episode_0053

Four months have passed since the house arrest began.

A painful period that was by no means short.

Meanwhile, something was slowly changing inside Tirisia.

In her encounters with Kelg over the past three months, she felt that her happiness with him was gradually being overshadowed by dissatisfaction.

A thirst in one corner of my heart that cannot be filled.

The way to resolve it had to be found somewhere other than Kelg.

After worrying and worrying for a month, I finally received permission to stay out overnight after four full months.

It was a morning like that, greeted with different resolutions.

Tirisia put on a white one-piece dress that she had carefully chosen, put on light makeup that was comfortable but still looked put on, and stood in front of a large mirror.

“… Yeah.”

She checked her appearance once, sweeping her hair back, and nodded with a satisfied smile.

To this extent, you have brought out the maximum beauty that you can in your daily life.

Because you can’t wear a ball-level dress for a casual outing.

This was the best we could do, as it didn’t feel like we had deliberately planned to meet him.

The reason he chose the white one-piece dress he is wearing now is because it was something he liked in the past.

It’s said to be a color that goes well with white skin and silver hair.

“… ”

The boy’s face gleams in her jade-colored eyes.

Erto.

A person who was his old childhood friend and former lover.

The reason she dresses up like this is because she can see Erto face to face.

Although their parents had instructed them never to be seen by civilians when going out, Kelg and Erto had been granted an exception and were allowed to meet in person.

The superficial reason was his parents’ instructions to repeatedly apologize to the two people he had sinned against.

Of course, meeting Kelg wasn’t my purpose, but meeting Erto this time was somewhat in line with my parents’ intentions.

The goal of today’s outing was to restore my relationship with Erto, even if only a little.

Now I knew full well that looking good for him meant nothing.

Choosing your clothes carefully to meet him or putting on pretty makeup is such a shameless act for a traitor.

However, even so, Tirisia wanted to be fully prepared before meeting Erto.

Her relationship with him is already over, but there’s no way he’ll see her as a woman anymore.

For some reason, I didn’t want to show him my ugly side.

Is the identity of that feeling foolishness, or is it simply pride?

Even though I couldn’t figure out the reason for this behavior myself, one thing was certain.

He said that he wanted to meet Erto more than Kelg right now.

That was the only emotion that was clearly felt in my heart.

And ironically, as she made up her mind to meet him, Tyrissia found herself feeling as excited as a teenage girl preparing for her first date.

I love Kelg now, but I didn’t leave because I hated Erto.

Even at that moment of betrayal, he still loved Erto.

However, its size was smaller than the heart towards Kelg.

So when the situation arose where I had to give up one side, I let Erto go.

Even though he was a loved one, he tore my heart apart and tore my heart apart.

He knew full well how selfish and contradictory his actions were.

But that was Tirisia’s true love.

Because I loved Kelg Durakal more than anyone else, I could give up everything for him.

Even if it was a path filled with pain and loneliness, Tirisia was ready to jump in without hesitation.

It had a similar feel to the courage shown by Erto, who was once a commoner, and his own position as a great nobleman.

At that time, I truly loved Erto, so I was prepared to draw a future with him without caring about the gaze of the noble society.

I thought that even if there was opposition from my family or my parents, I would definitely overcome it.

Such strength and dedication was Tirisia’s sincere attitude toward the person she loved.

That is why, the moment you find someone you love more, the direction of your true feelings cannot help but change.

Rather, if it had been another human being, not Tirisia Bruard, Erto might not have suffered such a terrible betrayal.

Because it was Tirisia who gave her all to the demands of her loved ones, she was able to endure all the malice that Kelg wielded toward Erto.

Erto loved her too, but enduring the pain of tearing him apart was also part of Kelg’s job.

I bet you were prepared for that―

“… ”

Tirisia stood in front of the mirror and stared blankly at her own face.

What are your feelings towards Kelg now?

Are you happy when you meet him?

Do you feel fulfilled?

Could it be that we are simply mistaking pleasure and lust for love?

Can you really say with certainty that the words of love he whispers to you are sincere?

