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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Lord Fourth
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A peaceful morning.
“…….”
Gentle sunlight streamed into the room, signaling the start of a new day. A woman’s eyes fluttered open as the bright light touched her eyelids.
“Mmm…”
She brushed her lustrous blonde hair aside and sat up in bed, her eyes still half-closed, and checked the time.
8:20 AM.
It was time to wake up. She quietly got out of bed.
“Ugh…!”
She interlocked her fingers and stretched her arms above her head, then gently stretched her neck, shoulders, back, and legs, loosening her stiff muscles and shaking off the lingering drowsiness.
It wasn’t something she did because she had to, but a habit she had developed since childhood.
Elisha believed that starting the morning fresh was the foundation of a productive day.
Her movements were methodical yet graceful.
Knock, knock, knock –
Someone knocked gently on the door, trying to wake her.
But before the servant could open the door, Elisha reached for the doorknob and opened it herself.
“Lady Elisha, you’re awake.”
The servant bowed her head slightly.
“Yes. Good morning. I’m going to wash up, so please prepare breakfast while I’m in the bathroom.”
Elisha spoke and walked towards the bathroom with a decisive gait, her movements natural and efficient, as if she had planned it all out.
“Certainly. As a reminder, your appointment with the young master of the Stenman family is scheduled for today.”
The maid informed Elisha of her important schedule for the day.
Elisha nodded slightly, her lips pursed in anticipation, before the maid could even finish her sentence.
“I know. That’s why I’m going to pay extra attention to my appearance today.”
Her demeanor was serious, as if she were preparing for battle. But that was only natural, considering how important this day was for Elisha.
“So, have the stylists ready. I told them to take special care today, right?”
The maid followed her quietly and spoke calmly, her tone suggesting that everything was proceeding according to plan.
“Of course. I’ve relayed your instructions, so you’ll look even more beautiful than usual.”
Elisha breathed a sigh of relief, her expression a mix of emotions. Her eyes were already filled with anticipation.
“Good…”
Today was the day she would spend time alone with Arnold. She was excited and nervous at the thought of finally having a proper date with him.
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Today was the day he would meet Elisha. Once he fulfilled her request, he would have fulfilled all three wishes.
“Is this the place?”
He had arrived at a fountain in the center of the royal capital.
“Arnold!”
Elisha was already waiting. She looked different than he was used to; she was looking exceptionally put-together.
“Wh-Why are you staring at me…?”
Her golden hair shimmered like a jewel in the sunlight.
The blue dress she wore perfectly accentuated her elegant figure, and a blue rose adorned her chest, adding a touch of allure.
Her turquoise eyes sparkled beneath long lashes.
A delicate choker and sparkling earrings added a touch of sophistication, and the hem of her dress, flowing from her waist, shimmered like stardust.
“It’s a special day… so I wanted to look my best for you.”
“How do I look?”
“You look more beautiful than usual.”
He answered honestly. She had clearly put a lot of effort into her appearance.
“…! Really? I’m glad~ I was worried you might not like it.”
She naturally linked her arm with his, her bold action tinged with a hint of shyness.
“Then… shall we go? I made a reservation at a nice restaurant because I wanted to spend some quality time with you today.”
He followed her lead.
“Here it is.”
She pointed, and he saw an elegant-looking restaurant.
“Elisha.”
“You have a reservation. Right this way.”
As they entered the restaurant, an air of luxury enveloped them.
The restaurant, decorated like a banquet hall, was filled with people enjoying their meals in a leisurely and refined manner.
“Enjoy your time.”
She seemed to have reserved a private room for two. The soft classical music and the gentle candlelight created a special atmosphere.
“This is our first time dining alone together… isn’t it?”
They sat facing each other, and Elisha smiled faintly, speaking hesitantly.
“Well, yes, it is.”
He searched his memories. It seemed like it was indeed their first time having a meal like this.
Before entering the academy, their relationship had been so strained that they hadn’t even had a proper meal together, and at the academy, Eilly and Varis were always present.
Dining alone with Elisha in a quiet, intimate setting like this was a novel experience.
“Especially in such a nice atmosphere…”
Elisha’s voice trembled slightly. She smiled wryly, as if recalling her past behavior towards him.
