Chapter 4 (Part 11)

Peroy was much smaller than Romseed Village. Walking around the village didn’t take long, but walking with Cardin made it feel strangely different than usual.

The familiar path somehow felt special, and the common wildflowers around seemed new. Especially the wildflowers swaying in the wind appeared particularly petite and pretty.

“Your thoughts about your father haven’t changed, have they?”

At the sudden question, she turned to meet Cardin’s eyes. She belatedly nodded.

“Can I handle it?”

She remembered what her father had said. Cardin hadn’t yet withdrawn the private trial concerning their family.

“Even if you kill my father, I won’t be sad or have any thoughts.”

She had severed ties with her father since leaving that hotel. Cardin nodded calmly.

“I’m planning to handle your father through a private trial.”

She remembered how Cardin had come to kill her before. After hesitating for a moment, she spoke.

“Cardin, if I ever have to stand trial because of my father…”

She intended to say she’d accept it, but Cardin blocked her path.

“Your sins are gone. I’ve taken back everything I did to you, and now you’re clean.”

She was speechless. Brienne didn’t expect to hear those words from Cardin, her first love who had once loathed her.

Her heart swelled with emotion, and she finally managed to say,

“Thank you.”

Cardin slowly embraced her. Warmth seeped into her heart, rising hotly.

“When we were at Stern Academy, I’m sorry for treating you poorly. Back then, I only thought of myself. I only considered my own losses and never truly understood your situation.”

His low breath spread across her neck.

“Looking back, I was foolish.”

His words, mixed with regret, tickled her heart. Cardin wrapped his arms around her waist, hugging her tightly.

“I’ll repay you for all the hardships you endured.”

“……”

“So don’t leave me anymore.”

His low tone was quite persistent. Brienne couldn’t agree to his request. She planned to leave before he married someone else.

Marrying Cardin with this body was impossible. She couldn’t even conceive.

For now, she planned to go to Devok with Cardin, find suitable work, and repay the money. In Devok, she’d surely earn more than working here.

Cardin didn’t let go of her for a long time. The atmosphere grew awkward, and she became conscious of the surrounding gazes. As she tried to step back, Cardin pulled her close, kissed her cheek, and then released her. He naturally held her hand.

His gaze was warm. Her heart swelled with emotion, yet she couldn’t help but feel somewhat bitter. Perhaps because she knew it would end someday.

* * *

Time in Peroy passed incredibly quickly. After bidding farewell to the surrounding villagers and Kelle, the sun had set, and it was time to leave.

Cardin neatly folded the clothes he had worn, and she packed her belongings into the carriage. Kelle looked at her with tear-filled eyes.

“Brienne, how will I manage missing you?”

“I’ll visit here occasionally.”

Kelle nodded and said,

“I’ll take good care of Viche, so make sure to come down.”

Although she wanted to take Viche with her, the journey was long, and Viche had adapted well here, so she decided to leave him. Kelle had also grown close to Viche, and sometimes they went into the mountains together, so Viche seemed necessary for her too.

She petted Viche, who was next to Kelle, and then stepped back.

“Then, I’ll be off.”

“Yes, travel safely.”

Cardin, standing beside her, bowed his head. Kelle quickly bowed deeply. She still found Cardin intimidating.

At that moment, Cardin handed her a small envelope. When Kelle looked at him in confusion, he said,

“Thank you for taking good care of Brienne and for your hospitality.”

“You didn’t have to…”

Cardin smiled and extended the envelope again. At his smile, Kelle reluctantly accepted it. As the carriage finally set off, she saw Kelle staring wide-eyed at the envelope. Then the carriage moved.

Brienne immediately spoke to Cardin.

“Cardin, wasn’t that a bit much?”

“What was?”

“Kelle seemed really surprised.”

“Should I have put more in then?”

When she looked at him in surprise, he chuckled and cupped her cheek.

“That money means nothing to me, so don’t worry about it.”

“……”

“Especially when it’s spent on you, it’s never wasted.”

He smiled warmly.

Their eyes met for a while. His breath and gaze were unusually warm. As she exhaled nervously, his gaze softened slightly.

For a moment, as if his breath was disordered, he bit her lips. Their lips, touching and blending with breath, deepened. As his upper body leaned towards hers, her back was pushed back.

Cardin naturally wrapped an arm around her waist and sat her on his thigh. Their breaths mingled urgently.

His large hand wrapped around her waist, and a strange sensation rose. Recalling how he had embraced her all night, passionately kissing her body.

As she instinctively tried to pull back, Cardin slowly released her lips. He looked at her with a questioning gaze.

Thinking she might have overthought, her face flushed. She tried to come up with an excuse and said,

“I wanted to look outside.”

Unable to meet Cardin’s eyes, she turned her head. He obediently let her go. When she only looked out the window, Cardin rested his face on her shoulder.

Cautiously looking at him, Cardin smiled and met her eyes. He soon kissed her cheek, sat up straight, and said,

“When we return, I plan for us to live alone together.”

“……”

“I want to do everything with you that we couldn’t do in that cabin when we go back.”

“Is that okay?”

“What is?”

“Aren’t you busy? And if you only live with me…”

“I’m going to marry you anyway, so what’s the problem?”

“Cardin, I…”

“Why don’t you want to get married right away?”

Cardin’s gaze was endlessly fixed on her. Unlike before, he was serious without a hint of a smile. She felt she had to say what she hadn’t before.

“Because of my body. I can’t even conceive…”

“Brienne.”

His voice was endlessly low. Enough to send shivers down her spine for a moment. Watching tensely, Cardin spoke softly.

“I can solve that. So you don’t have to worry about anything.”

“I’m worried.”

She clenched her hands.

“When that reality hits, I feel like I won’t be of any help to you.”

“……”

“So can’t we think about marriage slowly?”

Cardin silently watched her. The atmosphere sank endlessly. Since it had come to this, she decided to speak her mind.

“When we get to Devok, I plan to repay the debt you paid. I’ll find work there…”

“Do you think I paid your debt to make you work like that?”

His voice was slightly sharp. Unfamiliar with the unexpected tone, she closed her mouth, and Cardin continued.

“I told you earlier. I don’t mind spending money on you.”

“……”

“Don’t treat me like a stranger you just met and insist on repaying it.”

His words carried a hint of frustration. She had nothing to say. He seemed to be hurt in his own way.

“Paying off that debt was my choice. A way to make up for the past with you.”

“……”

“So you don’t have to repay it. Unless you want to leave me.”

Brienne couldn’t decide what to say. She didn’t want to leave Cardin, but she didn’t want to be by his side when he married.

Despite her complicated feelings, the carriage moved swiftly. Cardin didn’t say more either. He seemed to have a lot on his mind too.