“… … ”

Tyrisia averted her gaze from her reflection in the mirror.

I don’t know.

Over the past few months, my experience has been eroding that confidence.

The more I met Kelg, the more clearly I felt the emptiness in my heart growing.

The result was the person I saw in the mirror now.

To meet again the boy she once loved, the one who always filled her heart with happiness.

A dirty traitor who took great pains to dress himself up in order to make a good impression on him.

That was the current Tirisia Brewery.

“… Ugh.”

She bit her lip and endured the nausea rising in her stomach.

The excitement of meeting him and the disgust I feel towards myself are mixed together and I feel like I’m in a mess.

But today is a precious day off that comes once a month.

There wasn’t even time to think about it.

“I’ll be back.”

Tirisia waved to the servants who were seeing her off and left the Brewery family mansion.

I wanted to meet Erto as soon as possible.

*

“Huh…?”

Tirisia, standing in front of Erto’s house, let out a puzzled voice.

When I got there I knocked on the door, but there was no response from inside.

Kiing-

Even though I searched the inside of the house with my magic, I couldn’t feel any signs of life.

“Are you going out?”

Things felt doomed from the start.

I came to see Erto, thinking he might be at home since it was a holiday when he didn’t have to go to the academy, but it seems Erto had some business outside.

There was no way of knowing where he was headed.

“… I guess I should look for a place to go.”

The outing, which lasted only one day, was too short.

Before any more time was wasted, Tirissia decided to go and find Erto herself.

Even though it was a holiday, it was unlikely that he had gone to a remote place that she didn’t know about.

Since they were old childhood friends, there were several candidates for places Erto usually went to.

hook-

A gust of wind blew over the spot where she had been standing using her stealth magic, and Tyrisia leaped into the air and began to search.

*

Distance. None.

Downtown. None.

Market. None.

Park. None.

Square. None.

Podium. None.

Academy building. None.

‘Erto… where are you?’

Tyrisia ran through the air while using wide-range magic detection while remaining hidden.

‘Oh, maybe.’

In her mind, one place emerged from the few remaining candidates.

A café in the forest outside the city that I often visited after school when I was dating Erto.

I wonder if they’re having a cup of tea there.

Since it’s a place that we’ve always visited together, I’m not sure if there’s a reason to go alone.

Now, it may be an awkward place because it is a place where memories of the past are tarnished by betrayal.

Perhaps Erto visited there to recall those days.

‘By any chance… really…?’

then,

If Erto is really there,

Could it be that you still have feelings for me?

Although she didn’t know why she had such vain hopes, Tirissia ran through the air toward the outskirts of the city with growing anticipation.

And at the cafe in the forest we arrived at―

He really was there.

Ertoga was visiting there again.

To that place filled with memories of two people.

‘iced coffee…!’

A bright smile appeared on Tirisia’s lips as she felt his magical reaction in the air.

Tables set up outdoors so you can drink tea while looking out at the forest scenery.

The magical reaction of a boy walking between them.

There is, there really is.

I have a longing for the places Erto used to go.

Such joy filled Tirisia’s heart, and she felt something in Kelg that had been unfulfilled sparkle.

hook-

What Tirisia saw as she flew in at full speed and landed behind Erto was,

‘…uh.’

It was the table where Erto was sitting and the four girls sitting around it.

“Okay, I brought what you ordered.”

He placed the tray he had received from inside the café on the table and handed out four drinks to each of the girls.

“Strawberry Yogurt Frappé, Lucica Beggar?”

“Yeah♡ The color is just right, right? Erto? Hehe! ”

Four women sitting around a table.

One of them is a cheerful girl in casual attire with cherry-colored twintails. Lucica Lapisle.

He was an old friend who had brutally assaulted and verbally abused her before leaving.

‘…’

Tyrissia stood a few paces away from the table, blankly staring at the sight.

“And… the matcha is Heidiera.”

“I will be grateful. Your Majesty, Leto.”

Another is a large girl with jet-black curly hair flowing in a mess, wearing dark Oriental-style street clothes. Heidiera Isidell.

