A Reversal of Unrequited Love - Chapter 66

“Will you accept, Lady Laurel?”

“If you dance with me until late at night.”

“Then, can I monopolize your time until the ball ends?”

When she nodded, Ethan’s face brightened. Holding hands, they entered the ballroom, and Hyacinth confirmed belatedly.

“I am monopolizing your time, right?”

“For a lifetime.”

It was a straightforward affirmation.

They continued dancing under the moonlight even after the ball ended. In the quiet night where even the insects were silent, Hyacinth occasionally missed the beat and stepped on Ethan’s feet, but it was the most romantic time of all.

* * *

Unlike Tyche, who was exhausted from the aftermath of the ball, Hyacinth woke up early the next morning. Despite dancing until late at night, she woke up early. Hyacinth marveled at her own stamina.

After preparing breakfast for Cory, she strolled down the quiet corridor. It was a warm spring morning, and the wind was particularly gentle. As she admired the roses beyond the fluttering curtains and looked up a bit more, the clear morning sky, which Tyche boasted of in spring, unfolded widely.

Hyacinth took a deep breath. The sweet scent of flowers tickled her nose and delivered excitement throughout her body. The pleasant beating of her heart piled up in her soul.

Perhaps because spring is the season of beginnings. She felt a desire to enjoy new changes. She wanted to meet new people, make big resolutions and challenges, and leave familiar places to embark on adventures.

So Hyacinth set out to find Ethan.

For the first time, she headed to the chamber assigned to the Duke of Trisel. Two young servants were startled to see her and hesitantly reported that the Duke had not returned last night. She thanked them and raised an eyebrow as she turned around.

Then, without hesitation, she headed to the garden.

She looked around the garden where Ethan Erentis often used as a sleeping place, but the person in question was not there. After deep contemplation, Hyacinth returned to the palace. Since Ethan’s range of activity was quite narrow, it was not difficult to narrow down the candidates.

So she next raided the library.

Peeking in to check the secret space, Hyacinth smirked. As expected. She found the silver-haired young man on her second guess.

The Duke of Trisel, who had not returned to his chamber, was sleeping uncomfortably on the floor of the library. Using a thick book as a pillow, without even a blanket.

Hyacinth unconsciously twisted a strand of her hair.

Even though it was a refreshing morning, her mood turned complicated. Seeing someone barely managing to sleep anywhere but a comfortable bed made it inevitable. The wounds that had formed and persisted over many years could not heal in just a few years…

Hyacinth, who was fiddling with her hair, met Ethan’s eyes directly as he happened to wake up. Blinking a few times, Ethan sat up. With the space they’d created, Hyacinth jumped down right next to him.

Removing the book that served as a pillow, she pressed Ethan’s shoulder. The man, who had obediently leaned back, was surprised when his head ended up on her lap. As he tried to move in embarrassment, Hyacinth pressed his shoulder again to stop him. Ethan remained still.

Sunlight poured onto his handsome face. Thinking it might hurt his eyes, Hyacinth covered the upper part of his face with her hand.

“Still can’t sleep?”

“…It’s not easy to break the habit.”

“…”

“Still, I am doing my best to fix it.”

Ethan mumbled as if making excuses. Hyacinth frowned slightly and observed the book he was using as a pillow out of curiosity. A scripture transcribed by a monk 250 years ago. As expected of the Duke, he had used a very expensive old book as a pillow.

“Do you know this book is a scripture?”

“I chose the thickest one.”

“Blasphemous… You must have been tired yesterday. Why didn’t you return to your chamber?”

“I didn’t want to sleep.”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Hyacinth tried to ask as calmly as possible. Perhaps due to the drowsiness right after waking up, Ethan was very honest at this moment. She didn’t want to break this moment.

“Why didn’t you want to sleep?”

“Well…”

“…”

“…I thought it might all disappear if I closed my eyes. For the first time yesterday.”

The words Ethan couldn’t finish. Hyacinth noticed the expression that disappeared beyond his trembling throat.

Ethan had been smiling brightly while dancing all night yesterday.

He looked perfectly happy without any shadows, and he must have genuinely felt such emotions.

“Thanks to that, I get to enjoy the luxury of resting on Lady Laurel’s lap.”

“Ethan.”

Hyacinth tried to remove her hand covering Ethan’s eyes.

They tried to have a proper conversation while looking into each other’s eyes, but Ethan’s hand was quicker. He clasped Hyacinth’s hand, which was about to pull away, and pressed it down. As if he didn’t want to show his expression yet.

