Larittes life had been so distressing because of Rose.

And Rose had always smiled over it.

As a perpetrator, she had no reason to sympathize with Larittes pain.

And now, Rose was in no position to feel Larittes situation.

Although she was responsible for her own mistakes, and Laritte had to endure pain without committing any sin.

If you can understand how hard it was for me, that will be enough. At least, for now.

When Laritte got the wound in her shoulder at Roses command, she thought it would last forever.

But Ian appeared and fixed her shoulder like a childs fairy tale.

Now, the wound on her left arm had been far forgotten.

The same was true for the wounds she had received over the past 10 years.

She expected them to never heal.

But that was also getting better little by little because of the warm-hearted people of the Duchy.

It was like magic.

A magic so wonderful and full of kindness that would force Laritte to break into tears. That could never be found anywhere else by her.

Even the scar of a decade-old pain-inflicted heart would disappear someday.

Laritte would be all right.

She had now stood up against the sorrow of those past years.

The faith in her helped to take her eyes off Rose.

She turned her back to Rose, who was lying on her stomach.

She was going to end the conversation. But,

Where are you going?

Rose shrieked at Larittes back as she took a step forward.

Where Where are you going?!

The snowy skin of Larittes back was imposing, covered with glittering ornaments and frills.

Rose was full of despair.

Laritte turned her head to cast her eyes at Rose again.

Rose kept shouting.

I will curse you even if my life gets taken away by God! You may be happy right now, but you will end up being abandoned

Roses fingertips grazed the floor with each word she let out as if they represented her feelings.

Those words thumped on Larittes eardrums.

Laritte! You will suffer more than me and die of the most terrible disease. I will pray for it to happen every single day!

..The prayers made by humans have always been fruitless.

Laritte sighed.

It wasnt that Laritte never prayed.

I also have prayed to Heaven every day. For as long as ten years.

Please, if there is any God up there, dont let pain cloud my life anymore.

For Rose to disappear when I wake up in the morning. Or the Count, the Countess.

How dare you!

But look at how far my prayer has gone. God is not interested in listening to humans.

Even if Rose had cursed her, she would be safe.

Laritte had experienced it before.

Ian approached Laritte.

Have you said everything you wanted to say?

Maybe.. Actually, I cant tell. I never thought this would happen.

Im sorry that Miss Brumayer has such a self-indulgent personality.

Ian thought Rose would protect her dignity being the daughter of the Count as he had an eye for them, but it was way too much that he expected. She had gone so low.

Laritte placed her hand over her swollen cheek.

Is my face okay? The makeup was done by a precious person like Nicholas, but I ruined it.

She was the one who got hit, but she was worried about the creativity of the person who did her makeup.

Thats Laritte for you. Ian thought inwardly.

Dont worry. No matter how much itll cost, I will call him back for you.

And in Ians eyes, Laritte was still a beauty.

That was, in fact, the truth.

At that time, Rose raised another blow in rage.

Hey, you! Youre gonna be looking like a beggar for the rest of your life!

Laritte blinked calmly.

Isnt that a lie?

What?

Ian said it when I was in bed the other morning. He said I was pretty.

Ian got startled at her words.

Ahem! Ahem!

He covered his mouth as it became difficult to control his expression.

More than that, other people might misunderstand by the way she said

.Bed?

Rose looked devastated.

They have shared a bed!

Of course, Laritte and Ian had a neat relationship where they could kiss and talk.

Thats what I was hoping for, thats what I wanted.

The thought of what the two of them did raised her anger and made her stomach churned in a nasty manner.

It was now her complete defeat.

But Laritte was oblivious to what was wrong with Rose.

Why would Ian talk to Laritte in bed? They didnt share a room!

Ian leaned in to tell Laritte what she had said.

But seeing her pure innocent eyes close, he couldnt say a word.

How was he supposed to say that?

Rose was now thinking he and Laritte had slept together. That was the usual kind of meaning behind such words.

So, like this?

Something tickled deep in his throat.

Laritte said to Rose with a shrug.

You know, Im trying. If someone finds fault with my face, Im going to stop.. worrying alone.

.

So I ask you to stop it, too. Do not worry about my face anymore.

Larittes eyes made contact with Ians.

The two did not say a word, but shared the message to leave.

Was this an obvious way of conversation between a couple?

Well then, goodbye. Take care.

Laritte made her way out of the hall, bidding goodbye to the collapsed form of Rose.

The crowd of aristocrats standing far away chatted, curious about the conversation.

What did they talk about?

If youre curious, ask Miss Rose whos left there alone.

The nobles lied very gracefully.

No one got near to Rose.

What a joke, haha. Just talking to her will make us diminish ourselves.

Flushed, Rose ran away through another escape route.

The night was still long.

***

Ian and Laritte walked out, leaving behind the lights of the splendid mansion.

It was cold and dark under the night sky.

The Dukes servant was standing before the bonfire with the servants and maids of the other family.

Ah, My Lord, My Lady!

Regardless of his loose soles, he ran to Ian and Laritte.

Forgive me. I will be right back with the carriage.

Ian shook his head.

Theres nothing to apologize for. Weve decided to leave the banquet a bit earlier. You may take your time.

Taking off his jacket, he placed it over Larittes shoulders.

He also did not forget to carefully close the front to prevent the cold breeze from getting to her.

Even with the trees waving their arms and making a dreary sound, she didnt feel cold thanks to Ian.

How is the place she hit? It seems better than before.

Ian said, placing his palm against her cheek.

Fortunately, the swell had now sunk due to the cold air.

Larittes heart made a jump.

Is it okay now?

Laritte changed the topic.

Are we going back to the Duchy now?

Todays goal was to attend their first banquet as the Ducal couple.

Now that it had been achieved after so long,

All thats needed was to return back home.

Im sorry, but we need to make a simple stop nearby. I could have sent you back first, but I didnt want to.

Ian laughed in a mischievous manner.

I changed it, thinking that we should take a walk after finishing other business. We have more time than expected.

He joked, but Laritte got serious.

Im not good at entertaining anyone. Youd better go out alone.

Ian wanted to shake his head and say that he was serious about it with his chin up.

Being together was enough.

It wont be boring. I want to talk to you as my friend. Were just going to look at the night view from a higher place.

Ill try if I can to talk to you.

Clenching her fist, she determinedly muttered.

She thought about what he would talk about with her.

Amused, Ian shook his head.

Its important to have an outing and chat.

Normally, Laritte would always say that, but strangely, he felt heartbroken.

He was quite happy about the idea of hanging out with her. Wasnt she as well?

The sound of horses hooves hitting the gravel neared their location.

The servant dragged the carriage in the dark.

Youll soon feel warm inside, My Lord, My Lady.

As Ian helped Laritte step inside, she was eager to select a topic to talk about.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep