“….”
Kuhn didn’t say anything at Mirabelle’s unexpected confession. More correctly, he didn’t know what to say. Kuhn simply stared at Mirabelle’s pale face, his own as stiff as a statue.
‘What did she tell me now?’
He couldn’t comprehend it. How could a daughter of a count love a man who had nothing to his name? Mirabelle was not aware of Kuhn’s true identity. To her, he was a man who was involved in something dangerous in the past, but was still low enough to work as a servant in a mansion. No, even if she knew his true identity, their differences were too wide to overcome. No nobleman would ever allow their daughter to be with someone like him.
That did not mean Kuhn didn’t have advances from other women. However, the words he had heard so far were, “I like you, do you want to be together for a while?” or “Do you want to be my lover?” No one ever confessed that they loved him.
The look of embarrassment faded from Kuhn’s face, and the blank and impassive walls were rebuilt.
“Young Lady, do you know that women in the Ruford Empire take their husband’s status?”
“Of course I know.”
“You know that as the daughter of a count, if you marry a baron who is of lower status than you, then you will become a baroness?”
“Yes.”
“So you are aware that if you are with me, you will be the wife of a servant?”
Mirabelle was not asking Kuhn to marry her immediately, but he wanted to make a strong impression on her mind. The two of them together were hopeless.
Contrary to Kuhn’s intentions, however, Mirabelle replied with a firm nod.
“Yes, but it doesn’t matter. It’s not important if I’m a servant’s wife, but if I’m Kuhn’s wife. “
Kuhn was at a loss for words. He was sometimes taken aback by her, but that was nothing compared to this. Despite the gauntness of her cheeks, she was completely resolute.
“It’s alright if you don’t have anything. I can work hard.”
Until now, Kuhn had assumed Mirabelle was like a frail little bird, but she had an unexpected resolve. She spoke words that no one else could easily do. Some unknown emotion stirred inside Kuhn.
‘Is that why she’s kept me around?’
He didn’t know Mirabelle’s agenda, but now he understood. This lovely girl loved with him incredible purity.
“Kollog, kollog.“
Mirabelle gave a few racking coughs, and he was broken from his thoughts.
“Get some rest first, Young Lady.”
He turned away, when Mirabelle’s voice halted him.
“The answer to my confession…is it just a reminder of our differences?”
Kuhn turned back to look at Mirabelle.
“That’s the most important thing, Young Lady.”
“If you were a noble, would our relationship be changed in a better way?”
A flustered look flashed across Kuhn’s face, but it was soon gone. Whatever freedom she imagined what not reality. Kuhn locked his eyes with Mirabelle and replied coldly.
“Please think against it. I wouldn’t be listening to this uncomfortable confession if I weren’t a servant.”
No matter who heard it, it was a clear rejection. Mirabelle’s clear green eyes began to tremble in pain.
Kuhn turned away, seemingly unconcerned, and made towards the window to leave. Mirabelle was still young and mistaken. Once she was older, she would look back at this moment with regret.
Kuhn took a few steps forward, but he heard Mirabelle’s faint voice behind him.
“…I love you, Kuhn.”
Kuhn’s feet paused at the confession, but he soon stepped forward again as if nothing were wrong. Fortunately, the room was too dim for her to notice. This time, he answered without even turning his head.
“I’ll pretend that I haven’t heard from you today.”
At the same time, Kuhn touched a desk clock lying on the table, and he knocked it to the ground with a crashing noise. It startled the maid who was dozing outside, and she quickly went into Mirabelle’s room.
“O-oh, Young Lady! Are you all right? Hold on a moment. I’ll call the doctor!”
Then the maid realized Mirabelle was awake and hurried away. Mirabelle, who had suddenly been distracted by the maid, turned to the window again, but Kuhn had already disappeared.
Hwiiiingeu—
The wide open windows were the only evidence that he had ever been there.
