14. End of lingering – 06
Cain, who had left for the island, returned to the Duke of Estel again.
After hearing the news of Cain’s return, it was none other than Sarah who ran to him first than anyone else in the Estel family.
The first thing Sarah did when she heard the news, quietly putting aside her pounding heart, was to carefully take out a pair of summer clothes made of very thin, fine fabric from the closet and change into them.
Normally, she was only engrossed in her work, wearing only a clunky, insignificant black official uniform as if she were wearing mourning clothes, but she did not want to show herself like that in front of Cain.
…In the past, when she was the daughter of Count Sernard, whenever she came to meet Cain, she always adorned herself splendidly and visited Duke Estelle wearing only beautiful dresses.
Even if he had no intention of doing so, if he went to meet him wearing such a crude outfit, he would naturally compare his past self with his present self. Perhaps, the ‘Sarah Cernard’ of the past was beautiful, but the ‘Sarah’ of the present may think that all the looks she had in the past have faded.
…I hated just imagining it. Even if it was nothing more than his own delusions and absurd thoughts, he didn’t like the very fact that Cain could have such thoughts.
Despite wanting to go see him soon, Sarah stood in front of the mirror and dressed herself as neatly as possible. Finally, after taking a look at her overall outfit, she smiled gently while looking at her face reflected in the mirror.
Let’s keep this in mind. Right now, while he was absent from the Estel family, he was merely going to report on the affairs he had handled as his representative with full authority. Decorating yourself like this right now is nothing more than a basic etiquette you need to have before meeting the Duke of So, who can be said to be your superior.
…so let’s never think of anything else. Let us not have any imagination. He no longer has any relationship with him, and he has long since given up all his feelings for him.
Crucially, there are already several women who have already promised to be together in the future by his side.
Don’t be nauseous, Sarah. You know very well. How ugly women look when they cry and cry because of only one man.
You probably won’t be able to let him go with a smile. However, it would be possible to smile at him at any time. The thought made Sara’s heart feel somewhat at ease. Not because of his love for him, but because his pain for him had come to an end.
…Still, it was fine. Because I think that’s enough for now.
While he was thinking about this and that, Sarah had arrived in front of his office before he knew it. When I remembered that he was on the other side with at least one door between me, I started to hesitate to open the door for some reason. Sometimes I wondered if I had forgotten how to do the simple act of opening the doorknob and entering the room.
Sarah, for a moment, expressed hesitation with her hand on the doorknob.
“…Who is it? Is there anyone out there?”
That led to a crucial mistake. It was because he heard Cain’s questioning voice from inside the office, as if he had noticed the sign he was making.
Oh, it’s ruined.
Sarah, momentarily taken aback, quickly pulled the doorknob and opened the door to enter the office. Even if he died, he didn’t want to find out that he was hanging around outside the door.
“Cow, Little Duke…!”
The first person that caught Sarah’s eyes wasn’t Cain as she entered the office without knocking even though she knew it was not polite because she was embarrassed.
“How rude, Sarah Cernard.”
Because there was already a passenger who was one step ahead of her in the office.
“You mean you haven’t learned the concept of knocking? A woman claiming to be the official of the Duke of Estelle, entering and leaving the office of the Duke of Estelle.”
Princess of the Empire, Iris el Devhart.
A woman who is the sole heir to the throne of the current empire and who has promised to marry him sooner or later.
A pair of beautiful blue eyes, as if sapphires were embedded in them, were staring at Sara with cold eyes.
“…..”
It was a fact that I realized since the last time we met each other at the patronage of the duchy, but the princess hates Sarah. No, it was hateful. That too, hugely. a lot.
…The reason was unknown. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t figure out why the princess hated him.
Why? I’d rather try to understand the princess’s hostility towards him if you give me a clear reason.
But I really don’t know. In my entire life, there has never been any contact between ‘Sarah Cernard’ and Iris El Devhart. Prior to discussing likes and dislikes, we had never even met face to face in the first place. Why did the princess hate herself so much?
why. wherefore.
“He is the only minor duke of the Estel family. But to open the door of his office at will without his permission. It seems that you can’t easily forget the days when you were his fiancé. If you’re willing to act like that, I don’t understand why you abandoned Sernard’s last name.”
The princess especially emphasized the word ‘Sernad’ in her words to Sarah. If it was intended to get on Sarah’s nerves, I’d say it was more than successful. The current Sarah hates the surname “Sernard” so much and is only hated by it.
“…sorry. It’s all my fault.”
However, since it was her own fault for entering his office without knocking, the only thing Sarah could do was bow her head towards her.
“…Hey, do it like that. Wasn’t it a mistake in the first place? If you do that, I believe Sarah will have fully understood what you said.”
While looking at the sharp war of nerves going on between the two women, or rather one-sided, Cain could only tell the princess to do it in moderation. He knew perfectly well why she hated Sarah so much and how she was sarcastic over nothing. In fact, it was also true that Sarah was the first to commit rudeness.
