While I was engaged in a light conversation with Ains, a commotion erupted in the distance. My attention naturally shifted to the source of the raised voices, and I froze when I saw who was at the center of it all.
“How could you do this to me? Darling, you said you loved only me!”
It was Baron Lombardi and the Marchioness of Buchanan. Baron Lombardi had a firm grip on the Marchioness’s shoulders and was shouting at her.
Curious about the unfolding drama, I observed them closely and noticed a man I had never seen before standing beside the Marchioness. He was tall and handsome, a young man who seemed to be protecting her by wrapping his arms around her. Finally, when the Marchioness lightly tapped his chest, he released her.
The Marchioness then turned to face Baron Lombardi directly.
“Darling, I once felt the same as you. I thought I loved only you. But not anymore, you see? Let’s end this cleanly. Okay?”
She lightly brushed off Baron Lombardi’s shoulder as if dusting it.
At this, Baron Lombardi made a large movement as if to grab her, but his action was blocked by the arm of the new man standing beside the Marchioness.
“Please stop.”
Baron Lombardi flinched as the man held his arm. He seemed to want to pull away but couldn’t manage it.
The man let out a derisive laugh and pushed Baron Lombardi away. The baron, unceremoniously knocked down, looked at the Marchioness and the man alternately with a resentful expression before getting up.
“Just wait. I won’t let this go.”
“I hope you don’t do anything foolish. You know there are many things I’ve covered up for you, right?”
As the Marchioness waved her hand lightly in farewell, Baron Lombardi turned away.
I watched them with a sense of futility. Their relationship, which once seemed like a love for the ages, appeared to have reached its end.
Just as Baron Lombardi brushed past me to leave the ballroom, Ains wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close, as if to protect me.
Baron Lombardi glanced at us briefly but continued out of the ballroom without stopping.
Only then did Ains release his hold on my shoulder.
“Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you.”
Ains asked with concern.
There was no real issue since Baron Lombardi had merely passed by, but I still thanked Ains for his protective gesture.
“After being released on bail with the Marchioness of Buchanan’s help, it seems it ended up like this.”
Ains muttered quietly, looking in the direction Baron Lombardi had disappeared.
“Indeed.”
Just a year ago, when we were entangled with Cadia Moldovan’s group, I never imagined it would end like this. Their love, too, had come to an end.
As I pondered this, I instinctively turned to look at Ains. Did others see Ains and me in the same way?
“Cecilia?”
Ains called my name, perhaps puzzled by my gaze. I shook my head as if it was nothing and tried to avoid his eyes, but then I met his gaze again.
I realized that my conscious avoidance of him was only making me more withdrawn.
“I was wondering if people see us the same way.”
“Us? Why?”
Ains tilted his head, seemingly unable to understand.
Did he really not know?
A year ago, our divorce was the biggest topic of conversation in the capital, known even to passing children.
I was so afraid of becoming the subject of gossip that I dreaded attending last year’s Emperor’s birthday ball.
The cold stares I received at the ball were a significant blow to my already fragile self.
We, who had been at the center of attention, had now appeared together at the royal ball. On top of that, we were having a friendly conversation.
Strictly speaking, the relationship between the Marchioness of Buchanan and Baron Lombardi was the opposite of the relationship between Ains and me. However, I figured it wouldn’t look very different to others.
And in time, it would become just another piece of outdated gossip.
“No, it’s nothing. It’s fine if you don’t know.”
“……”
Ains seemed not to understand, but he didn’t press further. Having known him for a long time, I understood that this was his way of being considerate.
“By the way, Duke, are you planning to stay by my side?”
I glanced around at the people nearby and asked Ains. In the past, he would have been preoccupied with business discussions, regardless of what I was doing. But today, strangely enough, he stayed by my side.
Ains looked around and shrugged.
“I just wanted to take a break today. It’s exhausting to be overwhelmed with work every day, isn’t it?”
He scratched his nose, avoiding eye contact, which made it hard to take his words seriously. However, it was his decision to rest, and I had no right to comment on it.
“Alright. I’m feeling a bit suffocated, so I’ll step outside for some fresh air. You can relax here.”
