A silence fell between them as their conversation came to a pause. While Rachel gazed out the window, Edward’s eyes drifted from his open book back to her. The conversation he had shared with Ryan and Tervan floated through his mind, along with the memory of Rachel’s lies to him. 

If she had truly traveled back in time, he couldn’t begin to imagine what pain she must have endured. His heart ached thinking about how she had hidden such suffering all this while. 

Discreetly clenching his fist, he felt troubled that he hadn’t been someone she could trust enough to confide in. He even resented himself for being unable to help her bear the pain and anguish she had shouldered alone.

Sensing Edward’s gaze, Rachel turned to look at him. “Edward?”

When their eyes met, he reflexively smiled before shifting his attention back to his book. But once unleashed, his emotions began to pour out like floodwaters.

He wanted to confirm whether Rachel had truly contracted with the Time Demon Creon, yet he struggled with whether to ask directly. Her silence on the matter likely meant she wasn’t ready to discuss it.

Should he be the one to bring it up? Still, he couldn’t stand by watching her bear her sorrow alone.

After an internal struggle, Edward looked up at Rachel. “Rachel.”

“Yes?”

She focused on him again, hearing her name. Even she could see the uncertainty swimming in his teal eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Rachel finally asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

Edward pressed down his heavy heart and spoke with difficulty. “I know this might make you uncomfortable, but I need to ask you something.”

Rachel’s shoulders tensed involuntarily. She knew better than anyone that Edward rarely prefaced his questions this way.

“You really did make a contract with the Time Demon Creon, didn’t you?”

At his careful question, Rachel exhaled slowly. She had already lied to him about this once. Reflexively, her hand moved to her fake necklace, just as she was about to reassure him.

“Please don’t lie to me,” Edward said with rare firmness. “I know that necklace is something you prepared in advance.”

Edward’s words made Rachel grow even more composed, which only intensified his inner turmoil, leaving him uncertain how to continue.

“What I mean is, I want you to tell me the truth.”

“……”

Rachel stared at him intently without speaking.

Edward immediately regretted his words. He had been doing well until now—quietly staying by her side, ready to help whenever she needed it. He hadn’t wanted to burden her, especially knowing how much she had suffered because of Tervan. He had repeatedly promised himself not to add to her troubles.

Yet today, he had broken that promise. He defended himself, thinking he couldn’t bear watching her endure such pain alone. Still, the knowledge that their relationship might never be the same after this question filled him with anxiety.

Rachel continued to observe Edward silently.

[What are you going to do?] 

Even Creon questioned Rachel, unsure how she would respond. But Rachel remained silent to his inquiry as well.

An uncomfortable, awkward silence descended upon the reception room. Edward felt increasingly anxious, yet realized that even if he could go back to before asking the question, he would have asked it anyway. He couldn’t continue simply trusting and waiting for Rachel. If she had indeed contracted with the Time Demon Creon, he was already too late.

“Edward.”

After a long silence, Rachel called his name. He instinctively looked up at her.

Rachel took a breath and spoke. “Yes, it’s true.”

Edward’s eyes widened. “Really?”

He asked again for confirmation, and Rachel slowly nodded.

Rachel had struggled greatly before deciding to tell Edward the truth. Of course, Edward was nothing like Duke Bermund.

She knew well enough that even if he learned about her contract with the Time Demon Creon, he wouldn’t covet Creon’s power. Her only concern was the shock Edward might experience upon hearing this truth.

As Rachel had anticipated, Edward stared at her with a surprised expression. He seemed to have something to say but couldn’t quite manage it, opening and closing his mouth several times. Rachel decided to wait quietly, giving him time to gather his thoughts. She knew that by staying put, showing him she wouldn’t run away, Edward would eventually collect himself.

Edward had already suspected Rachel’s contract with the Time Demon Creon. He had carefully considered how to react if she confirmed it, yet when she actually did, he found himself unable to speak.

After spending considerable time gathering his thoughts, he moistened his dry lips with his tongue and finally spoke.

“May I ask what it was for?”

At Edward’s careful question, Rachel briefly looked out the window before returning her gaze to him. “I had something I needed to do.”

“Something you needed to do? Was it related to the subjugation team?”

Edward’s tone grew more cautious. Rachel hesitated momentarily before nodding. “Yes.”

“Something happened there, didn’t it?”

“……”

As his suspicion proved correct, Edward’s face contorted with pain, and he let out a small sigh. So the reason she had to turn back time was hidden in the subjugation team’s mission. He wanted to ask if it was because of Tervan, but he lacked the courage to confirm it.

Time regression came at the cost of the contractor’s life. Confirming this would mean acknowledging that Tervan was the person Rachel had been desperate enough to die for.

Though fearful of the answer, he felt a pain in his chest that threatened to tear him apart. He couldn’t begin to imagine the suffering Rachel must have endured on her own.

After composing himself, Edward spoke to her as calmly as he could. “It must have been so difficult for you.”

Surprised by his unexpected words, Rachel studied his face carefully. Pain and sadness were intertwined in Edward’s expression. She was momentarily taken aback that his first concern was for her well-being.

Until now, she had shouldered everything alone. She knew better than anyone that her feelings couldn’t be understood by others, that her actions would be incomprehensible. So she had suppressed everything inside herself. Now, someone had appeared who offered emotional understanding, saying it must have been difficult.

Edward, who had always supported her and been her strength. Her throat felt painfully dry.

Rachel picked up her cup to moisten her throat, but her thirst only intensified.

“Thank you for being honest with me, Rachel,” Edward said in a low, steady voice, noticing her rare display of agitation.

“But I wish you wouldn’t turn back time anymore. Of course, I know you have no reason to listen to me. I know it was your choice, and you did what you felt you had to do. But…”

Edward hesitated, opening and closing his mouth repeatedly. Then, meeting Rachel’s eyes, he spoke in a voice that sounded on the verge of tears.

“Still… for my sake, couldn’t you stop going back?”

—

T/N: Man, I feel so bad for Edward.