It really hurts

Two days before the debutante banquet, Mariette decided to ask for a room in the Palace.

"This is a map of where the guards will be stationed for the debutante banquet. Everyone will be ready at their posts starting tomorrow."

"We didn't get any threatening letters or anything, did we?"

"No, My Lady. So far, all is safe. I will tell you right away if there is such a letter. How about the news from outside?"

"There has been no news or gossip about Princess Louisa so far. There won't be any crazy women who want to attack her."

Because it was approaching the D-day of the debutante banquet, the gossip that was circulating was gossip about Mariette's closeness to Anatole. Mariette was sure that this Imperial Knight in front of her had heard the rumors.

"Erm. Then… are you sure that Princess Louisa doesn't need any more guardians?"

"No. His Majesty the King and Prince Louie have decided that Sir Elroy and Sir Ferdinand have had enough."

Mariette could see the disgusted streaks of the Imperial Knight in front of her. It seemed that Elroy and Ferdinand were really hated by the Imperial Knight.

Poor them. After all, Sir Elroy will be dancing with Princess Louisa later, thought Mariette.

The work for that day finished later than the previous few days. Suddenly, the sky was already dark. Mariette also realized that she had not had dinner yet. Linda must have been waiting for him in the room by now.

And tomorrow the same activity will continue again. Mariette had to get ready to go back to work in just a few more hours. Every day it continues like this.

Mariette suddenly stopped when she was suddenly ambushed by Elroy. The man standing in front of her, blocked Mariette's path suddenly.

There is no way out. Mariette thought she would be able to keep avoiding Elroy while she was working this late.

"Why have you been avoiding me lately?" shot Elroy matter-of-factly. His expression looks sad.

"I'm busy," Mariette said easily.

Elroy scowled at that. "That has nothing to do with it. Every time you see me, you immediately turn around."

Turns out he did, thought Mariette.

Now how was Mariette supposed to tell Elroy? "You will die if you love me"?

Ah, Mariette knew what to say better.

"If I said I was going to marry Sir Anatole, would you believe me?" said Mariette then.

Sure enough, Elroy was shocked to hear that. "Si-Sir Anatole also said something similar a while ago," he said in disbelief. "Is it true?"

"If that's true, will you try to forget me?"

For some reason, Elroy looked determined. He seemed sure of what he was going to say. "Let me say my reply to Sir Anatole that time. I will still love you. Even if I can do nothing, I will still love you. That alone is enough."

"You… will still love someone who is married?" asked Mariette in disbelief.

"I promise I won't interfere with your future wedding, My Lady. My feelings are my own business."

After a long time, Mariette finally felt dizzy at someone's stubbornness. "Stop it, Sir Elroy. Why are you so sure about your feelings?"

"And why does everyone want to interfere with my feelings for you?" replied Elroy. "Viscountess Mariette, I have been thinking about this ever since Sir Anatole spoke to me a while ago. Do my feelings for you affect the curse you have?"

Mariette fell silent. No wonder Elroy get a perfect score in the knight exam. He was quick to draw conclusions.

"How far have you come in translating the book Sir Anatole brought?" she asked.

"Don't tell me you're going to say something like 'you won't love me anymore when you know the truth'. Sir Anatole told me that," grumbled Elroy.

This man is really stubborn. "My curse... it's not that simple, Sir Elroy."

"You said you would accept my love. You said I don't burden and bother you with my feelings. Has that all… changed now?"

"Yes. And trust me, it's for your own good."

"Sir Anatole said so too." Elroy approached Mariette. "If he can die for you, why not me?"

Because Elroy's life is precious. Because Elroy was too dear to die. Because Elroy is the sun to his family.

Because Mariette didn't want someone like Elroy to die just because he loved her.

"Viscountess Mariette?"

Mariette gasped in surprise. Suddenly he found Elroy wiping his face. The man looks worried.

Mariette was crying. First time since 17 years ago.

"A-are you okay?" Elroy asked frantically. "Eh, you shouldn't feel—"

"I'm sorry, Sir Elroy," Mariette interrupted firmly. She wiped away the tears that were still flowing for no reason. "Leave and forget your feelings for me. I beg you. Do that if you really love me."

Elroy's hurt expression somehow made Mariette feel a twinge in her chest. His movements to calm Mariette stopped. He must have been shocked and offended by Mariette's words just now.

So without another word, Elroy slowly left Mariette. His figure walked away silently, leaving no smile or a warm goodbye. Elroy's figure also did not turn to Mariette at all.

"Turn around... Please..."

But Elroy's figure then disappeared completely around one corner.

Mariette looked down, then fell to her knees. Her tears were still flowing profusely.

Mariette pondered for a long time and felt her tears. Then he realized that this was a broken heart.

And, it really hurts.