Arthas April 11, 2024 No comments
Don't forget to rate and review the novel on Novelupdates
"Huff... gasp..."
Isabel, who had run up out of breath, put her hands on her knees and gasped for breath.
I couldn’t help but stammer in bewilderment and asked, "...What are you doing?"
"Phew... just... let's talk for a minute. Please."
As she caught her breath and requested a conversation, a frenzy flickered in Isabel's eyes.
I clicked my tongue, stunned. 'She really does seem insane.'
Isabel was the epitome of aristocratic refinement and decorum. But look at her now - hair disheveled as if just woken up, chasing after a maid in her nightgown.
No wonder the Count's complexion was so gloomy.
"...Please hear me out."
Isabel bit her lower lip, her expression desperately pleading.
Something was making her anxious, and she stood there trembling, looking at me as if she were tied to a rope.
".............."
Normally, I would have just fled the scene, no matter the request for dialogue. But now that the engagement had been annulled, a fleeting thought crossed my mind - perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to hear what Isabel so desperately wanted to say before I leave.
"Excuse me... would you like me to show you to the reception room?" The maid who had been observing the situation carefully asked me.
I nodded reluctantly, and Isabel took a shallow breath; and the maid promptly began guiding us.
Passing through the gilded corridors lined with pristine marble, we arrived at a familiar entrance - the reception room on the first floor of the Yustia Count's mansion.
The very place where Kyle had come to whisper his love to Isabel numerous times.
Creak—
I pulled the chair back and took a seat.
Isabel carefully sat across from me, keeping her gaze fixed on me.
"Could you please bring some light refreshments and tea?"
"Yes, Miss."
At Isabel's request, the maid departed, soon returning with a cart laden with refreshments and tea. She lightly set the table and soon left, bowing her head and saying the formal words to have a good time.
"............"
"............"
An eerie silence permeated the air.
I regarded Isabel with an indifferent expression.
'What could she be thinking?'
I had always been curious.
What reason drove Isabel to so blindly despise Kyle?
Was it because the world had assigned Kyle the role of the 'villain'?
Or could it be that all of this was a play orchestrated by the system, intended for Kyle's 'villainous demise'?
There had to be a reason.
That's why she had treated Kyle so harshly.
I had made a considerable effort to try to understand Isabel in my own way.
But it was not an easy task.
No matter how much I was a modern-day person who had been possessed into the game world, it wasn't something that I could easily get used to — the hatred of others.
Every morning, I would look at Kyle's face in the mirror, overwhelmed by a terrible sense of disconnect; the looks of hatred that poured in for the simple reason that he was a villain and a bastard were eerily unfamiliar.
The malice that stood in the midst of the daily insults was sharper than any blade.
I just want to go home.
Not this world filled with hatred.
To my world where my family, who I miss so much, are waiting.
Yes, that must be the case.
"...rry."
Why on earth. For what reason. Now of all times.
"I'm sorry..."
Is Isabel crying, looking at me?
“……I’m sorry…hae…”
I'm the one who wants to cry.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
I barely managed to compose my expression on the verge of distorting.
“Because I didn't trust you……. Because I hurt you…….”
Isabel was struggling, unable to even breathe properly.
“Just once……. Just once……. A chance…….”
Her ragged breaths made her chest rise and fall.
She trembled uncontrollably, repeating the same words in a rambling manner.
In a voice that was hopelessly small and trembling.
"............"
I was at a loss for words.
The sudden apology, the heartfelt remorse - neither was something I had anticipated.
I stared at Isabel's tear-stained face and finally found the words to say.
"A year."
"........"
"It's been a year since you started treating me coldly, and it's been a year since I started to sort out my feelings for you.”
"Kyle..."
"That decision, forged through agonizing self-reflection over that one year."
The image of Kyle from a year ago appeared before me.
The scene of Kyle lying awake at night, unable to sleep, listening to Isabel's tirades demanding the annulment of their engagement, flashed through my mind like a film.
A fragment of the memories I had acquired by possessing Kyle's body.
"Why."
"........."
"Why now of all times."
"........."
"It took me a year to come to terms with my feelings, and now what are you going to do? Do you want me to forgive you? Or do you want me to understand everything and comfort you?”
