Chapter 48

“Oh my? Do you know that handsome gentleman, Vivi?”

The Madame asked upon spotting Sir Costance.

Sir Costance was petting Irini, who had jumped into his arms. Irini wagged her tail and purred contentedly.

“…”

For a moment, her thoughts halted. The surrounding noise faded, and objects disappeared. Only Sir Costance stood before her, and only his voice was audible.

Time seemed to stop. He refrained from questioning, and she held back her emotions. It wasn’t a coincidence that Sir Costance had come here.

He must have investigated her. That was certain… yet why wasn’t she angry?

After seeing Sir Costance, she felt a sense of relief and an overwhelming emotion in her heart. If she hadn’t said goodbye to him, she might have embraced him in welcome.

‘But why did he…’

Come here.

Was he not angry with me?

Was he not upset with me for saying goodbye and suddenly disappearing?

Sir Costance seemed more cautious, as if he were the one at fault. He held her gaze but did not speak carelessly.

“Vivi…!”

The Madame grabbed her shoulder.

“Are you alright? Why are you crying…?”

With the Madame’s words, she realized tears were streaming down her cheeks. As her senses returned, her whole body tingled. It felt as if someone was gripping her heart tightly, overwhelming her with emotion. Sir Costance noticed her distress and stood up.

At his slight movement, she hurriedly spoke.

“I don’t think I can make it to the workshop today. I’m sorry, Madame.”

“Vivi!”

She bolted out of the café. She had no time to worry about leaving Irini behind. It was embarrassing and hurt her pride to have shown tears in front of Sir Costance. Her heart raced at the thought of him seeing her emotions.

She was glad to see him again… but the thought of rejecting him once more already pained her heart.

She ran until she stopped at an unfamiliar place. The buildings had vanished, replaced by fields stretching to the horizon. Panting heavily, she flinched at the presence she felt behind her.

“Meow.”

Irini broke the silence.

“Vivi…”

Costance had followed her, holding Irini. She thought she had run quite far, yet his breathing was as calm as ever.

She gave up on fleeing. But she still couldn’t bring herself to face Costance.

“I wish to talk, Vivi.”

While she hesitated, Costance took a step closer. At his approach, she shrank back. He was right behind her, close enough to reach out and touch. Her heart raced uncontrollably.

“Did you investigate me?”

She managed to speak with difficulty. She chose the worst of the confessions swirling in her mind. He didn’t answer immediately.

“Yes.”

His delayed response made her squeeze her eyes shut.

She should be angry. She should be furious… but she wasn’t. So, the words that came to mind were all things she shouldn’t say. Silence followed again.

This time, the silence lasted a bit longer.

After collecting her thoughts, she turned to face Sir Costance.

Their eyes met. Sir Costance stood there, unable to hold onto Irini, who was trying to escape his embrace. She too hesitated to speak immediately.

She had to think of reality rather than romance.

‘Benny Galinne.’

She recited her real name internally each time she faltered.

Benny Galinne.

Benny Galinne.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

Her voice didn’t come out sharply. Yet even that tone seemed to affect Sir Costance, as he slightly furrowed his brow.

She subtly observed him. His face was beyond gaunt, almost haggard. His hair was disheveled, and the buttons of his shirt were undone.

His pale complexion and dry lips. His deep eyes were dark and somber. 

Were his grey eyes always this color…?

The sight of Sir Costance’s darkened complexion was utterly desolate. As she noted these details, she noticed something on his wrist.

“…”

The bracelet they bought when they went to the photo studio.

The fact that he was wearing that bracelet meant…

“You saw the letter…”

The last bit of hope clung to her.

“Yes.”

“I didn’t think you’d find it…”

“I went to your house, but there was nothing.”

Costance spoke with a trembling voice.

“So I was terrified… but there was only that letter and the bracelet left.”

“…”

“I read it once, couldn’t believe it, so I read it again, and again… If you knew how many times I read that letter, you’d think I’m a creepy guy.”

Costance took another step toward her.

At the reduced distance, she involuntarily swallowed.

“Especially the sentence that says you love me, I read it thousands of times.”

“…That’s…”

“That one sentence made me happy, sad, joyful, and despaired.”

“Sir.”

“I was utterly out of my mind.”

He looked down at her slowly. He was slightly unhinged. Though he still treated her preciously, he seemed ready to pounce if given the chance.

She knew she had to be careful with her words. If she hesitated even a little, he would tenaciously latch on.

“But Sir, it wasn’t a lie when I said we’re not meant to be.”

“That doesn’t mean you don’t love me.”

“What?”

“Look into my eyes. And tell me.”

He gently held her hand. From his body, close to hers, his breath descended directly onto her. The low, slow breathing was warm and perhaps suggestive.

He kissed the back of her hand and then knelt without needing her to look up. Before she could ask what he was doing, he captured her gaze.

“Do you love me?”

He asked plainly. The relentless words made her dizzy. Tears she had held back welled up from within. Her trembling lips couldn’t form words and clashed with her teeth.

There was nowhere to run.

“Vivi.”

He whispered her name sweetly. As if one word was enough. His voice was alluring.

“Even if I love you… reality is different.”

She turned her head sharply.

“Sir, you are the heir to the Marquisate of Orsi, and I’m a common woman with nothing. Even if we love each other, that difference in status doesn’t change.”

“…Is that why you pushed me away?”

He asked.

“Yes.”

“Vivi.”

“The environments we grew up in are different. I’m… weak. If I collapse, I won’t even have the strength to get up. Look at my heart, torn to shreds after Julia was taken. That’s me. But you, Sir…”

She stopped mid-sentence and pressed her lips together. She didn’t think his upbringing was easy or safe.

Whenever they shared a bed, seeing the marks on his body made her furious. Hearing stories from him before sleeping… she couldn’t even imagine how lonely and scary his childhood must have been.

But that was when he was with his ‘family.’

He was praised and respected by others. When he spoke, everyone liked it, and even if his driving was clumsy, everyone tolerated it.

But others didn’t see her that way. The government would try to capture her, and Rando would want to kill her.

“Anyway, you and I are different.”

“I will not become the heir to the Orsi family.”

Sir Costance spoke firmly.

“What, what do you mean…”

“I’ve loathed the Orsi family to the point of grinding my teeth. Always, even before I met you.”

“Can it really be as you say?”

“It can.”

He met her eyes directly as he spoke.

“I am stronger than my father now. The relatives are too preoccupied with the aftermath of the Great War to concern themselves with the direct family. And there are many competent and wise people in the Orsi company besides me.”

“But Costance, you won’t change.”

“No, I won’t change.”

He didn’t yield a single word.

“I won’t change. But my facade will. I’m no longer a noble, nor an heir. Vivi, I may even become a brother to Alonso.”

“…Even so, you are…”

“Vivi, I want to fulfill both Alonso’s and your wishes.”

Costance enveloped her hands with his.

“Though I’m not a Goddess, I heard it clearly. I was there.”

What was he talking about… 

Then a scene played in her mind. A rainy day, crouched with Eugene, wishing earnestly.

She looked at him with disbelief. He smiled faintly and spoke.

“I want to be a ‘good family’ for you and Alonso. That’s why I came, Vivi.”