The Garden of Eternal Snow.
It was a vast garden created within the Northern Grand Duchy, named so because the snow never melted, no matter the season.
A symbol of the Grand Duchy, a point of pride.
Naturally, entry was strictly forbidden for outsiders, and only guests who received an official ‘invitation’ from the Winterfell Grand family could enter.
This space was revered by the Winterfell family, so daring to trespass could cost one their head.
Tight security was a given.
Crunch, crunch.
Currently, I was making my way toward it.
Having received an invitation from a woman who had ultimately left a note before departing, I was walking at ease.
I hadn’t even brought along a knight for protection.
There was simply no need for that.
Quick and decisive.
That was my mental stance toward her challenge.
‘Now, why on earth is the heroine acting this way?’
In the original story, it was clearly stated that those who sincerely repent would be granted freedom.
Thus, that was my stance.
I self-reflected and concluded that a wretched villain like me could never be worthy of the Grand Duchy’s family.
Hence, I decided to let go of all aspirations and quietly disappear.
It was sincere.
After all, Elden was a villainous character.
‘And wasn’t there also a line saying she would never become fixated on revenge?’
Well.
I understand that the story has deviated due to my inaction, but robbing me of this peaceful night’s rest was simply unacceptable.
No matter how high and mighty the Third Northern Duchess was, she had no right to disturb the night of a withdrawn participant—even if that participant was a fallen Count’s son.
After all, I’d only ‘participated’ to fulfill the barest obligation.
And the only reason I bothered to stick around was merely to ensure no troublesome grudges would hamper my glorious culinary journey ahead.
If they wanted to interfere, then I saw no reason to remain courteous.
Anyway.
Right now, I was simply walking to fulfill the minimal obligation to respond to her challenge.
After being ignored in her heartfelt love confession, she had sent an invitation to the forbidden territory known as the Garden of Eternal Snow.
Rather than let this overwhelming snub grow into an unreasonable wrath, I believed as a decent person, I should give her a proper response.
“So, you have arrived.”
Upon reaching the entrance of the Garden of Eternal Snow, one could see a looming wooden fence surrounding the area, indicating that this was not a place to tread lightly.
The interior was entirely obscured from view.
It was so quiet that if someone were to die there, no one would notice; an eerily somber atmosphere loomed.
At the entrance stood Gelwood, bowing his head in greeting.
It was peculiar that he was there instead of a guard, but it turned out well for me.
I approached him with a smile.
“The Duchess invited me to the Garden of Eternal Snow.”
“Yes. She is waiting for you.”
“However, what business could a mere withdrawer have with her to be summoned to such a sacred place?”
Gelwood let out a natural sigh and shook his head.
He too seemed somewhat frustrated with the heroine’s antics.
Just yesterday, he had been cheering me on with a warm smile.
Perhaps due to visible anxiety.
It is well known that excessive obsession tends to ruin things.
While one note could be overlooked, any further behavior had the potential to ruin the sacred festival of the Grand Duchal Betrothal.
Especially after she acted out during Kyle’s victory in the second evaluation.
If anyone but her had thrown the Winterfell crest onto the floor, they’d be locked away for a serious crime.
“Hmmm… I’m as confused as you are, my lord. I was simply ordered to guide you.”
“I see.”
“Then let us proceed.”
Gelwood stepped into the Garden’s entrance.
I merely stood behind with my hands clasped, lost in thought.
Soon, Gelwood turned back with a puzzled expression.
“…Aren’t you coming?”
Instead of answering, I simply delivered a faint smile.
As the reddish evening glow faded and the dim darkness drew near on this early night, within the Garden of Eternal Snow, a figure with a white fox mask stood—Lumia.
“Ha…”
A deep sigh slipped from her lips.
Yet, instead of calming her turmoil, her emotions only surged and spread like a wildfire meeting the wind.
Caught in her overwhelming feelings, she stormed into Elden’s annex.
