Chapter 49

After that, although Lord Zain didn’t force any work on me, he offered to help and worked diligently.

I tried my best to avoid being alone with Lord Zain and could only manage to act coldly towards him.

"His Highness, you can really tell how much he loves the young lady from all his actions, can't you?"

"Yes, he's surprisingly steadfast."

"......"

Yana and Evan also seemed impressed and were praising Lord Zain. I, more than anyone, understood this, and that's why my heart ached so much.

"Pepipo! Papepe, pupipi!"

"Hehe, I wonder what they're talking about so earnestly."

Haniwa-chan and Lord Zain seemed delighted to be together all the time and were always sticking close to each other.

Before I knew it, three days had passed, and just as the carriage from the Duke's house arrived and I let out a sigh of relief, Lord Zain naturally took my hand.

"Well, shall we go back?"

"Huh? No, I still—"

"I'll come back in a few days if that's okay, but—"

"I'll go."

Understanding Lord Zain's seriousness, I nodded immediately. As long as I was here, Lord Zain would come back again and again, and since I had failed once more, there was no reason for me to stay.

It seemed that Lord Zain had known about Evan and Yana being here from the beginning, and even a carriage for them was prepared. I ended up riding in the same carriage as Lord Zain.

"......"

"......"

On the carriage ride to the capital, I glared at Lord Zain, who was leaning on his hand across from me with a satisfied smile.

"......Why do you know so much about everything?"

"Who knows? Maybe it's the power of love."

"......"

He didn't seem to want to answer and just gave me a dazzling smile. It seems I shouldn't underestimate the Duke's information network.

"What about lunch? What do you want to eat?"

"......I don't need anything."

Trying to get out of this situation as quickly as possible, I answered, and Lord Zain smiled.

"Don't be so cold, it hurts."

"It doesn't look like it."

No matter how cold I acted or tried to end things, Lord Zain didn't seem hurt or sad at all.

Even when I caught him with another woman, he didn't blame me. If he really liked me, shouldn't that be the first thing to be angry about?

As I tilted my head in confusion, I noticed that he was looking at my wrist.

"......Where did you get that bracelet?"

It was the first time Lord Zain had asked about the accessory I was wearing, and I was a bit surprised.

"Huh? Uh, it's a gift from Ranhardt."

Feeling awkward, I answered quickly, thinking it was a chance to make him dislike me. The last time we met, he gave it to me, saying it was a very effective "charm to make wishes come true."

It was delicate and cute, and I didn't want it to get dirty, so I hadn't worn it during my stay in the mountains. I put it on when I changed into my dress just now. I was willing to cling to any straw at this point.

"Do you know what this is?"

"I heard it's a popular charm......"

"Can I see it up close?"

"Y-Yes."

Thinking he must really like the design, I hesitantly extended my right arm.

"Huh—......"

The moment Lord Zain touched it, the bracelet froze with a crackling sound and shattered into pieces on the floor.

Seeing my stunned expression, Lord Zain smiled.

"It's said that if lovers wear the same thing, they will be together forever. It's quite popular among women."

"......Huh?"

The explanation was completely different from what I had heard, and a surprised sound escaped my lips. Ranhardt must have known this would happen and gave it to me as a gift.

I don't know if he was trying to assist in my infidelity or just found it amusing, but I wish he had explained it beforehand.

"......"

"......"

The air in the carriage was as cold as the shattered bracelet.

I could only look at the scattered pieces on the floor and think, "I wonder how much this costs," to escape from reality.

"Oh, if you like the design, I can get you the same one right away."

"N-No... that's okay..."

Lord Zain said, "Is that so?" and gently took my hand, which had nowhere to go, pulling me towards him.

I couldn't look away from his golden eyes, which seemed to be melting.

"Because it's very unpleasant, don't wear anything given to you by other men again."

"Y-Yes."

Although I should have refused with all my might, I ended up nodding due to the overwhelming pressure. Lord Zain's boiling point is really hard to understand.

"So, what did you wish for with that 'charm'?"

"......I, I forgot......"

In this atmosphere, there was no way I could say, "I wished to break up with you."

I silently prayed for the carriage to reach the mansion in the capital as soon as possible and looked out the window at the passing scenery, tears in my eyes.

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