Extra 3. The End of First Love (6)

“I know Marquis Spencer did it in good faith. It seems to you that I was an abused wife, so you wanted to help.”

“The Duchess of Jaxen, I am…”

“But Marquis Spencer. There are people in the world who feel happy in this kind of love.”

Ezet answered, looking Daniel in the eye.

“I don’t want you to judge me and Edmond’s love by the standards of Marquis Spencer.”

No matter how strange the relationship between Ezet and Edmond seemed to Daniel, Ezet liked it now.

Even if it looks abnormal, or even if it is actually abnormal, she has no intention of going back to ‘normal.’

She likes it now; she liked it when she can leave everything to Edmond and throw herself away.

She loves the sense of freedom to do as much as she could that had never been allowed in her life.

“…wait, can’t we?”

“What?”

“Ten years, twenty years… Fifty years, no, for the rest of my life… One day, one day, if you change your mind.”

If love has an expiration date, Edmond and Ezet’s love will one day cool down.

Then he thinks he can approach her then. Daniel had no choice but to ask, knowing that it was so shameful and pathetic.

“Marquis Spencer. You know you’re saying something insulting, right?”

“Oh, ……”

“Do you want me to be unhappy?”

Daniel shook his head in surprise at Ezet’s bold question.

“I know Marquis Spencer has a thing for me. Maybe… we could be good friends.”

What Daniel wants, though it’s not a friendly relationship.

“If you value me, I hope you wish me happiness.”

May the woman he loves be happy with the man she loves for the rest of her life. If it’s true love, shouldn’t it be? Wouldn’t it be natural to hope for the happiness of the woman he loves? Is it love to want the woman he loves to fall for his greed and fall into misery?

“……oh my……!”

Ezet’s amber eyes grew frighteningly. Her pink lips opened.

“Marquis Spencer…”

A thin finger around the mouth, a look of swallowing breath-taking. This was the second time he saw her surprised face.

But why is she surprised? Daniel couldn’t tell. It just felt strange that her figure was gradually fading. Why? When he blinked to clear his vision, something hot ran down his cheek.

“Oh…”

Daniel was crying. Not knowing he was crying, Daniel rubbed his cheek and was a little embarrassed when he saw the water on his hand.

“I’m sorry, I do. I’m now…”

A grown man was showing tears. In front of the woman he loves. Daniel tried to wipe away his tears, but the more he did, the more he dripped down.

“Marquis Spencer, wipe away your tears.”

“No, no, no… Don’t look at me.”

Daniel turned his back as he avoided Ezet taking out the handkerchief. He couldn’t bear the sight of himself. He wanted to die of shame. He can’t believe he hasn’t said rude things in a row, and he can’t help but cry. He wishes he could disappear like this.

“…Daniel.”

Daniel’s shoulders trembled when his name was called.

“Wipe your tears. If you rub it with your hands, your eyes will turn red.”

In his watery vision, her worried look was reflected. He could feel the texture of the delicate fabric touching his cheek. When he blinked, hot tears flowed down again.

“Ma……”

He bit his tongue and endured that he was going to call Miss Maria. He shouldn’t look ugly here anymore. Daniel received Ezet’s handkerchief and pressed it as if it were covering his eyes. He couldn’t control the emotions that were rising inside.

The man who showed the most hateful appearance in front of the woman he loves, perhaps so shameless.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to do this.”

“Daniel… Marquis Spencer.”

Ezet calmed him down, again correcting his title.

“Do you remember what I said earlier? We could have been good friends.”

“Hah…”

“That means I’ve been interested in you, too.”

As a human-to-human, not a man-to-woman thing, who doesn’t have a thing for sweet and beautiful Daniel.

“So I want Marquis Spencer to be happy. Don’t be sad.”

“…Duchess of Jaxen.”

“As much as you wish me happiness… No, more than that, I wish you happiness.”

Can’t they do that?

Ezet’s smiling face was so brilliant that Daniel closed his eyes. He just couldn’t see it.

“I’m sorry… no, thank you…”

Not being able to bear to see her face, pressing down on her eyes with a handkerchief, in a tearful voice, Daniel replied.

He felt a little warm somehow, even though he was shy enough to hide.

‘Ah…’

Is this love that cares about others?

Even though no one taught him, Daniel intuitively realized that.

Love that is considerate of others is so soft and gentle.

***

“Are you all right?”

“I’m sorry to have troubled you. It’s okay now.”

Still a little red in the eye, Daniel, who calmed down, walked in with a tea set tray instead of Ezet.

“I’m sorry I’m late. I’ve made some tea again.”

“Ezet.”

Edmond, who sprang up from his seat, approached Ezet and patted her on the shoulder as if to be relieved. Just like a big dog complaining about the owner’s absence.

“Count Spencer. Could you help me pour the yea?”

“I will, Duchess of Jaxen.”

Daniel poured warm tea into an empty teacup. A soft scent was resembling her spread.

Maybe he can’t forget this love.

But he can live with this love in his heart because she wished him happiness.

Even if love doesn’t come true, a man supported by a woman he loves can be this strong. With that in mind, Daniel looked back at Marchioness Spencer.

Marchioness Spencer smiled quietly, confirming that Daniel’s expression was completely stable.

The afternoon tea party was hot and fragrant.

(Completed: Duchess of Undercover Infiltration)