Chapter 33

Translated by alyalia

Edited by popcorn

Cersinia stared at him as he continued to speak. The distress in his eyes could be easily seen under his furrowed brow, as droplets of water fell from his hair that had just been washed.

'Heisn'tcrying, but why does the flowing water look like tears?'

Maybe it's because of hisanxiouseyes.

Three years ago, the day I disappeared without a word, a manworking for theGrand Duke came to see me.

Ben continued the story slowly, choosing his words carefully. He told her everything but left out the awful parts, not wanting her to worry. Whenever he talked about his old memories, it was difficult for him as his back throbbed the whole time as if remembering the pain. Still, he didn't show his uneasiness in front of Cersinia. She'll sympathize with him again if she finds out everything. Therefore, he kept everything to himself and carried the weight of his wounds and darkness.

after hearing about Ben's story, Cersinia was silent for a while.

So this was Ben's story. Three years ago, people fromtheGrandDuchydragged Ben away, so he couldn't give words to Cersinia. He said that he lived in the Grand Duchy for three years and received classto become a successor. His father, the Grand Duke, died, and Ben took over the position.

I should have found you sooner Everything is my fault.

Cersiniathoughtfor a moment.

'What was the cause of the Grand Duke's death?'

The novel explains that Ben killed his father and took the position. She really wondered if it was right, but she couldn't ask. However, sheaskedother questions.

Couldn't youat leastwrite a letter?

According to his words, he could not talk about the situationsincehe was dragged into the Grand Duchy. But whycouldn't he give a singlenews in the three years? No matter how he was locked up in the Grand Duchy, he should have been able to send at least one letter somehow.

Didn't you get a letter?

Atthatmoment, a cold voice resonated in the room. There was cold energycomingfrom his gloomy eyes.

What?

It's nothing. I'm sorry. It was my fault,I didn't properly explain it when I sawyou.

Cersinia didn'tgivehis attitudetoo much thought,which had briefly changed.

'I can't believe that Ben is really Alexdemikan Shorevarce'

She couldn't help but feel disappointed. She worked hard not to live like Cersinia in the original novel, but she met Ben,the personwho helped catch Cersinia in the original novel. Evenifshe was the one who treated and looked after Ben. Cersinia looked down at Ben's hand, which was still holdingherstightly. When he explained his situation, he had never let go ofherhand.

Okay. I get your situation. Then why did you come back to me? Cersinia's voice was a little sharp.

Ben was the intimate force of the crown prince, and he was aware of her power to some extent. She wants to believe that it is not like what she thought, maybe the crown princestarted a searchfor herearlierthan the originalstory? She had never committedsomethingevil, but he might try to get rid of her for the safety and prosperity of the Empire.

'Maybe Ben came to visit me at the command of the crown prince.'

A small doubt that couldn't be ignored,rosein her.

What do you mean

Did someone tell you to catch me?

Who would do that? It's definitely not like that.

Cersinia stared straight at Ben withcautiouseyes.

You better not try to hide anything from me,Ben. Then why did you come back to me?

Because we decided to be together.

What?

Three years ago, we promised to be together at the dock.

His hot eyes looked straight at her.

'Is it adjvu?'

Cersinia was stunned for a moment. Three years ago, on the day the cabin was burned, she couldn't forget the conversation they had at the dock. It's also the dream she had this morning. Ben asked her to be with him in the heavy rain. But why is the story coming out again?Italreadyhas beena long time ago.

What does that have to do with now?

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I've never forgotten it for a second. Never.

His eyes shone brilliantly. Cersinia closed her mouth without realizingthat it was open in the first place. He looked at Cersinia as if he would swallow her in one bite.

I want to be with you, Cersinia.

Hiccup.

Cersinia hiccupped in surprise. It was because Ben suddenlyhad such a sensual expression on his face. She was a little, no, very surprised byhisunexpectedwords.

Are you okay?

His hand stopped in mid-air asit was headingtowards Cersinia's back. He couldn't get closer to her because she would be more surprised by his touch. He didn't mean to startle her, but it looks like her hiccups wouldn't stop easily. Ben was worried about her and wanted to rub her back againuntil her hiccups stopped, but now he was satisfied with the hands he had laid on her.

Cersinia felt strange. She didn't know if it was because of deep eyes or his serious face that changed, but there was a subtle tremor in her chest. The feeling was similar to three years ago but a little different. Three years ago,it wasnot the boy who hid his slender arms and wanted to become a carpenter or the young boy who was shy and blushed,but a man with large handsand arms. When she recognized the fact, shebecamesomehow embarrassed and couldn't look him in the eyes.

Cersinia, it's too dangerous here.

At his serioustone, she tried to shake off her subtle feelings.

Why don't you go to the capital with me?

What?The capital? surprised by the unexpected words, Cersinia asked.

Didn't they try to harm Cersinia?

Chewing his lips andspeakinglow, Ben's thoughts wandered to what happened earlier. She was briefly lost in thought as she saw him with an unfamiliar expression.

'Can Ibe surethat he's really notgoing to bring me to the Crown Prince?'

Shedidn'tknow. Ben was the close friend of theCrownPrince in the original novel. It wasn't that she didn't trust Ben three years ago, but things were a little different now. The three years he explained were only rough stories, and there are too many gaps to fully understand what happened three years ago.

'Besides, the capital'

The capital was an alternative thatshehad never considered. The Crown Prince was in the capital, the female protagonisttoo. Cersinia never wanted to get involved with them, so shealwayslived far away from the capital.She made so much effort to havea life that is different from the original novel But Bensuddenlywanted her to go all the way into the fire pit? Cersinia shook her head. No matter how she considered it, she couldn't do that.

If you want to go, go alone. There's no reason for me to go with you.

She couldn't bring herself to trust him enough to go to the capital with all the risks there. She considered them to be back to the beginning when it came to trust each other since she lost all trust in him three years ago.

Then I'll live in this village, Ben immediately replied, perhaps expecting an answer.

What?

'What does that mean?'

Every time Ben said something he would catch her off guard, but this one took the awards for the most surprising. Cersinia was expecting him to try and lure her into going to the capital. However, her expectations were washed away as if she got hit by violent waves, because of the shock. If she remembers correctly the Grand Duke never left the capital.

'What happens to the story if he really lives in this village?'

As Cersinia hesitateddue toconfusion, he begged.

Please allow me to be with you, Cersinia.

Looking into hisyearningeyes, Cersinia clenched the hem of her dress.

'After all those years he comes back and says thatWhat should I do'

It's true that he didn't mean to disappear on her, without a word, like that but she waited for him for so long and he never came back. Yes, she was happy to see him safe and doing well but it didn't erase how hurt and the disappointment she felt.

Everything is my fault. I'm sorry.

Ben apologized with sullen eyes. His broad shoulders were bent helplessly, andhishandswhichwere holding Cersinia's hands trembled slightly.

Cersinia, his low and desperate voice rang in the quiet room.

I know too well that I'm shameless. But please don't disappear without saying anythingplease don't leave me Cersinia

He was tremblingso much as if she would disappear if he let go of her or even blinked.She knew thatif she refused, he would fall into a deep darkness thatcould neverbe recovered again. That's why Cersinia couldn't say anything. She couldn't ignore his feelings, and she couldn't turn a blind eye.She feltdizzyProbably because of howstrongthescentof thesoapreachedthe tip of her nose.But she quicklydismissedthe feeling.

She eventually turned her head away from him. Shecouldn'tgivehiman answer, but heseemedto bewaitingforone, soshe felt burdened by it. And sinceshe hasn't been able todecide onwhat she wants to do on her own yet, she just wanted to get out of this placeimmediately.