Chapter 34.2

Chapter 34 – Part 2

I thought about it for a moment, but I eventually decided to just let him misunderstand.

What kind of conversation would we have when the other person was drunk? My head would just hurt for no reason.

With the intention of letting him sleep because I didn’t want to deal with him any longer, I pushed him back to the bed.

Theodore let himself be pushed without any resistance, and as soon as the back of his knees hit the edge of the bed, he collapsed back onto the sheets.

The bed was wide enough for a tall man like him to stretch out, and so I left him unattended just like that.

I walked towards the sofa and sat down there.

While hoping that this night would pass quietly, I soon heard a faint rustling sound behind me.

I didn’t want to care about what it was, but because the sound kept scratching at my ears, I eventually looked behind me.

And right then, my eyes met with Theodore’s as he was taking off his clothes.

“……”

After unbuckling his belt and taking it off, he looked at me with a smile. His drunken countenance clearly showed his drowsiness.

I didn’t know when he took off his top, but his upper body was now in full display.

The moonlight’s rays shone with a white luster. Come to think of it, the lamp’s flame was blown out before I knew it.

My eyes had already adapted to the darkness, and I could clearly distinguish the lines and contours shown before me.

Without his belt now, the moment Theodore grabbed the waist of his pants with both hands, I hurriedly turned away.

Shhhk, thud.

I heard his pants come off and fall to the floor.

Clasping my hands together, I closed my eyes.

…For a moment, I forgot to breathe because I was stricken with disbelief.

That man looked outrageously drunk tonight.

He threw off his clothes like that without even a change in his expression.

‘His Highness gave us this room… Of course, it would look strange if I asked for another room, so it couldn’t be helped.’

To hide the fact that Theodore was suffering from temporary amnesia, in the eyes of others, we had to look as though our marital relationship had improved…

It was ridiculous and nonsensical, but there’s no other way…

‘…He must have fallen asleep by now, right?’

Please. While hoping that he was already asleep, I opened my eyes.

I couldn’t hear any movements anymore, so it’s evident that he was lying still in bed.

I glanced behind me. There, Theodore was lying down properly on the bed.

Seeing this made me feel relieved, and the tension in my body relaxed.

I urged down the sigh that was about to flow through my lips. I wondered if he would wake up from just a small sigh.

…He looked like an absolute mess, but now, he was fast asleep in a position on the bed that could be considered as the standard of good posture.

I caught myself staring at his face for a moment, and so I averted my gaze.

At that moment, my gaze was quickly caught by the glimmer of the red coral bracelet.

…In no time, I recalled his expression when I gave the bracelet to him—he looked so moved without knowing my true intentions behind giving that to him. It made me shudder.

I picked up the pitcher and downed a glass of cold water.

I’ve long since learned to give up and resign myself to my circumstances, and so I pulled up those sentiments within me. These feelings were always right.

Instead of letting myself wallow in depression, this made it possible for me to no longer despair.

All I have to do is press down on the expectations that were rearing their heads again.

‘…I’m doing alright. It’s fine.’

For me to choose someone who I could trust and who I could lay my expectations onto, I knew for a fact that it was possible—as long as it wasn’t Theodore Valentino.

The red coral bracelet was too precious of a treasure for me to keep.

My own wrist would be rather an insult to the bracelet, so I’d rather let another person who needed it keep it.

‘To be honest, I just want to give up on everything. What even is the point of continuing to live… when all I can do is to live in fear of falling.’

Nevertheless, if there was a chance for me to avoid the worst possible future, then I would have already boldly chosen it.

…Perhaps even if only for the sake of Charlotte, who has always stood by me.

‘I can prepare for it thoroughly, Madam. No one will ever find out. …That’s why all you have to do is prepare yourself mentally. …And still, if you can’t bring yourself to trust His Grace.’

Running away in the dead of the night?

I wouldn’t have ever dreamed of it in the past.

Charlotte has always been much braver than I ever was.

“……”

I fiddled with my wedding ring, which was on my left ring finger.

My thoughts were tilting on the scale, weighing heavier on one side.

Before long, it was time for me to make a decision.

* * *

“Madam, it looks like it’s going to rain.”

Charlotte noted as she looked up at the sky.

Indeed, dark clouds had gathered together here and covered the heavens.

“…Let’s be on our way.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Charlotte and I began to go back the long way. A bed of blue forget-me-nots bloomed along the riverside, swaying gently along the wind.

It was a little disappointing that we had to go back less than twenty minutes after the picnic. I was looking forward to walking along the riverside or sitting on the blanket while watching the nearby scenery.

A week had passed since we returned from the Ashridge Forest and back to the Valentino estate.

Of course, the first thing I did upon returning was to confirm the painting that Owen had given to Theodore as a gift.

——