I’m Done With Unrequited Love - Chapter 22

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 22
“F-Fidellia… you’re… so beautiful…….”
Rene stared at me with wide eyes, his mouth falling open.
I felt a flush of embarrassment at his unconcealed astonishment.
As befitted a large tailoring shop, the fitting room here was spacious indeed.
If you’ve ever been in a bridal shop’s fitting room, you’ll understand the layout.
The person trying on clothes stands behind a curtain, while the sofa and partner wait outside; when the curtain opens, the two face each other.
I stood now in a honey-colored dress that matched my hair, looking out at the two men beyond the curtain.
All I needed to do was confirm the fit, yet somehow the shop staff had insisted on doing my makeup and arranging my hair.
Apparently it was at the Tailoring Shop owner’s—Madam’s—instruction.
But Madam herself, swamped with orders from the Coronation rush, hadn’t so much as poked her head into the shop.
It was only natural that I gasped when I saw myself in the mirror.
‘This is…….’
It resembled how I’d looked in the grand hall during my time following Ernan Cleor around.
Only the makeup quality was somewhat different.
‘……It feels strange.’
Without making it obvious, I gathered the skirt to check its drape, then glanced at Ernan Cleor. Asking what he thought.
“…….”
But Ernan Cleor merely gazed at me with a hand covering his mouth, offering no commentary.
That’s what I expected, I thought.
‘Then why did he follow me in?’
“Doesn’t it seem too plain?” Rene asked.
“I suppose.”
“Ah, very well.”
I returned and changed into the next dress.
“How about this one? They say blue tones with frills are all the fashion now.”
“Doesn’t suit you.”
“…….”
He certainly knows how to speak beautifully.
But I had to agree that it didn’t suit me, so I emerged in the final dress.
It was a soft lavender overall, with embroidery worked into the fabric.
The skirt wasn’t as full as the previous two, which gave it a simpler, more refined appearance.
‘I like this one.’
Of the three, this was easily the best.
I turned slowly in place, the hem swirling in pursuit of me.
“What do you think?”
Truth be told, I didn’t need Ernan Cleor’s opinion.
I loved this one, and regardless of what he thought, I was wearing it.
‘But I’m curious, aren’t I.’
What answer would he give this time?
‘If he says he doesn’t like it again, I’ll throttle him.’
But Ernan Cleor was looking at me with an oddly serious expression.
I wondered why—and Rene, standing beside him, wore the exact same face.
‘Do people start to resemble each other once they’re in a patronage relationship?’
Though it had only been a day.
After a moment, Ernan Cleor spoke.
“This one.”
Oh.
“I hear you dislike anything too fussy. Your tastes are certainly decisive,” Rene remarked.
“Take it as a compliment.”
Fine, I would.
After changing back into my clothes, I headed to the counter to pay.
But the answer I received was:
“It’s already been paid for.”
“Pardon?”
What on earth was she talking about?
I had a fairly good idea who the culprit behind this absurd turn of events was.
I turned my head and glared at Ernan Cleor, who stood over there examining hair ornaments while holding Rene.
Ernan Cleor didn’t even glance my way.
I swallowed the sigh threatening to escape.
“Understood. Please send all three dresses to the Cleor Mansion before the Coronation. I need to receive them without fail.”
“Of course. I’ll see to it without delay.”
The clerk offered a reassuring smile.
I approached the two figures waiting by the entrance.
Pushing the door open on Ernan’s behalf—his arms full with Rene—I asked him a question.
“When exactly did you pay for this?”
“When I brought in the first dress, I suppose.”
“That was quick work for such a brief window.”
“That’s what partners do.”
“……?”
Ernan stepped outside, and I released the door handle completely.
Ding—
The clear bell chimed overhead as I tilted my head in confusion outside the Tailoring Shop.
“Who said you were my partner?”
At that, Ernan turned to look at me with bewilderment in his eyes.
As if asking: ‘Then who else would be your partner, if not me?’
A hollow laugh threatened to escape.
Ernan set Rene down, and she scampered across the street toward the Bookstore, lingering at its entrance with curiosity.
“You seem to be laboring under a misunderstanding…….”
I continued, watching Rene recede beyond earshot, my words measured and clear.