She was the girl from the East who exposed his and Kelg’s evil deeds, and who had never once been hostile to Erto and had always supported him steadfastly.

‘…’

Tirisia’s lips opened as if to say something, but then closed tightly.

I couldn’t talk to him. Erto was the only one who was allowed to show himself in that place.

“And what about the senior’s… chocolate cake shake. They grind up a whole piece of cake, is that healthy?”

“Just eat it and leave it behind.”

Another one is a girl with short hair in two tones of blue and sky blue, wearing jeans and a baggy sweatshirt. Perjena.

He was Erto’s teacher and a master swordsman of commoner origin who was somewhat distant from him.

A person with deep feelings who secretly supported Erto when he was dating him in the past.

‘… Everyone is still by Erto’s side.’

Up to that point, the members could understand.

Because Aidel and Perzena were people who had never been distant from Erto in the first place.

When Lucica heard that they had broken up by mutual consent, she was disappointed and angry at Erto, but after the misunderstanding was resolved, she seemed to have successfully restored her relationship with Erto.

thank god.

That thought only crossed her mind for a moment, and Tirisia finally turned her gaze to the girl sitting at the table.

‘…But why?’

I just couldn’t understand how she could be here.

That can’t be possible.

“And… there’s no such thing as cinnamon-roasted coffee ground with a French press and dripped in a demitasse, Seldianne. Just drink regular coffee.”

“What are you talking about?! What is your order?!”

Finally, the girl reflected in the jade colored eyes.

She was a young lady who never lost her dignity as a noblewoman, wearing her golden bun and a gorgeous red dress. She was Seldianne Elconza.

‘That’s ridiculous.’

How is it that that woman still maintains such a close distance with Erto?

Tyrissia couldn’t seem to logically resolve the questions that were floating around in her head.

She was the one who led the nobles in an attempt to expel Erto from the Academy, incited by Kelg.

Even before that incident, I couldn’t really say that I was very close with Erto.

He would have been just an annoying character who harassed and annoyed Erto every day.

Although he had been cooperating with Erto’s training for a little over a month before the Yeonmu Festival, it was difficult to say that their relationship had become fundamentally close.

In that situation, she must have been a foolish woman who made the decision to completely turn Erto into an enemy.

‘Why… on earth… ‘

Why, why, why,

Is that the woman smiling brightly next to Erto?

Erto too, why is he treating that woman so casually and with such an indifferent expression?

What on earth has been going on these past four months while I’ve been locked up at home?

Suddenly―

Chewing her molars, a feeling of resentment and disappointment suddenly surged through Tirisia’s mind.

Even such a traitor, no matter what the circumstances, is at Erto’s side and receives his favor.

We are close enough to go on outings together on holidays when we are not going to the academy.

How are you now?

When there were other people around, I was in a frustrating situation where I couldn’t even talk to him or show my face to him.

‘Why only me…’

Maybe it’s because I’ve been alone for the past few months.

As she saw Erto becoming more friendly with the people around him than before, a strong sense of loneliness began to creep into her heart.

Only then did Tirissia realize what kind of situation she was in.

Erto’s side was already full.

With other women, not yourself.

There is no place for oneself there.

There was no way it could happen. He was the traitor who tore Erto’s heart apart more than anyone else.

All I could do was to sneak a peek at his face from a place where I couldn’t be seen.

And all of this was achieved by one’s own efforts.

The price of choice for leaving Erto and choosing Kelg.

‘Ah… Erto… ‘

Tyrisia stretched her hand out into the air meaninglessly, unable or unwilling to touch him.

I wanted to say something to him right now.

I wanted to call your name.

She didn’t want him to love her back, but she wanted him to look back at her and make eye contact.

I wanted to bring our relationship back to how it was before, even just a little bit.

It seemed that only then could he fill the hole in his heart.

But that couldn’t be done.

Tirisia withdrew her outstretched hand with an expression of regret that could not be contained.

What gives you the right to come and seek Erto’s attention now?

‘… That won’t work.’