“…….”
He also fell silent, sensing her mood. She had been constantly expressing regret and remorse for her actions since that incident.
“You know… I still can’t believe it. That you forgave me after I treated you so coldly and accepted me back as your fiancée…”
Her voice lowered, and her gaze wavered. The atmosphere grew heavy with sadness and regret.
“How kind do you have to be to take someone like me back…?”
“And yet, I didn’t even have the courage to face you properly.”
“Looking back on my selfishness… the wrong I’ve done to you is so great that it feels like my heart is being crushed…”
Elisha’s words became a confession.
It had started as a simple apology, but now, her guilt was consuming her. She clenched her hands tightly on the table.
“I’m sorry, truly sorry… No matter how many times I apologize, it won’t be enough. I promise I won’t hurt you again.”
Tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
He stared at her for a moment, then sighed softly and said,
“I don’t mind.”
His voice was firm, yet gentle, as he tried to comfort her.
“But I do mind…”
Elisha said, her voice choked with tears.
“Looking back, it was truly foolish of me. How could I have said such horrible things to you from our very first meeting? And to treat you like an enemy, keeping you at arm’s length…”
“Honestly, I’m glad it was you, Arnold. If the engagement had been broken off because of me…?”
“I would have faced the worst possible outcome, driven by emotions rather than reason.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she continued her monologue.
“That’s why I always felt it. That Arnold is actually a very kind and warm person…”
“Conversely, I was also worried. If you had rejected me and the engagement was broken off, then I really wouldn’t have had the right to stay by your side….”
“As more and more women began to recognize your sincere heart and fall for you, the only thing I could hold onto was our formal engagement. And even that was on the verge of breaking”
He listened silently as she continued, her voice trembling.
“So, I couldn’t sleep peacefully for a single moment until I got the contract back…”
“I was always anxious and filled with regret.”
“But you took me back. Unlike me, who hurt you, you pulled me out of my despair…”
Her confession weighed heavily on the quiet atmosphere of the restaurant.
He slowly reached out and gently stroked her back.
“It’s alright.”
He spoke in a low, soothing voice.
It was true that she had been cruel to him.
And it was also true that he had taken her back.
It was a foolish, protagonist-like act, but at that time, he had acted that way for the sake of the game’s storyline, so he wasn’t truly hurt.
“Why… why are you so kind…? Even after I treated you so horribly…!”
Her face, tear-streaked as she looked up at him, made his heart ache.
“It would be easier if you just yelled at me and called me selfish!”
Her voice was filled with a mixture of misery and desperation, her eyebrows furrowed, her eyes red and swollen.
……
“Arnold?”
He gently pulled her into a hug. It wasn’t out of any romantic feelings, but a paternal desire to comfort her.
“Stop crying. You’ll ruin your pretty face.”
“Ugh…….”
Elisha blushed, seeming flustered.
“Show me with your actions from now on that you regret what you did. That’s enough.”
He held her tighter.
He was only able to do this because they were alone. If they were in a public space, he would have been too embarrassed to even hug her.
“Oh…, thank you.”
She hugged him back weakly.
“I promise I won’t hurt you again. I’ll prove it to you. I won’t break off the engagement again, no matter what. Let’s get married someday, properly, as husband and wife. I’ll do anything.”
Elisha’s face remained flushed for a while. She nodded, her resolve renewed.
“I love you, Arnold.”
Even though their food hadn’t arrived yet, the atmosphere between them was already filled with emotion.
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They finished their meal in a pleasant atmosphere and left the restaurant.
The sky was painted with the colors of sunset.
“Thank you for today… I feel so much better…”
Although her face still held traces of sadness, she was smiling, seemingly relieved.
“I’m glad….”
“You know… there’s something I want to do…”
Something she wanted to—
Kiss…!
Her lips suddenly pressed against his… for the second time this week.
In many ways, Arnold Stenman was a sinful man.
Still, it was a light peck, unlike Melina’s deeper kiss.
“I love you. I’ll spend my whole life making it up to you…”
There was a bittersweet feeling in the air, different from before.
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Hi Lord Fourth here!
This chapter was somewhat tricky, Elisha’s dialogue was a little bit confusing.