“That strange arrangement between us ended that day. Partnership or otherwise.”
That day.
<I want to stop now.>
On that day.
<That’s what you’re saying. That you want to stop.>
The connection that had been sustained by my efforts alone—it ended on that day.
“You know who you are, Ernan Cleor. I never accepted your offer to be my partner.”
* * *
<I’m grateful for the dresses. But I can’t simply accept them. I don’t wish to be indebted to you. I’ll have the payment sent to your mansion, and understand it as such. Beyond matters concerning Rene, we have nothing more to entangle ourselves in.>
Perhaps such behavior might be considered disrespectful to a nobleman of the Cleor family’s standing.
‘But what can I do about it.’
This is a world where a woman’s dignity takes precedence.
No one here would dare reproach me for speaking thus to the Duke of Cleor.
Still, it was enough to crack his pride.
Not merely rejecting a gift, but returning the payment in full.
Even in my past life, people said giving cash as a birthday present was cold and thoughtless.
On dates, many men resented it when women insisted on paying their own way.
But to return money already spent—deliberately, pointedly……?
“…….”
Indeed, Ernan said nothing even after Rene had finished selecting her books.
His expression remained unchanged, but I knew.
‘He’s upset.’
It might have been a shock to him.
Both the rejection of his partnership and the firm boundary I’d drawn.
As for me.
‘I acted as though I couldn’t live without you.’
My blind devotion had likely become something he’d grown accustomed to.
‘Ah, yes.’
Letting go of this love would change more than just my daily life.
Ernan, you’ll have to adapt as well.
To days without me.
“…….”
It was rather satisfying, actually.
If his routine grew strained in my absence—even if it didn’t reach the level of regret—it seemed it would bring me considerable pleasure.
‘My nature really is twisted, isn’t it.’
If Ernan happened to be entangled with someone like me, then so be it.
His fate is peculiar indeed.
We bought Rene’s books and left the Bookstore. The sky had turned overcast.
People carrying shopping bags moved along the Street.
Trees lining the avenue, carriages passing over the pavement. A street in monochrome.
After that conversation, though Fidellia and Ernan weren’t exactly on good terms, I made an effort to appear ‘fine’ to Rene.
It wasn’t difficult. Ernan had fallen silent, so there was no opportunity for anything amiss to show.
Still, I asked Rene whether the people at the Cleor Mansion treated her well, and if she thought she could stay there comfortably for a while.
“U-um. Th-they’re all kind to me, and they play with me…….”
“That so?”
Thank goodness.
For the first time, I felt as though I could finally breathe.
And so, just as our business was concluded and we were about to return to our respective homes,
“Fidellia!”
Someone called out to me.
“Fidellia!”
The voice drew closer.
“Fidellia!”
Thud.
“……!”
Someone seized my shoulder from behind.
I flinched violently.
Is ‘recoil’ the right word?
‘Oh……!’
In that instant,
my vision blurred white.
No—black.
No, it wavered.
A crackling sensation.
‘I’m going to be sick…….’
Bang!
The loud sound jolted me back to awareness.
I turned around to identify the source of the noise.
A man.
Likely the one who’d grabbed my shoulder.
The man with resplendent silver hair lay sprawled on the ground, clutching at his shin.
“Ow, ow, ow…….”
Ernan stepped forward toward the man who was moaning in pain.
At some point, he’d positioned himself between us and Rene, shielding us both.
It seemed Ernan had kicked the man’s leg out from under him.
Ernan turned to me first.
“Do you know him?”
“Not at all.”
At that, his cold gaze fixed on the man.
“What’s your name? State your identity.”
“Ah!”
The man’s head snapped up as he came to his senses.
A gleam flashed across his eyes.
Something that resembled madness.
He didn’t stand, but simply dropped to his knees, looking directly at me.
At me, that is.
‘Why?’
Why me and not Ernan?
‘Oh.’
Come to think of it, he’d been calling out to me from the start.
Following Ernan’s command to state his identity, the man cried out,
“I am Siren Marco!”
Marco?
‘I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere…….’
But before I could respond, he pressed his forehead to the ground. Completely mad.
“I’m a fan! Please, I beg you—give a lecture at our university!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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