“Hyacinth.”

“Yes.”

“Hyce.”

“Yes.”

A heavy sigh. Ethan, who exhaled a long sigh, lowered his hand that was covering hers. The cover was gone, but Hyacinth didn’t pull her hand away and continued to cover the man’s eyes. She wanted to maintain at least minimal contact. Because it seemed necessary.

Somewhere, the sound of a barely healed wound reopening could be heard. It was as if blood was dripping from an unhealed heart.

“Hyce, you are exceedingly kind to me right now. So, I feel extremely selfish and cunning to seize this moment to ask a question.”

“…….”

“Still, if I may dare to ask… I don’t know why you gave me a second chance. I suspect it’s out of pity. So, if your pity could last a lifetime, I am willing to remain miserable… But what if I become happy because of you? Then your pity might end.”

“…….”

“But at the same time, I know. In my head. Rationally. It’s better for you to meet a happy and excellent person rather than a miserable and pitiful one.”

Ethan took Hyacinth’s hand and lowered it. His dry, calm gray eyes looked up at her. Seeing the young boy who couldn’t shed tears despite being full of wounds, Hyacinth momentarily felt breathless.

“I was happy without regret yesterday, and I have the confidence to live the rest of my life with that one moment… If you want to leave, leave now.”

“…….”

“I think I can let you go now.”

Hyacinth quickly tilted her head toward the sky. She felt like she might burst into tears. She blinked hard, moistening her eyes, then lowered her head again and whispered coyly to Ethan.

“You shouldn’t let go. The more you do, the tighter you should hold on, right?”

“……I don’t know if I deserve that…….”

“I’ll give you the qualification.”

“Thank you, but even so, your happiness comes before mine.”

Ethan smiled bitterly and sat up. He gazed at her endlessly, even though he was right beside her. His fingers trembled slightly as if he wanted to touch her, but he didn’t. He only embraced her endlessly with his eyes.

“If you’re happy, I’ll be happy too, Hyce.”

“That’s a very admirable mindset.”

Since the man couldn’t bring himself to close the distance, Hyacinth did. When she held his trembling hand, Ethan’s expression crumbled. She knew what his desperately shaking eyes were whispering. Anxiety, hope, and thus, love.

Hyacinth stood up, still holding one hand, and straightened her skirt. Then she pulled Ethan up.

“Then, dear Duke Trisel, shall we go for a walk?”

“…….”

“Come with me, Ethan. You need to hear my answer too.”

Ethan silently stood up.

Since there were no eyes watching, they exited the library through a window instead of the door. Naturally, Hyacinth went first, and Ethan followed quietly.

The moment they stepped into the bright world, she grabbed Ethan’s hand again. He flinched but didn’t pull away. He just let her lead.

They walked in silence the entire time.

Hyacinth was busy choosing the right words to say, and Ethan was probably busy preparing to hear her answer. Whenever Hyacinth looked back, he showed a calm expression but revealed his inner turmoil with helplessly twitching eyes.

Each time, Hyacinth tightened her grip on his hand.

Having spent almost her entire life in Tyche, Hyacinth knew the quiet paths, secret passages, and hidden spots well. The place she was heading to now was a walking path that even Caleb seemed unaware of.

Although they walked in silence for a long time, Ethan did not complain. To give her answer more quickly, Hyacinth quickened her pace. Ignoring the picturesque surroundings, she walked straight ahead until her destination appeared.

A wooden bench placed under an old acacia tree. The narrow width, just enough for two people to sit together, made it more beautiful in its simplicity. It guaranteed a splendid view as it was situated in a serene spot.

When young Hyacinth Hener discovered this place, she vowed to come here with someone precious someday.

“Ethan.”

When she patted the wooden bench, Ethan sat right next to her. Hyacinth leaned sideways to look at him.

“As you know well, I am not that altruistic. I tend to prioritize practical benefits, visible wealth, honor, and power… I am more of a materialist.”

“But.”

“Listen.”

Ethan closed his mouth. Even though he kept silent, Hyacinth couldn’t continue her words immediately.

Until now, Ethan Erentis had regarded her as light.

Love must have beautified her. At the same time, Hyacinth did not dislike such beautification. She always wanted Ethan to think of her as prettier than reality. To see her as the prettiest, most beautiful, and kindest person in the world.

……That was how it was.