4.5

After Ellen sent a letter to Baron Aran, stating that she could not marry him, she saved the money her father would have wasted and hired another maid to help with housework. She then began inspecting the land owned by the Novary household in the village.

The Novary family’s primary income came from leasing their land to villagers and taking a portion of the profits from harvested crops or farm products. This income was enough to sustain their lives without difficulty, provided they maintained it properly. However, Viscount Novary’s greed had robbed them of simple happiness.

Each time her father’s ventures failed, they had to sell land, leaving them with only a small area. Thus, Ellen traveled around, inspecting various places to see if they could expand their business.

She didn’t aspire to great wealth. Her sole wish was to earn enough to support her family’s livelihood.

Ellen spent her days checking the fruits, nuts, cattle, and horses on the Novary household’s land. She also explored nearby lakes and forests, hoping to discover unexpected opportunities for business.

“Ellen, you look exhausted. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Madame Novary asked with concern in her eyes, but Ellen thought it was better to stay busy. She needed to force herself to let go of her first love, and as long as she avoided thinking about him, she felt she could eventually forget.

Forget him. Forget him completely!

At first, Ellen struggled to figure out how to move on, so she deliberately pushed herself harder. Fortunately, her plan worked—after a busy day, she would soak in hot water and fall asleep immediately, leaving no room for thoughts of him.

Initially, even the smallest things reminded her of him.  

For example, if she had merely shared tea with him, seeing a teacup would make her think of him. If they had walked by willow trees, even the sight of any tree would bring him to mind.  

She felt her obsession had reached a severe level.

However, as she discussed future plans with the people of the estate and worked on grafting plants, flowers, and fruits, her days passed so quickly that she gradually thought less and less of Leon.  

As her schedule became busier, she naturally had less time to think about him. There were even moments when he didn’t cross her mind at all.

Yes, they say time heals all wounds. Perhaps, little by little, he’ll fade from my memory.

Ellen believed that as long as she didn’t see Leon’s face, she could gradually let go of her first love. And since she had no plans to visit Melchia anytime soon, she thought she could finish sorting out her feelings quickly.

But then…

“What?”

While testing fishing as a potential tourism business near the lake, Ellen spotted a familiar man in her line of sight—a man she never expected to see here.

“What’s the matter?”

Bernard, who was helping Ellen with her business plans, asked. He was the son of a Viscount from a neighboring village. Though they had only occasionally kept in touch, he had come to assist Ellen upon hearing about her business ideas.

“Oh, nothing. I thought I saw someone I know.”

When she rubbed her eyes, the man’s figure had disappeared. Ellen redirected her gaze to her fishing rod.

I thought it was fortunate that he hadn’t been on my mind lately, but now I’m starting to see things.

She thought she had seen a man resembling Leon. However, since there was no reason for him to be here, Ellen dismissed it as a mistake.

I must be so tired that I’m losing my mind.

The next day, Ellen headed to the horse ranch with Anna to check the horses’ condition and contemplate potential business ideas.

“Oh?”

Upon arrival, her eyes were drawn to a man riding a white horse freely. He looked strikingly familiar to Ellen.

Why does that man look like Sir Guilford? Is there something wrong with my eyes?

Ellen rubbed her eyes and looked at the man again. It wasn’t an illusion—his image was clear. He appeared slightly thinner than when she had last seen him, giving him a sharper appearance.

“Do you see that man with black hair and a sturdy build? Is he visible to your eyes too?”

Unable to trust her own eyes, Ellen asked Anna.

“Yes. He’s really handsome. He’s the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. He looks like a prince on a white horse.”

Anna replied, marveling at the man’s appearance.

“You really see him?”

Still unable to believe it, Ellen asked again.

“Yes.”

Anna nodded once and answered firmly.

Oh my goodness.

If Anna could see him too, then the man before her was undoubtedly Leon.

She couldn’t understand why the man she least wanted to encounter was here. She wanted to believe it was a coincidence, but there was no way he could have come here by chance.

Most nobles wouldn’t know about this place, which was far from Melchia. It was impossible for him to have found it so easily. Who would know about this small rural village near the border?

Did Donna tell him?

Donna hated Leon, so she would never have revealed Ellen’s whereabouts.

The letters Ellen had received from Donna contained no mention of Leon. Donna had deliberately refrained from sharing news about him out of consideration for Ellen.

It couldn’t possibly be her. Then who?

While Ellen stared blankly at Leon, he dismounted his horse and approached her.

“Miss Novary, it’s been a while.”

Though slightly thinner, Leon still looked dazzlingly beautiful to Ellen, his gentle smile lighting up his face.

“….”

Ellen didn’t know how to respond.

Seeing her ex-boyfriend, who had caused her deep pain, for the first time since their breakup was awkward enough. But hearing Leon greet her so casually, as if nothing had happened, made her feel even more uncomfortable. All she wanted was to escape this situation.

“Is he someone you know, Sis? Why aren’t you answering him?”

When Ellen remained silent, the oblivious Anna nudged her side with her elbow, urging her to respond.

“It’s been a while. Meeting you in a place like this is quite a coincidence. It seems you’re here for some purpose, so I hope you have a good time.”

Ellen, who was still in the process of sorting out her feelings, had no desire to talk to Leon. She gave him a brief greeting and grabbed Anna’s hand, turning to leave.

“It’s not a coincidence. I came here because I wanted to see you.”

Then, she heard Leon’s voice from behind, stopping her in her tracks.

He came to see me?

Upon hearing those words, Ellen’s heart betrayed her resolve not to face him, pounding loudly.

***

Leon had finally found Ellen in Alber Village. This place was truly far from Melchia.

Even riding a fast horse without rest, it had taken him three days to reach here.

Though the journey was long, Leon didn’t find it difficult. His anticipation of meeting Ellen had filled him with excitement. However, discovering the location of this village had been the true challenge.

How much had he pleaded with Miss Courtney to give him the address?

‘I don’t mind even if I’m being used. I want to hold onto her heart now that she’s gone. So please, tell me.’

No matter what Donna said about Ellen, Leon revealed his true feelings.

He genuinely didn’t care if Ellen used him. However, he didn’t believe Donna’s words. Instead, he trusted the contents of Ellen’s letter.

‘If you’re so insistent, I can’t refuse to give you the address. But can you promise never to hurt Ellen again?’

‘I promise.’

Donna, perhaps recognizing the sincerity of Leon’s feelings for Ellen, had confirmed his resolve multiple times before finally revealing the address.