Volume 2 Chapter 20 The Woman Of The Past And The Woman Of The Present
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
“…chu.”
Mmm… heh, she murmured softly.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
“No, I’m just happy you kissed me after,” she replied with a small smile.
Outside the quiet, peaceful room, branches swayed gently in the breeze, leaves rustling softly beneath the sunlight filtering through the dense forest. There were no sounds of people or birds—only the warm, mystical glow of light slipping through the gaps. Nothing disturbed the two holding hands inside, making it the perfect moment to quietly confirm their feelings without worry.
“Heh. You’re staring at me again,” she teased.
“Ah, sorry… I just—” he stammered.
“It’s okay. Klock can look as much as he wants,” she said, smiling and forgiving him.
He quickly apologized, caught off guard by her teasing. She stood before him with her legs pressed tightly together, and when she gave him silent permission, his gaze was drawn again to the place he treasured most.
“You’re so naughty, Klock,” she said playfully.
“Hey, Cianie, you’re just as naughty. We’ve already done this four times today,” he replied, a little embarrassed.
In the Livorno family villa where Klock lived, the two exchanged secret, tender words after confirming their feelings multiple times throughout the day. Today was one of the few safe days—he had risked everything to be inside her, and now Cianie stood naked beside the bed, sweat and traces of him lingering in a thin line down her.
“I haven’t been able to see you much lately,” Cianie pouted with a hint of accusation.
“Sorry. I want to see you more too, but I’ve been really busy,” he said quietly.
That wasn’t entirely true. He had been purposely keeping his distance. It was understandable she was upset, and he felt guilty for avoiding it.
“Why didn’t you bring the handkerchief I gave you? And why didn’t you wear the ribboned hat either?” she asked, disappointment clear in her voice.
“I’m sorry. I forgot in a rush,” he admitted, looking away.
He apologized again, taking the brunt of her disappointment. He truly forgot, but he also thought it wasn’t that important—still, it weighed on him. Cianie puffed out her cheeks, and it was natural for her to feel that way. They hadn’t seen each other in two months, and the gap between their meetings kept growing.
“Sorry, Cianie. I’ve been busy with my studies—it’s important since I’m next in line to lead the Livorno family. And—” he began, then trailed off, swallowing the rest of his words.
He wanted to tell her about his plans to break off his sister’s engagement by proving his worth, but it was pointless. She couldn’t change the family’s situation, and talking about his sister’s pain would only burden her.
* * *
“Klock, you always say that! Aren’t you just bored of me? You only see me when you want to… you know!” she shouted.
“N-no, that’s not true—” he replied quickly, pulling her into his arms.
Her voice carried so much hurt that he immediately pulled her into his arms, still sitting on the bed. It wasn’t true—he loved her. He wanted to tell her this clearly, but his body betrayed him before the words could escape.
“Is that really true? If you love me, you’d kiss me every day. You’d fill your room with the gifts we share, make me a part of your life,” she whispered.
“I… I can’t,” he confessed.
Their relationship was theirs alone. Since he was already engaged to another, no matter how much she wished for them to live together, it was impossible. He couldn’t even mention it to his family.
He did want to spend his life with her someday. To do that, he planned to break off the engagement with a woman he had never even met. But not yet. Right now, his priority was dealing with Gina.
“I’m really sorry. I’ll work hard so that someday we can be together. Please wait just a little longer. I’ll turn fifteen next month and become an adult. Then, my words will hold more weight. When that happens, I’ll welcome you, Cianie,” he promised.
“…Okay,” she answered softly.
After a pause, her voice softened. Since he held her while she stood, she was half standing herself. She took a deep breath, then suddenly pushed him down onto the bed with surprising strength.
“I’m serious. It’s a promise. I can’t imagine anyone else but you, Klock. If you ever leave me, I don’t think I could go on,” she said, her voice trembling.
She moved over him, her body pressing against his waist, despite having already shared so much today. He was still full of energy. Cianie grasped him firmly, lowering herself gently.
“Still as lively as ever. You’re so naughty, Klock,” she murmured.
“No, it’s because it’s you, Cianie. I wouldn’t be like this with anyone else,” he said.
“No other girls. Don’t even think about them,” she added softly.
It was a selfish request, but it felt good. Cianie often showed her jealousy openly—the things she loved and hated. She was honest, unlike many adults. Even when they nearly argued, they always made up with more passionate moments afterward. She was truly a sweet girl.
“I wish all this lace on the bedding would just come undone,” she said dreamily.
“Why?” he asked.
“Then the white threads would wrap us completely, like bandages. We’d be tied together forever,” she whispered.
She was a dreamer, always saying strange things. In short, she just wanted to be with him and never be apart.
His proud, adorable lover.
As he gently stroked her hair, they shared their love again for the fifth time today. The trembling pleasure slowly eased the growing anxiety in his heart.
* * *
“Dad!!” Klock shouted.
“Klock, what’s wrong? Why are you shouting?” his father asked calmly.
Klock had just returned from his secret meeting with Cianie, still catching his breath. At the entrance, he found his younger sister Gina, but his anger rose instantly.
“It’s not ‘what’s wrong’! Gina has a bruise on her neck! That Amadei guy is bullying her!” he yelled.
“I see. It seems Gina made a mistake and needed to be disciplined,” his father replied evenly.
“That’s impossible!!” Klock retorted, glaring with veins bulging.
It was disrespectful for a child not yet an adult to speak so, but his father listened calmly.
“Klock, I’ve told you. The engagement with Amadei is necessary. Gina may face some troubles, but it’s for your future,” his father explained.
“I don’t want it! Cancel the engagement now! Why should I accept this abuse silently?!” Klock demanded.
