“I tried to let you go so many times. I tried to give up my feelings, but it wasn’t as easy as I thought.”

Diana hastily added. Edwin, who had been maintaining silence, finally spoke.

“Why did you think Lady Queensberry was my first love without even asking me?”

“Because of the rumors. And besides…”

“Besides?”

“I saw you together with Lady Queensberry. I noticed your attitude was different with her than when you’re with me…”

Words different from her true feelings poured from Diana’s mouth. Trying hard to hold back tears, she stopped speaking.

“You saw?”

Edwin tilted his head slightly and repeated her words.

“I was angry. I didn’t want to lose you.”

“If you don’t want to lose me, then don’t. Why worry about it?”

She thought she could answer immediately, but she couldn’t. The moment she recalled the conversation between Edwin and Lady Queensberry, her eyes reddened.

As tears welled up, Diana kept blinking to prevent them from falling. Despite her efforts, teardrops formed, and she spoke with a choked voice while hanging her head low.

“I heard you say you wanted to distance yourself from me.”

“What do you mean…?”

Edwin tilted his head, unable to understand. After being lost in thought for a moment, he began to laugh.

How could he laugh like that when it wasn’t a casual remark?

The tears she had been holding back suddenly burst forth. The pooled tears began to stream down her cheeks. Surprised, Edwin embraced Diana. She buried her face in his chest.

“So you overheard my conversation with Lady Queensberry.”

“I’m sorry for eavesdropping. But when I saw you two leaving the banquet hall together, I couldn’t help myself.”

“If you were going to listen, why didn’t you listen to the end instead of leaving halfway through?”

Diana looked up at Edwin. Though her tears blurred her vision and she couldn’t see him clearly, Edwin was still smiling.

Was there more to what he said? When Diana gave him a puzzled look, Edwin wiped her tears and said:

“I explained why I said those things and my reasons for it, but why didn’t you listen to the important part?”

Edwin chuckled as he recalled that day’s conversation. Diana could only be bewildered by his reaction.

‘I’m finding it harder and harder to face Lady Winchester. I’m considering keeping some distance.’

‘You’re lying. Your expression says otherwise.’

Lady Queensberry looked at Edwin with disbelief. He laughed as though admitting defeat.

‘You caught me.’

‘What is it? Tell me.’

‘It’s hard to control my instinctive desires. I’m afraid I might hurt her. I can’t take her according to my selfish desires.’

‘So you’re a man after all. You’ve been so stone-cold with women that I thought you had no s*xual desire.’

‘Only with her.’

‘What charm does she have that makes you like this? I’m curious.’

‘I can’t tell anyone else.’

‘That’s unfair.’

Lady Queensberry pouted, disappointed. Edwin laughed and changed the subject. After their small talk ended, Edwin remembered beginning a more serious conversation with her. He had called her out because he had something important to say.

When he told Diana the rest of the story from that time, her tears stopped, but her eyes still trembled with uncertainty. Given that she didn’t respond, it seemed she still didn’t believe his words.

Why doesn’t she believe him even though he has been honest?

Edwin pondered how to make Diana believe him. It was useless even when he told her everything honestly…

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t even guess what was making her so anxious.

Just as he was wondering how to comfort her, Diana, who had been silent, spoke first.

“Can you be certain that Lady Queensberry has no feelings for you either?”

She had confessed to him before. But that was when he was staying at the Count Queensberry’s residence. Should he honestly answer about something that happened so long ago, or should he say it never happened?

Since Diana was anxious, it might be better in this situation to lie and say it never happened, but he couldn’t bring himself to lie.

“That was in the past. She was once my swordsmanship instructor, but now we’re just friends.”

“Swordsmanship instructor?”

It was the first time she had heard that a noble lady was skilled in swordsmanship. Since there had never been a lady who wielded a sword in the empire’s history, Diana’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s.

