Chapter 97

“Shameless, truly shameless.”  

Jeffrey clicked his tongue in disapproval. Ever since Eleanor had returned from Logan’s summons at the mansion, he had been in that state.  

“No matter how much I think about it, I just can’t understand.”  

Jeffrey was now pacing in a corner of the room. Logan, who had been half-heartedly listening to Jeffrey’s remarks, finally raised his head.  

“Choosing Sir Usher is one thing, but releasing such an article?”  

“Jeffrey.”  

“Even shamelessness has its limits. After all the goodwill and help you have shown, Your Grace…”  

Jeffrey huffed and puffed as if he had been personally swindled.  

“Stop when I’m in a good mood, Jeffrey.”  

Jeffrey, who had been about to ask how Logan could possibly be in a good mood in such a situation, caught Logan’s glance and shut his mouth. If one were to weigh the distress and betrayal, Logan, the person directly involved, bore the brunt of it.  

“Now, whatever you say, Your Grace, I will publish an explanatory article.”  

Of course, that didn’t mean there should be words left unsaid. Jeffrey straightened his back and offered his advice.  

“Given how things have unfolded, I don’t know how many people will believe it, but do it anyway.” 

If Logan were to say no, Jeffrey was prepared to shout at him to come to his senses. However, Logan returned a lukewarm agreement, leaving Jeffrey with a deflated expression.  

“As initially planned, I’ll explain that the fake engagement was meant to protect Miss Hudson from being forced into marriage while keeping Sir Usher’s promise intact.”  

“Alright.”  

“And that after three years, Sir Usher returned to rekindle the relationship, but due to various entanglements, they decided to take some time apart.”  

Logan responded absentmindedly, his gaze shifting back to his desk.  

“Is that enough for you? Your Grace, you spared no material assistance to Miss Hudson, yet she washed her hands of it and even sought to tarnish his honor.”  

Jeffrey’s words finally made Logan raise his head again.  

“If they’re going to act disgracefully, then we should…”

“I’ll respond to their provocations but won’t engage in a mudslinging match.”  

If left alone, the incident would naturally fade away after a more intriguing scandal emerged.  

“And…”  

Even so, Logan wished to preserve the woman’s dignity until the very end. Some might call it absurd mercy, but still. Jeffrey waited for him to speak, but Logan remained silent. There was no way to explain that lingering affection that had yet to completely fade.  

“In that case, why not consider seeking a new match?”  

Jeffrey suddenly posed an unexpected question.  

“To show there’s no lingering attachment to Miss Hudson, and to use this opportunity to select a family that wishes to establish ties with the Claven Duchy.”  

“I’m not interested.”  

“Don’t dismiss it outright; consider it. After all, love is often forgotten through new love.”  

It was more advice disguised as a question. Logan hesitated to respond. He had never experienced such a situation before.  

“For now, I’ll visit the newspaper office.”  

Jeffrey, seemingly not expecting an immediate answer, prodded Logan lightly before leaving the office. And so, even Jeffrey departed, leaving the office empty and silent. Logan fell into quiet contemplation.  

Love is forgotten through new love. Yet he wasn’t sure whether it was even possible to open his heart again. He had spent six years clinging stubbornly to an unrequited love, surviving on crumbs of hope despite gaining nothing. Could it really change so easily?  

“…”  

But on the other hand, perhaps it could. Just as the feelings he had initially dismissed as mere infatuation for Eleanor had eventually turned into love. Maybe it could change that way again.  

Perhaps.  

Logan let out a bitter smile and closed his eyes. Maybe, as Jeffrey had suggested, it was worth grasping at straws. He couldn’t continue to cling to a heart that had already been rejected forever.  

Unrequited love, when unwanted by the other party, is nothing short of violence. So, this heart… it should now…

* * *

Returning to Southern, Usher hesitated in front of Eleanor’s guest room, unable to knock. He wasn’t unaware of the gravity of his actions, blinded by a moment of rage. When the King handed him the newspaper containing the fabricated article, Usher felt his heart sink. It had thrown not only his honor but also Logan’s and Eleanor’s into the gutter.  

“Hah…”  

Wasn’t it obvious? That the King harbored extreme inferiority toward Logan and would do anything to torment him?  

