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chapter 53
After confirming the message from that person, Danju left the hideout first. Viktor threw away the cloth he had been pressing against his stopped-bleeding wound. It seemed that person had given up any further expectations for Estonia. After failing the mission twice already, it was understandable given that person’s temperament. The fortunate thing was that they had granted a final opportunity.
[Capture Lowenhart Tirana and return.]
When Viktor was first dispatched here, securing Lowenhart had been the ultimate mission. The crucial point was for the prince to disappear in ‘Estonia’—so all blame could be pinned on Estonia. The plan had been to divert Thesia’s attention away from Lowenhart.
“Nothing ever goes as planned,” Viktor muttered.
His identity had already been exposed, and approaching the Valkyrie Knights would not be easy. Viktor tossed Kroyil’s identification badge, which had been in his pocket, carelessly onto the floor. At this point, the only option was to throw everything into the confrontation. Prince Lowenhart was smarter than expected and capable of powerful magic. This would not be an easy task. Even Danju, who had been cautious about Prince Lowenhart until now, would not be able to step back this time.
‘Besides, I can’t even trust Danju.’
Indeed, Danju had always had a strange reaction regarding Prince Lowenhart.
‘Perhaps handling this on my own isn’t such a bad idea.’
That way, Viktor could claim all the credit. Even if that person discarded Danju, Viktor might still be spared. He tore his clothing to bind the wound. With the decision made, it was time to move. Staying here nursing the wound would gain him nothing. Viktor placed his hand on the magic circle that led outside.
“Miss Thesia.”
“Hm? Come in.”
Thesia, who had been enjoying a leisurely weekend reading, looked up.
“There’s a guest. They’re in the sitting room right now.”
“A guest?”
Thesia closed her book and rose from the sofa.
“Yes, Lord Redford has come.”
The maid nodded cheerfully.
“Didi…? What’s the occasion?”
Thesia tilted her head in curiosity. Guests had been constant at the Cloris Mansion since yesterday. Yesterday, Eldora and Lowenhart both visited, and today it was Redford. Ironically, Redford and Eldora made a good pair… Yesterday, throughout dinner, even Thesia couldn’t hide her awkwardness. Lowenhart had seemed lost in thought, and Eldora had been entirely focused on observing him. Was this what it was like to introduce a boyfriend to a close friend? Thesia scratched her cheek thoughtfully.
Before entering the sitting room where Redford awaited, the maid fussed over Thesia’s outfit.
“It’s fine. It won’t change anything, Natasha.”
“No way!”
Natasha shook her head quickly. Even if Thesia wasn’t wearing a formal gown to greet the guest, her eyes shone with the firm belief that she wanted to look nice even in a casual shirt and pants. Thesia patted Natasha’s head.
“Thank you.”
Having finished her inspection, Natasha opened the door wide.
“Thesia.”
“Didi, what brings you here on the weekend?”
“…I came because I have something to say.”
Natasha rolled her eyes. Normally, leaving a young lady alone with an unmarried man in the mansion would be strictly forbidden. Yet now, somehow, it felt like she shouldn’t be in this room. Natasha stepped carefully outside the door, moving cautiously.
‘I just won’t close the door completely.’
She left the door slightly open, standing with her hands together.
“Something to say?”
Thesia sat comfortably.
“Ah, yesterday, Lowenhart and Eldora came. Have you seen Eldora recently?”
“Not yet.”
Lowenhart came? The thought of what they might have discussed sent chills down Redford’s spine. His heart began to race.
‘At least Eldora was there, that’s a relief.’
Eldora knew Redford had liked Thesia for a long time, so she likely wouldn’t have sided with Lowenhart. Or, rather, Redford hoped she wouldn’t. Thesia was subtly swayed by Eldora’s words. Lowenhart must have had something to say yesterday as well. But he had missed the opportunity, and it had come back to Redford. Even after other fiancé candidates had left, society buzzed because Lowenhart remained. As the chosen fiancé of the princess, people speculated about the wedding date. Every time he heard that, Redford’s heart tightened, as if being crushed by a vice. The idea of Thesia, someone he had watched all his life, getting married—just thinking about it made his mouth bitter. Before that happened, before it truly happened as people feared, shouldn’t he at least say something? Knowing Thesia’s feelings, he even prayed that Lowenhart would leave this time. Yet Redford’s hope had gone up in smoke.