Isabel averted her gaze, her breathing ragged and uneven.
"After a year of deliberation, I barely managed to utter the words to request the annulment of the engagement."
"............"
“Isabel, you're asking me for love in just a few days.”
"That's not..."
"You know, it's already too late," I swiftly presented the annulment documents bearing the Count's signature.
Isabel carefully examined the documents, and moments later, the hands holding the papers fell limply.
✦ Scenario Progress
: 15%
The progress rate has increased once again.
However, I couldn't stop the words from pouring out.
"Why did you do that to me?"
: 16%
Isabel looked at me with unfocused eyes.
"You know, the voice of you looking down on me still echoes in my ears like a phantom at night."
: 17%
Isabel's throat twitched.
"I told you, didn't I? I no longer love you."
: 18%
Isabel denied it, repeating the word "no" over and over again.
I sighed and continued in a sunken voice.
"Please, just leave me be."
"............"
I had said everything I needed to say.
By now, Isabel should understand that clinging to me is utterly meaningless.
"Phew."
I slowly got up and gathered the documents.
That's when it happened.
"...Kyle."
A voice, hoarse and strained, came from behind me.
"...Don't go. Please, Kyle."
I ignored it and moved my steps forward.
Soon, the maid, finding the mentally unstable Isabel, rushed towards her in alarm.
"Miss! Miss? Can you hear me?"
"Kyle... is gone..."
"Huh? What are you talking about?”
"Being with me… he said it suffocates him…"
"Miss! Please, pull yourself together!"
"He'll come back... Yes, surely... once he's calmed his emotions..."
Isabel muttered incoherently in a detached voice.
I left the reception room without so much as a blink.
That was my final meeting with Isabel before my departure.
* * * * *
After the annulment of the engagement was finalized, I wasted no time in returning to the mansion.
The atmosphere of the mansion was as it always was - no one paid any particular attention to Kyle, and thanks to that, I was able to quietly spend my time in the room.
Now, only one thing remains.
To leave this accursed duchy forever.
And move to the imperial capital, and find the Sacred Artifact.
"Diana."
"Yes, my lord."
The way to leave the duchy was simpler than I thought.
During the tranquil dawn when no one is awake, I can just board the carriage that I had my people prepare in advance and slip away.
"Have you gathered all the luggage?"
Diana nodded lightly.
'I can just leave right away then.'
The moonstone I had bid on at the auction, as well as the sale proceeds, have been entrusted to the bank operated by the association. The moonstone I took from the Yustia estate has also been arranged to be collected at the imperial capital.
What else? I have also kept the blank check bearing Winfred's guarantee.
Observing the pitch-black dawn through the window, I knew it was the opportune moment to leave.
"Let's go."
"I'll lead the way."
To be prepared for any unexpected situation, I followed behind the sharp-eared Diana.
We passed through the corridor and descended the central staircase to the first floor.
As we traversed the lavishly carpeted hall, the mansion's main entrance came into view in the distance.
".........."
I moved my steps, holding my breath.
Diana perked up her ears, scanning the surroundings.
Soon we reached the front door.
Creak—
As I turned the doorknob, the door opened with a faint sound of friction; the refreshing dawn breeze caressed my face.
After taking a short deep breath, I stepped out of the mansion.
I walked down the path leading from the front door to the city gate.
It took about 5 minutes.
At the end, I could see a faint light in the distance.
"........."
The carriage.
I quickened my pace.
Shortly after,
"This way, sir."
The waiting coachman got off the carriage and opened the door; despite its shabby appearance, it was large enough for just the two of us.
I boarded the carriage first, and Diana followed suit.
Boarding the carriage with Diana, I felt a sense of anticipation mingled with urgency as the door clicked shut. With a shout from the coachman, the carriage lurched forward, gaining speed.
That's when it happened.
"…My lord," Diana called out to me, her expression grave as she pointed out the window. "Someone is rushing this way."
Damn it.
Anxious, I urged the coachman, "Hurry, depart!"
The seat began to rock up and down as the carriage began moving and soon, it sped off with a frightening velocity.
As the carriage accelerated, I turned my head in the direction Diana had pointed and strained my eyes to glimpse the figure Diana had noticed—a woman collapsed on the ground.
"......."
It was Luna Winfred.