“…Yeah, I guess I got a little too excited. But I hope you understand. I mean, I don’t even want to make a virtuous wife, but even so, I don’t like women who don’t hesitate to entrust their bodies to other men. Especially if that woman is related to you. don’t you know That woman has a history of wagging her tail at the Duke of Tournigen-”
“Lowering.”
Cain’s voice rose. The story from before was the story before the return. It is unreasonable to tell a story that has now disappeared forever to the other side of time, towards a woman who doesn’t remember anything. At least, that’s what Cain thought.
“…I see. don’t shut up Then I’ll be outside, so call me when the story is all over.”
Leaving those words behind, the princess slammed the door shut and left. Until the last moment, he kept his disapproving gaze toward Sara.
“I’m sorry, Sarah. Let me apologize for you.”
“…no. I’m really fine, Little Duke.”
It really was. In the first place, he knew very well that the princess hated him, so he did not say that he was particularly hurt by her words.
…Rather than that, Sara’s head was full of questions related to the words the princess had thrown at her. What did the princess’s words mean just now? It must be the truth that she turned her back on Cain in the past, but even so, she boasts that she has never recklessly got close to another man.
The princess must have also witnessed with her own eyes the sight of her mildly refusing the approach of the Duke of Tournigen at that time. But why did the princess say that to herself? why?
Whether or not he knew Sarah’s troubles, Cain looked at Sara’s face worriedly for a moment, and then whispered to her in a low voice.
“You said it last time. When we’re alone, it’s okay not to be respectful.”
In an instant, Cain’s sweet words caused a ripple in Sara’s heart. It was a very attractive proposition. Is it okay to speak half-heartedly? In other words, isn’t this an act no different from Cain’s first reaching out to her to get closer to her?
If she accepts this offer, her relationship with Cain will become even closer. After all, nothing brings two men and women closer together than a common secret.
However-
“…sorry. I still feel comfortable with respect.”
Rather, Sarah could not accept his offer. Because after accepting Cain’s favor as if it were for granted, he might someday take it for granted.
Let’s not be mistaken, Sarah. He didn’t come to the Estelle duke’s house like he did in the past. I came here to be saved by him and to be a little bit of his strength.
So, I have no intention of crossing the line. no, no beyond that.
Cain was now his lord, not his fiancé.
By his side, there are already women who are so perfect that he can’t even compare to himself.
Sarah, who gritted her teeth and rejected Cain’s offer, handed him the file folder she was holding in her arms.
Yes. As for herself, a businesslike and rigid relationship with him suits her like this. Please, let’s not be so pitiful in front of him. Sarah. Because in front of him, I was determined to always show a confident and resolute appearance.
“…Yes, if you are, there is nothing you can do about it.”
After hearing Sarah’s answer, Cain sighed a little, then accepted the file folder from her and passed the paper step by step.
Flutter-
Soon, only the faint sound of flipping papers could be heard in the room. Cain was engrossed in reviewing the documents without even breathing properly.
What the hell was that figure?
If you don’t even know about her existence, and you think that she’s so absorbed in her work that she looks great, isn’t this really serious?
For a moment, feeling that the continued silence was unfamiliar despite existing in the same space as him, Sara opened her mouth and spoke to him without realizing it. No, to be precise, I spit out what I really wanted to say to him after he returned from the system.
“…Me, Little Duke.”
“yes? why?”
“I heard the news too. Congratulations on your marriage to the princess.”
Yes. It was really something to celebrate. The marriage between the Duke of Estelle and the princess of the empire could not be anything but a perfect union, with no loss whatsoever.
So, as soon as I saw him, I wanted to say congratulations on your marriage.
And looking at him, I thought I could throw a joke at my leisure. I wanted to chuckle, saying that marriage is the grave of life, and I thought I would be able to smile and say, isn’t it a benefit to marry such a perfect woman after an ugly woman like me left? With that, I thought I would be able to shake off all my lingering feelings.
…But I guess it wasn’t. Why would it be? In front of him, why couldn’t he tell a joke? Why can’t I just stare at him blankly, like an idiot?
“Sarah.”
At those words, Cain raised his head and looked straight into Sarah’s face.
“yes.”
Actually, I’d say yes. Just like we did in the past.
“Thank you for congratulating me. Actually, I also wanted to receive your sincere congratulations.”
Saying that, Cain smiled at himself.
“If I get married, will you accept the bouquet?”
“…Bouquet, yo?”
“We are friends now. So I hope you accept the bouquet.”
Looking at him as he throws out cruel words with a smile, whether he knows his shaky heart or not, Sarah also smiles lightly.
“…Yes, if you say so. I’m willing too.”
Everything was fine, but Cain still didn’t seem to know one thing.
About the terrible fact that between a man and a woman, friendship can never be made.