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Chapter : 31
Lisa disappeared, and Anna, now looking frail and thin, was lying down. After Anna stopped eating in protest against her father’s actions, John confronted her with a frightening face.
“You don’t want to get engaged? Anna, a child’s marriage is a parent’s right. It’s not for you to decide. I respected your wishes before, and a con artist took advantage of you for money. Now just listen to me quietly. No matter what you do, I won’t change my mind.”
Anna was miserable because her father refused to listen to her. She tried complaining to Lisa, who was the person closest to her, but Lisa scolded her even more.
“Wait for that scammer? What do you mean? Do you realize how much trouble you’re causing for everyone? Because of your mistake, the family’s fortune is ruined, and our reputation is destroyed, but you feel no responsibility? Thankfully, Young Lord Haimel is willing to accept everything. Where else would you find such a person? Aren’t you at least sorry to Young Lord Haimel, who has always been there for you?”
Her father and Lisa pointed fingers at Anna, scolding her harshly.
“How can you be so selfish, Anna? If you just gave up your feelings, everything would be fine. It really breaks my heart. I didn’t raise you with so much care for this…”
“You’re still young and know nothing. That’s why these things happen to you. If you were more sensible, things wouldn’t be such a mess. Why didn’t you listen to me? Who else cares for you like I do? Only I truly cherish and value you, not that fantasy crush of yours.”
After being criticized by both, Anna felt so broken that she wanted to throw herself into water if she saw it. She became as withered as a flower in the summer sun. But the person who helped her stand up again was none other than her childhood friend, Edward.
“If you want to wait, then wait. Okay. Let’s get engaged.”
Afraid she would be sold to a rich noble at any moment, Anna wrote a letter to Edward, asking for a fake engagement out of desperation. He gladly agreed.
Thanks to him, she could breathe again. But only then did Anna realize how rude she had been and couldn’t even speak properly.
“Edward… I’m so sorry to you…”
But Edward was still gentle.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about between friends. Don’t worry, I’ll end the engagement nicely later.”
“Thank you, really.”
Anna burst into grateful tears, and Edward gently asked her,
“But… did that commoner really promise he would come back?”
Anna couldn’t breathe. Was there anyone in the world who needed that answer more than her? Why did he disappear right at her happiest moment?
She was so full of resentment, sorrow, and misery that she couldn’t reply. Seeing this, Edward looked surprised, then pulled her into a tight hug.
“Sorry. Of course you know best. I shouldn’t have asked.”
Finally, Anna could breathe again. She clutched his clothes tightly, gasping. Edward comforted her in a low, soft voice.
“But Anna, don’t forget this. I’m the only one on your side.”
Anna looked up at him with teary eyes, and Edward met her gaze. He spoke slowly, almost as if hammering the words into her memory.
“Only I can pull you out of this mess. So… you have to take my hand. Got it?”
“I have to take Edward’s hand…”
Anna repeated his words vaguely. Edward smiled brightly as if she did well and kissed her forehead, then whispered in her ear like a magic spell:
“People must believe we’re getting engaged because we like each other so much that we can’t stand being apart.”
“But… what about Raiden…”
Even in her unstable state, Anna managed to protest weakly. Edward gently stroked her back and soothed her.
“If it isn’t like this, the Count will oppose it. And if it’s not me, he’ll make you get engaged to someone else who won’t break it off.”
“!”
Anna’s lower lip trembled. Edward’s eyes shone as he continued.
“Think carefully, Anna. Right now, I’m the only one who’s truly on your side.”
“Edward…”
“We’re on the same team, aren’t we?”
“…Yes.”
As if making up her mind, Anna bit her lip and nodded.
During the engagement ceremony in the Evercline mansion’s courtyard, Anna hid her misery behind a bright smile. She felt uncomfortable with Edward pulling her close all the time, but she had to endure it. If anyone got suspicious, it would all be over. Her father, Count Evercline, still looked at her with doubt.
“You made the right choice, my lady. I have no regrets now.”
Lisa dabbed her eyes with an expensive-looking handkerchief and smiled happily. Anna smiled back silently, then turned to look up at the blue sky.
It was truly… the longest and most miserable time of her life.
“Miss? What are you thinking about?”
“!”
At Lucy’s voice, Anna quickly looked up.
“Ah…”
Lost in her old memories, Anna hadn’t noticed time passing. She relaxed her tense body and leaned back in the chair, sighing deeply.
Every time she remembered those days, her heart pounded like crazy and her fingers turned cold. She never wanted to go back to those moments.
Lucy mumbled in concern,
“You’re sweating so much… Did you have a scary thought?”
“…Something like that.”
Anna stared absentmindedly at the fancy carved ceiling. Lucy patted her forehead with a handkerchief to wipe away the sweat, then gently took the embroidery frame from Anna’s hands.
“It’ll be dinner time soon. You should get ready.”
“….”
Anna nodded silently and slowly stood up. Lucy, holding a basket of embroidery supplies, motioned for Anna to hurry. Anna let herself be led out of the drawing room.
“….”
Cecil watched Anna leave, then glanced behind a pillar in the hallway. Louis, the aide, straightened up and nodded to Cecil, then walked away silently down the hall. Cecil firmly closed the drawing room door.
When Anna sat at the table in the dining room, she noticed the servants seemed different than usual. She looked around, wondering what was going on. Suddenly, the door opened and Louis, Raiden’s aide, walked in. He came up to Anna, put a hand to his chest, and bowed politely.
“It’s the first time we’ve met properly, isn’t it? I am Louis Benning, Marquis Marcus’s aide. We met in the west and have been together ever since.”
He gave her a slight smile. Many women might find him attractive, but dark circles under his eyes and a tired face made him seem less appealing.
Anna nodded unenthusiastically.
“I see. Nice to meet you. As you probably know, I’m Alianna Evercline.”
“Of course. If I didn’t, I should drown myself in the lake out back.”
“…”
Anna didn’t reply. Why say something so extreme when a simple greeting would do?
Doesn’t he dislike me?
It was obvious if you had any sense. Though Louis acted polite, inside he was uncomfortable with her. But since he wasn’t openly rude, Anna let it go.
If I marry Raiden, I’ll have to deal with this…
It made sense. Right now, she was just a guest of Raiden’s.
I’ve dragged this out too long. I need to break off the engagement with Edward soon…
But with all outside contact cut off after the attack on the mansion, Raiden had isolated her from the world. When would she finally be able to stand by his side openly?
Then Louis spoke calmly,
“If you don’t mind, may I eat with you? If you’re uncomfortable, I can eat in the kitchen.”
“…Sit down.”
Who would say no after that?
Not caring about Anna’s mood, Louis walked over and sat across from her.
“…”
Heavy silence filled the dining room. They watched each other closely. Soon the food came, and both picked up their utensils. Anna spoke first, since Louis was still staring.
“Is the Marquis very busy?”
“Oh, yes. Very busy.”
Because of you, he almost added, but just smiled without emotion. Anna asked again,
“Do you eat your meals on time?”
Noticing the hint of concern in her voice, Louis smiled a bit more.
“Of course. Why would I skip them?”
