MPGF 13

Chapter 13: The Beauty is Tormented

A common brown-haired man dressed neatly in a three-piece suit. His gentle-looking impression made him seem far from the world of romance — that was Youngsik.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Annette Leangebery.”

After the polite and brief greeting, he immediately handed me a bouquet of flowers as if he had been waiting for this moment.

The fragrant scent of the flowers tickled my nose.

“I heard you usually like flowers. It might be overwhelming since this is the first time, but please accept this small token of my sincerity.”

Pink celosia.

It was my favorite flower. Whenever I saw celosia blooming on the Academy grounds, I often thought of the days I played with Lian. I suddenly recalled those memories and found myself smiling faintly without realizing it.

“They’re beautiful. And fragrant.”

“That’s a relief. I was worried all night you might dislike them.”

Edward Youngsik smiled more brightly than I did. His pure demeanor made me feel a bit sorry. Although he was pushed into this by his father’s pressure, the chances of us becoming close were slim.

“Worried all night, huh?”

“Really. I just wanted you to be happy…”

He blushed shyly, clearly pleased with me.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his skin looked dry — signs that he had prepared thoroughly for our first meeting. I felt a little sorry about that.

“Edward Youngsik, if you’re tired, shall we reschedule? I’m fine either way.”

Originally, I planned to slip out early and go meet the Duke. I felt sorry but hoped he would leave quickly.

“No! I’m not tired at all. Please, let’s go this way.”

But Edward’s eyes widened in panic. His innocent face was filled with urgency. I reluctantly licked my lips.

“Then let’s depart quickly.”

Edward dutifully escorted me.

I saw him pinching his thigh throughout the carriage ride to keep himself awake, but I pretended not to notice. After all, this date wouldn’t last long.

Finally, we arrived at our destination.

I squinted at the warm sunlight briefly, but the refreshing breeze and the expansive view filled my vision.

“This is Lake Aora.”

It was the lake where the fairies, who reminded me of the Duke’s eyes, were said to live.

“Do you think he’s received the letter by now?”

My worries about the marriage to Hertian deepened again.

I was most concerned that he might be upset by my father’s letter and refuse to marry me.

“Miss, come this way! The lake is a spectacular sight.”

Meanwhile, Edward was simply excited.

“Let’s go. Let’s go.”

I trudged forward.

“Be careful not to hurt your feet; come slowly.”

We walked along the lakeside path.

Thankfully, I wore a wide-brimmed hat, which shielded me from Edward’s burning gaze.

“But… how long are we walking?”

How many minutes had it been?

It felt like a waste of time. Edward finally pulled out his pocket watch, checked the time, and seemed to calculate something carefully.

“Thirty minutes of walking done… then next, let’s go for a boat ride!”

So you had it all planned?

He looked proud with a big smile, but I needed to leave soon.

Seeing how pleased he was, I thought he’d be very disappointed if I ruined his plan, which wouldn’t be polite.

So I decided to spoil it in advance.

“I have to go to class soon, so I can’t stay long.”

“The Count said you could rest today.”

“My schedule changed just before coming out, and I’m not feeling well.”

I quickly cut him off before he could argue.

“I understand… It’s really, really unfortunate, but we can continue the rest next time.”

“If there’s a next time.”

I wasn’t sure there would be.

Seeing his deep disappointment, I agreed to join the boat ride — the least I could do for my father who arranged this.

But just as we were almost at the dock, Edward suddenly confessed.

“Actually, I confessed to you back at the Academy but got rejected.”

Suddenly?

My footsteps halted.

“Do you remember?”

“To me? I don’t.”

I stared hard, but this man was a stranger today.

Edward blushed and bit his lip tightly. His flushed face looked like proof he liked me.

“I thought you wouldn’t remember. But it’s okay, because we met again like this.”

“Ha ha, I’m not very bright.”

I awkwardly smiled out of embarrassment.

But this would probably be our last meeting.

“At that time, I was too immature. Maybe it was better to get rejected back then.”

Edward tried to look cool, staring sideways.

“Now I finally get to look you in the eye.”

“…”

A stiff line.

Clearly a prepared line.

“Yes. Since we’re about the same height, I can see your eyes clearly from the front.”

I avoided his gaze and changed the subject.

“Youngsik, I’m going to wash my hands before the boat ride. I’ll leave the flowers here too.”

“Please go ahead.”

