32 – Spring Rain (4)
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Droplets of rain fell in front of my shoe. I looked at the spreading shade coldly and hesitated, pulling my foot back. Then the puddle beneath my feet reluctantly flowed, and the soaked ground even expelled the water it had been holding, as if rejecting an inexperienced possessor, like a native refusing an unwelcome outsider.
I looked at that scene and then turned my gaze towards the clock tower in the rain.
The other students had already gone back. It was the same as that day. An empty classroom building. Pouring rain. Memories of that day suddenly welled up like water from a well.
I might have already noticed back then. Looking back, stealing the Duchess’s umbrella wasn’t a trivial matter. At that time, my eyes were blinded by the first experiences.
However, misfortune always hides in the shadows of everyday life and creeps up unnoticed. Elise was no exception. While I was deeply immersed in something else, she was slowly approaching me.
“Sigh…”
I let out a sigh and rested my head against the pillar. What could Elise possibly want? I thought long and hard, but I couldn’t think of any motive other than revenge. Perhaps it was only natural. From her perspective, the villainous Yeong-ae, who had made her life miserable until now, suddenly became docile. It wouldn’t be strange for her to harbor a desire for revenge.
Had she been watching me all this time? Did she think I would be annoyed to see her studying peacefully in a corner of the classroom, without facing any consequences for tormenting herself? Did she even feel angry seeing me chatting with the boy next to me?
Just like that sneering elf looked at me with a satisfied gaze, did Elise also observe me with a gaze filled with hatred?
The thought sent shivers down my spine. Once again, a sigh escaped my lips.
“Sigh…”
In other works where the protagonist possesses the body of a villainess, simply ceasing their evil deeds and using their status and wealth could easily win them favor. Unfortunately, the world I had transmigrated into did not flow so conveniently. It seemed that merely living virtuously was not enough to avoid a bad ending.
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And that made it all the more difficult for me.
…
One thing was clear. I couldn’t let this problem go unresolved for too long. That’s why I canceled my appointment with Ellen today and purposely stayed in the building to come face to face with Elise.
Whatever she wanted, I had to meet her and settle things.
Finding Elise’s location wasn’t difficult. Whenever classes ended, she would always go to the rooftop garden on the top floor of the building. Normally, she might have been enjoying a secret rendezvous with the prince, but at least not today. Two days before the diagnosis exam, he had temporarily left to attend a royal event, as written in the original.
Come to think of it, in the original, Yuna also went to meet Elise on this day. If my memory serves me right, it was the day she sent her final warning to Elise. Not to approach the prince any further. It was that very scene where she declared war on her.
I struggled to deviate from the original. Perhaps I couldn’t escape even one step from the predetermined fate. It felt like a giant hammer of destiny was forcefully pounding the nail that had popped out back into its original place.
Living as a transmigrator was definitely more exhausting than I had thought.
“Sigh… Sigh…”
Lost in these thoughts, I climbed the stairs for quite some time, until my breath became labored, signaling that I had reached my destination. I looked up and found a transparent glass door leading to the rooftop garden. There, I could see Yuna staring at me with a greatly worn-out appearance.
“Phew…”
I took a deep breath, looking at her. As opposed to me, Yuna’s beautiful and noble face had a calming effect on me. Don’t worry, Yuna. I won’t ruin your life, at least. I’ll find a way to save you somehow.
With determination, I forcefully opened the door.
Creak…
As soon as the door opened, the scent of flowers pricked my nose. It was as if I had been overcome by the fragrance of flowers after inhaling the damp smell of rain. The scent of flowers in this world was so stimulating to someone like me, who had been possessed, that it even felt sharp. As I stood there, surrounded by the unfamiliar smell, I couldn’t help but feel like I was trapped in a labyrinth.
“Ahem. Ahem. Ahem.”
