A Reversal of Unrequited Love - Chapter 63

“Not a pawn, but a queen?”

If he wanted to use a chess piece as a bookmark, he could just use a pawn.

To such an indirect question, Ethan Erentis replied softly.

“I couldn’t give a pawn.”

“Why not?”

Ethan lifted his eyes from the chessboard and gazed at Caleb.

If there were a pawn and a queen, he wanted to give the queen. That was only right. Instead of trying to explain his desire to give only precious things, he murmured quietly.

“I wanted to give the queen.”

“The most expensive one?”

“…….”

“Fine. I shouldn’t have asked…”

Whether Caleb spoke in a resigned voice or not, Ethan didn’t care at all. He just stared intently at the chessboard, pondering how he could win.

“This time, I’ll succeed.”

At the sudden remark, he glanced at Caleb.

“Not as nice as you think.”

“Are you introducing yourself?”

“You should know she’s not that perfect a lady.”

“I’ll say it again, are you introducing yourself?”

“I’m not a lady.”

“Were you not?”

Caleb screamed. While the third prince lost his composure and flailed around, Ethan suppressed the emotions welling up from within.

“This time, I’ll succeed.”

It would be like a miracle.

But why.

Ethan did not know why Hyacinth stopped the carriage just before leaving Bremlin. What on earth made her heart waver at a single erentis flower? Thinking like that, he felt jealous even of the flower he had picked and given to her.

Hyacinth Hener…

Why did she give him another chance?

He wanted to ask through their exchanged letters, but he swallowed the question. Ignoring the inner voice that said it was out of pity or because he seemed so pitiful.

He had no right to presumptuously guess Hyacinth’s feelings. Nor did he want to. Without the courage to ask directly, he just endured these moments that were sweet but sharper than a blade.

“It’s my turn.”

Caleb, who had been about to cheat, withdrew his hand sheepishly.

“I thought it was my turn…”

Ethan calmly glared at him.

* * *

Hosting the ‘A Girl’s Prayer’ event seemed to be facing more difficulties than expected. There were opinions that it was tiresome to spend time meeting someone you had to live with for a lifetime, and many noble couples preferred to spend quality time with their lovers rather than their indifferent spouses.

Beatrice was feeling discouraged, wondering why people didn’t make efforts to live happily with their families. Unlike the initial enthusiasm with which she had started preparing.

Reading the plea in the Crown Princess’s sorrowful expression, Hyacinth nodded readily.

“I’ll attend.”
“Really?”
“Well, if His Highness, Duke Trisel, has time.”
“You don’t have to force yourself…”

Even as she said that, Beatrice was holding Hyacinth’s hand tightly, seemingly moved. After Hyacinth reaffirmed her attendance, Beatrice thanked her several times before leaving.

If Hyacinth attended, it was likely that other noble ladies would also express their intention to attend. Since her guardians were none other than the King and Queen, her attendance would be tantamount to the King’s endorsement of the event’s effectiveness. Considering Lady Laurel’s standing in society, unmarried nobles, if not married couples, were likely to follow suit.

Before returning to the garden, Hyacinth encountered Cory.

The ash-gray cat was ambitiously hunting foxtails. Hyacinth plucked a foxtail and played with her pet cat. Cory meowed enthusiastically and pounced with excitement.

She well remembered that after the ‘A Girl’s Prayer’ event, breakups and scandals were rampant. In the past—in her dreams—it had certainly been so.

Clearly remembering such outcomes, Hyacinth decided it was better to help Beatrice. If a marriage could be broken by just one event, it was best to end it before it even started.

Not everyone gets a second chance. Hyacinth did not forget that the second life she and Ethan were enjoying was a privilege.

The miracle that Ethan must have created with his life…

Hyacinth clearly remembered the story of a fairy granting a wish to someone who froze to death in a snowy night. Even if it sounded like an unbelievable legend, fairies must exist. Thinking of the silver flowing through Ethan Erentis’s hair made her believe so.

Ethan had never talked about how he died in his previous life, but Hyacinth was certain.

“Cory.”

Despite being a cat, Cory barked enthusiastically.

“What would be good to do at the event?”

The ash-gray cat flailed around trying to catch the foxtail that passed right in front of its eyes. Though it seemed completely uninterested, its owner Hyacinth didn’t notice.

“What should we do that’s best for us?”

“Meow!”

“Yes, Cory, you’re so smart.”

I should ride a horse.

Hyacinth scratched between the ash-gray cat’s ears. Cory, having received praise for doing nothing, finally captured the foxtail and was happy.

