Chapter 6.1 – The Day Love Comes to an End

Today was the day when the roundest moon would rise in the night sky. Although the full moon appeared once a month and wasn’t particularly special, at least for Marianne, today was an exceptionally important day.  

After today, Sylvester would no longer love Marianne. The love spell cast on Sylvester would be broken.  

Since the day they had volunteered together at the orphanage—when she had held Sylvester’s hand for the first time—nothing particularly extraordinary had happened between the two of them. As usual, Sylvester visited Marianne, and Marianne welcomed him. Occasionally, it was the other way around, with Marianne seeking Sylvester.  

But just because nothing significant happened didn’t mean there weren’t small, special moments. Now, whenever Marianne and Sylvester walked together, they held hands. Without saying a word, they walked in sync, hiding their flushed emotions.  

Marianne let out a small sigh and smiled warmly at the flowers in the vase. All of them were flowers created by Sylvester’s magic. 

If the love spell on Sylvester were to break… would those flowers also turn to ash and disappear? 

A fleeting sense of regret passed over Marianne’s eyes.  

‘I’ll miss Sylvester’s warmth.’  

Marianne silently gazed at her palm.  

‘Since it’s the last time….’  

Marianne clenched her fist tightly, her heart pounding loudly.  

‘I need to be brave.’  

For the past few days, Marianne had spent sleepless nights agonizing over her decision. Fortunately, it hadn’t taken too long to come to a conclusion. Since it was the last time, she decided to be courageous and indulge in her desires. That was the answer Marianne had reached.  

For the first time since she began working as a librarian, Marianne used her reserved vacation days. Her reason was “to spend a day without regrets.” Holding the vacation request form, Anna gave Marianne a peculiar look. But soon, she smiled and approved the leave.  

Yesterday, Marianne had learned of Sylvester’s schedule through Peter and Erina. According to them, Sylvester had no official duties today and would likely be working in his private research office. Marianne decided to go see him.  

* * *

Standing in front of Sylvester’s private research office, Marianne checked her reflection in the tall, vertical window.  

Her curly hair was neatly tied back, and she wore a white blouse with billowy sleeves, a warm beige cardigan, a long skirt that reached her ankles, and low-heeled shoes. Behind her thick glasses, Marianne’s eyes scanned herself from head to toe.  

She had dressed as neatly as she could, but… she didn’t look much different from her usual self. That realization made Marianne feel a little smaller.  

Still, Marianne had a companion to share her nervousness with today. She glanced at the bouquet of flowers in her arms. These flowers were from the corner flower shop she passed by every day but never had the luxury to purchase until now.  

The delicate white petals swayed with Marianne’s movements. Although the scent wasn’t as enchanting as the flowers Sylvester had given her, it was still quite pleasant.  

‘Don’t be nervous.’  

Taking a deep breath, Marianne knocked on the office door. Knock, knock. The sound echoed through the quiet hallway.  

There was a high chance that Allen, Sylvester’s aide, would be on the other side of the door. Though she hadn’t made an appointment, Allen would likely grant her request to see Sylvester.  

Footsteps echoed from the other side of the door. The sound of leather soles colliding with the marble floor grew closer. Marianne closed her eyes tightly and opened them again to calm her nerves.  

Soon, the office door opened.  

“Hello, Aide… Sir?”  

Marianne’s voice trailed off awkwardly. The person who appeared wasn’t Allen.  

Grasping the ornate doorknob was Sylvester, his presence filling Marianne’s vision. His face looked cold and sharp, almost intimidating.  

“…Marianne.”  

Sylvester’s expression changed drastically upon seeing her. Like ice melting under the desert sun, his stern demeanor softened instantly. Sylvester blinked silently in surprise before breaking into a broad smile.  

“Um, where is Aide Allen…? You’re alone?”  

Flustered, Marianne stammered.  

“Did you come to see Allen instead of me?”  

Sylvester’s expression briefly turned sulky. Caught off guard by the sudden encounter and his disappointed look, Marianne’s heart raced uncontrollably.  

Panicking, she skipped all the steps she had planned and thr*st the bouquet toward Sylvester.  

“Sylvester, please go on a date with me!”  