Instead of foolishly wandering around looking for Elise in the middle of the labyrinth, I deliberately cleared my throat loudly. Soon, I sensed movement from inside. Once again, I calmed my heart and approached that direction.
And then, I faced her back.
She must have heard the approaching sound, but Elise stubbornly continued to touch the petals, showing her back. Perhaps she had something important to concentrate on. I thought that maybe I should wait until she finished, but I didn’t want to. I wanted to escape from this dizzying flower maze as soon as possible.
“Elise.”
Because of that, I called her name a little hastily. In response, Elise turned her head as if she were surprised.
“Oh, Yuna. What brings you here?”
“I want to talk to you, Elise. Can you spare some time?”
“Oh, well, please wait a moment. I still have some things to do.”
Elise smiled at me mischievously and raised a bucket of water. But because I didn’t want to wait, I blocked her way.
“Hey, it’ll only take a moment, so let’s talk first…”
“Oh my, you startled me.”
“…!!!”
In that moment, Elise dropped the basket in front of my feet as if it were an accident. The cold water inside splashed in all directions, dampening my skirt. Unable to avoid the sudden turn of events, I raised my hands and let the water drip from my body.
“…”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Yuna. It was windy and you suddenly blocked my way.”
And Elise, looking at me, naturally made an excuse. She seemed to be trying to show some remorse, but there was a faint smile on her lips.
“Didn’t I tell you to wait, Yuna?”
“…”
“Even without that, it’s too heavy to just move. Normally, Prince Hwangtae helps me, so I don’t make mistakes like this.”
“…”
“Oh, a mistake. I shouldn’t have said that. Should I have said ‘Captain Claes’?”
“…”
She didn’t show any sign of apology anymore. It was clear to anyone that she was trying to provoke me. The cool sensation of water droplets brushed against my skin from the wet hem of my skirt.
“Anyway, what should I do with this? Should I bring you a towel or something? But right now, all I have is this dirty rag…”
“Elize.”
“Yes, Yuna.”
“What exactly do you want?”
I finally spoke coldly. And I asked directly.
“Why have you been doing this to me? Purposely bumping into me in the hallway. Closing the door in front of me. Stealing my umbrella. Even stealing my skirt. What’s your purpose?”
“I…”
“Don’t try to excuse it as a mistake. It won’t work anymore. Your actions until now had clear intentions. Isn’t that right?”
“I…”
“I know everything, so just tell me. What do you want, Elize? What’s the reason for tormenting me in such a childish way?”
“Tormenting? How dare you…”
“Perhaps…”
I paused for a moment. The words I was about to spit out got stuck in my throat. But I made up my mind and looked directly at Elize.
“Are you seeking revenge for what happened before?”
…”
She remained silent. I continued to pour out words towards her.
“So, is that it? Do you now feel the tables have turned as you watch me, who couldn’t say a word even when blatantly robbed of an umbrella? Is it when our shoulders collide in the hallway, and you gain assurance by closing the door in my face? And when you start tormenting me in earnest by stealing a skirt in the dressing room?”
…”
“Is that it, Elise? Have you started seeking revenge against me for the torment I’ve endured all this time?”
“If that’s the case.”
Elise, who had been silently listening, slowly opened her mouth.
“If that’s the case, what will you do?”
“I…”
“If that’s the case, what are you going to do, Yuna?”
Suddenly, she raised one finger and poked my shoulder sharply.
“…!”
“If that’s the case, what are you going to do, Yuna? Are you going to lecture me not to do it again?”
Once again, her finger pierced into my shoulder. This time, a clear pain was felt.
“What will you do? Huh? Or do something about it? Now, at this point?”
“Stop it.”
“What should I stop? We’re just playfully joking around like equals among classmates, aren’t we? Whether noble or commoner, we’re all equal classmates here, right?”
“Don’t do this, Elise.”
“So what’s the problem? Saying I can’t do anything.”
“Stop…!”