Returning to the garden, she found Caleb lying despondently over the chessboard. It seemed Ethan had gone easy on him by giving up the queen… but he still lost.

“Loser.”

Hyacinth clicked her tongue as she sat down,

“Hnggg…”

Caleb hissed through his teeth.

Leaving her cousin to bury his face in his palms in self-reproach, Hyacinth gestured to Ethan. Ethan, who had been turned towards her, leaned in even more. With the large man’s shadow cast over her, it felt like the whole world was filled with Ethan Erentis.

“Ta-da.”

Hyacinth took out a white rose she had hidden behind her back. Ethan, caught off guard, slowly, very slowly, blushed. Hyacinth liked this change.

The usually calm man reacting immediately to her every action.

“It’s the first rose of the year from Tyche. What do you think?”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Doesn’t it look like you? Doesn’t it?”

She sought Caleb’s agreement, but,

“Please, keep your lovey-dovey stuff to yourselves…”

came a resigned reply. Hyacinth slyly extended her leg and gently stepped on Caleb’s foot.

“Ethan, Ethan. Could you spare some time for me?”

“Anytime.”

Leaning towards Ethan with her elbows on the chess table, Hyacinth proposed attending the ‘A Girl’s Prayer’ event together and going horse riding. Ethan quickly accepted.

Throughout their conversation, Ethan held the rose tightly. He held it awkwardly, not gripping too hard for fear of damaging it. As she tucked the rose into Ethan’s pocket, Hyacinth told him to throw it away if it withered.

“That would be a shame.”

To Ethan, who quickly refused,

“I’ll give it to you next year as well.”

Hyacinth once again promised to give him the first flower next year.

Ethan nodded reluctantly.

* * *

Until the moment Hyacinth decided to ride a horse at the ‘A Girl’s Prayer’ event, she did not anticipate any variables. She never dreamed that she would have a competitor, and even more so, that the competitor would be none other than her own horse.

Heading to the stable with Ethan, she greeted the young foal, Rolsie.

“Hello, Rolsie. Have you been well?”

Rolsie perked up its ears. The pure white horse looked lively and stared at her with bright eyes. Its usual aloof expression was nowhere to be found. Hyacinth, puzzled, followed Rolsie’s gaze and found Ethan at the end of it.

She reached out and pulled Ethan over. Ethan obediently came along, and Rolsie moved its gaze busily. When she pushed Ethan away for a moment, he was pushed back obediently, and Rolsie also moved its gaze busily.

After finishing its inspection, Rolsie gracefully approached and nudged Ethan with its nose.

“……You’re quite popular, aren’t you?”

Hyacinth said sulkily, and Ethan burst into a light laugh.

“I’ve been popular with horses since I was young. Considering that I wasn’t trampled even when I slept in the stable.”

“Really?”

“Yes. It seems my appearance is particularly to their taste.”

……She was asking if he really slept in the stable.

Instead of prying further, Hyacinth decided that she must visit Bridget Erentis’s grave when she went to the North. That woman went too peacefully. Grumbling inwardly, she scrutinized Ethan’s beautiful face closely. Whether she squinted or opened her eyes wide, his handsome features remained unchanged.

“Ethan, your face must be the taste of all living beings. Because it’s certainly my taste.”

“Is that so?”

Ethan replied in a tone that suggested he didn’t quite believe it, which made Hyacinth feel frustrated for no reason. But in the next moment, there was a playful glint in Ethan’s gray eyes.

Suddenly, he leaned his head towards Hyacinth. They were so close that their noses almost touched. The distance was so close that she could see her reflection in his eyes.

Having a handsome man so close made her dizzy.

Hyacinth didn’t even realize that her cheeks were burning up. She just stared blankly at the elegant nose and deep eyes in front of her. Truly, it was an appearance that could only be obsessively admired.

Noticing her reaction, Ethan smiled softly, his eyes wrinkling. That smile was so fox-like—come to think of it, there was a silver fox!—that resentment welled up from deep within Hyacinth. The man’s breath, trembling with laughter, gently touched her cheek.

Only then did Hyacinth realize the other meaning that such close proximity could imply. Whether Ethan intended it or not, they were close enough to kiss. This time, not only her cheeks but her entire face and neck were heating up.

Ethan, perhaps not expecting such a strong reaction, widened his eyes. With a nonchalant expression, he tilted his head and touched Hyacinth’s forehead with his hand.

“Are you catching a cold?”

“……No.”

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes.”

Pouting her lips, Hyacinth led the horse out of the stable.