Estelle’s Love Confession.
Upon hearing it, I made my decision after much contemplation.
“..I’m sorry.”
“!…”
My words carried the meaning of rejection.
As a result, Estelle’s face stiffened, yet I had no choice but to say this at this moment.
After all, awkward excuses in this situation would only make things worse.
I could choose to buy time for Bohemia and the Heretic Alliance, but even if I managed to get through this for now, thinking of future events, the truth would eventually come out, and the storm that would arise after such problems would undoubtedly be greater than it is now.
Even if it meant delivering unpleasantness right now, it was far better to avoid the feelings of betrayal in the future.
Moreover, accepting Estelle’s feelings falsely for the sake of my own benefit was—truly—the absolute worst choice as a man.
Even if I didn’t love her, deceiving her with false affection for her genuine feelings was out of the question.
Especially considering how her affection felt pure yet strong at this moment…
Thus, my choice was made, not through awkward excuses or false love, but through a truthful confrontation.
“I appreciate your feelings for me, Estelle. However… I already have someone I love. Someone I can truly promise a future with.”
“…”
Estelle was at a loss for words in response.
Her expression clearly showed great shock, yet I concluded that I needed to be clear about my words and continued.
“Of course, Estelle, you are a good person, and I know you are more than worthy as a fiancée. But still, I cannot betray the promise I made to the woman I genuinely love.”
In this way, I conveyed my rejection harshly.
Yet… because of that, I could only deliver it in such a way that it would be very impactful.
And watching me like this, Estelle bent her head low and remained silent for a moment.
I couldn’t be sure whether the emotion within her was sadness or perhaps even anger at the resolute rejection I had shown.
Nonetheless, I recognized that I needed to prepare for whatever it was.
‘No matter what, I hope to take all the arrows myself… but things probably won’t go so smoothly.’
Just then, when I was contemplating the possibilities of her hurling insults at me, or perhaps throwing punches and kicks, or even politically threatening or attacking me,
“I think I finally understand… why Mr. Santana entered into a contract engagement with me,” Estelle said with a heavy voice, then slowly raised her head to look directly at my face.
However…
The emotions within her did not hold what I had anticipated…
Neither sadness nor anger.
Rather, what she displayed was clarity, as if everything had become plain.
And perhaps a hint of relief.
Seeing her attitude, questions automatically arose in me.
As if trying to answer, Estelle smiled faintly and spoke to me.
“I had a certain degree of suspicion. In fact… when you think about it, it was the most likely reason. The most definitive inconvenience that comes with marriage is something like this.”
Saying so, Estelle took a sip from her teacup set before her.
Watching her, I began to feel quite surprised, but simultaneously thought I needed to be even more cautious than before.
“So… who is this person? The one who possesses Mr. Santana’s heart so firmly…”
“…”
In response to Estelle’s words, I remained silent, not uttering a single reply.
At first glance, she seemed calm and collected without getting angry, which could have allowed me to breathe a sigh of relief.
However, I knew better.
The scariest kind of person in the world is one who can hold back their rage and respond coolly when they could be furious.
“Hmm… I suppose it’s difficult for you to answer? Then… let me take a guess.”
Estelle spoke in a calm tone.
Twisting the teaspoon in her hand slowly, she wore a charming yet somewhat eerie smile on her face.
“First of all, the partner is likely not of high status, just like myself. If she were a noble lady, you wouldn’t have needed to go through such a hassle to engage her. The fact that you couldn’t use such a method indicates that they must have a much lower status than a Count’s heir like you.”
“!….”
Estelle hit the nail on the head from the beginning.
However, given my position, I had no choice but to remain silent as I couldn’t refute her.
I well understood that strongly denying her comments would only affirm them.
Furthermore, as she continued speaking while observing my silence,
“Also, this person must have been with you since before you even met me… No, logically, they would have been around even before Mr. Santana returned to Bohemia.”
“Hmm…”
With every word she spoke, it seemed she was approaching the truth without a hint of wavering.
I could feel cold sweat beginning to trickle down my face.
Although I couldn’t be too hasty, I thought that perhaps there might be an unpleasant realization behind what she was saying—something I didn’t want to consider.
“Additionally… if the person could reject a confession like mine so sharply, then surely, they must possess extraordinary beauty. Furthermore, they are likely someone who understands your heart far better than anyone else.”
“Gulp…”
As those words slipped out, Estelle carefully set down the stirring teaspoon.
It was as if she was firing a bullet towards the answer in a single shot, and I found myself automatically swallowing dry saliva.
“For a low-status woman to fall for someone like Mr. Santana… Well, I didn’t think I was the only one who recognized his charm, but still, how unfortunate.”
Estelle spoke with a chillingly cold voice.
Hearing this, I sensed my barely held composure beginning to falter and instinctively spoke up.
“What do you mean… how unfortunate?”
“There’s no need to be so agitated. It doesn’t carry much importance.”
With those words, Estelle took another slow sip of tea.
Then, looking at me with a cold smile, she said,
“I was simply curious about who that woman is who has taken your heart from me. That girl who stole your love.”
“…”
With that, Estelle slowly rose from her seat.
As she did, she turned back to me one last time and added,
“If there’s a woman whom you promised to love first, it only makes sense to give her priority. After that, it will be my turn, but… I don’t particularly mind about that.”
“…”
Hearing her words, one might interpret it simply as her passively yielding.
However… seeing the emotions on her face with my own eyes, I realized.
She did not express it clearly, but… perhaps, after this, the possibility of something I did not want to think about occurring lay ahead.
*
After meeting Santana, as Estelle left the room.
Although she had been struggling to wear the mask of composure until just now, at this moment, emotions of jealousy were aflame within her.
‘To think I would allow myself to be treated this way by anyone other than myself… I had just maintained my suspicions up to this point, but I must take action now…’
Though she didn’t show it outwardly, that woman had planted herself firmly in Estelle’s mind.
As she envisioned the face of the woman who, according to circumstances, was highly likely to be the one Santana truly loved, Estelle began to struggle to suppress her feelings of rage.
‘I won’t let it be taken from me… Even if it’s a contract, I will undeniably be his fiancée, his primary wife. That girl can sit in the lower ranks and be content with that, Polena!’
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