In that moment, without realizing it, something welled up inside me and I roughly pushed her hand away. Elise chuckled as if finding it amusing.
“Is that how it ends? How funny.”
“Elise…”
“Give it a try. Yuna. Like before.”
“Well…”
As soon as I opened my mouth again, Elise’s hand suddenly slapped my cheek with a thud. This time, there was definitely a force behind it, and I almost bit my tongue. My hand trembled uncontrollably, fueled by my rising anger. Elise looked at me and spat out a word.
“Give it a try.”
“…!!!”
Even though I am not Yuna, that one word was enough to snap the last thread of my sanity. It was clear to anyone that she had crossed the line. There was no one around to intervene, no prince to protect me, no one at all.
The question arose once again. Is it really just about enduring? I constantly debated in my mind with various logic and evidence, but now it seemed irrelevant.
In this situation, the worst course of action is to do nothing like a fool.
With that thought in mind, I raised my hand. Now, primal instinct burned hotter than reason as I poured out my boiling anger. Elise looked at my hand and tightly closed one eye. It was clear that she was preparing for the imminent violence, rather than winking. And soon enough, I raised my hand high, preparing for the violence that would follow.
And with all my might, I slapped my own cheek.
Smack!!!
“…!!!”
In an instant, a blinding flash filled my vision. Pain spread through my stinging cheek, and tears welled up in my eyes. And above it all, Elise’s startled voice rang out.
“Y-Yuna?”
“Ah…ugh…”
“W-What are you doing right now…?”
“El… lise… yang.”
The pronunciation was a bit muffled as her cheeks were still flushed. Nevertheless, I faced her with a clear determination and uttered a phrase she likely hadn’t anticipated.
“I’m… sorry.”
“What did you say?”
“…I said I’m sorry.”
I bowed my head deeply as I spoke. Of course, there was no sincerity in apologizing for something I hadn’t done. Yet, with all that, I spoke to her again, pouring as much sincerity as possible.
“For troubling you all this time… I’m sorry.”
“…!”
“Of course, I don’t think these words will resonate with you. Apologizing now is probably too late. Perhaps during this time, you’ve suffered to an extent I couldn’t fathom. Alone, contemplating unknown feelings, you might have shed tears. I still can’t understand that feeling, but one thing I do know. I have to apologize.”
Finally, a tear fell from the corner of the eye that had received a slap. The pain Yuna inflicted on me and the pain I inflicted on Yuna spread across our faces like a wildfire.
“But you won’t be able to forgive me, right? Perhaps not. So, I won’t tell you not to seek revenge. I know I don’t have that right.”
“What are you saying now…”
I tried to speak calmly, but my voice eventually trembled. Even as I spoke, I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do. Nevertheless, I conveyed that one phrase to her, the sole victim in this story, until the end.
“So, please, take revenge on me. Elise Yang. Until you’re satisfied.”
“What…?”
“I’ll endure as much as you’ve endured. Whether it brings comfort, I don’t know, but it’s the only thing I can do. I won’t torment you anymore, so do as you wish. Whether you torment me or do anything else, I’ll accept it.”
“Yuna…”
“I…”
I raised my head to add one more word. However, seeing Elise’s expression, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
A single teardrop flowed down from her eyes.
Amidst the scent of countless flowers, a sharp mint fragrance mingled. Clearly, despite being called a fragrance, the pungent smell of mint pierced through my nostrils and stimulated my tear glands. I wondered if Elise had also smelled this scent. I pondered, but I couldn’t find an answer. Why was she shedding tears? Was even a tiny bit of my heart reaching her? I couldn’t find the answer to any of these questions.
“…I’m sorry for interrupting. Elise.”
However, I turned around. There was nothing more I could do. The remaining threads of an unknown future would unravel on their own. The story was now flowing in a direction that no one could predict. I took a step towards that future.
“I’ll be going now. Well then…see you tomorrow.”
