Chapter 218

Chapter 218Previous

Somehow, Mireilles voice was pushed into the background, so Ed didnt really comprehend the Dukes request for strict adherence to their agreement. Even the threat Mireille made, saying he wouldnt stay still if Ed abandoned Liloa after retrieving the necklace, didnt enter Eds mind.

In the carriage leaving the Dukes residence, Ed looked down at the portrait given by Mireille. A sinister phrase was written on the back by the man himself. Feeling uncomfortable, Ed retraced their previous conversation to see if hed successfully made it appear that hed been hired. He checked it two or three times more to be sure if hed really made it appear that Liloa was only treated as a trading target.

Mireille should never find out about this. I cant let anyone else know what I feel. Never. Not, until I reach Liloa.

Ed turned the frame over again.

Her smiling face looks strange Judging from Mireilles words, at that time, Liloa had already given up her commission. Yes, I remember that I did hear before that Liloa hadnt been commissioned. I was greatly disappointed, and after, I didnt give her a second thought or look for her, who was no longer following her will. I was shocked when I heard the news of her death, but as I already had detached myself from her due to that huge disappointment, and to me that was it. But, looking at this portrait now, Im not so sure Liloa couldve been smiling here. Moreover, having experienced Mireille myself, I found him to be a much lower individual than I initially imagined and I dont ever want to associate myself with him again It never occurred to me that Liloa might never have wanted to give up her commission On top of it all, theres even a chance that shes still alive.

The tingling joy excited Ed and his heart thumped heavily.

end of flashback

Because Eds hand had come to a pause, the period at the end of his last sentence transformed into an ink circle that was rapidly increasing in size.

Ed removed the nib of his fountain pen from the paper. The childishness and pitiful feelings from his younger self suffocated his breathing. He eventually let go of the pen when he felt a tightness around his throat.

I shouldve approached her back then, but I missed the opportunity due to my pride and hurt self-esteem. In the end, I mightve accomplished it through Mireille now, but his involvement only made the situation more difficult This is my retribution for blowing everything up from the beginning Liloa asked if it was all part of a game, but was that truly it?

Ed instantly wanted to deny it, but he couldnt. After all, while tracking her whereabouts, Ed clearly had a desire to test Lil. He wanted to see for himself if she was still glowing and ecstatic, he wanted to confirm she still had her light. He wasnt sure what kind of great judge he thought himself to be, but Ed was arrogant until the end. AndLil had turned a blind eye to his arrogance.

She has already forgiven me once for cheating on her about my identity, but thats no guarantee that shell do it again

Ed penned down his last sentence.

[ So, if you truly were alive, I just wanted to see you again. ]

After finishing his letter, Ed buried his face in his clasped hands.

Crazy Stupid Youre the worlds worst moron

His own voice rang in his ears for a long time

***

It had been awhile since he sent the letter through Elodie, the head maid. He didnt know how long hed been waiting exactly, but it was agonisingly long for Ed. And no matter how long he waited, there was no response at all.

Even though it took a while for Ed to answer, Lil never looked at him again.

Oh, uh It should have arrived by now.

Ed finally realised what was going on and walked over to the desk. The illusion he had made with his own selfishness shattered.

Liloa has neither read the letter nor is showing me any mercy The only reason she let me in was because we still had work to do

Even if Lil didnt leave his house right away, Eds hopes vanished without a trace. Despair weighed him down and swallowed up all the possibilities that he had been holding on to.

Can a wagon pass this way? Our jailbreak coincides with the day of the arrival of the merchants, so there must be cargo piled up on the roadsides.

Standing next to Lil, Ed studied the map. However, the familiar sight that he could draw with his eyes closed, suddenly looked blurry.

Yeah, it should be fine.

In addition, Ed realised one more possible ending.

Liloa will leave as soon as the job is done. And by then, Ill no longer have the reasons nor the right to hold on to her anymore. Maybe everything will come to an end like this, and I will never see her again

When a teardrop fell on Roahns town hall, Ed panicked and fumbled around his eyes. Lil, whose finger moved over the map as if she had seen nothing, pointed to the next area.

What about here?

Its

..?

His voice was still terribly hoarse. Ed covered his mouth and cleared his throat a few times.

Its also okay there.

Just in case, well have to try pulling the wagon out before the scheduled date.

Lil continued as if she didnt care about him at all.

No doubt, she decided beforehand to consistently ignore both the letter and me. Its making me feel a little embarrassed