Chapter 59

"I thought I was such an unrealistic person. Even though Seadi and I were from different worlds, I knew I shouldn't desire someone like her."

Gerald's hand, which held mine, tightened.

"Even though we were in the same space, Seadi was too far away. I realized that you and that man were different from the fake me."

"Gerald..."

"I could only watch from a distance as you laughed happily with him; I couldn't even bring myself to speak to you."

Back then, Rufus and I were very close, and people around us said we were a perfect match.

I remember how much I loved Rufus and followed him wherever he went.

"Then I heard rumors that you had suddenly changed and that you had a bad relationship with your fiancé."

It was definitely after Tabitha and I had switched bodies.

"I approached you with a little hope and mustered the courage to speak to you once. That woman said she really liked my face and wanted to be friends, and she laughed."

"......"

"I knew this wasn't you. I suspected that you had been switched with someone who looked like me."

After that, Gerald continued to investigate me.

"One day, about three years later, I was taken to that place, my body stolen. I immediately knew that you were that Seadi Arkwright."

Gerald said this with a hint of excitement, a smile on his face. His eyes were intensely passionate.

"For the first time in my life, I thanked God."

"......What?"

"Because I could be by your side all the time, even without Rufus Langridge. I wasn't unhappy with life in that place; in fact, I wanted it to stay that way forever."

Looking back, I realized that Gerald had only shown confusion on the first day and had never said he wanted to return to his original body.

"As long as you're inside, I don't care what form or position you're in."

When he said this with a smile, goosebumps ran down my entire body. The enormity of my presence in Gerald's life was terrifying.

Seeing my expression, Gerald's face turned sad.

"But I really intended to keep it a secret."

"......Why did you decide to tell me?"

Gerald's lips curved into a gentle smile, and he stroked the back of my hand with his fingertips.

"Seadi is kind to pitiful people."

"......"

"I hope you won't abandon a pitiful person like me."

I realized I didn't understand Gerald at all, but he understood me very well.

Honestly, I couldn't help but feel sympathy for his situation.

Although I had suffered for ten years in that place, I had been loved by my family, friends, and fiancé and had lived happily until my body was taken over.

But thinking about how Gerald had been lonely and suffering throughout his entire life, tears welled up in my eyes, and my heart ached.

Still, I couldn't forgive the betrayal he was committing.

"I love you. You are the only thing I have ever truly desired in my life."

Gerald said this, pulled my hand to his forehead, and held it there as if praying to God.

"I know it's wrong to do this to Seadi, who has been kind to me."

"......"

"But I couldn't give up on you."

Gerald tightened his grip on my hand and whispered, "I'm sorry," lowering his long, golden lashes.

– As Gerald said, I am probably "kind to pitiful people."

If I had heard this story a few months ago, I might have wanted to be by his side, even if I couldn't return the same feelings.

But now, I couldn't accept the Gerald who had betrayed us.

"Most of all, I couldn't bear to see you drawn to Rufus Langridge any longer."

The sudden mention of Rufus's name made my heart skip a beat.

Gerald seemed to have noticed my feelings before I did. Watching me closely, he might have picked up on even the slightest changes.

"It's okay if Seadi doesn't fall in love with me. But I can't stand the thought of you belonging to someone else."

"......"

"I am truly foolish and selfish."

Gerald repeated his apologies to me over and over again, perhaps unable to control his emotions.

After a while, he seemed to calm down and looked up. His usual smile was there, and I felt relieved.

"I surprised you by suddenly bringing this up. I'm sorry."

"......No, thank you for telling me."

Of course, I was shocked and felt deep sympathy for him. I also felt a fear-like emotion.

But understanding the reason why he had gone to such lengths made me feel a little better.

Gerald's goal was truly just me, and he wasn't trying to harm anyone else.

"By the way, I was preparing for the wedding, and I found a dress that would suit you perfectly. I'm sure pure white will look great on Seadi."

After that, Gerald continued to talk excitedly about the wedding. It seemed I wouldn't meet the designer who would make the dress or Gerald's parents.

I would only be able to leave this mansion on the day of the wedding, and only during the move and the ceremony.

Since our bodies had been switched, I couldn't even use magic. I needed to carefully think of a way to escape when Gerald let his guard down.

"Oh, the ring will be completed soon."

"......Yes, thank you."

"There's only one month left until the wedding. Look forward to it."

Talking like this, Gerald seemed no different from the kind person he had always been.

Why did it have to come to this? I felt so sad that I wanted to cry.