“Are you sure about this, Bianca?”
Facing him with a touch of nervousness in my expression, I took a deep breath and nodded.
“Yes, Ares.”
He sighed heavily, as if he had been holding his breath, and then he seemed to search my eyes for something. I felt the weight of his gaze, and it made me uncomfortable yet determined.
“Alright, I’ll wait for your answer.”
I gave him a small smile, hoping to convey a sense of reassurance. The truth was, I needed time to process everything. This unexpected revelation had thrown me into a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The fact that our feelings for each other were not part of some predetermined script but genuine and complex made the situation even more challenging to navigate.
As we continued our journey in the carriage, the night around us seemed to stretch on endlessly. I stared out into the darkness, lost in my thoughts. The rhythmic sound of the horse’s hooves on the cobblestone street played a backdrop to the unspoken tension between Ares and me.
The next few days would be crucial. I had to grapple with my own feelings and come to terms with the reality that was unfolding. Ares had laid bare his heart, and now it was my turn to confront my emotions and decide how to proceed.
Deep down, I knew that whatever choice I made would have far-reaching consequences, not just for Ares and me but for the intricate web of relationships that bound us together. The pages of our story were turning, and the narrative was entering uncharted territory.
However, I could never easily accept his confession, declaring that I reciprocated his feelings. I was uncertain whether I could overcome the novel’s setting, which dictated Ares’s love for Lea. Moreover, my imminent departure from this world added another layer of complexity to the situation.
Until I confirmed what Lea had hidden from me and whether she had ever lied to me since meeting the “Author,” I couldn’t assure him of anything.
Ares responded with a trembling voice, “Thank you for saying that, Bianca.”
He quietly approached me and placed a small box on the table in front of me.
“What’s this?”
He managed a strained smile. “I asked Mimas about the actual items you donated to the cafeteria. He mentioned a pair of earrings and a hair ornament.”
I stared at the box with a stiff expression.
“So… Although these aren’t originally yours, I chose something that might suit you. I ordered them to be made, and they happened to be completed today, so I came to deliver them.”
Ares revealed a delicate side that I hadn’t anticipated.
Come to think of it, when Lea visited our house, she mentioned that Ares had visited the cafeteria to see Mimas. She also talked about my earrings and accessories at that time.
So, he came to the city to find these jewels. And in doing so, he ended up saving my life.
However, I couldn’t simply accept this gift in light of his confession.
“Ares, I can’t accept this.”
I held out the box to him, but Ares just smiled and shook his head.
“It’s not mine. Even if you don’t accept me, please just take this.”
Perhaps, fearing my further rejection, he quickly took a few steps back.
“Before it gets darker, you should head home.”
“Sure.”
However, despite my response, I remained seated without moving a muscle. My limbs were completely devoid of strength, and it would take quite some time before I could gather enough energy to stand.
“It’s better if you leave first, Ares.”
I hoped you wouldn’t see my weak back. The image of me, the socialite’s flower, head over heels in love, contradicted the confident and poised persona I always portrayed in social circles.
Ares hesitated for a while, unable to respond quickly. But seeing that I didn’t budge or even glance in his direction, he eventually stepped back.
“Well then, I’ll go ahead. Bianca.”
“Take care on your way back.”
I managed to deliver the customary farewell. After a while, the sound of footsteps descending the stairs reached me slowly.
Only then did I lift my head and take a deep breath. However, the oppressive feeling in my chest didn’t dissipate.
Our paths had crossed too much, yet we remained so distant.
Moreover, now that I knew his feelings, time was running out.
I sat in the teahouse, still and silent, then burst into laughter.
Only now did I realise that Ares’s impromptu actions had finally caught up with him.
Because his heart was turned toward me, he reacted sensitively every time I involved him with Lea. He chased me out of Metis’s salon, leaving Lea behind, because he loved me. He always kept an eye on me, noticing when I purposely avoided him.
And so, he couldn’t approach me.
A surge of warmth welled up in my chest.
The realisation of my foolishness, not even noticing his gaze, infuriated me. I regretted not considering confessing once to preserve my pride. The years I had wasted being naive until my debut in high society at the age of 20 felt too regrettable. Our pitiful situation, foolishly pining for each other while merely exchanging glances, was too comical.
I stood up, swaying. There was no point waiting here any longer; the “Author” was unlikely to appear.
