HST 59

Chapter 59

Eric and Beliar boarded the carriage side by side. The rattling carriage was unusually quiet.

“It’s been three years since I last came to the South.”

Eric gazed out at the exotic scenery, lost in thought. Three years ago, he had visited the South with Rose—after their wedding, on their honeymoon.

When he had been with Rose, the carriage had been lively and noisy. Suddenly, he remembered how Rose had chattered excitedly, brimming with anticipation.

The image of Rose, so different from Beliar sitting quietly beside him, flickered in his mind. It had been a joyful trip in its own way, though keeping up with Rose’s energy—since it was her first visit to the South—had been a little exhausting.

He looked at Beliar, who was staring silently out the window. Unlike Rose, Beliar was not cheerful, and she carried a consistently indifferent expression, day or night.

“A dull woman.”

Being with her was boring. Breaking the silence, Eric spoke to Beliar.

“Have you ever been to the South?”
“…Yes. It’s my hometown.”
“Hometown? I thought you grew up in the capital.”

Beliar froze, realizing her slip, and quickly offered an excuse.

“I… I mean it’s my ‘hometown’ in my heart. I was captivated by the beautiful scenery.”

Eric nodded without much suspicion. After all, the South was a peaceful and beautiful place.

‘That could have been a disaster.’

Beliar clutched her pounding heart, relieved that her real feelings hadn’t slipped out. She had to keep up the act of being the Marchioness of Dicar, but her true self almost showed. She kept glancing at Eric, relieved that he seemed unconcerned with her words.

‘…Thank goodness.’

“We’ve arrived.”

The coachman’s booming voice rang out as the carriage wheels gradually stopped. Eric stepped down first, and Beliar followed.

“It hasn’t changed a bit.”

Eric murmured to himself, looking around as he stepped off the carriage. It was much the same as when he had visited on his honeymoon with Rose.

He stared at the large tree in the center of the square. Its violet petals in full bloom were mesmerizing. The tree, over 500 years old, was a famous landmark of the South.

Suddenly, he remembered how Rose had loved seeing this tree.

“Wow, Eric! Look at this! It’s so beautiful!”
“What’s so great about a tree like this? Let’s just go inside and rest.”

She had loved the scattering petals so much that it had taken some effort to get her back to the inn.

“Do you think I’m pretty?”

Rose had picked up a fallen petal and tucked it in her hair, her eyes sparkling, asking Eric.

“Not pretty.”
“Stop being grumpy. Though… grumpy you are also very handsome.”
“Don’t smile. You make me look weak.”
“I can’t help smiling when I’m with you, Eric! I’m just so happy!”
“What do you even like about me?”
“Hmm… everything. Your handsome face, and even when you’re annoyed—it’s cute.”
“…She’s definitely crazy.”
“You made me crazy, Eric. Now you have to take care of me forever, got it?”

Even after three years, the memory of that day was vivid. Eric’s mind conjured Rose’s bright, smiling face.

Her smile in the spring sunlight had blossomed fresh and lively. Her flushed cheeks glowed like ripe peaches. Her eyes, looking at him, shone like the Milky Way.

Back then, Rose had expressed her love for Eric with her whole being. Every expression and movement told him clearly that she loved him—he didn’t even need words.

Eric stared blankly at the tree. Somehow, he wanted to see Rose.

Jane had spent the night crying, her eyes swollen. Even a glance at her face revealed how much she had wept. Beside her, Sern’s eyes were equally puffy.

They looked at each other, and without a word, both burst out laughing.

“Pff.”
“Heh.”
“Ah, don’t laugh.”
“But Jane, you laughed too.”

Their faces showed exhaustion from sleeplessness, but their hearts felt lighter than ever.

“Sir Sern, can I ask you something?”
“Yes, go ahead.”

Jane had no more secrets; she had revealed everything to him.

“When did you start truly liking me?”

Sern’s face flushed at the sudden question. He avoided her eyes and murmured softly,
“I… I’m not really sure.”

Jane narrowed her eyes.

“What do you mean? You do like me, right?”
“Of course I do!”

He answered promptly to her doubt and slowly revealed his feelings.

“At first, I just thought your smile was cute, Jane. But over time, I kept wanting to see you… wanting to be with you… and then I started to like you. I can’t really say when it started.”

It was a rough but sincere confession.

‘I’m five years older, and he called me cute…!’

Jane’s face flared with warmth. He had never called her cute before—they usually said it was the other way around.

Sern rarely expressed his emotions directly, so this confession felt especially precious.

“Then… Sir Sern, how much do you like me?”

Sern bowed his head and whispered,
“Very much…”

Even though his face was hidden, Jane could tell his cheeks had grown redder.

“If you could save only one of us—me or Lady Rose—who would you save?”
“Of course, you!”
“But you’re Lady Rose’s bodyguard.”
“I’m not anymore. And even if I were, I’d save you first, not her.”

It went against his duties as a knight, but Sern valued Jane more.

Seeing him flustered, Jane couldn’t help laughing.

“Pff.”

Sern looked at her and laughed along. It had been so long since they had shared such a moment, facing each other. The atmosphere between them was warm and peaceful, as if nothing had ever happened.

“Hah… This is why they say you shouldn’t date someone younger.”
“What!?”

Was she regretting seeing him? Sern blinked in surprise at Jane’s words.

“You don’t understand the basics of dating. When I tell you to go, you actually leave.”

Jane revealed the frustration she had bottled up because of Sern.

“That’s because I get scared when you make this face.”

Sern stretched his eyes wide and mimicked Jane’s expression. She scowled at him.

“Stop it. I’m not making that face!”
“…Exactly the same.”

Sern lowered his hand and watched her, looking sheepish. Jane couldn’t help smiling at his reaction.

“Sir Sern, do you know something?”

Sern tilted his head.
“I actually hoped you’d hold on to me all this time.”
“Eh?”

Sern’s voice rang out in surprise. He had never imagined she’d been waiting for him.

‘Even though you pushed me away…’

He looked at her, confused. Jane expected that reaction and smiled faintly. Seeing her smile, Sern reached for her hand.

Jane lifted Sern up with his hand in hers, a bright smile blossoming across her face.

“You made the right choice. Come with me.”

Sern was the key to resolving the situation. He followed Jane to the Serviat mansion, where Rose awaited.