Chapter 17 – Engagement Annulment (2)
[Translator – Peptobismol]
Chapter 17 – Engagement Annulment (2)
“Gasp… Huff…”
Isabel, panting heavily, grabbed her knees with both hands as she gasped for breath, running over to me.
I asked in confusion.,
“…What are you doing?”
“Haa… Just… just give me a moment… please.”
Isabel said, trying to catch her breath, her eyes flashing with madness.
I was taken aback, my mouth agape.
‘Is she really going crazy?’
Isabel was a noblewoman who used to prioritize manners and elegance more than anyone else.
Look at her now.
Engaged in a chase with a maid, her disheveled hair, and nightgown-clad figure resembled someone who had just woken up.
The reason for the Count’s gloomy expression was evident here.
“…Please.”
Isabel bit her lower lip, her expression desperate.
She stared at me, motionless as if tied to a stake, trembling as she looked at me.
“…”
Normally, I would have avoided conversation and left.
But perhaps because the annulment had been finalized, there was a slight sense of leisure now.
Before leaving, it wouldn’t hurt to hear what Isabel desperately wanted to say, a thought that suddenly crossed my mind.
“Um… Shall I guide you to the reception room?”
The maid who had been watching the situation cautiously asked me.
When I reluctantly nodded, Isabel swallowed her shallow breath.
The maid promptly began to guide us.
As we passed through the corridor adorned with golden decorations and white marble, we arrived at a familiar entrance.
The reception room located on the first floor of Count Yustia’s mansion.
The place where Kyle had come several times to whisper words of love to Isabel.
Creak—
I pulled back the chair and sat down.
Isabel fixed her gaze on me and cautiously took a seat across from me.
“Would you like some light refreshments and tea?”
“Yes, Miss.”
At Isabel’s request, the maid left and soon returned with a cart displaying snacks and tea.
She quickly finished setting the table and left with a polite farewell, leaving us alone.
“…”
“…”
An eerie silence filled the air.
I stared at Isabel with a puzzled expression.
‘What is she thinking?’
I had always been curious.
Why did Isabel hate Kyle so blindly?
Was it because the role assigned to Kyle by the world was that of a ‘villain’?
Or perhaps… Could all of this be a play designed by the system to achieve the ‘villain’s ending’?
There must have been a reason.
That’s why she treated Kyle so harshly.
I had made every effort to understand Isabel in my own way.
But even so, it wasn’t easy.
No matter how much of a modern person I was, transmigrated into the world of a game, the hatred of others was not something I could easily become accustomed to.
Every morning, I was overwhelmed by a dreadful sense of alienation as I looked at Kyle’s face reflected in the mirror.
The malice poured out as if it were routine, was sharper than any blade.
I want to go home.
Not to this damned world filled with hatred.
But to my world, where my family awaits, whom I desperately miss.
Yes, that’s definitely what I want.
“…Sorry.”
Why. For what reason. Now.
“I’m sorry…”
Is Isabel crying as she looks at me?
“…I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”
I’m the one who wants to cry.
“I’m… I’m sorry…”
I struggled to control my contorted expression.
“For not trusting you… for hurting you…”
Isabel’s voice quivered with regret.
Isabel, unable to even breathe properly, was in agony.
“Just… Just once… Give me a chance…”
Her chest heaved up and down with rough breaths.
Trembling, she repeated the same words over and over again.
With a pitifully small and shaky voice.
“…”
I was speechless.
I hadn’t anticipated this sudden act of contrition or heartfelt expression of regret.
Struggling to find words, I finally chose carefully as I looked at Isabel’s tear-stained face.
“It’s been a year.”
“…”
“The year you started treating me coldly. The year I started sorting out my feelings for you.”
“Kyle…”
“During that year, I made that decision with all my heart and soul.”
The image of Kyle from a year ago flashed before my eyes.
The image of Kyle, who had been unable to sleep at night after hearing Isabel’s verbal abuse demanding an annulment engagement, flashed before my eyes like a film.
It was a fragment of memories obtained after possessing Kyle’s body.
“Why.”
“… ”
“Why now?”
“…”
“Why now, after I spent a year sorting out my feelings? What am I supposed to do now? Forgive you? Or just pat you on the back, saying I understand everything?”
