It’s not your fault

It seemed that Mariette had seen this scene before.

A wide grassy cliff. The sun is right at the cliff's edge and the sound of the waves is just as familiar.

"Mariette!"

A woman with a cheerful face waved her hand. Shortly after that, a man and a small child followed the woman. The three of them laughed together then.

"Careful, Mariette! You could fall if you run like that."

"Just leave it. Mariette can run as much as she wants here as long as she doesn't go near the cliff's edge."

"Hmmm, you are very relaxed, Malvia."

"Of course. Our child should also feel pleasure and pain when she plays, Gardet."

Oh. No wonder Mariette felt familiar. This is the cliff where she played as a child. The place Mariette and her parents used to go for vacations when her father was away from work.

Memories a dozen years ago that Mariette had almost forgotten. She didn't even remember ever laughing like that. Ah, maybe there was also a time when she cried because she fell.

Then there were the faces of her parents. They both look very happy together. As Mariette recalled, her parents never fought. They are both the types who are blessed with a smile as warm as the morning sun. They always smile even when they are crying.

Even at the last moment, they were still smiling at Mariette.

"I won't be like that. So you don't have to worry."

Mariette's mouth opened, about to say something to Elroy's shadow that had appeared out of nowhere. There was also a figure resembling Mariette that had its back to it.

"We will not lose to such annoying curses, Mariette. Even if we do, we will die together," continued Elroy. "We will continue to be together. So let's continue this journey!"

Mariette knew what would happen after this.

"Wait!" Mariette caught up to the shadowy figures of Elroy and herself holding hands. They both started running together. "Don't run! Don't jump!"

Mariette barely managed to grab Elroy's figure. But again, she was too late.

Elroy and herself fell into the abyss.

***

"Mariette!"

Mariette immediately opened her eyes. Her vision was a little blurry—like being blocked by water.

Oh. Mariette was crying in her sleep.

"Wait, I'll get some water. Drink it."

Beside her, Anatole swiftly helped her drink. He looked even worse than when he was punished in the Palace dungeon.

"Is there something you are complaining about? I'll call Linda," said Anatole.

Anatole was about to leave when Mariette took his hand. "No need," said Mariette quietly. "Later."

"Later-"

"I want... to be like this."

Anatole looked at him doubtfully. "Okay."

Mariette needed a moment of silence to process everything. Starting from the audience that Elroy asked for to the contents of the audience. Then, don't forget the moments when Mariette threw herself as a shield for Elroy from King Vallotton's sword.

How long have I been unconscious? Mariette thought. It must have been more than two days. Louie and Louisa would have heard about it if it had been that long. Geez, the twins might even know the whole truth already. How is the Palace now? Mariette's work must have piled up. Well, that is if Emmanuele hasn't already taken over everything.

Ah, Mariette doesn't need to think about all that now. This time she was sure she had to get out of the Palace.

"What are you thinking to be like that, Mariette?" he asked. His forefinger touched Mariette's wrinkled forehead. "Don't think about anything just yet. You haven't recovered yet."

"How long have I been unconscious?" Mariette then asked.

"This is the sixth day," answered Anatole. "Actually, you had time to open your eyes for the past two days. But you immediately fell back asleep after muttering something. The healer said it was natural–you were conscious and not."

Mariette watched Anatole more closely. "How long… have you been here?"

Messy clothes, sleep-deprived eyes, a face that needed to be shaved, even Anatole looked thinner. Is it possible that in just 6 days a person's appearance can change this drastically?

Her expression changed too, Mariette thought. For some reason, she still remembered that Anatole always looked angry in front of her a few weeks ago. Now he just looked sad.

"Since your first day here," Anatole muttered. "I… want to apologize for my attitude toward you. I mistreated you and have forced myself several times."

"At that time ... what are you thinking?"

Anatole tried to smile at Mariette. "I am jealous. But that's not love. What I felt for you all this time was probably an obsession," he admits. "And after remembering how Aunt Odette behaved... I'm afraid the same thing will happen again."

"Sorry if I made you act like that."

"No, it's not your fault. I'd only be aware if it weren't for Sir Elroy."

"Sir Elroy?"

"Maybe I don't accept it when someone can actually solve this problem, even though my father and I have tried our best. What's more, you openly gave him a chance. Meanwhile, every time I offer help… you always ignore it."

"I'm not ignoring your and Duke Valent's efforts," said Mariette. "It's just that I thought… I couldn't burden you anymore. You and Duke Valent have been blaming yourselves for this curse, right?"

Anatole seemed surprised to hear these words. He hurriedly lowered his head then. Yet, even for an instant, Mariette could see the glint of Anatole's tears.

"I'm sure everyone has told you before: it's not your fault, Anatole." Mariette took Anatole's hand and held it weakly. "My destiny is just like this. But I wouldn't mind receiving help from you—as long as you don't push yourself."

Slowly Anatole looked up. He looked at Mariette with various expressions. "Thank you," he said earnestly.

Anatole took Mariette's hand in return.

All this time Anatole's touch had been cold. There are times when it also feels rough and heavy. But this time, for the first time, Anatole's touch could reach Mariette's mortal feelings.

Anatole's touch this time was warm and soft.