The Male Lead Knelt Before Me - Chapter 134

Chapter 134

Translator: Missme
Editor: Missme

“You feel happy……? Don’t you think I’m gross? Or thinking that I am a bad person?”

“What makes you think that?”

“It’s because this is not my body.”

“It’s now yours.”

That is exactly what he said, and even when I thought about it, that is the truth!

Obviously, there was a perception that this body was Elena’s, not mine, so I frequently felt uncomfortable and awkward.

A few months later, however, I began to believe that this is my body without that kind of thought.

And yet, to bring this up again.

“There are certain things that will never be mine, such as the past and the Archduke and Archduchess.”

I poured all of my strength into my hand.

“Furthermore, I lied to both His Highness the Archduke and Her Highness the Archduchess. Only because I didn’t want to do anything nice for Lady Vessel.”

“……”

“Since I don’t intend to tell them in the future, I will have to continue pretending to be their daughter. This is how selfish I am…… ”

Don’t you think I’m gross?

“Elena, everyone is selfish.”

I couldn’t finish my sentence.

Because of Caleb’s unexpected words.

“Even if there are differences in degree, everyone wants to make a choice for themselves. It’s also the case for me.”

“What are you……”

“Because you are the only person who is important to me. So I’m just pleased with your decision and that you’re telling me this story.”

Caleb smiled at me, while I blinked blankly.

“I feel like you’re saying that I’m the only person you can trust in this world.”

It was a genuine, happy-looking smile.

Seeing that smile made me feel stupid.

That’s the type of person he is, but I was……

Why had I spent so much time avoiding and concealing the truth?

I averted my gaze because I was apologetic for some reason, and I saw white snow falling from the sky.

I’m not sure when the white snowflakes began to fall, but they flew slowly and lightly before landing one by one on the ground.

“Elena.”

I looked at Caleb with a slight movement of my eyes.

His black eyes, hidden behind eyelashes resembling snowflakes falling from above, were only staring at me, full of affection.

“I don’t care how you look. I fell in love with you because only you made it possible.”

Like the snow piled up, Caleb’s words piled up in my heart.

“Even if I had a different appearance?”

“Yes. I’m sure that would be true even if you had a different appearance.”

Caleb’s response was as firm as it could be.

Caleb’s hand, which had slowly stretched out, swept the back of my left hand gently.

“I’m curious about the life you’ve lived. I want to know who you are, even with my limited understanding.”

He, who was touching me as if it were tickling, grabbed the tip of my hand slightly and put it back. His thick, straight fingers were intertwined with mine.

“If you don’t mind.”

My hand was led up when Caleb raised his hand slightly. He inquired, holding my hand in that way.

“Would you mind telling me about your life before you became who you are now?”

I couldn’t give him an immediate answer. It wasn’t for lack of wanting to tell you.

I had to swallow the tears that had welled up in my eyes. It’s difficult for me to breathe because my heart is so overflowing.

I laughed as I suppressed my feelings.

“……sure.”

My voice was shaking, but it didn’t matter.

Because this moment was incredibly emotional.

⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻

Caleb lay sideways, his face on his hand, looking straight at Elena.

She was sound asleep, making it difficult to believe she had been talking so actively just moments before.

Caleb pondered Elena’s story as he brushed her hair over her fine forehead and covered her face.

It was a complicated story.

Started with the talk in the snowy backyard, then came inside and talked again in front of the fireplace, washed up, and talked some more while lying in bed.

It would be a lie if he said he wasn’t perplexed after hearing the story.

Because those were the stories that were hard to believe.

Caleb, on the other hand, could believe it.

Despite the fact that those were Elena’s stories which he couldn’t help but believe her.

Because he couldn’t find the slightest embellishment in the way she hesitated before confessing to him, or the way she spoke about her previous life with twinkling eyes.

In the end, it was because of his previous doubts that he truly believed Elena’s words.

Take, for example, Elena’s reaction when he confessed.

“Because you like Lady Vessel, Duke? So I’m a little perplexed to hear you like me……”

And what Edmund previously stated.

“……I heard Lady Oreu never took a swordsmanship lesson.”

Ironically, the questions were explained and understood through the incredible story that Elena told him.

Caleb had no choice but to believe in the truth that fit together like a puzzle.

Caleb remained motionless, his hand resting near Elena’s eyes.

Elena’s long eyelashes were touched by his finger. His lips automatically curled into a smile.

