BTPE 14

Episode 14

‘W-what? A proposal?’

Autumn’s pupils widened for a moment, then returned to their normal size.

The sun, which had been slowly setting, hung upon the clouds, casting a soft red glow.

Bathed in the faint light, the man standing before her opened his mouth once more.

“There was a time when a scandal spread in the capital.”

His heavy words fell like the slow, hot descent of the sun. Once his mouth opened, it seemed there would be no end.

“The heir of the empire’s only ducal family formally sent a proposal to the famous Rosaline Kiss.”

‘I don’t remember this line being in the script. Is this… a joke?’

Even as she thought that to herself, Autumn found her gaze locked with Randel’s serious, moss-green eyes.

She trailed off, trying to hide the surprise in her voice that threatened to rise like a question mark.

Her small lips parted slightly in shock.

He wasn’t lying to her right now.

Gulp.

Autumn swallowed her dry throat.

“Whether it’s true or not, only the people involved would know.”

“Haha, I…”

She almost asked, ‘When?’

She was glad she could maintain a calm expression and speak forward.

Because if not, he would’ve definitely noticed her wide, startled eyes.

“Y-yes, well…”

Autumn hastily stepped back and threw her gaze at the calm lake in front of them.

“I want to know the reason.”

To me… no, to my sister. A proposal to Rosaline Kiss?

…Rosaline, why didn’t you ever tell me this

“If you’re asked a difficult question, it’s best to say there were circumstances. A true gentleman shouldn’t pry into a lady’s past,” Rosaline had once advised.

“I understand. That won’t be hard.”

“Women with a bit of mystery are always attractive, Autumn.”

—

“W-well, there were some circumstances…”

“What kind of circumstances?”

Autumn’s eyes rolled about, nervously gauging his reaction.

Then she straightened her back and turned her gaze firmly forward.

“Well… I…”

Unable to form a proper response, Autumn merely mumbled inside her mouth and finally shut her eyes tight.

“Don’t ask anymore… It makes you seem inconsiderate.”

The silence that followed her hasty reply felt like a disaster.

‘Why did I phrase it like that?’

The only thing between them now was Autumn’s shallow breathing echoing softly.

“I didn’t think it needed explanation. There are things with… complicated reasons.”

“I see…”

Randel remained silent, only shaking his head as Autumn avoided his gaze.

“If you try to know everything, you’ll get hurt.”

Though she kept talking, Autumn was secretly sweating from nerves.

“Let’s bury the past between just the two of us.”

Answering with a calm firmness, Autumn leaned back and let her body rest where she was.

‘I hope that sounded natural.’

Soon, as the sweat dried, she felt a cool breeze at her back and curled up slightly.

But her heart felt strange.

Tears welled up for no clear reason, her eyes stung, and she felt as if her heart had been scraped with thorns.

‘Why am I like this?’

A tear rolled down her cheek, and Autumn quickly wiped her face.

Then, unexpectedly, Randel’s firm voice reached her ears.

“…Then I’ll ask again later.”

He lay beside her, looking up at the darkening sky.

‘He’s no gentleman.’

Autumn smirked, remembering Rosaline’s words and his stubbornness.

Randel took off his jacket and draped it over her. Autumn didn’t bother refusing.

She had felt it before — this man had a relentless curiosity for things he wanted to know.

As if there had to be an answer.

As if she had no choice but to respond.

“Then… let me ask you instead.”

Suddenly, Autumn looked over and questioned him.

“Why did you propose to me?”

Though it felt like she was intruding into Rosaline’s private life in the capital, she couldn’t help but ask — she was too curious.

“…Because I felt sorry.”

Huh?

Randel didn’t turn to look at her as he replied, arms crossed while still staring at the sky.

“You were someone who could shine brighter… but instead, you were sold off like…”

Ah — he realized he misspoke.

She had just been curious.

It was a lighthearted question meant to ease the tension.

But his sincere answer threw her off, and she turned to look at him blankly.

‘…He’s always like this.’

This man always reacts to Rosaline Kiss’s name.

Autumn tried to recall why such a cold man had fallen for Rosaline.

“If I look back, you constantly threw yourself into rumors and gossip.”

Her beauty? Elegant speech?

Those were the answers Autumn had expected — and they never came.

“It was like… you intended to be seen that way from the start.”

His sharp, unfiltered words were uncharacteristically raw.

“Everyone says you went after the marquis’ fortune. But I couldn’t accept that.”

Randel finally turned his head, meeting her gaze.

They were close, yet far.

His eyes were filled with complicated emotions.

Then came the final blow.

“The you I knew wasn’t that kind of person.”

At that moment, Autumn realized it.

He truly liked her sister. No — it was more like admiration.

‘If someone were to like me… would they ever look at me the way he just did?’

Autumn also realized something else.

Randel was a wonderful man.

He was bright.

If she were to keep receiving his gaze like that, she wasn’t confident she wouldn’t fall for him.

‘But so what? I’m only here as a stand-in for my sister.’

Annoying and reluctant as it was, there probably wasn’t another man like him in the whole Blue Tim Empire.

He reminded her of how she had once admired actor Huddy Oslo and the theater he performed in.

Autumn fidgeted with her fingers.

‘If he went so far as to propose, maybe he… more than admired her…? Ugh. Why does that disappoint me?’

Without realizing it, she exposed her jealousy toward him.

‘He didn’t seem like the type to be so shallow.’

Oops. She covered her mouth with both hands.

“Was that meant for me?”

He looked at her, dumbfounded, and she suddenly got angry at his reaction.

Autumn sat up and jabbed a finger toward him, raising her voice.

“Hey! You didn’t even talk to her, but you went and sent a proposal?”

“I wasn’t being shallow. At least, not when I sent that proposal.”

He slowly sat up and answered calmly.

“I just wanted to. Sincerely.”

It was a direct and honest reply.

Even though the proposal hadn’t been to her, her heart pounded and she couldn’t dismiss it lightly.

…How should she look at him now?

Before Autumn could process her flustered feelings, his confession continued.

“Is it wrong to do something without a reason?”

“Uh…”

His tone was calm, with no hesitation.

“I just didn’t know what else to do.”

He tossed a small stone.

Plunk. RollEpisode 14