Arthas April 11, 2024 No comments
Don't forget to rate and review the novel on Novelupdates
"Huff... gasp..."
Isabel, who had run up out of breath, put her hands on her knees and gasped for breath.
I couldn’t help but stammer in bewilderment and asked, "...What are you doing?"
"Phew... just... let's talk for a minute. Please."
As she caught her breath and requested a conversation, a frenzy flickered in Isabel's eyes.
I clicked my tongue, stunned. 'She really does seem insane.'
Isabel was the epitome of aristocratic refinement and decorum. But look at her now - hair disheveled as if just woken up, chasing after a maid in her nightgown.
No wonder the Count's complexion was so gloomy.
"...Please hear me out."
Isabel bit her lower lip, her expression desperately pleading.
Something was making her anxious, and she stood there trembling, looking at me as if she were tied to a rope.
".............."
Normally, I would have just fled the scene, no matter the request for dialogue. But now that the engagement had been annulled, a fleeting thought crossed my mind - perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to hear what Isabel so desperately wanted to say before I leave.
"Excuse me... would you like me to show you to the reception room?" The maid who had been observing the situation carefully asked me.
I nodded reluctantly, and Isabel took a shallow breath; and the maid promptly began guiding us.
Passing through the gilded corridors lined with pristine marble, we arrived at a familiar entrance - the reception room on the first floor of the Yustia Count's mansion.
The very place where Kyle had come to whisper his love to Isabel numerous times.
Creak—
I pulled the chair back and took a seat.
Isabel carefully sat across from me, keeping her gaze fixed on me.
"Could you please bring some light refreshments and tea?"
"Yes, Miss."
At Isabel's request, the maid departed, soon returning with a cart laden with refreshments and tea. She lightly set the table and soon left, bowing her head and saying the formal words to have a good time.
"............"
"............"
An eerie silence permeated the air.
I regarded Isabel with an indifferent expression.
'What could she be thinking?'
I had always been curious.
What reason drove Isabel to so blindly despise Kyle?
Was it because the world had assigned Kyle the role of the 'villain'?
Or could it be that all of this was a play orchestrated by the system, intended for Kyle's 'villainous demise'?
There had to be a reason.
That's why she had treated Kyle so harshly.
I had made a considerable effort to try to understand Isabel in my own way.
But it was not an easy task.
No matter how much I was a modern-day person who had been possessed into the game world, it wasn't something that I could easily get used to — the hatred of others.
Every morning, I would look at Kyle's face in the mirror, overwhelmed by a terrible sense of disconnect; the looks of hatred that poured in for the simple reason that he was a villain and a bastard were eerily unfamiliar.
The malice that stood in the midst of the daily insults was sharper than any blade.
I just want to go home.
Not this world filled with hatred.
To my world where my family, who I miss so much, are waiting.
Yes, that must be the case.
"...rry."
Why on earth. For what reason. Now of all times.
"I'm sorry..."
Is Isabel crying, looking at me?
“……I’m sorry…hae…”
I'm the one who wants to cry.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
I barely managed to compose my expression on the verge of distorting.
“Because I didn't trust you……. Because I hurt you…….”
Isabel was struggling, unable to even breathe properly.
“Just once……. Just once……. A chance…….”
Her ragged breaths made her chest rise and fall.
She trembled uncontrollably, repeating the same words in a rambling manner.
In a voice that was hopelessly small and trembling.
"............"
I was at a loss for words.
The sudden apology, the heartfelt remorse - neither was something I had anticipated.
I stared at Isabel's tear-stained face and finally found the words to say.
"A year."
"........"
"It's been a year since you started treating me coldly, and it's been a year since I started to sort out my feelings for you.”
"Kyle..."
"That decision, forged through agonizing self-reflection over that one year."
The image of Kyle from a year ago appeared before me.
The scene of Kyle lying awake at night, unable to sleep, listening to Isabel's tirades demanding the annulment of their engagement, flashed through my mind like a film.
A fragment of the memories I had acquired by possessing Kyle's body.
"Why."
"........."
"Why now of all times."
"........."
"It took me a year to come to terms with my feelings, and now what are you going to do? Do you want me to forgive you? Or do you want me to understand everything and comfort you?”