“Yuna…yang…”
Elise’s desolate voice echoed my name. Nevertheless, I didn’t look back. I simply hoped that she would ponder this moment. And above that, I hoped for new sprouts to twist and grow.
And so, I walked slowly towards the front.
“Just…wait a moment, Yuna!”
But then suddenly, Elise grabbed my wrist so tightly that it hurt.
Ugh…!”
I tried not to look back, but the wrist was always a sensitive spot for me. In an instant, painful memories from the past surged up, and without realizing it, I turned my head. And there she was, looking up at me with an earnest face.
“W-what are you doing right now? You can’t do this. I’m sorry. What are you doing right now?”
Her voice went beyond being earnest and became desperate. I could vaguely sense the reason behind it. If you’ve resolved to take revenge, it would feel disheartening if the other person just gave up. Of course, that was also part of my intention. Even if I wanted revenge, I couldn’t do something so cruel if the aftertaste wasn’t satisfying. Thinking that way, I brushed off her hand.
“Let go of me. I won’t disturb you anymore. I won’t bother you anymore…”
“What are you talking about?”
At that moment, Elise suddenly shouted. It was almost a scream, and my ears almost rang. Startled, I looked at her, and she held onto my hand tightly.
“I…I’m sorry, Yuna. No, I’m not sorry. No, I mean…what I’m saying is…”
“Elise, what’s going on right now…”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Revenge…how can you say something so absurd…why on earth…”
Elise muttered to herself as if she were crazy. My lips fell open in shock at the sight. Elise looked at me like that and quickly poured out her words.
“Now, what are you doing, Yuna? You dislike me, don’t you? Hate me. You think I’m arrogant. Isn’t that right?”
“I absolutely…”
“And where was that attitude when you were constantly tormenting me, and Prince Hwangtae started showing interest in me because of it? Where is it now? Why stop now? Why act like this now?”
“…What are you saying?”
This time, a desperate question emerged from within me. Something was seriously going wrong. Elize looked at my shocked face and faintly smiled.
“You enjoy tormenting me, Yuna. Wasn’t that the case? You harassed me for no reason from the beginning. Suddenly acting like everything has changed isn’t fair.”
“Elize, right now…”
“It’s because of antagonists like you that I finally gained the prince’s attention. Yes, like the protagonist in a novel. Having you as a challenge allowed me to become the heroine. I had my own plans, and this isn’t how it was supposed to go, Yuna.”
“What are you talking about…”
“No, things started to go awry. Because of you. Without you tormenting me, Prince Hwangtae is gradually losing interest. Without you, I’m just a commoner who’s kind but naive, only good at studying.”
“Elize…”
“Why am I seeking revenge on you? You were helping me. You were my greatest ally. But if you suddenly withdraw, my plans will be completely ruined.”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying…”
“No, it’s true. Things have started to go wrong because of you. Because you suddenly changed and stepped back!”
“Ugh…!”
Elize once again tightly grasped my wrist. Suddenly, she unbuttoned her shirt, revealing her shoulder and the vivid bruises. For a moment, fear overwhelmed me, and I tightly closed my eyes. But Elize held my wrist and shook me roughly.
“See? The prince… He warned me not to bother you. This never happened before. Suddenly, he did something like that. It’s… it’s because of you. He can’t feel the same attraction to me anymore because you’ve suddenly become kind.”
“I… I…”
Under her coercion, I reluctantly opened my eyes and gazed at the exposed bruises on her soft skin, vivid against the backdrop of the novel’s descriptions. Or rather, bruises might be more accurate. I, who had dismissed it as mere pushing, was shocked and frozen in place, realizing the true extent of the situation.
That…
Is it because of me…?
“Yuna!”
She shouted again at that moment. Only then did I meet Elise’s eyes. In the eyes of the kind protagonist of the novel, there was something I hadn’t noticed until now.
It was madness.
“So, please, torment me. Just like you’ve been doing so far.”