There was no way a dirty woman like herself could be included in that leisurely and harmonious outing.

This is something that throws Erto’s life, which has finally found peace, into chaos again.

If you had even a shred of conscience left, you had to leave him alone.

Never to show his face again.

That was the only right given to that ugly and dirty traitor.

‘…I’m sorry, Erto.’

Reflecting on herself for having momentarily missed his kindness and tried to talk to him, Tirisia turned her back on Erto.

hook-

And then, without a sound, he flew into the air and walked towards the only place he could go.

‘… Yeah, it was just a needless greed.’

In a state of despair, Tirisia ended up changing her destination to the mountain behind the academy.

Now, that was the only place where she could feel happiness.

*

“… Senior?”

The time when the sun is at its zenith.

Entering the hideout in the cave behind the mountain, Tirisia opened her eyes wide as she looked at the sight before her eyes.

“What, I thought you weren’t coming, why are you suddenly here and causing a fuss?”

Kelg’s room, located at the back of the central hall.

There he was lying on the bed with two other women in his arms, not Tirisia.

Judging from his half-naked appearance and the women on either side wearing only bathrobes, it seemed like the whole situation was over and they were enjoying the afterglow.

Tyrisia studied the faces of the two women leaning under his arms with trembling eyes.

‘Those people…’

If her memory serves her right, they were identical to the faces of the aristocratic female students at the top of the Academy rankings.

But whoever they were, that wasn’t what mattered now.

“Senior, what did you do just now?”

Although all the circumstances were already clearly revealed before her eyes, Tirisia wanted to hear the explanation from his mouth.

“Tsk.”

Kelg clicked his tongue in displeasure and got up from his seat, pushing away the women on his left and right.

“Hey, you guys, get out. I’m ruining the mood.”

“Ah, yes! Lord Durakal!”

“Excuse me!”

The two noble schoolgirls in bathrobes left the room with quick steps, keeping an eye on Tirisia.

bang-

The door closed, leaving only Kelg and Tirisia behind.

“You didn’t say you were coming. What are you doing now?”

Kelg looked down at Tirisia’s face with a curt expression.

“Senior, what are you doing now?”

Tyrissia asked him back, dumbfounded.

He’s having relationships with other girls while I’m away.

Isn’t that cheating and infidelity?

But Kelg responded to her with a confident expression and the corners of his mouth curled up.

“What, are you upset because I didn’t include you? Then you should have told me in advance. Why do you come here out of the blue and bother people? Now I have to worry about their entrance exams.”

“Senior… That’s not what I’m asking now… Why were you holding another woman when I was there?”

“Ah… This guy really has no sense.”

Wearing baggy pants and a bare top, Kelg frowned and scratched his head.

His dark eyes opened sharply, and he asked a question with a bitter smile.

“Then, you didn’t know I was this kind of guy? Huh?”

Heart pounding.

Tirisia’s heart began to beat.

The moment I looked at Kelg’s mean and proud face,

Something inside her began to peel away.

“Senior… ”

Heart pounding.

“Senior, do you really love me?”

Tyrissia asked.

Whether there was any sincerity in their relationship.

“Hey… Is that important?”

Kelg laughed at her earnest question, his tongue flickering.

“The important thing is that you truly love me, right? ”

Heart pounding.

My heart feels like it’s going to burst.

Tirisia felt her head clearer at his answer.

love?

Did I love this person?

Really? Seriously?

“Senior… I… ”

Tirisia realized that the feelings she had harbored until now were disappearing.

Why did I like this guy?

Why did you love this worst villain who covets other people’s women and does not keep his chastity?

It was strange.

There’s no way I could love someone like this.

There’s no way I could have loved you.

Why on earth did I love him more than Erto?

The moment I realized that fact―

“I am… ”

Finally, I put my true feelings into my mouth,

“I don’t love my senior.”

Tirissia Brewery,

After a long time,

With innate magic resistance,

Little by little, little by little, peeling off,

The Kelg Durakal that she had secretly implanted in her body,

It was a complete liberation from the curse of fascination.