He responded with a smiling eye gesture as I turned around. I set down the bulky bouquet, washed my hands, and then watched Edward with my eyes.

He stood under a tree’s shade some distance away.

But next to him was someone standing with crossed arms, talking seriously. As I stepped a few paces closer, the tall man’s face came out of the shadow.

Seeing his face made my heart drop.

“How did you know I’d be here…”

Serdis. He hadn’t been seen since the banquet, yet here he was, with Edward — who was on a date with me.

“I expected you’d try to interfere, but I didn’t think you’d show up personally.”

I shuddered with annoyance. I quickly changed direction, heading away from the carriage side toward the opposite side of the lake. Since Serdis knew I was here, the carriage wasn’t safe either.

After circling the lake to avoid Serdis, I was back near the dock. I tapped my stiff legs and looked back.

I nearly fell over in surprise when I saw Serdis again. I started to reasonably suspect he had cast some tracking magic on me.

“Just ten minutes. I’ll get on the boat and get off quickly!”

I reluctantly boarded the moored boat. The elderly man managing the boat hurried over with a startled face. I motioned him to stay back.

“Don’t come near! I’ll get off soon. Sorry, but if anyone asks about me, please say I went another way. Please.”

As I finished speaking, Serdis entered the dock. I pressed my body down tightly, holding my breath. The horse sounds faded.

Had Serdis left? I peeked at the dock — he was gone, probably looking elsewhere. I was about to get up to leave when—

“Oh?”

The boat started moving.

At a rapid speed.

I tried to stand, but the boat rocked violently, and I froze.

Only then did I realize the secret of the unmanned boat — it was enchanted to depart automatically once someone boarded and time passed.

The old man ran over hurriedly but only held his forehead, shaking his head.

“There’s no way to return…”

That meant I had to ride alone until the opposite dock.

Lake Aora was a vast lake where fairies lived. I was left all alone on the vast, barren shore. The lake’s grandeur before my eyes made me short of breath.

“Wait, haven’t I drowned once before?”

The sudden memory made me choke. Cold sweat streamed down my stiff spine. My heart pounded violently as if trying to burst from my chest.

“Calm down… calm down, Annette.”

I shook my head and sat down slowly.

‘And since it’s a lake, it’s not that deep.’

I glanced sideways at the clear lake water, which was transparent enough to see the bottom.

No monsters, just fairies!

Tears or sweat endlessly streamed and stung my eyes.

Lake Aora wasn’t an ordinary lake on a barren plain.

Along the winding lake path was a thicket of thorn bushes. It might be a spectacular sight to some, but to me, it was maddening.

“Hello!”

I called out pitifully, but the thorn bushes blocked the view and the old man was nowhere to be seen. There was no one else around.

“Is… is anyone here?”

Anyone?

My voice echoed through the lakeside forest.

Why echo like this?!

What is this, a jungle?

No good.

“Just… stay still…”

I closed my eyes completely.

It felt better for my sanity.

Being abandoned in nature alone is truly terrifying.

The feeling of being the only one left in the world.

I carefully folded my knees and buried my face. Darkness surrounded my vision.

The chirping birds in the trees and the strange noises from under the lake—I blocked my ears to not hear them.

If only time could flow as if it had stopped.

But suddenly, my knees felt wet. When I looked up, my dress was covered in bright red blood. Then, a drip of nosebleed fell.

“Help me…”

I nearly screamed. My weak body! Not once has it been helpful. Overcome with sorrow, I cried until my vision blurred.

When my fear nearly made me faint, the boat jolted sharply. Startled, I struggled, and someone grabbed my arm.

“Ugh.”

I opened my eyes wide in surprise. Fresh air rushed into my faint breath. And beneath the lake and trees, I finally saw a person.

“Are you alright?”

A man’s worried voice sounded. My blurred vision, soaked in sweat and tears, barely made out the silhouette calling me. His dark hair told me it wasn’t Serdis.

“Edward Youngsik?”

My cracked voice scraped my throat.

“Why are you in this state…?”

His voice was also hoarse, almost as much as mine. But now, that didn’t matter. I held his hand, stained with blood, and pleaded earnestly.

“Um, sorry, but please help me. I have to get out of here and go to the square.”

I have to meet Hertian. I must meet him.

“Where are you planning to go like this?”

“There’s someone I have to meet…”

I couldn’t finish my sentence.

The tension broke, and I lost consciousness.