IYWHM Chapter 5

After the somewhat special incident that occurred that day at the library, Kisa’s life flowed on surprisingly unchanged.

As expected, since she no longer visited the Royal Library, there was no chance to meet Seyard.

Every time she passed by the library in the carriage, she felt a light urge to stop by, but circumstances just didn’t allow it.

Marsha, who had experienced the mistress’s two escapades, always had a sharp look in her eyes.

By now, the report must have reached Count Vansfelt’s ears. Fortunately, the Count was quite busy lately; otherwise, just thinking about being summoned to his suffocating office made her breathless.

Kisa pressed her chest with a rush of frustration. Naturally, her most troubling concern came to mind.

Daniel Lowens. That shameless fellow, who had completely trampled on his fiancée’s pride, had been silent ever since that day.

He hadn’t particularly come to see Count Vansfelt or sent any letters. How brazen of him.

She didn’t expect that he would suddenly change his mind and genuinely regret his actions, but she hadn’t anticipated the complete lack of even a formal apology or indirect reconciliation.

Daniel had simply left Kisa hanging for nearly a week. No matter how preoccupied he might be, this was a disrespectful attitude towards her. As a fiancée and as a person.

“But during that time, he must have gone to see that woman.”

That woman with gray hair named Hazel.

“Kisa?”

At that moment, when her heart sank coldly, her name was suddenly called. Kisa quickly broke free from her thoughts and looked at the person sitting in front of her.

“Kisa, what’s wrong? Is something the matter?”

Melissa, with a worried expression, took Kisa’s hand resting on the table.

“I’ve noticed you seem strangely unable to concentrate on the conversation. Is there something bothering you?”

“It’s nothing.”

Despite Kisa’s denial, Melissa didn’t let go of her doubts.

“It’s not nothing. It’s not like I’ve known you for a day or two, you know?”

Melissa Dos. Kisa’s best friend. They naturally grew up together due to the closeness of their families.

Today, they were finally having tea together at Count Vansfelt’s residence.

“You’ve been acting a bit strange lately. Remember when you came to my house and left without saying anything?”

That time Melissa mentioned referred to the day Kisa learned about Daniel’s hidden truth.

That day, Kisa had been invited to Melissa’s tea party, enjoying a peaceful moment, until she heard those words from a stranger.

[I saw your fiancé courting a widow.]

What if she hadn’t listened to that? Wouldn’t she have been free from this pain if she had dismissed the idea that Daniel could do such a thing?

She hated herself for making such a pitiful assumption, but her thoughts kept drifting in that direction.

As Kisa quietly gazed at her long-time friend’s face, she finally spoke.

“Melissa, how do you know Mrs. Oshuana?”

“Mrs. Oshuana? Oh, the one who came to that tea party you attended before?”

“Yeah. Are you close?”

“No, not at all. We just exchanged a few words at a ballroom once, and she showed a keen interest in me. She said she really wanted to attend my tea party.”

Melissa shrugged her shoulders with a peculiar expression.

“But considering that, she behaved quite well when she was invited. It’s strange…”

As she hesitated in her words, she suddenly clapped her hands.

“Come to think of it! You were left alone with Mrs. Oshuana, weren’t you? When I was playing bridge with the others. Right, that was when you left without saying goodbye.”

Her gaze pressed Kisa for an answer.

“What on earth happened? Did Mrs. Oshuana say something inappropriate to you?”

“Not at all.”

“Then tell me. I need to know why you’re acting like this.”

“Well…”

“What’s the point of being friends if you can’t share, huh?”

Under her persistent questioning, Kisa’s heavy lips finally opened. She had been wanting to talk about it all along. A burden in her heart that was too heavy to bear alone.

And for Kisa, Melissa was the one with whom she could most comfortably share this kind of worry.

“Actually…”

Once she started talking, the words flowed out effortlessly. Kisa recounted everything that happened in front of the tea house that evening. Not even the rising emotions could interrupt her.

“I can’t believe it.”

After hearing the whole story, Melissa got angry and scolded Daniel.

“That bastard. How could he say something like that to you? What a rotten person. He’s always been so self-important.”

Then she took Kisa’s hand again.

“You’ve been through so much, haven’t you? All the blame lies with that Daniel. You don’t need to suffer over it.”

“…Yeah.”

Those were truly comforting words. Yes, Kisa needed someone like Melissa. Someone who could listen to her complicated feelings.

