Episode 99
Come to think of it, Cesar had also been brazen when he trespassed on the Seirthe Marquisate. Perhaps he was experiencing the same thing.
“It’s obvious what you’re thinking. I came here with Sylvia. Of course, Duke Clovis wasn’t happy to see me and told me to leave.”
So he was an unwelcome guest. And yet, he was smiling, unfazed. He was truly… Heron.
He leaned languidly against the windowsill and said,
“I heard from a spirit that you’ve been through a lot.”
“…Don’t even get me started. My wing was injured, I was imprisoned… it was so difficult.”
I recounted my experiences to Heron.
I could talk about it now that it was over, but I never wanted to experience that pain in my left wing again.
“Does Lady Veronica know about this?”
“Of course not. It’s better that she doesn’t know. I don’t want to see her sad. So don’t tell her.”
I knew he probably wouldn’t tell her anyway, since he disliked bothersome things, but I emphasized it just in case.
“Alright.”
Hearing his reply, I felt relieved.
“So, what brings you here, climbing through my window?”
He wasn’t the type to go out of his way to do something. Even when he summoned me, he would just lie around somewhere and have a spirit guide me.
It was strange that he, the most laid-back person I knew, had come to me personally.
“I didn’t think the Duke would allow us to be alone, and I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
His usually languid eyes shimmered with a strange light.
“They’re coming for you. They’ve made up their minds. I’ve been busy because of that.”
“Who’s coming for me?”
“Those who will take away your freedom. You’ve heard of the Holy Kingdom, haven’t you?”
Several memories flashed through my mind. But the most vivid one was…
“Lifelong servitude contract.”
“Huh?”
“No! They’re going to take me to the temple? I don’t even remember anything about that place; how can they just drag me there? Don’t I have the right to live my own life?!”
“Calm down, Valerie.”
“No! No!”
I had been diligently wearing the necklace to conceal the temple’s mark. And yet, they were still coming for me.
I had never wanted to be some mystical bird. Of course, I was happy about being able to become human and having the power to protect myself.
But I hated the idea of being bound to the temple because of this power. I felt a strong sense of revulsion.
I didn’t like being restricted and controlled, but this intense reaction felt like it was coming from the original bird.
The words tumbled out of my mouth,
“…Can’t I just enjoy my current life? I like being human and staying by Cesar’s side. I want to live a normal life, with the people I cherish, freely roaming the garden, going out occasionally…”
My heart felt constricted, as if trapped within walls.
“I’ve never wanted a life of servitude.”
In the fragmented memories that occasionally surfaced, they always emphasized duty. How cruel would it be to live a life deprived of freedom, bound by an unknown duty?
Perhaps that’s why this little bird ran away.
But even after escaping, this bird hadn’t found true freedom. It had lived in a cage and eventually died.
“I’ll help you.”
“…Yes?”
“They’re planning on using the hunting competition as an excuse to find you. I’ll assign a spirit to protect you. It’s not something you can ask of others.”
Why was he willing to do such a bothersome thing? What did he want? What could I possibly give him in return for his help?
“Why? You hate bothersome things.”
“You should know by now that I act on my whims. And I’m interested in your situation. That’s all.”
His eyes were still and unreadable. There were no ripples of emotion, no change in his usual demeanor.
But I didn’t take his outstretched hand.
“It’s okay, Heron.”
I knew it would be beneficial to accept his help. I had a feeling that the information he possessed was something I needed.
But I couldn’t. I couldn’t cross this line.
“You’ve already helped me so much. And I haven’t even repaid you for your previous help.”
As I took a step back, he took a step forward.
“What if I don’t mind?”
“…”
“If I don’t care about repayment, will you accept my help?”
There was no such thing as unconditional kindness. If, by any chance… his actions were motivated by feelings for me, I had to draw a line. Because it was a feeling I couldn’t reciprocate.
“I’m sorry. Even though you’ve been so kind and concerned about me… I don’t think I can accept your help.”
He was silent for a moment. Then, Heron smiled sadly.