“Anyway, what do you want to say? Is there something on my face?”
Thesia touched her face. Redford had been staring at her silently.
“No, it’s nothing like that.”
Redford answered in a low voice. Their clasped hands were sweaty. Even though he had done nothing, his throat felt tight, and tears threatened to spill. He wanted to vanish right there. For some reason, the end he foresaw seemed imminent. Redford ran a trembling hand through his hair. He had been watching Thesia for so long that he could barely remember the first moment he met her. There had been no coercion or pressure. Thesia, like a flower blooming in radiant sunlight, naturally drew attention. Redford had been one of those captivated. More than being noticed, his whole heart had been stolen.
I like you. I really like Thesia. At first, he thought these feelings would fade, vanish suddenly as they had arisen. But instead, they had grown.
“Redford, your expression isn’t good. Is something wrong? Did something happen to the Umberto family… or is the Duke ill? Is that it?”
Thesia’s voice rose slightly. Redford shook his head.
“Thesia, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a long time but couldn’t.”
Redford’s voice trembled, thick with emotion. His heart felt like it would leap out. He didn’t even know exactly what he was saying. Every word felt like a spear piercing him. He clenched his fists.
“Something you couldn’t say? What is it?”
The contrast between Thesia’s calmness and his trembling was stark.
“…I like you.”
Redford finally spoke, releasing the breath he had held back.
“Didi? I like you too…”
“I like you, Thesia.”
Thesia pressed her lips together. She immediately realized that Redford wasn’t using “like” in the casual sense. Her face burned.
“Didi… you… now…!”
Thesia stepped back. This was completely unexpected. Redford had always been a good friend and supporter. She pressed her lips together, but even so, she had no right to dismiss his feelings. Redford was pouring his heart into this confession with everything he had.
“I really… like you.”
Redford smiled faintly.
“And I’m sorry.”
Thesia bit her lips and stomped her feet. She could risk losing a long-time friend here. Her eyes grew hot. Her heart began to race—not with excitement, but with fear. Even she, who rarely felt fear on the battlefield, was afraid now.
“Didi… this… I….”
“I’m not asking for a reply, Thesia.”
Redford continued in a bitter voice.
“I’m not asking you to like me back. I just wanted to say it. I didn’t want to let you go without saying anything…”
“Redford… I’m sorry and thank you.”
Thesia hesitated, then offered the smallest answer she could. That was the best she could do. Redford nodded slightly. Thesia wanted to ask if they were still friends, if nothing would change between them—but she knew it would be rude to ask. It felt as if her soul had been ripped out. Perhaps it was the thought that she might never see Redford again.
“Thank you for listening, Thesia…”
As Redford rose to leave, Thesia held onto his clothes.
“Didi…”
Redford said to her, who could say nothing,
“It’s okay, Thesia. We’re… going to be okay.”
Thesia felt like she might cry and nodded. She instinctively realized she might not see his hands, gently stroking her hair, for a long time. She closed her eyes tightly.
The day dragged on without much accomplished. But Thesia still had one task to complete this weekend: to say what she hadn’t to Lowenhart. The moment she heard Redford’s confession, she realized the difference between Lowenhart and Redford. Hearing Redford’s confession, she thought of rejecting him but did not feel the urge to avoid him. She didn’t have to spend time thinking about what to say. It was different with Lowenhart’s confession. Now she understood.
‘I like Lowenhart…’
That was why Thesia had come to Lowenhart that evening. She didn’t want to delay any longer. She wanted to tell Lowenhart, who must be waiting for her, her feelings. She wanted to tell him he didn’t have to wait any longer, to hold him tightly.
Just as she arrived at Lowenhart’s mansion, leapt off her horse, and was about to knock on the door,
“Thesia?”
Lowenhart, apparently walking in the garden with flowers in hand, called out to her.
“Lowenhart!!”
Thesia smiled brightly at him.
“I came because I have something to say.”
“What…?”
Lowenhart’s pupils dilated in surprise at her sudden words. Thesia shouted to him,
“I like you!!!”
Her voice was loud enough for all the mansion staff to hear.