In the emptiness of my heart, a sense of emptiness overwhelmed me, and my legs seemed to buckle under the weight of regret.
There were few places in the bustling city to store my personal carriage, so I had come here using a public carriage. The outside was already dark, and the streetlights were lit.
The commotion with the crazy carriage seemed to have been resolved, with the city guards rushing in to handle the aftermath. Now, only a few guards remained, checking if anyone was injured.
Mechanically, I headed toward the public carriage station. However, there wasn’t a single carriage waiting.
“Sigh…”
A sigh escaped involuntarily.
What kind of novel “pillar” had emerged today? Why was fate so relentless?
“Bianca.”
Ares, you waited for me to come out instead of returning right away.
“I’ll take you back to the marquisate.”
I mechanically turned around to look at Ares. The surroundings were quite dark, making it difficult to see his face clearly.
I had no energy to manage my expression. Perhaps my face was expressionless by now.
Even though I didn’t respond, Ares persevered and continued.
“I registered my private carriage not long ago. Let me take you back.”
“Ares…”
“Why don’t you just accept it as a gesture of goodwill? Because I inadvertently revealed my feelings, you have no idea how nervous I am right now!”
I silently looked at him. Unlike me, who couldn’t summon even a shred of courage in front of him, Ares was remarkably brave.
He extended his hand to me again, fearing I might distance myself from him.
Oh, what should I do? I didn’t want to give him false hope, but at the same time, I didn’t want to leave him disheartened.
And honestly, I wanted to hold his offered hand.
Because, I love him too.
Ares and I stood facing each other, caught in a momentary standoff. An awkward silence weighed heavily between us.
Ares was the one to break the heavy silence.
“Bianca, if you’re uncomfortable, I’ll make sure you safely return to the marquisate using a public carriage.”
I smiled softly. His concern was palpable.
How could I treat Ares coldly? Only someone who had loved him silently for as long as I had could truly understand how difficult it was to summon such courage.
“If it’s not too much trouble, please take me in your carriage.”
I could barely see Ares’ expression in the dim light, but the darkness was a relief. At least, my expression wouldn’t be visible to him.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll get the carriage. Please wait here for a moment.”
I nodded in response to his words. He quickly walked away to fetch the carriage.
How should I treat Ares from now on? I didn’t know what to expect when I meet the “author.”
As if the sound of a creaking body, difficult to move, would be heard, I forcibly moved towards the carriage. Ares stood up in the carriage and extended his hand towards me.
“Hold on.”
Normally, I would have thought of it as his usual courtesy and felt a bit excited, gladly taking his hand. However, now that I knew his true feelings, even accepting that courtesy felt delicate.
“Bianca.”
Ares patiently called my name once again.
I looked up at him, and finally, I gently placed my hand on his.
He is a wise person who can well distinguish between courtesy and sincerity, so even if I accept his manners, he won’t misinterpret his intentions.
I decided to trust Ares.
Sitting side by side, the carriage quickly headed towards our home through the night streets. The sound of the carriage wheels echoing in the street somewhat alleviated the awkward silence between us.
Due to the fast-moving carriage, the cold wind brushed against us. My body, which had been trembling since earlier, now felt like it was warming up.
Click. My body seems to have sensed the mental shock before my mind did. I had experienced something similar at a party hosted by Marquis Saturanos.
However, I didn’t want to feign vulnerability in front of Ares. The image I desired was that of a woman, a fortress that wouldn’t crumble in front of anyone. Even though it was Ares, my demeanor remained unchanged.
Being delicate and cute was Lea Saturanos, not me.
The original novel described Lea, who struggled to adapt to high society and showed a weak side, finding comfort and love through Ares. Oh, indeed, wasn’t she the perfect heroine, embodying everything men desire, even invoking protective instincts!
But Ares fell in love not with that perfect Lea Saturanos but with me.
He loved me from the moment he first saw me, which, clearly, was before the beginning of the “author’s” novel. The novel started with Ares and Lea accidentally kissing.
Even after the novel began and he met Lea, was there really no change in his feelings?
…If I’m curious, I should ask.
“Ares.”
“Yes.”
He answered while driving the carriage, keeping his eyes on the road ahead.
“Have you always had feelings for me?”
Thank you very much
Your welcome!