𝑫𝑬𝑺𝑰𝑹𝑬 || 𝐽𝑢𝑛𝑔 𝑊𝑜𝑜𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑔✔

Chapter 43

Hea PV

Seonghwa has disappeared from my life, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't care.
He was a wonderful friend, but nothing more, and this was the cause of his suffering..and still I feel guilty.
I miss him, I would like to write to him, apologize to him, but unfortunately I don't even know where he went. Only Hongjoong knows this, but refuses to tell me.

"Hea, are you ready?"
Wooyoung appears in my room, now completely recovered and more beautiful than ever in his elegant blue suit, which reminds me of tonight's dinner with the Kang dukes.

I respond with a simple nod of the head, quickly turning around so as not to show him my eyes shining with tears.

Two hands slide over my belly and push me backwards until I find myself pressed to a chest.
"What happens?"
Wooyoung's angelic voice asks me, and I look up to meet his eyes in the mirror in front of us.
"I'm just tired, it's a difficult time"
I do not refer only to Seonghwa, which I avoid naming, but also to the countess, who is every day weaker, and to the future wedding, on which I have the presentiment that it will not be so easy as Wooyoung wants me to believe.
"I understand, but try to rest my love"
He gives me a light kiss on the temple, and all my thoughts seem to vanish.

"Here you are finally-"
Duke Yeosang stops, when he sees that his cousin enters the room holding me by the hand.
"Sorry for the wait. Please, take a seat"
Wooyoung says gently, showing off one of his smiles.
My eyes meanwhile meet those of Duchess Yeeun; her gaze judges me with disgust, and although I should not care, I just want to escape from this situation, reminding myself once again that maybe I'm all wrong, and this is not my place.

"Do you have to tell me something cousin?"
Duke Yeosang asks, sitting down.
"Perceptive. Yes, I wanted to invite you to my ... our wedding"
Wooyoung turns to me, and I give him a slight smile, hoping to hide my discomfort.
"My goodness"
Yeeun says chuckling.
"I was sure your bed was already occupied, but I didn't imagine this"
Wait what-
"Are you serious Wooyoung?"
The duke asks, paying little attention to the words of that harpy he has as a wife.
"Absolutely yes. I hope to have your support dear cousin"
Yeosang nods, obviously thoughtful, and I feel Wooyoung's hand searching for mine under the table, to hold it reassuringly.

The dinner continues, between my embarrassment and the inquisitive looks that the duchess gives me from time to time;
When suddenly a clearly agitated waitress enters.
"The Countess! She's having a crisis!"
I get up quickly, knowing her crises well, they take her breath away, and I often feared was the last.

______________________________________

Wooyoung PV

The doctor and a Hea in tears leave my mother's room after we all waited anxiously at the door, and Hea eyes immediately look for mine.

She shakes her head slightly in response to the question I offer her only with my own eyes, and I feel the immediate urgency to hug my mother ... for the last time.

"Wooyoung"
I hear my mother say in a whisper, as soon as I enter the room.
I take a deep breath and try to hold back my tears, going to sit on the edge of her bed.
"My beloved child, it's time for me to go"
"Please don't say that"
I can say before my voice breaks with tears, and I throw myself on her, hiding my face on her shoulder, pretending to still be the crying baby  if he didn't kiss his mother before going to sleep.
"Don't do so my love. I leave you- I leave you serene, because I know you've found someone who loves you."
Her breathing is light and her words heavy, as if each letter cost her effort.
"Take care of her. You know Hea is like a daughter to me."
Her words leave me completely surprised, I didn't imagine she knew.
"Do you approve?"
"I bless your love because it is pure and sincere."
I continue to cry, now unable to hold back the tears, and lean my head on her weak heart as I feel her hand caress my hair...and then nothing more.
A part of me flies away with her.