“Valerie, you only draw a line with me.”
His words, hitting a sore spot, made me lower my head. The spirits that had been fluttering around us were gone.
“But don’t try to stop me from doing what I want. That’s my freedom.”
A languid smile touched his lips and then disappeared. A flicker of emotion, something I had never seen before on his usually carefree face, appeared.
Hurt.
He was hurt by my rejection.
He probably understood the meaning behind my words. He was, after all, the most perceptive of the male leads.
“…I’ll see you later, Valerie.”
At his farewell, I awkwardly tried to speak but then just closed my mouth and nodded.
In the quiet reception room, after Lily left, Cesar spoke first.
“So Sylvia, what did you want to talk about?”
“As you probably already know, I’m officially engaged to the Crown Prince.”
“That’s something to celebrate. But I don’t think that’s why you asked Lily to leave.”
“I’m close to the Crown Prince. Now that our relationship is public, I have to share even political matters with him.”
Clink. The sound of her placing her teacup on the table echoed.
“I heard you offered to support the Crown Prince. But he’s suspicious of you, Cesar.”
“Of me?”
“Yes. There’s no reason for you to support him. He wants to know why.”
“So he wants to know my motives, my weaknesses.”
Sylvia, a bitter smile on her face, nodded.
“That’s not like you, Sylvia. You wouldn’t normally ask me something like this.”
“I realized it’s not good to be too lenient just because someone is close to me. If I’m not careful, my loved ones will get hurt.”
A firm resolve shone in her usually gentle blue eyes.
“You’ve changed because of Lily, Sylvia.”
Tap, tap.
Cesar tapped his finger on the armrest of his chair, lost in thought. He wondered if he should continue showing his affection for Lily.
He had many enemies, and openly cherishing Lily might put her in danger, making her a target.
“Sylvia, you’re too straightforward. You shouldn’t expect people to answer truthfully just because you ask.”
“Are you saying you won’t tell me?”
“No. I’m telling you this because I think it will be helpful to you.”
Cesar smiled and decided not to hide his feelings for Lily.
“The reason I’m siding with the Crown Prince? It’s simple. I didn’t want to let Prea Seirthe, who harmed Lily, go unpunished, and I wanted to ruin the Marquisate that was involved.”
“Is that the only reason?”
“Yes, that’s all. The easiest way to do that was to side with the Crown Prince, since he’s behind the Seirthe Marquisate.”
“…Thank you for telling me. I understand. But Cesar,”
Sylvia’s eyes turned cold.
“How long are you planning to keep Lily by your side? She doesn’t have a proper social standing. You know how people will react.”
She was being sincere.
She had noticed Lily’s feelings for Cesar. But if Cesar’s interest in Lily was just a fleeting infatuation, she would bring her back to the County mansion immediately.
In a relationship between a noble and a commoner, it was the commoner who would ultimately suffer. Lily wasn’t exactly a commoner, since she didn’t have any social standing, but she would still be the one to suffer if he lost interest.
Despite Sylvia’s sharp tone, Cesar replied calmly,
“That won’t happen. I have no intention of letting Lily go. Think about the reason I just told you. Don’t you understand?”
“Don’t tell me you…”
“I’ll give Lily anything she wants. Jewels, money, a place by my side. And I won’t hide my affection for her. It would be better to be open about it and make others wary.”
He thought it would be beneficial to let everyone know that harming her would result in the Clovis Dukedom’s retaliation. If he made an example of someone, no one would dare touch her.
“I respect your choice. But don’t force your feelings on Lily.”
“I would never.”
“…You’re lying. When I asked you to send her back to the Veronica County, you hid her away in the Dukedom.”
“Wasn’t that issue already resolved?”
Sylvia frowned. The more they talked, the more she realized Cesar was more formidable than she thought, and his possessiveness towards Lily was overwhelming.
“Lily is involved with a dangerous person…”
Sylvia felt a surge of anger, seeing the innocent Lily completely smitten with Cesar.