Gina had been hurt multiple times by Amadei’s legitimate son—her fiancé. Although the reason was unclear, the twenty-year-old looked down on eleven-year-old Gina. The age gap made it impossible for them to get along, yet their father insisted on the marriage between Livorno and Amadei no matter what.
“Klock, if Gina’s marriage with Amadei breaks, then your engagement must also end.”
“Why? I don’t care at all! I don’t want to marry someone I don’t even know! If it can end, I’d be happy!”
He said that straight from his heart.
He had Cianie. If he couldn’t end his own engagement, he was even thinking about leaving the Livorno family, worst case.
“Klock, I know you care about family, but this is for the family’s good. Gina agreed too.”
“The family’s supposed to protect the people, so what’s the point if you hurt the family for it? You wanna make Gina a sacrifice? If that’s true—”
“Klock, do you want to waste all the hard work Gina has done?”
Gina’s efforts? Gina’s efforts…?
He froze. It was awful to say that. Forcing her, then calling it ‘her efforts.’
Even though she needed saving from the family, his father was pushing all the pain onto her.
This isn’t good. No words will reach him. He won’t even explain properly. Even as an adult, Gina’s engagement might not be cancelled.
“…ugh.”
Klock clenched his fist hard, turned, and went to his room without saying anything to his father who didn’t get it.
Only one choice now: negotiate himself.
He’ll make Amadei say no. If they never liked Gina, they might agree to end it.
No, they could get angry. They might hurt Gina or make dirty deals. Who knows? But Gina’s future was on the line.
In his room, Klock picked up the handkerchief Cianie gave him, left on the desk.
He wanted to see her again if possible. If something happened, he’d give her the best gift—maybe the last time.
Then, he’d go to the Amadei house.
I’ll do it. I won’t give up on my family like dad did—
* * *
”I’m not heartless.”
”Huh? What are you talking about?”
Suddenly, a voice came from next door, a voice he knew well.
A girl’s voice, clear and sharp, with a slightly high pitch.
”Tiet?”
”What else? Were you sleeping?”
His vision was blurry. Blinking, he saw he was inside a moving carriage.
That made sense—he just left the Viscount’s villa and was heading to the capital.
”What kind of dream were you having, saying you’re not heartless?”
”Shut up. I’m brave and kind.”
”Oh? Brave and kind, huh? Then explain what you did to the maid you met.”
Tiet sat beside him, leaning forward, eyes narrow like accusing him.
Klock glanced at Michelle on the other side—she quickly looked away.
He thought maybe being honest about it yesterday was a bad idea. Tiet got jealous fast and would jump in like a guard dog when Klock got close to Michelle.
That blunt jealousy reminded him of Cianie. She was his promise for life, but she wasn’t here now. Next to him was Tiet, who was also fifteen—the same age Cianie was when last they met.
”What’s the big deal? Two friends getting close is normal.”
”They weren’t just friends. You forced her, didn’t you? Listen, Klock. If you do that again, I’ll get mad. I might even break your arms and legs. Stay healthy, okay?”
”…Yeah.”
Her threat scared him a little, so he nodded without arguing.
Better to obey now than make her push harder.
”Good grief. Anyway, Klock, you didn’t forget about that thing, right?”
”Huh? Ah… no problem.”
Tiet said it like “the usual story.”
In the carriage were Adelina driving, Suzette the head maid, and two other maids, Michelle and Dorothea, sitting quietly.
If they wanted to keep things secret, they had no choice but to speak vaguely.
”That guy is the strongest magic user in the world. Having him as an ally is great, but if he becomes an enemy, he’s a huge problem. Fighting him head-on would be tough.”
Tiet said this last night before they left.
He hadn’t forgotten their plan against magic users, even if it was late.
”We’ll talk to Hermine and ask for her help. If she refuses, we’ll make her talk by force. That’s the plan.”
Basically, they wanted to avoid fighting and try talking first. Honestly, Klock didn’t mind if the hero hated him, but if he could meet safely, he’d try to fix things… maybe.
”You underestimate Anna’s desire for revenge. She hasn’t forgotten after 17 years. She’ll keep hunting and trying to kill you forever. So this has to be solved for survival. That’s why we want Hermine’s help.”
Tiet leaned in the carriage and pulled out two strange rings—handcuffs—from inside his coat.
Tiet gave them to Klock as a “last resort to make her listen.”
”Magic blocking rings, huh? If a magic user can’t use magic, they’re helpless, but the magic users know their weakness best. It won’t be easy.”
The rings were to trap magic users or those with special skills.
Tiet entrusted them to Klock, saying to be careful since they’re rare and can’t be replaced if lost.
But would their enemy be careless enough to use such a tool?
”Hmph. Don’t worry. I’m here, okay? You can feel like you’re riding a dragon’s back.”
Tiet said, noticing Klock’s worried look.
Though true, Klock hoped not to have to ride a monster because of this.
Notes:
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Tiet – A companion and friend of Anna. A holy knight from the royal capital. She wears light armor and carries a shield adorned with a dragon holding a sword, indicating her affiliation with the National Military Police. She is concerned about Anna’s well-being and tries to support her emotionally.
• Michelle – The younger maid from Viscount Fennec. She tries hard to prove herself but often makes mistakes, leading to awkward situations. Her relationship with Klock is strained due to her clumsiness, though he initially tries to be patient with her.
• Adelina – The slave girl.
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Hermine – A companion and friend of Anna. She is pragmatic and encourages Anna to focus on her duties as a hero rather than her personal revenge.
• Anna – The legendary Hero, chosen to defeat the Demon Lord. Her past life is Sylvia Croce. She is described as a heavenly being with overwhelming skill and a merciless attitude.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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