Thirst
After that day, Kiern moved up the schedule for the commitment ceremony. The engagement ceremony between Kierne and Abigail was said to take place in the newly built Rose Hall on the site of the former royal palace.
Elizabeth wanted to leave before the engagement ceremony, but the postponed date prevented her.
Kiern was cruel to the end. It seemed like she wanted to make him watch the betrothal ceremony.
It was clear from the fact that they called off the engagement ceremony after saying they would be leaving in a month.
Elizabeth had no right to refuse his notification. Because there is no such thing as a veto for a sinful person. I was assuming this was the response to my confession.
And from that day on, Elizabeth intentionally avoided Kiern. Kierne didn't look for her first, either.
Naturally, there was an unspoken rule between the two.
i will not find
Even if they stay in the same castle, they won't find themselves as people who live in different places.
Living in the same space but pretending to be apart was easier than I thought. In Agafel's castle, the lines of traffic couldn't overlap even if they wanted to.
However, until the meeting with Ingrid, I couldn't help it. That would be like admitting a disagreement between the two of you.
When the day of the regular meeting came, Elizabeth let out a deep sigh. It wasn't because seeing Abigail was hard, it was because seeing Kierne was hard.
Today's meeting place was Prairie Castle. It was when Elizabeth prepared to leave.
Kiern was waiting in front of the carriage. He casually extended his hand.
Elizabeth felt uncomfortable traveling alone in the carriage with him, so she shook her head.
I'll go in another carriage. Go first."
"It is more strange to leave separately."
Kierne took Elizabeth's hand, as if telling her not to be stubborn.
Reluctantly he got into the carriage. I hated him for dressing like a gentleman.
As soon as he got into the wagon, she crouched in the far corner to keep as much distance from him as possible.
It was because of the discomfort and tension of being alone in an enclosed space. He wanted to poke my eyes that wouldn't stop looking at him.
Kiern, on the other hand, sat casually in a comfortable position, looking up at the rigid Elizabeth.
he said with a soft laugh.
"Do you know if you keep being vigilant like this, you'll want to touch him more?"
"… … You will not do it.
"Fine. I'm not as gentle and kind as you think, so I don't know what to do."
"Do not do anything. … … please."
Kiern laughed at Elizabeth's watchful comments.
The eyes that looked at me softly felt erotic. Feeling thirsty, Elizabeth licked her lower lip.
Kiern, who was silently watching the scene, said.
"What do you mean when you say do nothing and your eyes ask you to do something?"
"Never."
"Yeah? So I guess I can't control myself. Is that why you hide?"
At Kiern's sharp words, Elizabeth lowered her head and murmured under her breath.
"I just thought it would be painful for you to see my face."
“It must be painful for you to see me. It reminded me of my mother's shame."
"It is not like this."
"No? Are you really sure it isn't?"
Kiern smiled and reached out to touch her foot. In the narrow car, even the slightest movement hit my knees.
When Elizabeth drew her legs closer, he frowned disapprovingly.
Then, with no chance to escape, Elizabeth raised her upper body and closed the distance.
When we got close enough to kiss, Elizabeth involuntarily closed her eyes. And immediately regretted it.
I could help it, but my closing eyes first reaction turned into wanting him to do something like what he said.
Kiern continued with a grimace.
"Why are your eyes closed?"
"This… … ."
"No. Or open your eyes and look at me. Take a look at it."
Every time Kierne spoke, her breath tickled Elizabeth's nose. He was a mixture of half joking and half sarcastic in tone.
Even though it was an order without compulsion, he couldn't refuse it. Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes.
Then the blue eyes looked at her as if they were going to eat her. With one hand on the windowsill, the other hand rested on the carriage wall Elizabeth leaned against.
The distance was very close. Only the creak of friction and the sound of the horses' hooves disturbed my ears.
Elizabeth asked sharply, tensing her body.
"You have finished?"
“… … .”
"Stop doing this. I don't even have a heart anyway."
Kiern laughed at Elizabeth's criticism.
“Because it's not something you have to have a heart for. I will when necessary."
That sounded like something he could do to Abigail.
No. She's soon to be engaged, so kissing her is natural. Rather, we can do more.
But he didn't want to hear it through his mouth. I hate seeing him even more.
As Elizabeth shuddered with contempt, Kierne stepped back, a smirk on her face.
"It's boring. It's not fun.
“… … .”
"Don't worry about it. I always keep in my heart that you are Stella's daughter."
After that, Kiern turned her gaze to the window as if she had no further interest.
The very fact that Kierne referred to herself as 'Stella's daughter' hurt Elizabeth. Although I already know, I feel sad.
To him, the fact that she was only the daughter of an enemy and had not established himself as a friend in the first place, felt like he was dragging her over the edge.
The carriage leisurely passed through the city and headed for the Prairie Castle.
Elizabeth made a decision. Being able to smile as if nothing was wrong, being able to bear the situation.
* * *
A few days later, Theo Cavill approached Elizabeth with a bouquet of flowers. It was the first time since we broke up without saying goodbye at our last meeting.
I wondered if he had stopped because he treated me so harshly. Elizabeth was very embarrassed when she got to the car that seemed to be at the end like this.
