Chapter 65

"Hey, I found you. Could it be that the woman you were just with is the one they say you've been getting close to recently?"

"…Is there such a rumor?"

"Haha, as I thought, you didn't know."

Boris laughed in a way that suggested he was exasperated, telling me that the rumor had spread in society that after breaking up with Grace, I had become close to Charlotte Clive and even switched my affections.

Of course, there was no such fact, and I had no intention of doing so. I was used to being accused of things without basis and had never cared.

But the thought that this rumor might have reached Grace's ears and that this incident might further fuel the rumor made me feel extremely unpleasant.

"So? Why do you look like the end of the world?"

"I saw Grace and Ranhardt Gardener in the garden."

Even without saying they were embracing, Boris must have sensed everything from my expression, as he frowned with his well-shaped eyebrows.

"I haven't heard you talk about her recently, and I had a bad feeling… But recently, the bad rumors had died down, so I was surprised. I thought she had reformed and fallen in love with Zain."

"……"

I know a little about Grace's past.

But the current Grace is the complete opposite of a greedy and evil woman; she is so pure and innocent that the stories of her being promiscuous and playing with men daily are laughable. She is a lovely and innocent woman.

"Have you tried using the intelligence agent I introduced you to?"

"I've been using him all along."

"Huh?"

"I had him keep an eye on her."

Through the intelligence agent—Alfred, a young boy—I learned that there was some reason she wanted to break up with me and that she was only pretending to have an affair with Ranhardt Gardener.

Even knowing that the affair was an act, I couldn't help but feel jealous and punch a hole in the wall, which surprised even me.

If I told him that I had been using the agent to chase after her as she tried to escape, Boris would look at me with a stunned face, staring at me intently.

"…I'm surprised. The Zain I know is just a part of you."

Boris and I have known each other since childhood and are close friends, but this is the most surprised he has ever been.

"Basically, you're misusing the intelligence agent. If it weren't you, it would be a crime. Well, even for Zain, it might be too much. I feel a bit sorry for her."

"…I'm not doing it because I want to."

At first, I used Alfred purely to investigate Grace's character.

But when she started acting unexpectedly and wanted to break up with me, I had no choice but to do so.

If I hadn't continued to chase after her, she would have definitely left me by now.

"But, is she really having an affair with Ranhardt Gardener now?"

"……"

"You should consider looking at other women. The woman you saw earlier was cute. Don't you think so?"

"I don't think anything in particular."

When I answered immediately, Boris looked disbelieving and blinked repeatedly.

"Are you serious? You don't find any other women cute except for Miss Grace?"

"Yes. I've never consciously looked at any other woman's face, and I don't find any of them cute. I just accompanied her because she said she wasn't feeling well."

When I stated this clearly, Boris looked momentarily stunned and then burst out laughing.

"Wow, pure love. I'm impressed."

"Are you mocking me?"

"Of course not. I genuinely want my best friend to be happy with the woman he truly loves."

I know Boris is sincere.

He was the one who supported us the most when our parents died.

"Still, you need her consent. So, what are you going to do? Talk to Miss Grace?"

"In a month."

"Huh?"

"I've been keeping my distance from her for three months. There's one month left."

"No, no, after chasing her so much, why did you accept such a deal?"

"Because Grace isn't the type to make such a proposal without reason."

I understand that she had a reason for proposing a breakup and for taking various actions that would hurt me, even though she knew it would.

But I couldn't accept it.

If I did, it felt like she would be out of my reach.

– I remember the day I went to the restaurant she runs with Alfred.

I had changed my appearance with a magical device borrowed from His Majesty, so she didn't seem to realize it was me when we talked.

"…Actually, running this restaurant has been my dream since childhood."

"When I see the children's smiles, I get so happy that I cry."

I was reminded of how kind and considerate she is, seeing her smile through her tears.

And I became unsure if my actions were right.

That's why, even though I couldn't accept a breakup, I decided to respect her wish to keep her distance.

"…You really believe in Miss Grace, even after seeing her with another man just now."

"Yes."

Even after seeing such a decisive scene, I can still think there might be some reason, because the person I've been with all this time is straightforward and trustworthy.

"But, why three months?"

"Maybe she thinks that if we don't see each other for three months, my feelings will change."

"What's that about?"

She has always seemed to be confident that I would fall in love with someone other than Grace.

Even though she sometimes shows signs of liking me, which only makes things worse because she doesn't realize it herself.

To the point where it makes her seem like a villain.

"Three months without seeing her must be tough."

"I can endure three months in a long life."

When I said that, Boris shrugged, looking exasperated.

"In a long life, huh? It sounds like you plan to be with Miss Grace for life."

"That's my intention."

When I stated this firmly, Boris's eyes widened.

At first, I intended to play along as her boyfriend until she got tired of me, as a way to thank her for saving Mariabel's life.

But now, I genuinely care for her and am not with her lightly.

"Miss Grace has certainly picked a troublesome man. Well, just don't regret it."

With that, Boris laughed and patted my shoulder.

◇◇◇

After parting with Boris and leaving the venue, I rode in a carriage heading to the mansion where Mariabel was waiting.

Grace didn't return to the venue after that, and the thought that she might still be with Ranhardt Gardener made me feel as if my heart was being stabbed.

"…Really, what can I do?"

If, in a month, she tells me she wants to break up because she has fallen in love with another man—Ranhardt Gardener—what should I do? What should I do?

I no longer think it's right to force her to stay by imposing my feelings on her.

– No matter how much I agonize, the stage where we can part ways wishing each other happiness has long passed.