Regina Lena – To the Unforgiven - Chapter 53

Name of Emotion

Translated by Wook
Edited by Wook

 

“This portrait is…”

 

Rena, who was wary of the unexpected situation, said a review after much consideration.

 

“As expected, it’s impressive. The heavy cape seems to be suitable for warmth, and the bird sitting on the arm is neither a presbyterian nor a hunting falcon, so I don’t know its purpose, but it looks great anyway.”

 

Taken together, it means that Rena did her best to praise the character in the portrait.

 

The Southern Duke jutted to the secretary with an unsatisfied look to replace the portrait.

 

It was already the third time.

 

When Rena came, the Southern Duke brought out the portraits without a word. Then, he urged the evaluation with a very serious eye.

 

“What have we been doing since earlier?”

 

As the servants struggled to bring a new portrait, Rena impatiently asked.

 

“Are you going to draw a portrait of my lady?”

 

When Uni also asked curiously about it, the contemplative Southern Duke answered with a face of holding back a disgrace.

 

“They’re portraits of young masters who are at the age of marriage.”

 

“Oh my…”

 

The Southern Duke’s face hardened even more due to Uni’s unappreciative gesture. Nevertheless, he didn’t stop talking.

 

“Tell me if anyone suits your eyes. I’ll write you a courtship letter myself.”

 

“Courtship letter?”

 

When Rena asked as if she found it absurd, the Southern Duke, who had been holding back, finally revealed his true colors.

 

“Did I stutter? How many times have I told you to avoid him?!”

 

When the Southern Duke slammed the armrests in anger, Rena calmly covered her ears and Uni blatantly covered her ears.

 

When the Southern Duke, who had been mistreated by the girls, once again burst into anger, Uni chimed in.

 

“So you want my lady to end it with the Eastern Duke and choose one from those portraits and settle down?”

 

“Cough!”

 

When Uni pointed out the core, the Southern Duke coughed in vain.

 

In response to the confession, Rena sighed for a long time.

 

She couldn’t have imagined this. Of course, she knew that he would object, but she didn’t expect the duke who likes to save face to urge her to meet another man.

 

‘Does he hate it so much?’

 

Rena smiled bitterly as she looked at the Southern Duke gritting his teeth.

 

Of course she knew he would hate it this much. That’s why Rena stuck to the method of engagement.

 

Today, Rena intends to confess to the Southern Duke that she fell in love with Lynn. Of course, it’s fake. Of course, she needs to act like always, pretending to be relaxed.

 

Such a thing is not difficult at all, there’s no need to make a fuss out of it, so Rena was going to say it as calmly as usual.

 

‘But why…’

 

Is it uncomfortable?

 

Before Rena spoke, she asked herself.

 

In fact, she didn’t even know if ‘uncomfortable’ is the right expression. It just bothered her. This morning, she was carried by Lynn, but she did not wake up.

 

So Rena pretended to see the new portrait and reflected on her mind.

 

Rena decided to get engaged to Lynn. Of course, it was just a means. Means to help Lynn more easily.

 

On the day Lynn confessed all his weaknesses, Rena thought. She wants to help him. She wants to let people who misunderstand and slander him know what he is like.

 

Why did she think so?

 

Because Lynn is nice. Because she feels sorry for his situation.

 

‘Then this is compassion.’

 

Rena gave name to her own feelings and nodded quietly. It didn’t seem so wrong.

 

Compassion, yes. This is compassion. That’s why it was uncomfortable like gravel in shoes.

 

Rena smiled again, reassured by her own conclusion.

 

“I don’t think I need to look at the portrait anymore. We don’t need to meet or match right now.”

 

Then, the servants holding the portrait froze and looked at the Southern Duke, who eventually pointed to her forehead. Then he muttered in a voice full of dissatisfaction.

 

“There’s been a lot of rumors that you’re hanging out with him these days.”

 

“It is true.”

 

“Is that rich beast chasing you?”

 

“He doesn’t seem like he has a lot of money.”

 

Rena responded with a soft smile to the Southern Duke’s question. As Rena subtly sided with the Eastern Duke, the Southern Duke’s eyebrows narrowed.

 

However, Rena continued to pretend not to know.

 

“He’s a kind person. I received a lot of help.”

 

A lot of help. Even the Southern Duke knew that the Eastern Duke brought a cloak to Rena. So he just sighed at Rena’s affectionate whisper.

 

“So, are you going to keep getting close to him?”

 

“Is there any reason not to?”

 

“What do you think?!”

 

When the Southern Duke burst into anger, the secretary next to him helped.

 

“The Eastern Duke has been disrespectful to the South. If Sir gives your heart to such a person, the South will become a joke.”

 

“But, I’ve already promised him my future.”

 

Rena lied without batting a single eye, and the high purity of the lie made the Southern Duke’s eyes widened as if they were falling out.

