Epilogue.2

“Do you think the situation now is the same as before? Haven’t things changed?”  

“It hasn’t changed at all, whether then or now. I’m only going to date. I have no intention of marrying according to your wishes. And even if I do get married someday, I won’t rely on the Guilford family for help.”  

“Stop saying such nonsense! How could you throw away such a good opportunity?”  

“Who was the one who said they’d remove me from the Novary household? So, please don’t interfere in my affairs.”  

“How could I not care? You’re my daughter! Does Sir Guilford not intend to marry you?”  

“He said he’d follow my decision.”  

“Then you should marry him immediately! What are you waiting for?”  

Viscount Novary shouted in frustration.  

“As I’ve repeatedly told you, my decision about marriage depends on how you behave toward me, Father.”  

Ellen smiled brightly at Viscount Novary.  

Recently, Viscount Novary had been losing sleep every night, worrying that Ellen might be rejected by Leon. This clearly showed that he had no trust in his daughter.  

To worry about a perfectly fine couple breaking up… Viscount Novary, consumed by greed, had brought unnecessary stress upon himself and was living restless days.  

Ellen found her father pathetic but also saw it as an opportunity. She could use the current situation to vent the anger she had bottled up over the years.  

“…What should I do today?”  

“Clean up. Start with my bedroom. Especially empty the trash bin—don’t rummage through it messily.”  

“…Alright.”  

Trying to win Ellen’s favor, Viscount Novary had no choice but to obey her orders. He endured solely because he wanted to establish ties with the Guilford family.  

But this didn’t last long.  

Just as he began to anticipate connecting with a prestigious noble family, he learned that in Melchia’s social circles, breaking up after dating was common. Shocked by this revelation, Viscount Novary fell ill again.  

Unaware of how strong Ellen and Leon’s bond was, he imagined the worst and let his anxiety consume him, leading to his illness. He truly caused trouble to the very end by refusing to trust his daughter.  

“Perhaps I should give him expensive medicine to recover quickly and make him work harder.”  

The person most disappointed by Viscount Novary’s collapse was none other than Madame Novary. She had been delighted to see him working.  

Although Viscount Novary hadn’t fully come to his senses, thanks to Ellen, he wasn’t causing trouble and was even helping with her tasks. Madame Novary seemed genuinely pleased, saying that the resentment she had endured was finally easing.  

“Melchia has excellent doctors, so I’ll ask Leon to send some good medicine.”  

“Do as you wish.”  

Ellen and Madame Novary exchanged glances, their smiles as radiant as a sunny spring day.  

***

The scorching season had passed, and chilly winds heralded the arrival of a new season. Ellen draped a cloak over her thick silk dress and grabbed a large bag.  

“Please take care of the household while I’m away.”  

“Don’t worry, rest well.”  

After entrusting the household and business to her mother, Ellen boarded the carriage. As she settled into her seat, her heart raced.  

Finally. Finally, they would meet.  

As an Imperial Knight, Leon found it difficult to visit Alber Village.  

Though he tried to make time, his extended disciplinary period prevented the commander from granting him a long leave. Thus, Ellen had to make the effort to see him.  

Was it five months since her last visit to Melchia?  

Dozing off in the carriage, sleeping at inns at night, and repeating the cycle of drowsy travel, Ellen eventually arrived in Melchia.  

Melchia was bustling, vibrant, and lively as ever—so different from the quiet Alber Village.  

Ellen closed her eyes and inhaled the city air.  

When she last left, the air felt suffocating, but now, on her third visit, even the air felt familiar.  

The carriage stopped in front of the Courtney residence. Once again, Ellen chose to stay with the Courtneys.  

“Ellen, welcome! Congratulations! I always knew you’d find a good match.”  

After five months, Lady Courtney greeted Ellen with a warm smile and embraced her shoulders affectionately.  

“It’s thanks to you and Donna. You both encouraged me to be brave.”  

“I always knew you’d end up with Sir Guilford.”  

Donna, standing nearby, also smiled brightly.  

As soon as Ellen started dating Leon, she had sent a letter to Donna with the news. Donna’s reply was brief and straightforward.  

[Thought so.]  

Though it was just one line, Ellen immediately understood. Donna had secretly worked to make her relationship with Leon possible.  

“Being able to date Leon again was largely thanks to you. Thank you.”  

After exchanging greetings, Ellen entered Donna’s room and expressed her gratitude once more.  

“What do you mean, thanks? I tried to sabotage you in the middle, but I failed. Tsk.”  

Despite her grumbling, Donna’s lips were curled into a satisfied smile.  

“No, it’s because of your encouragement that I managed to muster the strength and reclaim my first love.”  

Ellen believed Donna was the reason she could date Leon.  

During the days when she was buried under her father’s forceful persuasion, it was Donna who changed her perspective. When Ellen’s self-esteem plummeted after being rejected by Leon, Donna had been the one to persuade and push her.  

“Well, I’m glad you think so.”  

Donna smiled contentedly. She, too, had hoped Ellen and Leon would succeed. So when Leon confided his feelings to her, she didn’t show it outwardly but was happier than anyone else.  

Though Donna’s reply to Ellen’s letter was short, she had actually screamed with joy when she received it.  

“By the way, how’s your relationship going? You said you were dating the young master of the Carrick family this time, right?”  

Unlike Ellen, Donna was a city girl who embraced free-spirited relationships. Every time she sent a letter, the man she was dating seemed to change.  

“We broke up.”  

“Already?”  

“Yeah. He wanted to sleep with me, but I refused and dumped him. I’m a firm believer in premarital chastity.”  

“What?”  

Ellen’s eyes widened at Donna’s declaration of premarital chastity.  

Donna was the one who had urged Ellen to seduce Leon physically.  

Because of Donna’s encouragement, Ellen had tried hard to initiate physical contact with Leon, even though she felt embarrassed. Now, Ellen felt an inexplicable sense of betrayal.  

“Isn’t casual dating common nowadays? And didn’t you tell me to seduce Leon with my body?”  

“Well, casual dating is common, but sleeping together isn’t. Most people don’t unless they’re seriously considering marriage. Except for promiscuous individuals. Remember what your mother said? She supported free relationships, not premarital intimacy. Even though times have changed, people still avoid promiscuous partners when marrying.”  

“….”  

She had been tricked.  

Only now did Ellen realize that Donna’s sweet lies had led her to act shamefully. She had fallen for Donna’s words and pushed Leon recklessly.  

Now, Ellen understood why Leon had initially been so resistant.