Chapter 108

She looked at Axel with suspicious eyes and soon spoke her thoughts aloud.  

“You… If that’s your reason, there’s no need to rush into an engagement with me, is there? Or is it because Madame Fedelian has been pressuring you? Telling you to quickly get engaged to another woman? But she doesn’t seem like someone who would force you like that…”  

At her question, Axel briefly showed a guilty expression. Then, with a smile, he responded.  

“As expected, I can’t hide anything from you.”  

He let out a deep sigh and then revealed his true feelings.  

“It’s nothing much… It’s just that, if I return to my original place, she’ll feel at ease.”  

Then, lifting his head to meet Riana’s gaze, he smiled with a tone of sadness.  

“That way, I can at least maintain a relationship with Judith without any awkwardness. That’s why.”  

“…”  

Riana opened her mouth as if to speak but remained silent.  

She wanted to scold and criticize him thoroughly, but his sorrowful expression made her hesitate.  

Frowning, Riana asked,  

“Do you really think you can remain friends with Judith after all this? Is that even possible?”  

At her question, Axel blinked his long eyelashes and replied in a calm voice.  

“Even you think it’s strange, right? But that’s the only way I feel like I can survive. The thought of becoming so distant that I can’t even see her… it’s just too…”  

He squeezed out the words with difficulty, barely managing to continue.  

“It’s just too hard for me.”  

Hearing his answer, Riana made one last attempt to dissuade him.  

“But… wouldn’t it be even harder to watch her being happy with someone else?”  

However, Axel simply shook his head at her question.  

“It’s fine as long as I’m careful. More than anything, I want to reassure Judith that I’m okay now.”  

Seeing him speak so firmly, Riana had no choice but to accept Axel’s proposal in the end.  

After all, it was the best option for her to avoid being swayed by her family’s wishes.  

“Alright, if that’s what you want…”  

Even so, she couldn’t help but feel pity for Axel, knowing the depth of his feelings that drove him to such lengths.  

***

Judith and Chase rode in a carriage headed toward a seaside village in the southern part of the Empire.  

Throughout the ride, Chase gazed out the window at the passing scenery, lost in thought.  

“This is actually my first time seeing the sea.”  

“Really?”  

“Yeah, I’ve only read about it in books, but this is my first time seeing it with my own eyes. Thanks to you, I’m having a great experience.”  

Judith, for her part, felt a mix of guilt and gratitude toward Chase, who had taken the time to travel such a long distance with her despite his busy schedule.  

And yet, the way Chase casually tried to ease her guilt with his words touched her deeply.  

‘Chase really is so thoughtful.’  

After some time, they reached their destination, and the carriage came to a stop.  

“Wow—.”  

Judith let out a small exclamation. Chase, too, widened his eyes in surprise.  

Even though the view through the small window had been impressive, stepping out of the carriage revealed an endless expanse of ocean before them.  

As they arrived at the seaside, the chilly wind stung their noses. But somehow, the cold air felt refreshing and uplifting.  

Chase draped a shawl over Judith’s shoulders. She touched the shawl that had suddenly been placed on her and asked,  

“Where did this come from?”  

“Just thought I’d bring it. I heard it’s colder by the sea than inland, so I brought it just in case.”  

The fact that he had brought something he didn’t even plan to use himself, just for her comfort, made Judith realize how kind and considerate Chase truly was.  

At that moment, Chase cautiously asked,  

“By any chance, is this your father’s hometown?”  

“Oh, no, it’s not. My father just really loved the sea.”  

Although Judith’s father had passed away suddenly, she remembered how much he had loved the seaside, which is why she had chosen this location for his grave.  

But because of the distance, she couldn’t visit often.  

She had always felt guilty about leaving her father alone for so long, but she was glad to have come back, even if it was just this once.  

After hesitating for a moment, Judith continued speaking.  

“And my mother is buried here as well. Actually, this is where the two of them first met.”  

“I see.”  