Isabel averted her gaze, her breathing ragged and uneven.
"After a year of deliberation, I barely managed to utter the words to request the annulment of the engagement."
"............"
“Isabel, you're asking me for love in just a few days.”
"That's not..."
"You know, it's already too late," I swiftly presented the annulment documents bearing the Count's signature.
Isabel carefully examined the documents, and moments later, the hands holding the papers fell limply.
✦ Scenario Progress
: 15%
The progress rate has increased once again.
However, I couldn't stop the words from pouring out.
"Why did you do that to me?"
: 16%
Isabel looked at me with unfocused eyes.
"You know, the voice of you looking down on me still echoes in my ears like a phantom at night."
: 17%
Isabel's throat twitched.
"I told you, didn't I? I no longer love you."
: 18%
Isabel denied it, repeating the word "no" over and over again.
I sighed and continued in a sunken voice.
"Please, just leave me be."
"............"
I had said everything I needed to say.
By now, Isabel should understand that clinging to me is utterly meaningless.
"Phew."
I slowly got up and gathered the documents.
That's when it happened.
"...Kyle."
A voice, hoarse and strained, came from behind me.
"...Don't go. Please, Kyle."
I ignored it and moved my steps forward.
Soon, the maid, finding the mentally unstable Isabel, rushed towards her in alarm.
"Miss! Miss? Can you hear me?"
"Kyle... is gone..."
"Huh? What are you talking about?”
"Being with me… he said it suffocates him…"
"Miss! Please, pull yourself together!"
"He'll come back... Yes, surely... once he's calmed his emotions..."
Isabel muttered incoherently in a detached voice.
I left the reception room without so much as a blink.
That was my final meeting with Isabel before my departure.
* * * * *
After the annulment of the engagement was finalized, I wasted no time in returning to the mansion.
The atmosphere of the mansion was as it always was - no one paid any particular attention to Kyle, and thanks to that, I was able to quietly spend my time in the room.
Now, only one thing remains.
To leave this accursed duchy forever.
And move to the imperial capital, and find the Sacred Artifact.
"Diana."
"Yes, my lord."
The way to leave the duchy was simpler than I thought.
During the tranquil dawn when no one is awake, I can just board the carriage that I had my people prepare in advance and slip away.
"Have you gathered all the luggage?"
Diana nodded lightly.
'I can just leave right away then.'
The moonstone I had bid on at the auction, as well as the sale proceeds, have been entrusted to the bank operated by the association. The moonstone I took from the Yustia estate has also been arranged to be collected at the imperial capital.
What else? I have also kept the blank check bearing Winfred's guarantee.
Observing the pitch-black dawn through the window, I knew it was the opportune moment to leave.
"Let's go."
"I'll lead the way."
To be prepared for any unexpected situation, I followed behind the sharp-eared Diana.
We passed through the corridor and descended the central staircase to the first floor.
As we traversed the lavishly carpeted hall, the mansion's main entrance came into view in the distance.
".........."
I moved my steps, holding my breath.
Diana perked up her ears, scanning the surroundings.
Soon we reached the front door.
Creak—
As I turned the doorknob, the door opened with a faint sound of friction; the refreshing dawn breeze caressed my face.
After taking a short deep breath, I stepped out of the mansion.
I walked down the path leading from the front door to the city gate.
It took about 5 minutes.
At the end, I could see a faint light in the distance.
"........."
The carriage.
I quickened my pace.
Shortly after,
"This way, sir."
The waiting coachman got off the carriage and opened the door; despite its shabby appearance, it was large enough for just the two of us.
I boarded the carriage first, and Diana followed suit.
Boarding the carriage with Diana, I felt a sense of anticipation mingled with urgency as the door clicked shut. With a shout from the coachman, the carriage lurched forward, gaining speed.
That's when it happened.
"…My lord," Diana called out to me, her expression grave as she pointed out the window. "Someone is rushing this way."
Damn it.
Anxious, I urged the coachman, "Hurry, depart!"
The seat began to rock up and down as the carriage began moving and soon, it sped off with a frightening velocity.
As the carriage accelerated, I turned my head in the direction Diana had pointed and strained my eyes to glimpse the figure Diana had noticed—a woman collapsed on the ground.
"......."
It was Luna Winfred.
