That Piece Of Trash Was Me - Chapter 233
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 233
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It was after half the day had passed when I finally left Benjamin’s Jewelry Shop.
He held me in his arms the entire time without saying a word. Like an anxious child who seemed ready to stop breathing if I pushed him away even slightly.
I stayed in Benjamin’s embrace, quietly observing his shining golden hair and his beautifully matured jawline and neckline.
I tried applying all sorts of brilliant descriptions that came to mind, and pondered whether such radiant golden color could exist anywhere else in the world.
We probably won’t be able to see each other like this again.
Even if Benjamin and I had occasions to meet again, we both knew all too well that this would be the last time we’d embrace like this.
It seemed that people naturally become softer as they approach the end.
When I faced death as Han Ina, I was too busy struggling desperately out of spite to think clearly.
I thought this way was better.
His sunset-like golden eyes looking at me were filled with unripened regret.
The texture was so similar to what I often saw reflected in mirrors when I lived and breathed as Han Ina.
So I, Tulia Frazier.
It seemed I was projecting my own insignificant past onto this beautiful man.
This fragile appearance of someone who, even after growing up, hadn’t fully escaped from childhood nightmares.
So my wish for Benjamin’s happiness was truly sincere, with all my heart.
Because everyone wishes for their own happiness. Without a trace of falsehood.
“Tulia.”
Benjamin opened his mouth and spoke in a locked voice.
“I’ll want to come see you every day.”
“Now…”
“Now I won’t be able to do that. Because seeing your face would be too painful each time. Just like now.”
A bitter smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.
“I won’t be able to see you for a very long time. But someday I’ll be able to come see you. When the moment comes that longing overwhelms the pain.”
Benjamin’s arms, which couldn’t bear to let me go, finally fell away.
“Tulia.”
His hands carefully cupped my cheeks.
“When that time comes, I’ll send you a letter. Then please… will you meet with me? Actually, we have more business to attend to than you might think. As business partners, and also…”
Benjamin continued slowly, like someone chewing bitter grass.
“As the King of Sorsen and the Crown Princess of Briyang.”
“…”
In that moment, Benjamin must have surely noticed that my heart sank.
“I can tell by looking into that Crown Prince’s eyes. Tulia.”
“…”
“Because I’ve been looking into your eyes for a long time too.”
“…”
“This love potion is really difficult. Even saying these few words makes me breathless. I don’t think I can talk anymore, so let me say one last thing. Tulia.”
Benjamin smiled faintly and pulled me into his arms.
“I hope you’ll be happy. And if you get tired of the Empire, come to me. Anytime. Even if you come as an Old Lady, that’s fine.”
“What… What crime has the Queen of Sorsen committed?”
“Queen?”
Benjamin didn’t answer and smiled faintly. He didn’t continue the conversation and looked at his watch.
“I should head back soon. They say the checkpoints in the Imperial Capital have become strict lately because of the Saint’s appearance.”
“That’s right.”
“I’ll take you back. I also have a gift for you.”
“You have another gift besides those enormous amounts from earlier?”
“I was originally accumulating all that money to offer it to you, so it doesn’t matter anyway.”
His casual words left me slightly puzzled. The amount Benjamin had written down earlier when he said he wanted to buy me was quite substantial.
‘It was enormous.’
Wasn’t it?
Could there have been an error in the amount I remembered?
I followed Benjamin to the back garden, constantly doubting my own memory.
And then…
‘No wonder my memory might be off…’
Without realizing it, I made a sunshade with my hand and held it to my forehead. My eyes naturally squinted.
I had no choice.
A large golden carriage stood brilliantly shining in the back garden, catching the twilight glow.
The body was definitely plated with pure gold. Over the meticulously dazzling golden base, mythological figures were delicately crafted in platinum, all of them archangels symbolizing Guardian Protection.
The curves of the silver-gleaming wheels were graceful, and colored gems of uniform size were neatly embedded at every corner of the gently rising roof.
It was a magnificent work of art reminiscent of a smoothly flowing golden river.
Truly…
“Are you crazy? You’re giving me this?”
“Yes.”
“To me?”
“Yes. To you.”
“Are you crazy?”
“Because I like you.”
“…”
“Since you’re the one who raised me, this must be a failure of your education. I never properly learned how to repay kindness except with money.”
I glared at Benjamin silently. He smiled out of habit, and perhaps because of the sunset, it felt unusually warm.
“This carriage, Tulia, was prepared as your coming-of-age gift.”
“Coming-of-age gift?”
Benjamin nodded. He personally opened the door and escorted me into the carriage.
The interior was even more absurd.
I could accept that it was filled with eye-soothing beige velvet. I could also accept that the velvet was the same material used for the King’s ceremonial cloak. Fine, let’s say that was acceptable.
But seeing the dozens of large pearls running along the carriage windows and ceiling truly left me speechless.
A gentle luster like flowing moonlight.
‘Just how much are all those worth?’
Good heavens. Just removing those pearls and embedding them in a dress would be enough to dominate High Society for the year.
“Benjamin.”
“Yes. Tulia.”
Just how much does this one carriage cost…
Could it buy several castles? It was certainly equivalent to a modest kingdom’s annual budget.
“How much did you pay?”
“Quite a bit.”
“Quite a bit means, um…”
“Sorsen is originally wealthy, and I, who was your suitor, am also quite well-off, so don’t worry about such things.”
“…”
I closed my mouth. Benjamin was now saying such things with a smile, but from my earlier experience, I could tell well enough.
Due to the love potion’s effects, he was probably feeling a heart-wrenching pain every time he talked about anything related to me.
I eventually changed the subject.
“Even the Founding Emperor of Briyang probably never received such a coming-of-age gift.”
Benjamin laughed lightly.
“Tulia.”
He said while quietly arranging the hem of my dress.
“I won’t be able to attend your coming-of-age ceremony.”
As he spoke, his face was lowered, so I couldn’t see his expression or eyes.
But perhaps it was better that we didn’t meet each other’s eyes right now. For him, and for me.
“Benjamin. In Briyang, there’s a custom of giving flowers in return when you receive birthday gifts. You know that, right?”
I removed the hair ornament I had been wearing in my hair. The hair ornament that Adel had chosen and put in today happened to be shaped like a small bouquet.
“It’s nice that I can give you a bouquet that won’t wither as a return gift. It’s also good that I can at least give you expensive flowers.”
Benjamin chuckled for the first time.
“It feels like I’m receiving an armful of you, so it’s wonderful.”
“Though they’re not tulips.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
Benjamin raised his head.
“Thank you for raising me all this time. Tulia Frazier.”
It was an instant.
Some overwhelming emotion surged up like flames and filled my chest completely. I pulled Benjamin into my arms.
“I always said that I was the one who saved you, Benjamin. So I….”
A silence flowed, shorter than before, but heavy with density.
“I want you to be truly happy.”
“….”
Benjamin didn’t answer. But only for a moment. Like a small animal burrowing into an embrace, Benjamin buried his face in my shoulder with wet eyes.
“I definitely will.”
His whispered voice seeped into my ear.
“Because that’s what you want.”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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