Lady Shirley

"I'm just glad you are awake now."

Louie then smiled, but it wasn't a happy one. But with guilt and sadness. 

Ashley noticed it, "Are you sure? Because you are smiling, but your eyes are not showing it."

"Y-your Grace," Gilbert uttered in shock.

Her words took Louie aback for a while, and then proceeded to laugh bitterly, "To think my face would betray me."

Louie then hid his face as he looked down at his desk and spoke again, "For the past few days, I've contemplated revisiting you. But I'm always overcome by my guilt and cowardness that I couldn't face you anymore. I wanted to apologize, but I know that, even if I do it until I die, it won't make any difference, and he will never return."

Ashley walked towards him as Louie added, "It was my fault that he…Evan.."

Louie felt her gentle hands on his shoulder, making him look at Ashley. Upon seeing her calm face, he couldn't help but cry.

"I'm sorry, Ashley. I'm sorry."