Serun squinted his eyes and mimicked Jane’s expression.
Jane frowned at Serun’s imitation.
“What? I’m starting to feel bad. When did I ever make that face!”
“...It’s exactly the same.”
Serun slowly lowered his hand and glanced at Jane. Seeing Serun speak with a dejected expression, she chuckled.
“Sir Serun, do you know that?”
Serun tilted his head and looked at Jane.
“Actually, I’ve been hoping you’d hold me back.”
“Yes?”
Serun’s voice boomed. He had never dreamed she would be waiting for him.
“Even though you pushed me away like that...”
Serin looked at Jane with a puzzled expression.
Jane, seeing Serin’s reaction, made a face that suggested she’d expected that and opened her mouth.
“I wanted you to hold on to me until the end, even if I got angry and yelled at you.”
“...You told me not to show up in front of you again, didn’t you? With that expression on your face.”
Serun squinted his eyes and mimicked Jane’s expression once more.
“Sir Serun? I told you not to do that.”
Caught off guard by Jane’s terrifying expression, Serun immediately lowered his hand and apologized.
“...I’m sorry.”
Jane huffed, glancing at Serun before opening her mouth.
“From now on, even if I get angry and push you away, you’ll stay by my side.”
“...Is that okay?”
“Yes. I’d be upset if you actually left when I told you to.”
“Then you don’t have to tell me to leave.”
Jane's eyes flashed fiercely at Serun's rational words.
"If it were up to me, I wouldn't have asked you to do this."
"Hahaha. That's right."
Jane's gaze was fierce. Serun looked at her with an awkward smile.
"Sometimes, when I'm upset, I say it without realizing it, so you really shouldn't go when I tell you to. Just stay quietly by my side. I calm down quickly when Serun hugs me."
When Jane asked for a hug whenever she got angry, Serun's expression turned pale.
"Hehe."
He blushed and played with his messy hair. Then he muttered softly,
"I could hug you right now..."
He glanced at Jane. It looked like he wanted to hug Jane forcefully, but Serun couldn't easily do so because he had made so many mistakes.
Jane raised the corners of her mouth and gave Serun a light hug. Then she stood up and said to him,
"Let's go."
"Where?"
"You should go apologize to Rose."
"Ah..."
Serun nodded at Jane's words.
"Rose probably has a lot to ask you."
Jane muttered, recalling the conversation she had with Rose last night.
It was a meaningful remark, but Serun knew what it meant. Serun had been listening to everything Rose and Jane were saying.
"Are you going?"
Jane reached out to Serun, who was sitting there. Serun hesitated, unable to take Jane's hand.
To take that hand would mean betraying his father, Cedric.
"Sir Serun?"
Jane called Serun's name again. Serun looked at Jane with confused eyes.
Intellectually, he knew that his existence meant nothing to Cedric, but he hesitated for some reason.
Having lived in his shadow for eight years, he had never imagined betraying him. That's why he couldn't easily take Jane's hand.
Jane read Serun's bewilderment in his eyes. But she waited, not urging Serun, because she was certain he would take her hand.
The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, a faint smile forming. Seeing Jane's smile, Serun unconsciously reached out to her.
Jane helped Serun, who had taken her hand with difficulty, to his feet.
A bright smile bloomed on Jane's face as she held Serun's hand.
"Good decision. Come with me."
Serun was the key to solving this case.
He walked with Jane to the Serviat mansion, where Rose was.
“Sir Serun? I told you not to do that.”
Caught off guard by Jane’s terrifying expression, Serun immediately lowered his hand and apologized.
“...I’m sorry.”
Jane huffed, glancing at Serun before opening her mouth.
“From now on, even if I get angry and push you away, you’ll stay by my side.”
“...Is that okay?”
“Yes. I’d be upset if you actually left when I told you to.”
“Then you don’t have to tell me to leave.”
Jane's eyes flashed fiercely at Serun's rational words.
"If it were up to me, I wouldn't have asked you to do this."
"Hahaha. That's right."
Jane's gaze was fierce. Serun looked at her with an awkward smile.
"Sometimes, when I'm upset, I say it without realizing it, so you really shouldn't go when I tell you to. Just stay quietly by my side. I calm down quickly when Serun hugs me."
When Jane asked for a hug whenever she got angry, Serun's expression turned pale.
"Hehe."
He blushed and played with his messy hair. Then he muttered softly,
"I could hug you right now..."
He glanced at Jane. It looked like he wanted to hug Jane forcefully, but Serun couldn't easily do so because he had made so many mistakes.
Jane raised the corners of her mouth and gave Serun a light hug. Then she stood up and said to him,
"Let's go."
"Where?"
"You should go apologize to Rose."
"Ah..."
Serun nodded at Jane's words.
"Rose probably has a lot to ask you."
Jane muttered, recalling the conversation she had with Rose last night.
It was a meaningful remark, but Serun knew what it meant. Serun had been listening to everything Rose and Jane were saying.
"Are you going?"
Jane reached out to Serun, who was sitting there. Serun hesitated, unable to take Jane's hand.
To take that hand would mean betraying his father, Cedric.
"Sir Serun?"
Jane called Serun's name again. Serun looked at Jane with confused eyes.
Intellectually, he knew that his existence meant nothing to Cedric, but he hesitated for some reason.
Having lived in his shadow for eight years, he had never imagined betraying him. That's why he couldn't easily take Jane's hand.
Jane read Serun's bewilderment in his eyes. But she waited, not urging Serun, because she was certain he would take her hand.
The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, a faint smile forming. Seeing Jane's smile, Serun unconsciously reached out to her.
Jane helped Serun, who had taken her hand with difficulty, to his feet.
A bright smile bloomed on Jane's face as she held Serun's hand.
"Good decision. Come with me."
Serun was the key to solving this case.
He walked with Jane to the Serviat mansion, where Rose was.
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