Knowing the circumstances between Kisa and Daniel, Melissa provided comfort in a way that Seyard could not.

“I’m so confused. I never thought Daniel would do something like this.”

“Right? And this is before you’re even married.”

“Is that woman really that special? To treat me, who has known him for over ten years, like this?”

“He’s just gotten used to you and forgotten your worth. Don’t worry too much. What have you done that compares to that woman?”

“Is that so?”

“Of course! She’s just a widow running a small tea house.”

“But she has intellect. Daniel seems to appreciate that…”

Kisa’s words trailed off awkwardly. Something was weighing on her heart. It felt uncomfortable, like opening and closing a rusty hinge.

“Kisa?”

As Kisa pondered what it could be, she looked directly into Melissa’s eyes.

“Did I say that she was a widow?”

“What?”

“I never mentioned that the woman is a widow.”

No matter how many times she tried to recall, it was true. Kisa had only said that Mrs. Oshuana revealed Daniel’s secret, but she hadn’t conveyed exactly what she said.

After that, while explaining her encounter with Daniel in front of the tea house, there hadn’t been a chance to mention the widow information.

“Melissa, did you already know who that woman is?”

“Uh, well, sort of. I heard it while passing by.”

“From whom?”

“Let’s see? Anyway, that woman seems to be somewhat famous. That’s how I knew.”

Melissa offered an awkward smile. Kisa, being a long-time friend, noticed that she was hiding something. How exactly did Melissa find out about Hazel?

“…Now that I think about it, didn’t your younger brother mention going to some strange gatherings a few months ago?”

“Yeah?”

“Your father didn’t like it. He said he was distracted by useless things. Is that gathering held at the tea house called Willow Tree?”

“No, that’s—”

“Melissa, just be honest with me.”

This time, Kisa grabbed Melissa’s hand, which was trying to retreat as if to escape. Unlike before, there was no warmth of comfort in that grip.

“Did you know? About Daniel and that woman’s relationship.”

“…”

There was no need to hear the answer. The trembling eyes of Melissa told her everything.

“You knew all along and didn’t tell me.”

Kisa, feeling utterly defeated, let go of Melissa’s hand.

“You knew everything.”

“No! Listen to me!”

“Tell me. Didn’t you hear from your brother that Daniel seemed particularly close with the tea house owner?”

Since the families had deep ties, Melissa’s brother also knew Kisa and Daniel. If he saw Daniel at the same gathering, it would have been natural to mention it to his sister at least once.

“I just…”

Melissa paused for a moment, as if organizing her thoughts, and her face turned to one of grievance.

“I only heard that Daniel seemed quite friendly with the tea house owner.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was afraid you would be upset like this.”

“What?”

“See? You’re this distressed. That’s why I hoped you wouldn’t find out.”

“You’re making it harder for me. Does hiding it help?”

Kisa never expected Melissa to behave this way. She couldn’t even imagine it.

“What would you have done if I never found out? Would you have congratulated me while I married Daniel, completely unaware?”

“…So what was I supposed to do?”

“You should have told me! We’re friends, right?”

“Even if I told you, nothing would change.”

“Why wouldn’t it? If I knew, I could at least prepare—”

“What kind of preparation? Would you call off the engagement?”

The word “call off the engagement” silenced Kisa. It carried considerable weight.

Even though it was something she had said, Melissa sighed as if it were absurd.

“What can be done about a marriage arranged by our families? You and Daniel will get married. If you’re going to marry anyway, what’s the point in knowing sooner?”

She pulled out her chair and stood up. It seemed like she was eager to leave now that Kisa’s momentum had waned.

“Kisa, I’m sorry for not telling you. But I did it for your sake. No matter what Daniel does outside, just focus on your own matters. That way, you’ll feel more at ease. Many people live like that.”

After gathering her handbag, she turned to leave but suddenly added something as if she just remembered.

“Oh, don’t forget about the promise to visit the princess next week. Even if you’re upset with me, this is a promise with the princess. We should comfort her in her sorrow over losing her fiancé.”

With that final remark, Kisa’s closest friend left, as if Kisa were no longer someone to be consoled.

Left alone in the garden, she placed her hand on her throbbing forehead. The word “call off the engagement” lingered in her mind, tormenting her.

“What should I do now?”

The mutter escaped her lips like a sigh.