 

“What nonsense is that? How long have you known each other?!”

 

“It was enough time to make up my mind.”

 

Rena smiled shyly as she said that, and the Southern Duke was at a loss of words at that sight.

 

So the secretary asked instead.

 

“Then what do you plan to do as a representative of the South?”

 

He thought that Rena might go to the East. So when he asked with anxiety, Rena replied back as if stating a fact.

 

“Fulfilling your responsibilities and being someone’s lover would be two different things.”

 

“That’s a relief, but don’t women usually put their lover’s work ahead of their own?”

 

“Well, if that’s the case, then maybe it’s because most men ask their lover to make sacrifices, right?”

 

Rena responded to the secretary’s words with a broad smile. She then added.

 

“Fortunately, my lover is not that selfish, so there will be no problem working as a representative of the South.”

 

Rena affirmed in a gentle voice. In reality, it was a declaration.

 

Everyone in this place knew that in front the Executioner, the Southern Duke was like a paper tiger.

 

If the Executioner decides, the Southern Duke permits. It was a rule that had already been kept tacitly from the time of the Silent War.

 

So, even if Rena acted as a representative of the Southern Duke and wanted to date the Eastern Duke, the South had nothing to say. Rather, they were in a position where they should be thankful that she kept her faithfulness without turning away.

 

However, the Southern Duke did not agree and frowned.

 

“Regardless of your role, why are you so rash?”

 

Then he pushed Rena with such a frustrated face, as if he was about to die.

 

“Have you not seen his ferocity? But you promised your future because of his outward appearance! Kind? Anyone can be kind for a while. Especially if they want to win your heart. Why do you not think so? What if he just wants to use you?!”

 

Starting with that, the Southern Duke swore at the Eastern Duke for a long time, cursed at young men for a long time, and told the story of a woman who suffered from being deceived by a man.

 

As the words got longer, the tone changed from warning to admonition and from admonition to nagging, which made Rena bewildered inwardly.

 

There was no will to keep Rena at the Southern Duke’s murmuring remarks. What was contained in it was just a plea not to mess around with a bad guy.

 

In front of him, Rena blinked for a moment, then she smiled helplessly.

 

No matter what, there was no one around Rena who was as affectionate as the Southern Duke.

 

She guessed that’s why she felt like that. That’s why she wanted to resolve the misunderstanding that Southern Duke had with Lynn.

 

Both are not bad people. One is kind, and the other is a very affectionate person.

 

Later, she thought it would be nice for the two to get along well after she left.

 

Rena thought so and cut off the ever-lasting talk of the Southern Duke.

 

“I know you are worried, but the Eastern Duke and I won’t betray you.”

 

“How can you be so sure of that?!”

 

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“Because then you’ll turn me into an enemy.”

 

The Southern Duke’s, who had been yelling, face became gentle for an instant.

 

 

“And Your Grace, the appearance of the Eastern Duke is not all of him. Just like how you look when you deal with the Eastern Duke is not all of you.”

 

At Rena’s subtle persuasion, the Southern Duke frowned again. He was determined not to fall for such a maxim.

 

So Rena smiled and added.

 

“So don’t worry about me going to the East, and why don’t you consider the Eastern Duke coming to the South?”

 

“What?”

 

“The Eastern Duke is more attentive than I thought. He wants to put his mind in many ways, and if Your Grace approves, I think I can work with the East on monitoring the rift.”

 

At Rena’s words, the Southern Duke’s expression became more terrifying.

 

“Did he say he would help us?”

 

When the Southern Duke muttered in disbelief, Rena responded lightly.

 

“Why not? You received his help before.”

 

Before, on the day the Tomb was opened, in the Doom Palace. Lignan Aetherner had personally saved the Southern Duke from being eaten by the dead.

 

The Southern Duke, who remembered the incident clearly, was speechless.

 

“The Eastern Duke is on our side.”

 

At Rena’s whisper, Southern Duke closed his mouth and took a deep breath.

 

His expression was straightforward. He was excited at the news that he could get the East’s cooperation.

 

Rena secretly smiled at the look of being angry but tempted.

 

The Southern Duke was funny, but she herself was funnier for saying things she didn’t mean.

 

That she promised a future, that she confirmed her heart, even more that they are lovers. All of them are blatant lies.

 

Because this heart is always compassionate. Her heart for him is just an affection that stems from compassion.

 

Rena, satisfied with her own conclusion, nodded alone.

 

***

 

At that time, a similar topic was starting in the East.

 

“I received a report that you came in early in the morning yesterday.”

 

“So what?”

 

However, the atmosphere was much more brutal than that of the South.

 

“Do I have to report to you too?”

 

“No, forgive me for being disrespectful.”

 

The reason was because of the Eastern Duke.

 

Eastern Duke Lignan Aetherner stayed out the night before.