Memories of walking along the beach with her father on her mother’s memorial day flashed through Judith’s mind.  

Her mother had passed away giving birth to her, so Judith had no memories of her.  

But every year, when she visited her mother’s grave with her father, she remembered how he always seemed to wear a longing expression.  

Back then, she hadn’t understood why her father looked that way. She would often act spoiled, asking him to play in the water instead.  

But now, she felt like she could finally understand her father’s feelings from back then.  

The two of them walked along the shoreline for a while. They didn’t exchange many words, but the sound of the gentle waves was soothing.  

A little further up from the beach, they arrived at the gravesite of Judith’s parents.  

Standing before the modestly raised graves, Judith bowed her head in respect.  

“Mother, Father. It’s me, Judith. It’s been a while since I last visited. I’m sorry for not coming more often because I’ve been so busy with my studies.”  

Her throat tightened, and she paused for a moment.  

Once her emotions settled, Judith continued speaking in a soft voice.  

“Maybe you already know this, but… I got engaged recently.” 

As she said this, Judith took Chase’s hand, and he, with a serious expression, began to speak.  

“Hello. It’s nice to meet you. My name is Chase Cardandy, Judith’s fiancé.”  

At his words, Judith couldn’t help but burst into laughter.  

Chase, who never seemed to get nervous about anything, was now stiff and formal, which was amusing to see. 

“Chase, you don’t need to be so nervous. It’s not like my parents are actually here. Just relax.”  

But even at Judith’s words, Chase shook his head.  

“Still, I want to be as respectful as possible. I’m sure they’re watching over us.”  

“…Alright.”  

Chase then spoke firmly and confidently.  

“As Judith mentioned, we’re engaged now. The wedding is still a ways off, but I promise to do my best to make her happy, even for the parts of her life you can’t be here for.”  

Hearing his words, Judith felt her eyes well up with tears. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to hold them back.  

‘Is it okay for me to be this happy?’  

To be honest, Judith had always thought of herself as an unfortunate person.  

Her mother’s death at birth, her father’s sudden passing in a carriage accident—these were hardships she had no control over.  

Because of this, she had always felt like she was a lonely, unfortunate person left behind in the world.  

But now, Judith realized she was one of the luckiest people alive. It was the first time she had ever felt this way.  

Though she had often resented the heavens for the hardships she had endured, she now understood.  

Perhaps all the misfortunes she had faced were simply stepping stones leading to the happiness she was experiencing now.  

Meanwhile, Chase, still stiff as a board, continued speaking.  

“Of course, I’m still lacking in many ways, but I promise you this: I won’t let a single tear fall from Judith’s eyes. I’ll make sure she’s always happy—”  

But at that moment, Chase stopped mid-sentence, noticing Judith, her eyes brimming with tears.  

“Judith, I just promised to make sure you wouldn’t cry… but you’re already crying.”  

At that, Judith let out a chuckle. Her eyes were red, her nose stung, but she couldn’t stop laughing.  

‘I must look so silly.’  

Judith quickly blinked and wiped her eyes. Then, with reddened eyes, she looked at Chase and said,  

“It’s your fault, Chase. You were being so dramatic.”  

“…If that’s true, then I must apologize to your parents. I’ve already broken my promise.”  

At his words, Judith burst into laughter again.  

“It’s fine. I’m not crying because I’m sad. And I’m already happy, so you don’t need to try too hard.”  

Chase was about to respond, but Judith bowed her head toward the graves and spoke, cutting him off.  

“Anyway, Father, Mother. We’ll be going now. We’ll live happily.”  

“I’ll make sure to visit often to greet you.”  

Chase also gave his final farewell and pulled out two flowers from his coat, placing them neatly on the graves.  

Seeing this, Judith’s tears dried up instantly.  

“You even brought flowers?”  

“Yeah, they wilted a bit on the way, though…”  

Chase scratched his head awkwardly.  

‘If my parents were alive, they’d probably say I chose a good fiancé.’  

Watching him, Judith smiled warmly once again.