The flowers trembled in her hands, just like her heart. A single petal fell and landed gently on Sylvester’s polished shoe.  

“I want to spend today with you.”  

Sylvester’s gaze shifted from Marianne’s face to the bouquet pressed against his chest, then back to her flushed cheeks.  

“…It would be my honor.”  

Sylvester accepted the bouquet with a voice heavy with emotion. Watching him, Marianne’s heart pounded loudly.  

Knowing that he would forget everything after tomorrow night, Marianne had asked him out on a date. Perhaps it was the knowledge that today might be the last day she could spend with him that gave her the courage.  

“Trust me.”  

Marianne clenched her fist, speaking with determination. She even tried to muster a reliable smile.  

Marianne had consulted Anna, who had experience with dating, to learn about popular date spots for couples. She had meticulously planned a delightful day. Though things didn’t always go according to plan, she had a good feeling about today.  

“I trust you.”  

Sylvester smiled as he inhaled the scent of the flowers Marianne had given him.  

‘So this is why people give flowers to their loved ones… to see that kind of expression.’  

Marianne thought to herself as she looked at the beautiful man holding the bouquet in his arms.  

A short while later, Sylvester, now dressed in fresh clothes, extended his hand. Marianne took it, and together, they left the Knight Order building. A few people stole glances at the pair as they walked by, though neither Marianne nor Sylvester noticed the discreet gazes.  

Marianne, who had mustered the courage to ask Sylvester on a date, followed the plan she had carefully crafted throughout a sleepless night.  

They ate at a lovely restaurant, enjoyed tea at an equally charming café, and even rowed a boat on a lake that sparkled beautifully under the sunlight. Though another couple’s boat nearby had capsized in a minor accident, it hadn’t happened to them, so it was fine.  

The day flowed peacefully, leaving a special mark in Marianne’s memory. Throughout the day, she smiled brighter and more honestly than she usually did.  

After getting off the boat, the two decided to walk hand-in-hand to the Verden Theater, where a play was being performed, instead of taking a carriage. The theater wasn’t far from the lake, so it was a feasible option. This route was also a carefully planned part of Marianne’s date itinerary.  

The Theater Park area was home to numerous theaters. Among them, the Verden Theater stood out. It was the very theater responsible for the park being called “Theater Park” in the first place.  

Directly managed by the Empire, the Verden Theater was a three-story performance hall named after a famous playwright. It hosted a variety of performances, from plays and operas to ballets, dances, and even poet recitals. The theater was open to all citizens of the Empire, with ticket prices kept affordable. After all, it was run by the Empire to support the cultural lives of its people.  

However, ordinary citizens living in the capital often referred to the Verden Theater as a gathering place for nobles. This wasn’t an official designation but rather an unspoken rule that had solidified over time.  

Of course, Marianne, who was from outside the capital, was unaware of this fact.  

‘Everyone… is dressed so elegantly.’  

Marianne glanced around the ornate theater lobby, feeling overwhelmed by the extravagant attire of the people. She could feel their subtle gazes following her, as if to say, “Why is someone like her here?”  

Those gazes shifted when they noticed Sylvester standing next to her, as if wondering, “Why is the Marquis of Velarc with someone like her?”  

In many ways, the Verden Theater and its audience were entirely different from the smaller theaters where Marianne had watched plays with Anna. She felt uneasy. She had only come because the play being performed here seemed the most interesting, but now it felt as though she had stepped into a place she didn’t belong.  

The only solace was knowing that the image of Marianne Lane etched into these people’s memories would fade after tomorrow night. Of course, there was still the lingering worry about what might happen if the spell wasn’t broken. But at least for today, she didn’t want to dwell on such concerns.  

“It’s been so long since I’ve been to a theater. The last time I came here… must have been over five years ago.”  

Sylvester’s voice reached Marianne’s ears. Soon, he continued speaking.  

“You’ll have much to teach me, Marianne. For instance, the proper etiquette to follow inside a theater.”  

Sylvester smiled warmly, meeting her gaze.  

Marianne doubted that Sylvester truly didn’t know theater etiquette. She believed he had said this to ease her discomfort, knowing how self-conscious she felt under the scrutiny of the crowd. She appreciated his thoughtfulness.