“Y-Your Grace! Please, restrain yourself…!”
Ignoring Gelwood’s pleas, she marched right in.
She was infuriated beyond measure.
Despite swallowing her discomfort and managing to confess, Elden had clearly shown a ‘rejection’ while nonchalantly munching on fruit during his leisurely descent down the mountain.
‘How dare— to reject the Duchess’s confession!’
It had to be an irresistible temptation.
It should have been an assured conclusion.
Hence, Lumia had never entertained the possibility of failure in her plan.
However, this second failure only fueled her lingering grudge.
Lumia was furious.
Everything had spiraled because of Elden, and with each passing day, the conundrum felt more painstakingly tangled.
It was nauseating.
Once again, she felt foolish.
Shame coursed through her body.
Humiliation twisted her insides.
For Lumia, who had never failed to solve a problem, repeated failures felt like unbearable despair.
Her mind spiraled downwards, and her body began to fracture under pressure.
So much so that the woman known for never surrendering began to contemplate giving up.
Rational thought became scarce.
Her emotions overwhelmed her, and impulsive actions became her norm.
Eventually,
“Your Grace… I apologize for my presumptuousness, but your recent actions have been inappropriate.”
She received a reprimand from Gelwood, her father’s advisor.
He admonished her for throwing her family’s crest onto the ground, shattering both her family’s prestige and her promise to the victor.
No words came to her defense.
How could she even justify her actions?
They were indeed wrong.
However, she knew that should the same situation repeat, she wouldn’t act differently.
Just seeing Elden made her blood boil.
Her anger flared so vehemently that if she could turn back time, desperately, she would’ve run to him and slapped him relentlessly until comforted her seething rage.
‘That annoying, disgusting— infuriating—!’
*Stomp!*
Lumia slammed her foot down on the wooden bridge.
shhhh—thud-.
The snow piled on the railings cascaded down.
‘Could it be that the entire premise was flawed?’
An answerless hypothesis.
If the core premise was incorrect, where Elden’s drastic change wasn’t a lie, then what could she possibly do?
Could that be the truth?
No—!
It couldn’t be real—!
That’s unacceptable—!
*Stomp!*
Again, Lumina stomped her foot down savagely.
She utterly refused to even consider the possibility that she had been wrong from the start.
Because if that were the case, all her efforts would be in vain, disrupting every single future plan she had.
The young researcher fervently hoped her basis was accurate.
Or perhaps…
Did he discover her disguise?
If Elden truly realized that Lumia Winterfell and Erenscia Velroc were one and the same, he could’ve devised a counterplan for his exit.
It was a tenable theory, yet his demeanor seemed too relaxed.
There was no sense of urgency; he seemed to enjoy his time in the Grand Duchy. Hence, this prior theory felt increasingly improbable.
“For heaven’s sake…”
Overthinking the matter provided no solutions.
Consequently, the only option left was to confront him for the truth.
If need be, she would reveal her identity.
As the chilly air forced her breath into a white mist, it floated away.
That was when it happened.
*Crunch, crunch-.*
The sound of footsteps crunching in the snow echoed from behind her.
So, Lumia straightened herself, gathering her scattered thoughts.
That’s when she turned around.
“My Duchess.”
“……”
The sound felt somewhat off,
These footsteps belonged to but one person, not two.
It was a sound she had become all too familiar with.
“What? Why are you here alone?”
“Ah, that’s because…”
Only Gelwood stood within the Garden of Eternal Snow.
And as he approached, he cautiously extended a note toward her.
“Lord Elden delivered this at the entrance before leaving. Forgive me, your Grace; no matter how I pleaded with him, he insisted this was his utmost best.”
“His… Best… Effort?”
“Those were his words…”
Lumia accepted the note.
What could possibly be written in it to be regarded as ‘his best effort’?
Her ire rekindled.
Lumia tore the note open.
And as she read it.
[I am terribly sorry for responding with a note. I hope you can understand that this is the best I can do.]
