Chapter 2.3

“We bumped into each other again today.”

“You are here again today.“

Prillance greeted Ver cheerfully. As always, Ver politely greeted her and went his own way. Prillance followed such a Ver. But even now, his pace was still considerate towards her.

After that day, Prillance did not give up and went to the promenade every day. Instead, her former shoes were replaced with low-heeled shoes that were easy to walk in, and she chose dresses made for activity. Nevertheless, talking to Ver wasn’t easy.

“The weather is nice today.”

She spoke from behind him, walking a step ahead, but there was no response.

It had been like this for a few days. He had really only been taking a walk without talking to her. But she didn’t give up and talked as if she was speaking to herself.

“Lady.”

Ver called out to Prillance, walking one step between them. At the answer she finally received, she looked at him with a smile. Ver approached her, who was looking forward to the long-awaited conversation.

“I am not going anywhere.”

He remarked without explanation, but she must clearly know what he was talking about.

The remark changed her expression. He didn’t know exactly if she was embarrassed or disappointed, but the effect seemed to be exactly what he intended.

“So please stop now and go home.”

He tried to speak as softly as possible, but he couldn’t get rid of the remaining sharpness in his words. It was then that he tried to turn his body without regret.

“Alright.“

She gave an answer faster than he thought. Rather, he was more embarrassed that he worried she would be stubborn.

“Are you really giving up?”

“Yes. I have no intention of forcing you to do something you don’t like.”

It was the straight answer he wanted. However, she still did not go away.

Ver looked at her expression, but her expression seemed rather carefree. So it was more confusing.

He had thought she wanted him to become one of their family’s knights.

“Instead, if you ever become interested in going somewhere, please consider the house of Marquis Weiand first. Can you do that much?”

Initially, her plan was to prevent him from entering the Tonz family knights.

Even if Roman asked him to be a knight of his family, if the offer would not be accepted immediately, she would already be halfway successful.

Ver, who did not know Prillance’s plan, thought she was indeed quite a clever lady till the end.

“What will you do if my mind doesn’t change even after thinking about it?”

“Then I can’t do anything about it.”

She was speaking a casual tone, but she really hoped he wouldn’t. Because, then he won’t be happy.

At that moment, her face suddenly became filled with pity and sadness. The emotions seemed to lie deep in her heart.

Sometimes her expression had an excellent power to move a person’s heart. Each time, Ver had no choice but to feel a strange feeling.

“Then, this will be the last time I’ll see you here.”

“Pardon?”

“My doctor told me I didn’t have to come anymore.”

Ver had no intention of being swayed further. He just looked at her without answering.

“…By any chance, did you think I came here these days because of my offer from before?”

“Didn’t you?“

“Of course not. Absolutely not!”

She opened her eyes widely and insisted her innocence with her whole body. Ver seemed surprised by her aggressive response. Clearly that was what he thought.

He had figured it was the most likely explanation when he had went home after their first walk. He pondered over why he was angry. He had hoped not, but eventually there was a misunderstanding.

Prillance took a moment to speak calmly. Ver waited for her.

“Of course, I know why you might have misunderstood. But that wasn’t my intention. Just…”

Prillance’s gaze on him was unwavering. It was the same eyes as when she first visited his house. It was the eyes unexpectedly telling him to have strength, the eyes he wanted to believe.

“I didn’t want to leave you on your own.”

“Pardon?”

“If not, you probably wouldn’t have gone outside again.”

Perhaps another month. She naturally recalled the content of the novel. If it wasn’t for Prillance, he must have been holding all sorts of sorrow in the mansion.

That was why when she had heard from Mindy, she had ran straight to him. She hated that he had been hiding like a sinner when he hadn’t done anything wrong. And she hated that the only person to reach out to him was Roman.

Because it was not hope for him, it was nothing more than torture disguised as hope.

She knew the feeling better than anyone. She had watched Hyun Woo for a long time. She had wanted to step out of Hyun Woo’s side multiple times. But the reason she couldn’t was because she thought it was enough she was next to him.

It would have been like that for Ver. Seeing Roman with Cecia would have hurt his heart, but he wanted to at least stay beside her.

“There are times when just being by someone’s side helps.”

Just because she’s beside him doesn’t mean she thinks he will no longer like Cecia. Perhaps he might still choose the same unfortunate path.

However, there are times when just the fact that there is someone who understands your heart gives you strength. She wanted to be that kind of person to him.

Her words became lodged in his chest. Maybe that was why. Even if the reason she visited him was just for the value of his use, he might have actually wanted someone to be next to him. So he hadn’t been able to push her away for days. It was a fact he himself didn’t even realize until she spoke those words.

“And I like taking a walk with the Viscount.”

“What…”

“Because of the Viscount, I got to see this wonderful place.”

Prillance smiled happily. However, Ver could not answer her smile. He thought he wasn’t very emotional, but maybe he actually was.

Maybe it was because of the situation. Maybe it was because she was the only one who believed in a situation where no one else listened.

“…I think I should go first.”

The fact that he had to leave her side now seemed certain. It was rude, nevertheless Ver walked toward the mansion as if he were running away.

“Tomorrow…No, you will go for a walk again next time right?”

Prillance shouted toward him who suddenly disappeared quickly. But he walked without looking back.

Contrary to the distance, he didn’t know why her voice and face kept coming to mind.