 

Lynn himself felt quite embarrassed by the unexpected happening, so he used a knife for no reason at the secretary’s question.

 

Deca’s eyes became pitiful at the Eastern Duke’s harsh reply.

 

But Lynn couldn’t even see that face. Because his mind was all dizzy from what happened yesterday.

 

‘I didn’t know I’d fall asleep there.’

 

It was quite unexpected for him to fall asleep next to Rena.

 

Last night, Rena and Lynn sat side by side and looked out the window in the rain. He was going to leave when the rain stopped, but when will it stop? So they just talked like this.

 

Then the story of the East came out. It was not the eastern part of the empire, but the story of Lynn’s hometown, which is further east than that.

 

Rena said she had heard that the area was very beautiful, and she said she would like to visit it once she got the chance.

 

So Lynn told Rena about his hometown.

 

Endless mountains, clear valleys flowing through them, roofs overlapped with tiles and fish-shaped landscapes hanging from the eaves, bellflower flowers filled the yard…

 

But at some point, Rena’s answer stopped, and just as he wondered if he had been talking too much, Rena’s body leaned over and touched his shoulder.

 

Lynn was surprised by Rena’s body temperature and weight, but when he heard her calm breathing, his heart raced as if it would burst.

 

It was such a ridiculous time.

 

It was raining outside and it was dark. The person who slept next to him was so pretty and heartwarming.

 

Come to think of it, this was just what Lynn always wanted. Resting quietly while leaning on the shoulders with someone you like, like this.

 

So Lynn suddenly became curious. Of what Rena thinks of him.

 

Rena had always been kind to Lynn, but it was not yet known the reason behind it.

 

There were many things he wondered about. She always smiles saying he’s pretty, and even drying his hair by hand. It wasn’t something anyone would just do for another.

 

Of course, that feeling can be friendship or it can be closeness. At the same time, it may be a love feeling that Lynn had already warned severely.

 

‘If you ever feel love… Please tell me.’

 

Lynn once again cursed his past remarks. He didn’t know this would happen, and he brought it up too hastily.

 

In fact, Lynn liked Rena then, too. He just drew a line first because he had already had a shallow crush at that time and he shouldn’t develop  his mind anymore.

 

But he thought maybe it is possible because of what happened two days ago.

 

Rena was strong. She jumped even more brilliantly when Lynn ran rampant and she was strong enough to subdue him.

 

So maybe, maybe it’s okay if she likes me more?

 

‘Crazy.’

 

Lynn realized that Deca was still in front of him and shook his mind.

 

At that moment, Deca carefully opened his mouth.

 

“It’s a really shameful thing to say, but did you happen to meet the Southern Representative last night?”

 

“How did you know?”

 

“You seem to be close to each other recently, so I just guessed.”

 

In fact, Deca knew that Lynn was away every night. He originally thought it was because he likes to go for walks at night, but it was weird considering he only returned after a long time every time.

 

“Then, the Southern Representative…”

 

“I promised to get married.”

 

At Lynn’s unconcerned answer, Deca’s eyes widened. So Lynn added calmly.

 

“I don’t think anyone else is more fit to be the hostess of the East.”

 

“Ah… Yes. Please excuse my discourtesy.”

 

Deca was surprised, but agreed with Lynn’s words. At the same time, he was wondering. Lynn’s face was too cold to be the expression of a man in love.

 

Because of that, Deca became a little suspicious of whether it was a decision out of love or a political judgment.

 

In the meantime, Lynn continued to talk.

 

“Be prepared, as we are going to support the rift monitoring of the South.”

 

“When you say support…”

 

“Support the South until the North returns.”

 

It meant to compensate for the weaknesses of the South. Deca was confused again by the very careful command.

 

“All right. We will reorganize the monitoring team so that there will be no gap in the boundary. By the way…”

 

So Deca asked more suggestively with his eyes.

 

“When did you… with Rena Ruber— Please excuse my discourtesy.”

 

The Eastern Duke looked at his secretary with cold eyes, and Deca realized he had crossed the line and politely shut his mouth.

 

But for a moment, Deca said again, hiding his joy.

 

“In fact, I often saw her looking at Your Grace.”

 

‘Rena?’

 

Deca said that when they were in the same space, Rena sometimes looked at Lynn, and then when Lynn turned his head, she turned her head away as if pretending not to see him.

 

Lynn’s eyes widened at the unexpected words. However, Deca added, thinking that it was natural because they were lovers.

 

“I wondered why, but I think she’s already had a heart for you a long time ago.

 

Lynn swallowed with a dry throat, trying to keep his composure.

 

But his heart was already beating so hard that it hurt.

 

Lynn became even more curious. The name of Rena’s emotion for him.

 

 

 

The author’s words:

Frostbite dream;_;

[T/N: A metaphor meaning ‘acting together on the outside, but think differently on the inside’]