Chapter 7 (Part 4)

If it weren’t for her body and the circumstances surrounding them, she would have wanted to marry him. But she couldn’t say what was in her heart, so she lowered her head.

A moment of silence passed. She had spoken honestly to distance herself from Cardin, but it felt like she had only hurt him.

Then, in a low voice, he spoke softly into her ear.

“Brienne.”

For some reason, the way Cardin called her name tickled her ears. It stirred her heart, making her feel as if she might cry.

“Just wait a little longer. It’s almost over.”

She barely held back her tears and opened her mouth to speak.

“Cardin, I…”

“I’ll send you to Kelle. But divorce is out of the question.”

There was nothing more to say. His voice was so resolute. Perhaps it would be best to go to Kelle and never return.

As she tried to step back without looking at him, Cardin lifted her into his arms. Startled, she looked at him and met his low gaze.

“Let’s go home. We’ll leave for Peroy tomorrow morning.”

“I can walk. Put me down.”

“You look exhausted right now. Your face doesn’t look good either.”

Cardin was right. She had been feeling dizzy for a while, and her body felt weak.

Outside the palace, a cool breeze blew. Cardin held her tightly and walked with long strides. When a servant opened the carriage door, he carefully placed her inside.

The carriage was warm and cozy. Cardin sat beside her and took off his jacket to offer it to her.

“I’m fine.”

When she pushed the jacket away, their hands touched. Cardin stared at her with a firm gaze. A strange tension filled the air as he intertwined his fingers with hers.

“When your husband offers you something, can’t you accept it just once?”

He spoke deliberately, his tone firm.

“I told you I want a divorce.”

“…….”

“I’ve already lost feelings for you, but you’re the one holding on.”

The grip on their joined hands tightened. His gaze burned with a heat that couldn’t be contained.

“Are you serious?”

“I already told you earlier.”

Her voice trembled. Perhaps it was because of the difficult lie she had just told.

“You said I was your first love.”

“…….”

“You liked me for six years, and now those feelings are gone so easily?”

At that moment, tears fell. She had been holding them back, but they suddenly streamed down her face. She choked out her words through sobs.

“The circumstances made it that way. Honestly, I was happier when you had lost your memory. Even though I was anxious you might regain it, back then…”

She couldn’t finish her sentence.

Cardin’s breath swallowed her lips.

The sudden kiss made her retreat, but he pressed his torso closer, leaving no space between them.

When she opened her mouth to breathe, his tongue entered. As their breaths grew rougher, he wrapped his tongue around hers, sucking deeply.

As if that wasn’t enough, his large hand held her face in place, deepening the kiss.

Because of his strength, her body pressed against the wall of the carriage. Each time his lips briefly parted, she exhaled, but he used those moments to press closer, capturing her lips again.

She gripped his shoulders tightly, trying to push him away, but Cardin wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her onto his thigh.

Only then did his lips part. His rough breath spread between their wet lips.

She pushed against his chest with all her might.

“I told you to stop. Don’t do this anymore.”

Cardin said nothing. She didn’t have the courage to look at him, so she turned her gaze out the window.

“You’ll be comfortable in Peroy. Once everything is settled, I’ll call for you, so wait until then.”

She deliberately didn’t respond.

“There’s still so much we haven’t done together to part ways now.”

“…….”

“Don’t you feel the same? I still want to do so much with you.”

For a moment, her emotions surged, but she managed to suppress them. At this moment, she just wanted to lean on Cardin’s shoulder without thinking about anything. But the situation wouldn’t allow it.

“Brienne.”

When she didn’t turn around, Cardin embraced her from behind. His breath spread urgently along her neck.

“I’m sorry, I…”

“Every time you say you’re sorry, it feels like I become even unhappier. So please, stop apologizing.”

Cardin’s hot breath brushed against her neck. His chest heaved as if he were barely holding back his anger.

At that moment, the tears she had been holding back spilled over. She felt as though she couldn’t hold them back anymore. She had to let it all out now since this would likely be the last time.

“I’m sorry, Cardin. I should have ended it as unrequited love, but I was too selfish.”

If she hadn’t saved Cardin from that swamp, her heart wouldn’t have hurt this much.

“So please, let me go.”

She couldn’t say anything more because of the tears. Cardin held her until she was exhausted from crying. Even when the carriage arrived at the mansion and came to a stop.

She remained still, too drained to move. She didn’t have the strength to speak or resist anymore.

Much time passed like that.

Cardin carried her out of the carriage. He immediately went to their room and laid her on the bed. As soon as he did, he spoke.

“I won’t give up on you.”

She couldn’t find the words to respond, so she stayed silent. He continued speaking.

“I told you, didn’t I? First love always finds a way.”

“Cardin.”

He chuckled softly as he looked at her.

“You’re my first love too, Brienne.”

“…….”

“You’re the first person I’ve ever wanted this much.”

Cardin smiled gently as he spoke.

“I love you, Brienne.”

His gaze was as unwavering and sincere as ever, as if she had always been in his heart. That realization struck her deeply.

It seemed she had underestimated the depth of his feelings.

***

When she opened her eyes in the morning, her mind felt blank. She turned over without thinking, only to feel soft lips touch her forehead. Slowly looking up, she met Cardin’s gaze as he smiled at her.

“Did you sleep well?”

She stared at him with a stiff expression, not answering. When she didn’t respond and simply stared, Cardin chuckled and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“I want to stay like this with you forever.”

As if nothing had happened the day before, his voice was calm and composed.

Cardin exhaled lightly and kissed her neck softly. His low voice resonated gently with his breath.

“I’ll come find you whenever I miss you.”

She remained still, her face rigid, and Cardin slowly pulled away. He looked at her for a moment before kissing her forehead and standing up.

“I want to see you off, but I have an important appointment.”

Cardin stared at her for a long time, as if reluctant to leave. Then he leaned down and kissed her cheek. This time, his breath lingered as his lips slowly parted.

“I already miss you.”

His gaze was endlessly deep. Unable to meet his eyes, she looked away, and Cardin spoke.

“I’ll go now. I’ll come to Peroy soon, so don’t worry about me.”

Cardin glanced at her one last time before turning and leaving the room.

She stared blankly at the ceiling. Going to Peroy seemed like the best option given her circumstances, but it also felt like she was only hurting him more.

Earlier, it seemed as though he was pretending to be fine.

Feeling tears well up, she bit her lip. At that moment, there was a knock at the door. She quickly wiped the moisture from her eyes.

“Come in.”

Her voice trembled, but she managed to lift her upper body. The person who opened the door was Melin. Calmly, Melin began to speak.

“Madam, all the luggage has been loaded into the carriage, and Earl Hurrick has come to visit.”

Earl Hurrick. For a moment, it felt like her mind cleared.

“Earl Hurrick, you say?”

“Yes. He said he came to apologize.”

An apology?

She suddenly remembered how Cardin had left her father alone without taking any action. She had argued with him about it before.

As she remained silent, Melin cautiously asked,

“Shall I tell the Earl to leave?”