…He’s sorry…Really?
[I heard you were waiting at the annex. I should have met with you, but my training took me longer than expected.]
Hah…
So, all along, he was just training…!
[Through the Advisor, I have received your feelings, Your Grace, and am grateful for the overwhelming support you extend to someone as undeserving as me.]
…He’s grateful?
Then why did he lose during the second evaluation?
[However, after reflecting on my past, I humbly relinquish the chance of a betrothal with you, my Duchess, who is beyond my standing.]
I know…!
I already GET that-!
But why surrender-!
[It’s time for me to change. Although I may have been a bit late, I plan to wander this Kingdom to rediscover myself.]
Pff-. Don’t make me laugh!
You think I don’t see through your hidden agenda?!
[Therefore, I, Elden Raphelion, through this letter, respectfully return your precious feelings.]
What….?
He’s…Officially declining me…?
[I appreciate your feelings, but I fear I cannot accept your love, Your Grace.]
W-What a moment…!
T-That confession was just a motivational push for you…!
It was not a serious confession!
Why would I even confess to someone like you…!
[I truly wish I could’ve conveyed this in person, but as you know, I have withdrawn from the contest and thus, do not wish to cause unnecessary trouble or misunderstandings with the other participants. Therefore, my only option was to convey this message with the aid of the advisor. Please forgive me.]
No!
When did you ever care about harming others?!
You’ve loved doing it!!
[So please, work hard to forget your feelings for me.]
Why you-!
There’s never been genuine feelings for you-!
[I fear that,]
Fear what…?
What on earth is he saying now…?
[That should it be known that a ‘predetermined candidate’ existed for the revered Grand Ducal Betrothal Contest, it could bring shame upon your family. I am certain that the Grand Duke wouldn’t wish for such a thing.]
A predetermined candidate?!
You can’t possibly be delusional over one confession note!
Like you could be the chosen one!
Such an assumption is utterly ludicrous!
You’re nothing!
[Thus, I hope you have a peaceful night.]
Shudder-!
[The Withdrawer, Elden Raphelion.]
Lumia’s hands clenching the note trembled violently.
This time,
Yet again, that snake known as Elden Raphelion slipped through her grasp.
Worse yet, the deceitful snake had the audacity to flick his tail at her while escaping.
And all Lumia could do was simply watch him go, filled with rage.
This refusal letter left no room for rebuttal.
The note was utterly honest—there was no loophole to exploit.
It’s simply that,
That’s not fair! Not fair! Not fair!
She couldn’t bear the thought that her fabricated confession was taken to heart.
Hadn’t he realized he nearly made her explode with frustration penning that note, picturing himself as the ‘man audacious enough to refuse a Duchess’ confession’?
Rustle-!
“Your Grace?!”
Lumia lifted her skirt’s hem as she dashed forward.
She had to correct his misunderstanding.
However,
“Elden—!”
Arriving at the Garden’s entrance,
she found no trace of Elden, not even a shadow.
“Haah! Haah!”
It was suffocating,
It was humiliating,
Lumia was overwhelmed by the sense of helplessness that had lingered since being toyed with by him. Both now and in the past, it was simply unbearable.
Initially, she had the upper hand.
When had the tables turned? Since when had she fallen prey to him?
Just,
Just where did things go wrong?
Why had the victim become ensnared by the abuser?
It was complete madness.
In the end, all Lumia could now do was,
Rip!
Riiiiip!
Tear the letter apart.
Rip it into shreds.
Just like she yearned to rip him apart.
So, proceeding, she tore the letter until it became nothing but dust.
“………Your Grace?”
Rip!
Riiip!
Simultaneously,
Elden returned to his annex with ease, gazing at the night sky.
Swoosh-!
Then, he spotted a shooting star streaking across the night.
“Ohhhh-! A shooting star-!!”
He quickly clasped his hands together and began to make a cheerful wish.
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