Elena was so lovely that just looking at her made him smile like this, making him look like a weirdo.

Today, such a lovely person confided in him all her secrets.

As if she trusted him.

Caleb was overjoyed by the fact. It was also insanely satisfying.

The fact that he now completely understands Elena.

Only he understands this woman.

⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻

Vivian’s public trial date was moved up earlier than expected. It was only four days after I met her……

It was the speed with which I sensed the imperial family wanted to deal with this problem quickly.

‘Well, they don’t have much of a choice.’

Since she was caught on the spot trying to kill me on the imperial hunting ground.

Aside from that, I believe the existence of the Archduke couple played a role.

This issue could not have been taken lightly, based on their reactions and relationship with the emperor.

I’ve been writing and submitting petitions on a faster-than-expected schedule for the past few days.

And today was the day of the trial.

I couldn’t believe it had snowed just a few days before because it was so sunny and warm. It’s not even strange to believe that spring has arrived.

I stepped out wearing a light outfit and a bonnet.

It happened while I was waiting for the coachman with Caleb, tying a ribbon on the bonnet under my chin.

“……..do you really want to go?”

I tied the bonnet’s ribbon and looked at Caleb, puzzled.

“Are you worried?”

“She is the one who tried to kill you. When she sees you at the trial, she might say something strange.”

“Perhaps, but does it really matter? There is no proof, and no one will believe it. Except for Caleb and myself, of course.”

I gave Caleb a big smile and wrapped my hand around him.

Caleb then let out a shallow sigh and wrapped his hand around mine.

“Because I don’t want her to hurt you, Elena.”

It was a soothing voice and worried eyes.

For a brief moment, my resolve was shaken.

“……Are you doing this to keep me from going?”

“No, I’m not.” So why do you avoid my gaze when you say no?

Caleb avoided my gaze even more when I squinted at him with suspicious eyes.

It caused my mouth to open without my awareness.

‘Did you try to win me over with your beauty?’

I’m not sure where he’s been learning that skill, but it was astounding.

I would have kept my mouth open if the coachman hadn’t dragged the carriage out in time.

⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻

I arrived on time at the courthouse.

It was time to calm down and go inside. We ran into the Emperor at the entrance.

“The Duke and Lady Oreu.”

The emperor is the first to greet us. Caleb and I attempted a curtsy to greet him.

When the emperor waved his hand and said, “no need to do that,” I straightened up again.

“Are the Empress and Crown Prince not arriving today?”

“No way.”

To Caleb’s question, the emperor shook his head and said.

“The empress entered first, followed by the Archduke and his wife. And the crown prince will show up during the trial. Perhaps it’s because it’s cold outside, but he didn’t appear to be in good shape, so I told him to do that.”

“I see.”

“By the way, Lady Oreu……”

Suddenly, the emperor’s gaze was drawn to me.

“Did you file a petition to have the lady spared the death penalty?”

“Oh, yes, Your Majesty, I am.”

“Hmm…… so, you really did that. In any case, I apologize, Lady Oreu.”

“Yes?”

“Because that is what happened in the Imperial hunting grounds. Furthermore, I had no idea the demon beasts were breeding on the hunting grounds…… It is entirely my fault. I’m sincerely apologize.”

I blinked because I never expected to hear the emperor apologize. I was looking for something to say because I didn’t know what to say, but the emperor changed the subject first.

“Anyway, I’ll go first. The trial will start shortly, so you should come in.”

At the word, we followed the emperor into the courtroom.

We sat down without looking around because, as the emperor said, there wasn’t much time left.

The knights led Vivian out shortly after.

With shackles on her arms, she appeared more well-groomed than when I last saw her, but her haggard features and scattered hair remained.

Vivian sat in the center of the courtroom, and the knights fastened the shackles to her chair.

The trial then started.

At first, simple questions were asked. From Vivian’s statue, why she went to the hunting ground, and what she was doing there.

Vivian responded to and agreed to all of the questions. She didn’t even deny trying to kill me.

Several questions have been raised, and the decisive moment has arrived.

The question “why did you try to kill Lady Oreu?” was posed.

I gave Vivian a nervous look.

I was curious to hear what Vivian would say, but I was also concerned about what I would do if she started talking nonsense.

It was when I was just clenching and stretching my fists because I was sweating profusely.

Vivian finally opened her mouth.

—————