Isabel avoided my gaze, only occasionally letting out a sigh.
“After agonizing for a year, I barely managed to utter the words ‘let’s break off the engagement’.”
“…”
“Isabel, it took you just a few days to seek affection from me.”
“That’s… I…”
“You know, it’s already too late.”
I handed her the divorce papers with the Count’s signature.
Isabel cautiously examined the documents.
After a moment, her hand holding the papers fell weakly.
◆ Scenario Progress:
: 15%
The progress rate increased.
But I couldn’t stop the words pouring out.
“Why did you do that to me?”
: 16%
Isabel looked at me with unfocused eyes.
“Do you know? Your condescending voice still pierces my ears like a hallucination every night.”
: 17%
Isabel’s throat bobbed.
“I told you. I don’t love you anymore.”
: 18%
Repeatedly denying whatever it was, Isabel spoke only those words over and over again.
I sighed briefly and spoke in a subdued voice.
[Translator – Peptobismol]
“Please, just leave me alone.”
“…”
I had said all I needed to say.
By now, Isabel must have understood.
That there was no longer any meaning in clinging to me.
“Haah.”
I slowly rose to my feet and gathered the documents.
That’s when it happened.
“…Kyle.”
A voice cracked with emotion came from behind.
“…Don’t go. Please. Kyle.”
Ignoring it, I moved on.
Soon, the maid who had discovered Isabel in a half-crazed state rushed towards her in alarm.
“Miss! Miss? Can you hear me?”
“Kyle… left…”
“What? What do you mean?”
“I can’t breathe… when he’s around…”
“Miss! Please, try to come to your senses!”
“He’ll come back… Yes… Surely, if I suppress my emotions…”
Isabel murmured in a dazed voice.
I left the reception room without even blinking.
It was my last encounter with Isabel before leaving.
****
After the annulment was finalized, I returned to the mansion without hesitation.
The atmosphere in the mansion was as consistent as ever.
No one cared about Kyle, and thanks to that, I spent my time quietly in my room.
Now, there was only one thing left.
Leaving this damn mansion forever.
And moving to the Imperial Capital, and finding the Relic.
“Diana.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The method of leaving the mansion itself was simpler than I had thought.
It was just a matter of riding the carriage prepared in advance in the quiet dawn when no one was awake and leaving the mansion.
“Is everything packed?”
Diana nodded lightly.
“We can leave right away.”
The Ore Stones acquired at the auction and the proceeds from the sale were entrusted to the bank operated by the association, and it was agreed that the Ore Stones obtained from Yustia would also be collected in the Imperial Capital.
But that’s not all. I also separately prepared the blank checks stamped with Winfred’s seal.
I looked out the window.
It was a dark dawn.
It is truly the right time to leave the mansion.
“Let’s go.”
“I will lead the way.”
To prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, I followed behind Diana, whose hearing was sharp.
We passed through the corridor and descended to the first floor of the mansion through the central staircase.
As we passed through the hall adorned with magnificent carpets, the entrance of the mansion began to appear in the distance.
“…”
I walked silently, holding my breath.
Diana pricked up her ears and looked around.
We arrived at the door before we knew it.
Creak—
As I turned the doorknob, the door opened with a slight friction.
The cool breeze brushed against my nose.
After taking a short deep breath, I stepped out of the mansion.
I walked along the path leading to the castle gate.
About five minutes later.
In the distance, a faint light appeared dimly.
“…”
It was the carriage.
Urgency filled my steps.
A moment later.
“This way.”
The coachman waiting opened the door after getting off the carriage.
Although it looked shabby on the outside, it was spacious enough for just the two of us.
I boarded the carriage first, and Diana followed suit.
As the door closed with a click, the coachman’s shout of departure echoed.
That’s when it happened.
“…My lord.”
Diana called me with a serious expression.
Then she pointed a finger outside the window.
“Someone is running this way.”
Damn it.
I urgently signaled the coachman.
“Hurry, let’s go!”
With the seats trembling up and down, the carriage started moving.
I turned my head in the direction Diana pointed.
When I strained my eyes, I saw a woman sitting on the ground.
“…”
It was Luna Winfred.
[Translator – Peptobismol]
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