“Yes. She’s an excellent swordswoman. Of course, I’ve surpassed her now, but Lady Queensberry’s skills are outstanding enough to rival those of the Imperial Knights.”

“Ah…”

Diana recalled Lady Queensberry’s appearance when she fell from the cliff. That dignified figure like a knight.

“She’s just an instructor and a friend with whom I feel camaraderie. She’s also my benefactor, so I might feel a bit more special about her than others, but that’s all.”

The moment she heard the word “benefactor,” Diana felt her heart sink heavily.

She knew the emotion she was feeling was jealousy. But she shouldn’t feel that way after stealing Lady Queensberry’s man.

However, there were still unclear aspects that needed to be resolved.

“Edwin, didn’t you also tell me that we should take some time apart? That’s why I can’t help but think it’s related to Lady Queensberry.”

At that moment, Edwin’s face contorted. With a painful, agonized expression, he shook his head.

“That’s impossible. I suggested taking time because I was concerned for your well-being.”

“For my sake?”

“Yes. It’s difficult to explain the reason, but I can assure you it was for your sake.”

“Why is it difficult to explain the reason?”

What could be so secret that he had to act this way? Diana couldn’t understand Edwin’s attitude.

She looked at him with a suspicious expression. He avoided her gaze and answered.

“I’ll tell you later. It’s a bit difficult to explain now.”

“Why? Is it true that this secret has nothing to do with Lady Queensberry?”

“…”

Just a moment ago, he had firmly denied it, but now Edwin gave no answer. It seemed that Lady Queensberry knew about the circumstances he couldn’t talk about.

How should she interpret this situation? If they were nothing to each other, why would he share a secret with her that Diana didn’t know?

Edwin claimed there was nothing between him and Lady Queensberry, but Diana didn’t see it that way. She sensed a deep bond between them that she couldn’t penetrate.

The thought that she shouldn’t come between them also began to creep in. She needed to reconnect the ties of fate that she had forcibly severed.

Even if Edwin desired Diana, she shouldn’t accept his feelings.

‘I mustn’t be swayed by his words. I need to return him to his rightful place!’

As long as she felt that Lady Queensberry was Edwin’s destined match, this jealousy would never disappear.

Knowing that having such feelings was petty, she needed to let him go even more.

But finding it difficult to say those words, she hesitated without saying anything. How could she tell him that they seemed to have an original connection?

No. She had to say it. After continuously moving her lips, Diana painfully opened her mouth.

“I’ll be honest with you. Your destined partner is Lady Queensberry.”

Knowing he wouldn’t believe it, Diana had no choice but to reveal what she knew.

She couldn’t betray Lady Queensberry, who had saved her life. She couldn’t act without conscience.

Though she knew he wouldn’t believe her, she had to honestly reveal everything and then reconnect the ties that had been severed because of her.

“What on earth are you talking about?”

As expected, Edwin seemed not to understand Diana’s words. Of course. You don’t remember anything about your previous life.

“I know it’s hard to believe. But please trust me.”

“No. I don’t understand why you’re saying this. Didn’t I tell you that Lady Queensberry and I are nothing to each other?”

“I know you won’t understand. You might not know what I mean now, but you’ll thank me later. Someday your heart will turn toward Lady Queensberry.”

“That will never happen. Why are you so certain I would do that?”

“I just told you. She’s your destined partner.”

“No. In my heart, Diana, there’s only you. It will never change, so please don’t say such nonsense.”

“I can’t betray Lady Queensberry, my benefactor. I want to wish for her happiness. And yours too.”

“Diana, don’t you think about your own happiness? Was your confession from before just in the past after all? Have you only wanted my body all this time?”

Only wanted his body? Who was he to say that? Wasn’t it Edwin who had only desired Diana’s body all this time? He had been like an animal following his instincts.

“Look who’s talking. Edwin, you’re the one who doesn’t wear the gift I gave you, while you wear what Lady Queensberry gave you.”

“I never received any gift.”