I Don't Love You Anymore Chapter 2

Translator: shiko

Proofreader: asuramaru

QC: Haru Honeyshiki

Chapter 2

Niveia Solen.

There were many ways to describe her.

The sole daughter of the Marquis Solen, and Duke Wistash's fiancee. A beautiful blonde woman from the Capital. And a woman who has never been loved before. Niveia's life has been a tragedy ever since her birth. Her mother, Marchioness Solen, was originally a maid.

"Why did I conceive you? Because I required something to latch on to your father's ankle."

The maid—now Marchioness Solen—smiled merrily as she slipped on a ring on each of her ten fingers. She didn't care about the child who currently suffered from a stomach ache, the child he'd given birth to.

Marchioness Solen had approached Marquis Solen for his wealth from the very beginning. She had plied him with alcohol and subsequently, they had spent the night together. Marquis Solen was unable to turn a blind eye to protect his image when she informed him of the pregnancy as he was a man who lived according to his principles.

Niveia was a shackle on the Marquis' ankle, and a tool for the Marchioness When she realised her goal of becoming the Marchioness, she cast the child away. The Marquis Solen loathed Niveia, the main culprit behind the shackles on his ankles even though it wasn't her fault.

To Niveia, the world seemed like an eternal winter. Her parents and maids had given her the cold shoulder ever since she was a baby. When she fell down in the snow, no one spared her a glance. Neither did she love anyone nor did she expect to receive any love in return. The nival soil never bore a single seed. While living day to day like a doll on a display shelf, Niveia was engaged as part of a prenatal agreement between her father and her fiance's father.

Her fiance was a Wistash. Duke Valor Wistash. As in the prelude to every tragedy, it all began with a damned love.

"What about Valor?"

"He left for the Capital a while ago, miss."

"Will he be late today?"

Niveia continued to talk to herself as she paced to and fro.

It's been ten years since she got engaged and moved to the Wistash residence, yet she's still referred to as a 'Miss.' It's ridiculous that even though the previous Duke Wistash and his wife have already passed, she has yet toinherit the Wistash name despite the fact that she's now the lady of the house.

Niveia silently crept up the stairs with a smile. The Wistash residence has four stories, but Niveia's steps always stopped at the third. The fourth storey was occupied by the Duke Wistash, and Niveia was an outsider. Even though she's lived here for a decade.

“I'll be taking a rest on my own, so don't come up to the third storey until I call for you.”

"Yes, miss."

The maid bowed and left the room. Satisfied, Niveia closed the door. She didn't bother locking it since no one would bother to look for her anyways.

Oh, but there was one person. Valor Wistash, the man she loves.

-I do not wish to face you. You are simply appalling.

And the only person who was so harsh to her. Only he dared to come to this forsaken residence to hurl caustic remarks at her, but it should be fine today.

'Because he said he would be late today.'

Niveia smiled softly and approached the drawer. Opening the second drawer, she found a piece of paper in the otherwise empty space. It was a divorce document. A document signed by a sole party is regarded as defective as it requires consent from both sides.

A few years ago, Valor had flung it at her sneeringly. She had hesitated in signing it all this while. Gingerly, she plucked up the document and went over to her desk. Plunk, the sound of the pen as it dipped into the inkpot was rather pleasant.

She was now penning an epitaph painting her past love. This love sprung up a long time ago, shortly after Niveia was engaged and began living in the Wistash residence

She still remembered the times where she knew what freedom was, away from her father who despised her and her controlling mother. The people of the residence were as aloof as the Marquis but she was happy here because her parents weren't around.

Although the Duke of Wistash was apathetic and her life in the residence wasn't all that comfortable, it was satisfactory nonetheless. There was salvation here for the young Niveia, a dull sort of peace. She didn't get into trouble for walking about the corridors. She wasn't disparaged whenever she caught anyone's notice. A literal, breathable environment. To Niveia, this meagre modicum of peace was far more valuable than everything else in the world. Therefore it stands to reason that she adores the person who presented her with that peace.

Think about it. The tempestuous rage besieging her dampened overnight. Only barely, merely because of her engagement. Couldn't she be loved? Arid but kind, came her saviour.

-Be careful, young miss. You'll fall.

During the engagement ceremony, she wore a loose-fitting gown. Valor held her trembling hand because she wasn't used to wearing clothes of this variety, and Niveia fell in love just like that. Although she was originally thirsty for love, her feelings grew deeper and deeper, oblivious of the limit. It was simply blind love. Niveia was clumsy, having never loved anyone before, but she was always sincere nevertheless. The problem was that her love was cast aside every time.

"Valor, we need to talk."

"It shouldn't take long, so go on ahead."

"Again, so cold. Do you remember that I'm your fiancee?"

"To be precise, I'm engaged due to our parents' promise. Do you require further clarification?"

"People term it as a fiancee. Fiancee. Why do you keep talking to other people when your betrothed is here?"

Other 'people'. Even though there's no one. Who the hell is she jealous of this time?

Just the thought of having to listen to her already made him feel exhausted so Valor took a deep breath before coming up with the name of the first person that came to mind.

"Esteemed Miss Eustace is kind."

"She's only like that to you. It's rumoured that she likes you."

"That doesn't matter because I don't like her."

"What about esteemed Master Simoren, then?"

"I'm simply on good terms with him."

"But he's being too familiar with you. I don't like it."

"… Do you realise that the way Young Miss is speaking goes beyond the limits of obsession?"

Niveia's explanation crumbled in response to Valor's sharp rebuke. He behaved as if he was going to seize anyone who said things to his dislike by the collar. She hesitated in replying to her beloved.

“I know. But you don't tell me anything, so I have no choice but to ask you first.”

"You mustn't have known that I'd be more inclined to react in this manner."

“You're not very interested in me. You're nice to others and…”

“Young Mss isn't that much different from other people.”

Truth be told, Niveia bothered him quite a bit but there isn't any significant difference. Valor deliberately chose to respond in a cold tone. Despite that, her cheeks and ears flushed red. Pouting, she mumbled,

"That's exactly what I dislike. It's because I love you and I want to be special."

If there was a fault in her, it was that she longed for love from someone who didn't love her, that she loved someone who was the recipient of overabundant love. Valor Wistash. He was a work of God. Aside from his handsome bearing that appeared to resemble that of a statue, he boasted mastery in swordsmanship, outstanding talent, a great personality and his innate kindness was exhibited whenever he touches anything. Everyone admired Valor.

Valor, the Emperor's primary and most trusted sword, was a role model for the knights, an object of envy and puppy love for the nobles and young ladies respectively. Valor was equally kind to everyone and just as equally indifferent.

Niveia was no exception. There was no reason for Niveia to be special to him. For someone who already has love flooding to him like a flowing sea, her affections towards him were that of a rippling stream. She clung on even more because she detested that reality.

Please look at me, I'm your fiancee. Why don't I mean anything to you?

She easily conferred to him her pure feelings of love. She was only jealous of others when it came to him. Additionally, she was the one who looked after him after the previous Duke passed away on the battlefield.

I didn't ask of you to not hate me, let alone love me.

I'm working towards you, not against you.

Because everyone loves you.