6.1 – The Distance of Hearts

While Ellen, Anna, and Luca were having dinner after finishing their work, Luca looked at Ellen with expectant eyes. He often displayed this clear gaze whenever he desired something.  

“Why? Do you have something to say to me?”  

Ellen asked while pausing her fork midway to her mouth.  

“Ellen, don’t you want the villa these days?”  

“What are you talking about?”  

Hearing the sudden remark, Ellen put down the fork she was holding.  

“You’ve been staring at that villa whenever you get the chance. You want it, don’t you? Isn’t it about to become ours?” 

Luca pointed at the villa visible far outside the window with sparkling eyes. It was the villa owned by Sir Leon Guilford.  

“….”  

Have I been staring at the villa lately?  

“How could we possibly own a villa? We don’t have the money to buy it. Besides, I don’t even remember looking at the villa.”  

Ellen denied Luca’s words as she picked up her knife to cut the meat, unaware that her gaze had lingered on the villa.  

“Ahh… But I really want the villa….”  

Luca’s face fell at Ellen’s firm response.  

“I’ll buy it for you when I earn a lot of money someday. So, can you hold off for now?”  

“When is that going to be? I want it now!”  

Luca, resembling Viscount Novary, was somewhat materialistic. He always insisted on getting what he wanted and wouldn’t stop until he had it. And now, Luca’s ultimate tactic—stubborn persistence—was about to begin.  

Even if he knew it was impossible, Luca would persist, as occasionally, he’d end up getting lucky.  

“You’ve been staring at the villa every chance you get because you want it, haven’t you? So why not make it yours?”  

“I don’t want the villa. I haven’t even looked at it. You’re mistaken, Luca. Maybe you saw me glance at it once by accident.”  

Realizing that sweet words wouldn’t convince Luca, Ellen’s tone grew firm.  

“I’m right. I’ve seen it often. And it’s not just me. Anna saw it too. Isn’t that right?”  

Luca turned his pleading gaze to Anna, who looked conflicted and hesitated before slowly nodding her head. 

With Anna agreeing, Luca’s expression brightened, and he continued enthusiastically.  

“See? I’m right! That’s why I told the knight about it. I told him that you keep looking at his villa because you want it, and he said it would soon become yours, Ellen. He said it would be yours if you married him. Ellen, you’re going to marry him, right? Say you will! That way, the villa will be ours!”  

“What?”  

Ellen froze mid-motion, her knife halted over the meat. She felt as though she had just heard something absurd.  

“Who did you say you told?”  

“I told the knight that you want his villa. And he said it would soon be yours. He said that if you marry him, the villa will be yours. You’re going to marry him, right? If you marry him, the villa will be ours.”  

Luca puffed his chest with pride, looking as though he had done something commendable.  

“….”  

Ellen was at a loss for words.  

Why did Sir Guilford fill Luca’s head with nonsense? Ellen rubbed her forehead with her hand.  

Anna and Luca often followed Ellen to help her. During those times, Anna would assist with Ellen’s tasks, while Luca helped with physical labor.  

Because of this, Ellen knew Luca and Leon had grown close. But she hadn’t expected Leon to use Luca to sway her.  

Since Ellen wasn’t giving in, it seemed Leon had decided to target her family.  

“Well… yes, I might want it. But I can’t just accept the villa outright, so can I think about it a little more? Give me some time to consider it, Luca. But don’t tell the knight that I said I’d think about it, okay?”  

Deciding it was best to calm Luca first, Ellen reluctantly agreed with his words.  

“Really? But I can’t give you too much time!”  

Though it wasn’t the answer he wanted, Luca seemed satisfied enough, his expression softening. Excited, he began chanting “villa” repeatedly while shoving the meat into his mouth.  

“Anna, did Sir Guilford say anything to you?”  

Ellen leaned closer to Anna and whispered so Luca wouldn’t overhear.  

“Yes.”  

Anna nodded with a troubled expression. She knew about Ellen’s past relationship with Leon and the time they had dated while living in Melchia.  

“What did he say?”  

“He said he remembered the time he spent with you and felt awkward about it. He asked me to help him start over with you. He said he had done a lot of bad things when you were dating, and now you won’t open your heart to him.”  

“….”  

When Ellen didn’t respond, Anna cautiously continued, watching Ellen’s reaction.  

“I don’t think he’s as bad as you say. He seems to be reflecting on his actions, and his feelings for you seem genuine. So maybe it wouldn’t hurt to give him another chance. You really liked him back then, didn’t you?”  

“….”  

Ellen still couldn’t reply.  

Everyone had fallen for it.