Do Your Best and Regret

Chapter 56

"... I don't know what to say first. So, please go there first. I will stand guard at the entrance."

Howard said, his voice cracking. Unlike his voice, which was clearly trembling, there was no shaking in his head-down posture. Howard, who had frozen in place as soon as he confirmed that Edwin, who had passed through the mine entrance a little while ago, was okay, went back and forth between the inside and outside of the mine entrance several times with a confused look on his face. Howard, who looked like he was about to cry with a disbelieving face every time he came and went, chose to lower his head without showing his crying face.

I, who was watching him, naturally thought that her place was next to Howard.

"I will never interfere with Edwin's tour of the mine. So, come with me this time."

I've told Edwin several times that I won't stop him from exploring the mines. So my role was to deliver the magic stone necklace to Edwin. While waiting, I consoled my heart and was shocked by Edwin.

I was about to raise my hand once again to remove my necklace. His strong, large hand carefully grasped my right hand. His pulse was pounding fast in the palm of his hand touching mine. I couldn't even tell whether the irregularly beating sound was my heart or Edwin's. Unlike me, who was shocked, Edwin smiled sweetly and raised the corners of his mouth.

"Then wait here for a while."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Edwin leaned towards Howard for a moment and added something. The voice was so quiet that even I next to him couldn't hear it, but Howard seemed to understand and nodded his head softly.

Howard's tightly clenched fist was shaking. The cold moonlight briefly illuminated Howard's face. At first glance, the tip of his nose was bright red, showing that he was still holding back tears.

I pretended not to see and looked inside the mine. I vividly remembered the dark interior road I had passed last time. When I thought that perhaps it would be better for me, who knows the way well, to go with Edwin rather than going alone.

"Shall we go?"

"Together?"

"Sure."

I never thought that when he held my hand, he really meant to come with me. I was a little dazed because something I had only thought about had happened. Edwin lightly led me. I, who was walking inside the mine, spoke softly toward Howard.

"Don't worry, Lord Interfield. I'll have a nice trip."

This was something I said for Howard, but It was also something I said to myself. I knew more about this White Crystal Mine than anyone else. Even the bottom of this mine is slippery. Just like going out for a while, it was natural to say that now I go wherever I go. The place to return is right here, Vikander.

I, who had gathered myself together, was about to take my steps again. Riding on the wind, Howard's dark, wet voice reached me.

"Yes, Miss. Please come back."

***

I remembered how dreary and cold it was inside this mine. I felt like the place that had been so cold had warmed up today, as if warmth was wrapping around my body. It's probably because of the madic stone that maintains my body temperature.

I fumbled with Edwin and the clasp of my necklace behind my neck with my free hand. Perhaps because I was using one hand, my latch wasn't working properly

"What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable?"

"That's not it,"

The clasp was undone by a hand groping the back of the neck. And at that moment, I opened my eyes wide. Even though the magic stone necklace came off my neck and fell into my palm, instead of feeling cold, my body still felt warm.