Chapter 136: My Beloved 3

Beholding her presence before me, the one I had longed for, I wondered time and again if I was dreaming.

Having countless nights where I tossed and turned, envisioning her in my dreams, I feared the woman in front of me might vanish like a mirage if I came to my senses.

However, the sensation I felt in my hands at this moment…

The warmth of her body, which I embraced tightly, fearing it might disappear, made it unmistakably clear that this was not a dream, but reality.

“I missed you… Not a single moment passed without yearning for you.”

“And I… I felt the same way. Always, I longed for Lord Santana…”

Thus, feeling each other’s warmth, we expressed our longing for one another.

There was much I wished to ask her, and much I needed to convey in turn.

How she came to be here in such circumstances. What had transpired during her absence.

And the events that had befallen me while she was away.

Yet, in this moment, neither of us broached such matters.

For the longing we felt was too overwhelming to speak of such things…

In this moment, we simply wished to fully savor each other’s presence…

How much time had passed was uncertain.

However, once our unbearable yearning had been somewhat satiated, though remnants still lingered, we carefully released our embrace and began exchanging the words that needed to be said.

For both her and I, there were challenging matters to discuss. Fortunately, with Polena’s assistance in explaining my circumstances to some extent, we were able to recount the current situation to each other more smoothly than anticipated.

Cazeros’s true identity, which I had been unaware of…

And my unavoidable engagement during her absence.

“I truly apologize. Truthfully, I never wished for such an engagement…”

“Ah… no, it is I who… If I had revealed my identity sooner, this would not have occurred… I am sorry for causing you such difficulties, Lord Santana.”

“Not at all. Cazeros simply did not wish to inconvenience me. This is entirely my fault for failing to live up to your trust.”

“But Lord Santana undertook a contract engagement for my sake, even amidst that situation. The mere fact that you made such a difficult decision for my sake, when I was perceived as being of lowly status, is enough for me to be grateful.”

After sharing our respective circumstances, we could only earnestly apologize to each other for a while.

Cazeros repeatedly apologized for concealing her identity from me.

However, to me, her apologies were most welcome.

Whether she had been a beggar or an empress mattered not to me.

What mattered was the fact that the person before me was she whom I loved – Cazeros Sophia.

Rather, it was I who should have been apologizing.

Despite it being a contract, the fact that I had become engaged to another while she was away weighed heavily on me as a profound guilt, no matter the circumstances. I could only hang my head in remorse.

Thus, for a time, we exchanged apologies towards each other.

Although it was an unusual situation where we insisted the other was more at fault, through this process, we clearly realized one undeniable truth:

A matter that could have warranted anger and assigning blame.

Yet, we were able to forgive each other, taking the blame ourselves to such an extent…

The truth that we truly loved one another.

Witnessing the scene of the two lovers unfolding before her, Polena, the third-party observer, automatically wore a wry smile.

‘To think they would display such a spectacle in front of others…’

Having reunited after so long and confirmed each other’s existence, the two had been utterly absorbed in one another from that very moment until now, a considerable time having passed.

To them, Polena’s presence beside them might as well have been non-existent.

Even when explaining matters regarding Santana’s engagement, despite her supplementary remarks, the two paid heed only to the content while disregarding Polena’s existence entirely.

And this indifference persisted through the ensuing exchange of apologies, even at this very moment.

Thus, leaving them engrossed solely in the presence of their beloved, Polena decided it was best for the intruder to withdraw, quietly departing the room.

‘As I sensed from the beginning, they truly make a well-matched pair. So much so that even I feel a pang of envy.’

Truthfully, during Cazeros’s absence, Polena had periodically extended subtle advances towards Santana.

Although not particularly overt, and easily overlooked without keen observation, Polena was well aware that such actions could not be entirely dismissed.

As immodest as it might sound, she was acutely aware of her considerable feminine charms.

Yet, Santana had steadfastly rebuffed her advances, never crossing the line he had drawn for himself, even in moments of slight wavering.

Inwardly admiring this while feeling a tinge of regret that her desires had ultimately amounted to naught, Polena slowly opened the receiving room’s door and stepped outside.

Immediately after, her gaze fell upon Blood, standing guard at the entrance, visibly tense upon seeing her approach.

Smoothing the smile from her lips, Polena addressed her in a composed tone:

“There is no need for such tension. I have no intention of doing anything to you, for now.”

“Th…Thank you…”

Visibly relieved by her words, Blood responded.

Polena then joined her side and, with a light gesture, cast a sound-dampening spell around them.

Having taken precautions against any potential situation, Polena addressed Blood in a tranquil tone:

“It seems you have carried out the task I assigned you.”

“Yes, although Duchess Catlena did not entirely believe my words… it appears my mentor’s presence went unnoticed.”

“As expected… since that was the purpose of my instructions.”

“Then, what are your intentions going forward? Will you continue maintaining secrecy, or…”

Blood inquired with a hint of anticipation.

However, Polena slowly shook her head.

“I have no immediate plans to reveal myself directly. I do not wish to become entangled in such troublesome matters. However…”

“…?”

With those words, Polena retrieved something from her pocket.

Blood carefully accepted it from her.

“What is this?”

Blood asked with puzzlement.

In response, Polena spoke in a tone distinctly different from before, tinged with a tranquil yet unmistakable fury:

“The whereabouts of that man I have been searching for.”

“!…”

“Prepare, but do not act rashly. I will repeat – I have no intention of moving for the time being.”

“Ah… Yes. Understood, mentor.”