Theo handed her a bouquet of flowers and explained the situation.
“I'm so sorry about last time. I was going to contact you right away, but I was too busy, so I finally came.”
“I was still contacted by the secretary. He said that he encountered a kraken in the middle of the sea and caused great damage.”
“Yes. Originally, it wasn't the time for the Kraken to appear, but it became difficult. At least, it seems that some ships were protected with emergency magic tools.
Elizabeth had never seen a monster as gigantic as the Kraken in her life. I heard that it looked like a giant octopus, but just imagining finding it in the middle of the sea made my body tremble.
Elizabeth, who was planning to go to Brittany, asked Theo.
“So, will the sea road be dangerous for now? Trade routes and passage routes may be different."
“Currently, trade routes and transit routes are risky. It's easy to go bankrupt if the Kraken attacks at night. If the news reaches the captains, all shipping lanes will be blocked. Not everyone will want to go to sea.”
Elizabeth finds herself in an unexpected situation. The ticket was already paid for.
The most common route to Brittany was by sea. But if you listen to Theo, sooner or later the channel will crash.
So it can be hard to get tickets because all the people who are far from moving will flock to the land.
'I should buy a train ticket before the price goes up. I can't even leave because I'm trying to save money on moving expenses.
After the invention of the train with enhanced mana stones, the sea route was the cheapest means of transportation. I chose the cheapest rate because I had to live sparingly once I got out of Agafel's castle, but it was almost dangerous.
Elizabeth felt lucky to have received good information from Theo.
"Thank you, Mr. Theo. I also like the bouquet”.
"I'm glad you like it. In fact, every time I saw a red rose, I thought of Lady Lua."
"I guess it's because of the color of my hair."
Elizabeth stroked my hair and smiled bitterly. It was because he remembered what the Duchess always said before she passed away.
He liked Elizabeth's red hair. Even if she didn't, it was enough to tie her hair up with her bare hands.
'Ma'am, if you keep doing this, the maid will scold me.'
'I do it because I want to. I'll stop you if you say anything.
'quiet… … .'
I have never seen coveted red hair like yours anywhere. It is incomparable even compared to a rose. In particular, it is a rose with golden eyes.'
He loved Elizabeth so much that he called her Rose whenever the two of them were together.
He was such a person. Duchess Elizabeth knew it.
It was Elizabeth's problematic conversation with Theo. Just in time, Kiern, returning from work, found the two of them.
Preparations for the engagement ceremony were in full swing, so I had to go out a lot.
It was awkward to see Theo with a red earlobe through the open window and Elizabeth smiling brightly across from him.
Especially since I know Elizabeth, who couldn't smile in front of me these last few days. Kierne walked into the living room, knowing full well that it would make her uncomfortable.
After all, he was the owner of this house. There was no reason for him to accommodate Elizabeth, who was uncomfortable with me.
"Oh."
As Theo, who had seen him first, rose to his feet and greeted him politely, Elizabeth shrugged but didn't look back.
Her shoulders trembled slightly, as if she wanted him to stay that way. Kiern approached them with graceful steps and bowed silently.
Only then did Kiern look at the bouquet of roses that lay next to Elizabeth, her lips twisting in disgust.
It seems that the man she is dating seems to be a gentleman unlike me.
"I pretended not to, but I guess we still see each other."
As Theo Cavill left, Kierne asked in a discussion. Elizabeth, whose expression had deteriorated rapidly since Kiern's arrival, couldn't even remember what she and Theo had talked about.
Elizabeth might have found water again if Theo hadn't come running back, sensing the cool atmosphere between them.
Elizabeth stopped in her tracks as she was about to leave and looked at Kiern. He was lying on the sofa, looking at her.
His indifferent gaze was as solemn as that of a bailiff in court. Until now, he pretended not to be interested in the two of them and led the conversation.
There was no point in asking her about her relationship with Theo now. Elizabeth snapped back, clasping her shaking hands together.
"Whoever finds me has nothing to do with you."
"It doesn't matter. But this is Agafel's castle, and as long as there are no dukes, it's under my control. Shouldn't we know who's coming?"
Elizabeth couldn't answer and bit her lip. He was embarrassed because he knew that he would have heard of him.
Of course, it was Stella who stopped this news in the middle. Fortunately, it was Elizabeth and Kiern who fell into that trap.
"… … sorry. I thought you knew."
It must be your mother again.
Kiern naturally smirked, thinking of Stella. She got up from her seat with her legs uncrossed.
Elizabeth stubbornly stared at the ground, waiting for it to pass. But Kiern's footsteps stopped in front of her.
he said, lifting Elizabeth's chin.
"Smile."
“… … .”
"Don't be so nosy."
“… … .”
"If this is the case, I feel like I've become the perpetrator, so I feel like shit."
"… … Sorry."
Elizabeth bit her lower lip and apologized. Seeing her still not smiling made Kiern's blood run cold.
I felt like I was constantly being followed. It was the thirst he felt every time he saw Elizabeth about to leave, slowly tidying up her surroundings.
"Be good."
Kiern brushed past Elizabeth without saying that.
He himself was unaware of the fact that he felt an unknown sense of betrayal when she said that she would leave me alone in hell.