Usher ran his hand through his hair and licked his dry lips. Despite knowing this, he had sought out the King, aware that he was the one person who could destroy Eleanor and Logan’s relationship, whether Logan wanted it or not.  

“…You’re cowardly, Usher Fitzman.”  

Usher laughed self-deprecatingly. Eleanor, too, must have gained disappointment and distrust toward him. A man who had always acted as if kindness and virtue could solve everything, yet lost his sense of right and wrong when blinded by rage—a coward. Surely, that’s what she thought of him.  

“…”  

At that moment, as if sensing the presence of someone lingering outside her door, Eleanor opened the door to her room.  

“Usher.”  

It was Eleanor. Her eyelids were slightly swollen, her eyes reddened—perhaps she had been crying.  

“Eleanor.”  

Usher called her name anxiously. He fully expected her to lash out at him. However, Eleanor neither showed anger nor tears. Her composed demeanor unsettled him even more.  

“Come in. I had something to say to you anyway.”  

Eleanor permitted him to enter. Usher stared at her small back as she turned around and followed her inside. Eleanor stopped in the middle of the room and turned to face him.  

“His Grace summoned me to the Claven Duchy, and I read the newspaper article.”  

She began to speak first. Usher had already anticipated the topic.  

“An article full of lies.”  

“…” 

“I don’t believe you said those things.”  

Eleanor spoke in a low voice. None of the resentment or anger he had expected was evident.  

“It’s all my fault. For not properly understanding where my heart lies and for failing to keep my promise to you.”  

Only sadness and resignation trembled on her face—the emotions he had never wanted to see on the face of the woman he loved.  

“I promise you. I won’t go to His Grace. Not that he would accept me anyway. Even before you went to His Majesty the King, I had no intention of doing so.”  

But if Eleanor could completely let go of Logan, then Usher might be able to suppress his regret over his misguided actions.  

“That doesn’t mean I’ll marry you either.”  

Eleanor spoke firmly.  

“Now that I know the truth of my heart, I can’t come to you. Staying by your side with this ambiguous guilt would be deceitful to you.”  

Rather than deceive someone, she would choose not to be with anyone. It was the answer Usher least wanted to hear. Yet, it was something he had anticipated ever since realizing Eleanor no longer loved him as she once did.  

“So just reveal the truth that the article is baseless. Even if it means painting me as someone who toyed with both of you, I don’t mind.”  

Eleanor spoke calmly. She was willing to bear the blame because it was true that her choices had hurt both of them.  

“That would ruin your life completely, though.”  

Usher asked. Eleanor chuckled briefly.  

“Life goes on, somehow.”  

What use was honor when it came to survival? 

Eleanor had thought that way since her time in Kent.  

“I’ll pack my things soon and submit a leave of absence to the school. After some time, things will fade, and even if they don’t…”  

Eleanor turned away as she spoke. Only then did Usher notice the packed belongings on the bed, sofa, and wardrobe.  

“No.”  

So she truly intended to leave.  

“I didn’t do such a vile thing for this result. You know that.”  

“…”  

“I did it because I wanted you, no matter what. To not to lose you.”  

Realizing this, Usher grabbed Eleanor’s arm as she turned away and clung to her desperately.  

“Rather, blame me for what I did.”  

“…”  

“Let me beg and plead for forgiveness.”  

Usher’s pleading voice made Eleanor bite her lower lip hard.  

“Don’t say you’re leaving, please…”  

Usher knelt on the floor, clutching Eleanor’s hand, his forehead pressed against her small hand as he cried like a child.  

“I don’t know if your feelings for me are love, betrayal, or obsession anymore.”  

Eleanor murmured. Usher didn’t respond. He simply rubbed his forehead against her hand as if begging her to change her mind. Tears trickled down his face, dripping from the tips of his fingers.  

Seeing the man clinging to her and begging, Eleanor felt her heart ache. Her feelings hadn’t changed because she disliked Usher. Even after love had left, the memories and human affection remained.  

It was unfair. If he intended to act wrongly, he should have done so completely, leaving no room for lingering affection. Eleanor closed her eyes, feeling as if she were being crushed by overwhelming sorrow.