IMLTVS Chapter 14

Chapter 14

 

 

 

But… going back to high society would bring a lot of rumors.

I had already prepared myself for that.

After all, we had publicly slapped each other, and even Raina got involved, causing a scandal between families that led to my broken engagement.

There was no way I could escape gossip.

“…Oh… I see. My apologies, Lady.”

Ian, realizing it had all been a misunderstanding, looked completely drained, as if his soul had left his body. 

He staggered away, visibly shaken.

I had a feeling I knew what would happen when he got back, so I silently wished Parin good luck.

After that incident, Ian started avoiding me. I could guess why, so I didn’t go out of my way to trouble him.

Honestly, I had only been slightly flustered. But for Ian, it must have been a truly humiliating experience.

However, now that my arm and cheek had healed, I thought I should at least say goodbye before leaving.

As I was saying farewell to Parin and taking in the fact that I was finally leaving, someone came running toward me.

It was Ian, looking incredibly urgent.

When he saw my face, he turned bright red, but he still spoke loudly and firmly.

“Lady Carmilla! I will be joining the military under my father, but one day, I promise to come see you again. I swear it!”

Then, he handed me a letter, a flower, and a gift.

As I walked back with them in my hands, I found myself smiling when I was finally alone.

It felt like the perfect, short-lived first love story.

The thought that I had become a character in one of Ian’s precious memories made me unexpectedly happy.

When I later opened the letter, I turned completely red with secondhand embarrassment.

“You are like a buzzing bee, and I am but a single drop of honey waiting for you…”

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Ian… You didn’t have to write this.

There was no doubt he had written this all on his own, without asking for advice from anyone.

For his sake, I decided to seal the letter away in a deep, hidden place.

When I returned home after a long time, everything felt a little unfamiliar.

After staying in a small, cozy place for so long, my house suddenly felt unnecessarily big.

As I glanced around, I noticed the maids’ faces were flushed with excitement, and I quickly looked away.

They had no sense of shame. 

The way they were staring at me so intently was making me uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Lysdel was circling me excitedly, just like an overjoyed puppy.

Since that incident, she had grown quite close to Hannah. Wanting them to rely on each other, I had brought Hannah in as my personal maid as well.

But today, I suddenly wondered if that was a mistake.

With the two of them buzzing around me like bees, I couldn’t concentrate at all.

Eventually, I put down my embroidery.

“-Could you go to the kitchen and bring me some snacks?”

Hannah immediately dashed out of the room.

Then, I turned to Lysdel and said,

“The flowers in the vase are starting to bore me. I’d love to see your skills. Could you bring me some fresh ones from the garden?”

“Of course, my lady! I’ll make the most beautiful bouquet in the world!”

Lysdel ran off with enthusiasm.

Finally, in the newfound silence, I thought to myself—this was only a temporary solution.

Even the serious old butler was walking with an oddly light step.

It would take a long time before these excited children calmed down.

I recalled the time I raised a puppy. 

The best way to settle an excited animal was to let them burn off their energy. And the best way to do that? Walks.

Yes, I would have to start taking them out more often.

People tend to remember things they left unresolved only after catching their breath.

Bern was no exception.

Now that he had successfully hidden Raina away from his father’s influence, he finally had time to deal with the lingering guilt in his heart.

“Carmilla… I have to apologize to her.”

Everything had been a misunderstanding. But still, in his blind rage, he had raised his hand against a woman.

He could never forget the look in Carmilla’s eyes when she had been unjustly slapped—the coldness, the sheer hatred.

At the time, he didn’t understand it.

But now, he did.

She had already discovered the truth about Raina and felt betrayed. Then, out of nowhere, she had been struck in the face.

Her built-up resentment and anger had naturally turned into hatred.

“She was right. I shouldn’t have just gone along with things, denying everything passively. I should have acted.”

For the first time, Bern tried to see things from someone else’s perspective.

He had done nothing.

He didn’t make a clear decision, didn’t take responsibility, didn’t give up—he just drifted along.

Like a child, he had resented being forced into something and felt oppressed.

And as revenge, he had been cruel to someone weaker than himself.

“Besides… in the end…”

The sensation suddenly returned to his hands—the feeling of plunging his sword into his own knight’s throat.

He clenched his fists as a wave of nausea hit him.

There were things he could never undo.

But at the very least, he could start by taking responsibility for what he still could.

“First, I’ll apologize to her and find a way to make amends.”

Then, he planned to leave his family.

A man who had killed his own family’s knight could never become the head of the Demeter household.

And he had realized something—if he had to choose between his family and Raina, he would choose Raina.

Someone like that had no right to be the next head.

Once everything was settled, he would win the imperial swordsmanship tournament and create his path. Then, he would propose to Raina.

“Maybe that’s the role most suited for me.”

Even if he lost a lot, if it was his responsibility, then it wasn’t a waste.

He only felt sorry for his parents, who had placed their hopes on him.

But that was all.

He had made his decision, and he wouldn’t turn back.

That decision had come after many nights of guilt and self-reflection.

“I’m leaving the family. I might never see you again.”

Jed, who had been setting up a board game, raised an eyebrow and gave Bern a weird look.

“…What? What kind of nonsense is that?”

Then, he simply placed the game board on the table and set it up.

“Anyway, want to play? You’ve been stressed lately.”

But Bern silently reached out and tipped over his game piece.

The smooth, white piece fell onto the board.

“Hey! Why’d you knock it over? I just set it up.”

Without looking at the board, Bern spoke.

“Sorry. I don’t have time for games anymore. I have things to take care of.”

Worried that Jed might be upset, he softened his tone.

“I appreciate your help. I’ll return the favor someday.”

Jed looked up at him, clearly not listening to the latter half of his words.

“…Then what about tomorrow? Will you have time then? You used to love this game.”

His red eyes held an innocent belief that Bern would say yes.

That look always made it hard to say no.

But Bern sighed.

“Jed, I don’t enjoy board games anymore. I don’t want to waste time on them.”

Jed stared at the fallen piece, his expression unreadable.

Like someone trying to fit a familiar puzzle piece, only to realize its shape had changed.

“I’m not a child anymore. I have responsibilities.”