After finishing my sentence, I turned my head. I felt a bit stifled and intended to get some fresh air on the terrace.
I nodded toward Ains in farewell and looked for an empty terrace. As I was about to head out, I noticed Ains following me.
I turned to confirm it was him. Ains, who had been trailing me, stopped and looked off in a random direction.
But pretending not to notice wouldn’t work.
“Why are you following me?”
“No, I said I was taking a break too. I just wanted some fresh air. It’s just a coincidence we’re heading in the same direction. Don’t misunderstand.”
“Then it would be more comfortable for you to rest alone. You go ahead; I’ll head somewhere else.”
“No…”
Ains seemed flustered by my suggestion to give him space and opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again.
This made it clear.
Despite his excuses, he wanted to stay by my side.
“Duke, instead of doing this, why not just be honest with me?”
“If I’m honest… will you not avoid me?”
“…”
I couldn’t bring myself to answer Ains’s question. He gave a bitter smile as if he expected my silence.
“I thought so.”
“Even so, we can’t just keep doing this.”
“…That’s true.”
Ains hesitated, raising his hand to his mouth, and then looked at me.
“Cecilia, would you like to step out onto the terrace with me for a moment?”
“I—”
“It’ll only take a moment. You seem uncomfortable with everyone watching.”
At Ains’s words, I turned to check on the people around us. I reluctantly admitted it. I was still conscious and uncomfortable with the attention from others.
I wasn’t as scared and didn’t run away as I had before, but it still bothered me and got on my nerves.
When I looked back at Ains, he gestured toward the empty terrace with his chin.
After hesitating, I nodded in response.
Ains carefully led me to the terrace. As we stepped outside, the cool air filled my lungs. It was definitely better here than inside the ballroom, where I could feel the breeze.
After soaking in the sight of the sky turning orange, I turned around. Ains was standing there, looking at me.
“Cecilia, I know this might be a burden for you. But I feel like I have to tell you. Otherwise, I might deeply regret it.”
Ains looked more anxious than I had ever seen him before.
“I know you rejected me a year ago. I can’t guarantee your feelings have changed much since then.”
Even though I knew what he was about to say, I didn’t walk away. This was something I needed to face and resolve directly.
I took a deep breath during the brief pause before he continued.
Then Ains spoke.
“I’ve regretted letting you go over the past year. But even as I say this, I feel so guilty.”
Ains clenched his jaw, trying to endure his pain, and closed his eyes tightly. When he finally opened them, I noticed the redness around his eyes.
I wondered if it was happening again, but this time, Ains’s words were filled with deep emotion.
“For me, it was just a year. Facing the things I did to you after letting you go. Even that was overwhelming and difficult for me… But I realized belatedly that you suffered much more for nearly ten years.”
Ains clenched his fist tightly. I had noticed his fingers trembling slightly before that.
“My shallow pain can’t fully comprehend yours. But at least… It made me confront my mistakes. So I wondered if I apologized too hastily back then.”
Ains finished speaking and took a half-step closer to me. His earnest, longing gaze made him look pitiful. However, the atmosphere was slightly different from a year ago.
“So, what is it you want to say?”
I asked, knowing what he was going to say but wanting confirmation. Ains hesitated for a moment before speaking with difficulty.
“…Would you give me just one more chance?”
—
T/N: “I realized belatedly that you suffered much more for nearly ten years.” That line hit me hard. Finally made me think that he had grown some b*lls to acknowledge Cecilia’s suffering. Up to this point, Ains’s apologetic demeanor and his efforts to try to win her back all felt self-serving to me. Like he was just doing those things to ultimately benefit himself, to win her heart back. Now, it feels like he’s actively trying to become a better person worthy enough to have Cecilia’s heart again. One point for you, Ains!
Nous_Defions
I agree with your words, Adeline… This time, a different approach… Not half-assed as the year before… Mature, and reflective of his actions… Still, I can’t blame Cecilia for still wanting to get away, or walk away from him, afterall it was nearly 10 years that she had to endure everything on her own, while Ains was in his own little bubble and couldn’t care less…
Ravingcrow1118
I agree. His actions, especially with his confession last year, was more so he wouldn’t be alone rather than because he realized he had been a jerk.