4.4
“What about Ellen? You cruelly rejected her. She was so shocked by your actions that she hurriedly returned to the Novary household. Why are you looking for her?”
“I want to meet her and apologize.”
“Apologize? You’ve told Ellen you were sorry countless times, yet you kept doing things you needed to apologize for. Do you really think you can offer her a genuine apology?”
Donna sneered as she questioned him, her lips curling contemptuously.
“….”
Leon couldn’t respond. He had indeed apologized to Ellen multiple times, yet he had continued to hurt her—again and again.
“Are you done talking? Then kindly leave.”
Donna didn’t want the two of them to meet. She feared Leon would hurt Ellen again, so she refused to share anything about her.
“Please, I beg you. I must meet her.”
Leon was determined to persist until Donna gave him the information. His golden eyes trembled with desperation the moment they locked with hers.
Could he be sincere?
His gaze seemed to convey genuine intent behind his words about meeting Ellen.
“Fine. You say you want to apologize? What exactly are you apologizing for? Do you even know why Ellen left in the first place?”
Testing him, Donna asked sharply, as if she might give him a chance.
“…I believe it’s because I hurt her multiple times.”
Leon answered after a brief pause.
So he does know. But it seems he doesn’t fully grasp the specifics….
Though he appeared regretful, Donna still resented Leon for the pain he had caused Ellen. While she knew she shouldn’t interfere in their relationship, she felt compelled to step in since their relationship was already over.
“Does that reason include the fact that you made a bet involving Ellen?”
Donna probed further. Leon’s eyes widened in shock upon hearing her words, silently asking how she knew. Donna feigned ignorance.
“Ellen already knows about the bet you and your companions made involving her. You said you wanted to apologize, right? Here’s something else you should know—Ellen only dated you lightly, treating it like a brief flirtation. She’ll be getting married soon.”
Donna exaggerated the truth. Although it felt wrong to paint Ellen as a frivolous woman, she wanted to crush Leon’s pride as much as Ellen had been hurt. After all, Ellen hadn’t been the only one used—Leon had been played as well.
Donna also wanted to see whether, even after his pride was shattered, Leon would still desire Ellen. She wondered whether he would believe her words or trust Ellen’s sincerity. She wanted to uncover his true intentions.
If Leon still expressed a desperate desire to meet Ellen despite hearing such words, Donna was willing to share the location of Alber Village.
“….”
Leon said nothing. Clearly, he was shaken.
“Even after hearing what I’ve said, do you still want to meet Ellen and apologize? If you truly think it’s necessary, I’ll give you the address of the Novary household.”
What decision would he make?
Donna swallowed slowly, waiting for Leon’s response.
* * *
“This isn’t right.”
Ellen tossed her broom aside and stood up abruptly.
Ever since returning home, she had spent her days consumed by endless housework.
With only Madame Novary and Mary to help, it was inevitable that cleaning would be neglected. Ellen had taken it upon herself to clean the house, with Anna and Luca occasionally assisting with simpler tasks.
There was so much to do that Ellen found herself grateful Mary hadn’t run away. Meanwhile, Viscount Novary continued to waste money on frivolous things.
Since Ellen’s return, she had scolded him relentlessly, and he had finally stopped spending extravagantly—at least while under her watchful eye. Even so, he remained idle, indifferent to the struggles of his family.
“How long are you going to avoid doing any work?”
Unable to hold back her frustration, Ellen stormed into his study and slammed the door open.
“How can you say I’m doing nothing? That’s not fair. I’m working hard to find a way to save our family.”
Perhaps feeling guilty, the Viscount cleared his throat and pretended to review the documents in front of him.
“….”
Ellen sighed deeply. She felt foolish for having trusted this man and followed his lead.
Shaking her head, she spoke firmly.
“I can’t marry Baron Aran. I’ve thought about happiness, and no matter how much I think about it, I can’t pursue a marriage based on money. Seeing you rely solely on my marriage while wasting money makes me even less willing to go through with it.”
Her anger surged, and she voiced everything she had been holding inside.
Since returning to the Novary household, Ellen had struggled with the sight of her father doing nothing while the family suffered. She had questioned whether she should go along with his plans for her marriage.
The engagement was not yet official—no formal promises or dowry exchanges had taken place—so she still had time to cancel it.
Ellen decided this was her last chance to reject the marriage and told her father so.
“What nonsense is this? How can you change your mind so suddenly? Before your marriage, I even agreed to let you visit Melchia and enjoy yourself.”
“And while I was away, you spent money recklessly. Did you think I wouldn’t find out? Isn’t that why you allowed me to go?”
“How dare you? After all I’ve done to feed, shelter, and care for you, you have the audacity to defy me?”
Running out of arguments, the Viscount resorted to anger.
“Why should I sacrifice myself for a family you ruined? You’re still trying to indulge in luxury, relying solely on my marriage. Can’t you think about the family members who are suffering instead of focusing only on yourself? Just as you’ve demanded sacrifices from me, you should also make efforts for the family.”
Ellen tried to speak as calmly as possible, but her words only enraged the Viscount further, his face turning red.
“Who told you to talk back?”
“….”
The more Ellen spoke with her father, the less reason she saw to follow his plans and marry Baron Aran.
It wasn’t about sacrificing for the family—it felt like sacrificing solely for her father. Ellen didn’t want to give up her life for one person.
Moreover, she couldn’t imagine being happy with Baron Aran. Having realized how lonely it was to be with someone she didn’t love, she foresaw a marriage filled with solitude.
Though the loneliness she felt with Leon might differ, it would still be loneliness nonetheless.
She didn’t want to live like that.
She wanted to find happiness. Even if it took time, she preferred to endure hardships and choose a freer life over becoming a slave to money.
That was the conclusion she had reached during her three weeks at home.
“If you like Baron Aran so much, why don’t you marry him yourself? I can’t follow your plan to save the household through my marriage. It would be better to tighten our belts and earn our way.”
Though rejecting Baron Aran’s help would strain their finances, Ellen didn’t want his assistance. Nothing could be harder than the pain of being rejected three times. She felt she could endure anything now.
“Did someone in Melchia influence you? Was it the Earl? The Countess? Or some scoundrel?”
“No. I simply woke up and realized I almost fell for your schemes. So I won’t marry him.”
“You… You….”
Shocked by Ellen’s defiance, Viscount Novary clutched his neck and collapsed, eventually falling ill.
Ellen thought it was for the best. If her father couldn’t move around causing trouble, their finances might stabilize.
“At least your father is tied down now. But Ellen, are you sure you’ll be okay?”
Madame Novary, who had silently observed their argument, asked worriedly.
Having endured much from the Viscount herself, her mother sided with Ellen. However, she seemed concerned about how they would manage their financial troubles.
“I’ll figure something out.”
Ellen smiled reassuringly at her mother.
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I don’t think the idea of her father marrying the baron is a bad one. Ask the baron; maybe he’s open to men too. If not a wife, maybe a mistress. I think her father would be happy. He might also enjoy spending his husband’s money.