Chapter 4
“Men are animals that wait for women to break up with them first. They don’t want to be the bad guys. When a woman says she wants to break up, only then do they bite back and say, that’s not right.”
That’s what Agnes said. She, who had a wealth of dating experience, often talked about moments of breakup. I never dreamed that I would experience a moment when her experience, which I used to listen to half with a smile and half with a sense of wonder, would become so true.
But after experiencing it myself, the reality was more bitter than the delusion.
You were waiting for me to say goodbye.
When I thought about that, tears welled up without any restraint. She barely managed to stifle her cries by biting her lower lip.
The picturesque date, the dancing under the dazzling chandelier, all seemed like an illusion. She could barely open her mouth as she chewed onto the memories that had shattered like thin shards of glass.
“For so long, I’m really grateful.”
“… … .”
“I met a good person… I hope you have a beautiful love life and get married.”
Words that I didn’t mean just kept flowing out. It seemed like it was because I was drinking.
“If I invite you…”
“… … .”
“Are you coming?”
The voice was slightly humorous, but there was no laughter in his eyes at all. Diana blinked quickly at that strange harmony.
Then, as if nothing had happened, a gentle smile appeared on Edmund’s eyes and mouth.
Well then.
I guess I’ve become more drunk by now. Diana concluded that what she had seen was in vain. On the night of the prom, as she
was about to finally say goodbye to the man who protected her, she seemed to feel sad without realizing it.
“Then, let’s go.”
Diana jumped up from her seat. Edmund’s eyes followed that gesture.
“I’ll take you back.”
The moment he put down his glass and tried to stand up, Diana shook her head.
“No. We are now… … .”
“Because we’re not in any relationship?”
“… … .”
“You are such a heartless person.”
“Sorry. That’s not what I meant.”
Diana hastily apologized.
“I still thought we were a pretty good couple.”
“… It may have been that way in other people’s eyes.”
Once again, my tongue loosened and I let out any words. Edmund’s eyes widened as if he was a little surprised when he heard those words. She almost missed it, but it was too late to collect what she had already spilled.
“No, no. Please forget it. I’m sorry for the inconvenience I have caused you. I’m glad we can fix it now. I’ll go back now.”
Diana lowered her head and spat out words. Of course, his face was not visible. Actually, I didn’t want to see it. I didn’t have the courage to do that. She didn’t even want to imagine how pathetically he looked at her.
“Well then, goodbye.”
After saying that, Diana took a step forward and almost fell over. However, she didn’t even realised when he approached her, she was flexible and did not fall awkwardly because of the arm of the man who held her.
“You’re drunk.”
Hearing his short words, Diana became even more embarrassed.
“No… … .”
The strength of the hand holding my waist was considerable. When had he ever had such a strong hold on herself? Diana suddenly felt unfamiliar.
“Lean back on me.”
“I can go alone.”
At Diana’s persistent refusal, he exhaled lowly and pulled her body closer. The scent of cologne coming from his body hit Diana, and for a moment her mind became dizzy.
“Don’t be stubborn.”
It was a strangely coercive tone. Completely different from his usual self. I felt that way even more when I was drunk.
Diana was forced to move, held captive by him. As the arm supporting her pressed firmly against her shoulder, she felt a moment of emptiness.
Have I ever been hugged so strongly by him?
Knowing that he didn’t embrace me out of desire, but simply to support me, made me feel even more miserable. Nevertheless, the warmth and cologne smell coming from his hands were too
tempting to bear.
Maybe it was because I was drunk, but I felt dazed. Although her feet were moving, she was practically a puppet held by his power. She seemed unable to walk properly without relying on his arms.
This moment of walking against his body felt like a dream. The moment she thought about how she didn’t want it to end, they had already reached the main entrance of the mansion.
The carriage was already waiting. When Edmund loosened his grip, Diana finally escaped from his embrace. The dream-like time has ended.
“… … .”
Diana blinked slowly, then got into the back seat of the carriage he opened for her.
“Well then, goodbye.”
It was the final greeting, delivered in an extremely polite tone.
Without realizing it, Diana sat close to the carriage window and took in his face.
With the thought that it was the last time, really the last time, I felt the intoxication that had been coursing through my body disappear for a moment.
“Make sure you get a good night’s sleep on the way. It’s going to be a long journey.”
It was an extremely friendly voice. But Diana was disappointed even by that.
Is that really all? It’s the last one, really the last one.
Hehe, the carriage shook a little with the sound of horses neighing. Diana quickly looked at him again and whispered.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
I won’t forget it. Those words couldn’t come out of my mouth.
But it was a clear fact. Definitely, forever and ever. How could she forget the man who gave her a dream-like daily life?
It was time to escape from the dream I had been having for a while and return to reality. The carriage was made of pumpkin, and the dress she was wearing was made of rags… Because that’s her reality.
A smile spread across Edmund’s face as she recognized the shape of his mouth. Even then, Diana was somehow upset.
I guess breaking up with me was an easy thing to do. As if he was just doing his best, he pretended to be dating her in front of other people, and took her out on date and to the prom without fail. But I guess now his troublesome burden has been relieved.
In an instant, the carriage moved smoothly and took off. The horse picked up speed, and soon Edmund was quickly disappearing from her sight.
She couldn’t take her eyes off the window until he became a tiny dot and then disappeared from her view.
This is how it ends.
It wasn’t that I expected him to catch up, but I couldn’t help but feel that a part of my heart was empty when I saw him accept the breakup so calmly.
‘When we first met… … .’
Diana thought about the past events one by one. Diana’s eyes filled with tears as she thought back to the day she first met him.
She quickly dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve. Isn’t it so absurd
to cry like this after announcing a breakup? But it wasn’t enough to stop the tears from welling up. It was natural.
I liked him, truly.
How can you not like someone like that?
From the moment he saved her from that danger, she fell in love.
Because he is such a cool and wonderful person, I really like the way his face smiles at me every once in a while.
“It’s just back to normal now.”
As if reminding herself, she muttered once again. And at that moment, her uncontrollable drowsiness began to set in.
‘I guess the alcohol was strong.’
When I drank it, I didn’t notice it because it had a moderately sweet taste, so it must have been high in alcohol. But there was nothing bad. It might be better to just sleep drunk like this.
“Try to sleep well. It’s going to be a long journey.”
‘Long journey?’
Edmund’s greeting kept ringing in my ears. How far is it from Duke Serwell’s residence to my aunt’s house? … Was it far enough to be described as a long journey?
But that didn’t matter now. She buried her body deep into the soft back of the chair. Her blinking rate became increasingly slower, and the rhythmic sound of the horse’s hooves gradually made her fall asleep.
Diana closed her eyes, feeling a languid heat spreading throughout her body.
