Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 135
“Why are you out here without an umbrella over your head?” Logan asked.
He was holding a large umbrella with a lacquered handle and wearing a black frock coat.
‘Aren’t you hot?’
It was pouring, but it was still summer, and the humidity made it muggy.
She suddenly remembered that he hardly ever sweated and his skin didn’t tan easily. His skin would turn red in the sun, and he rarely rolled up his sleeves unless it was the middle of summer.
“I lost it. What about you, Captain? What brings you outside in such heavy rain?”
He raised his left hand. A cigarette nestled between his fingers, with white smoke curling upward.
Cecilia smiled faintly.
“You’re smoking every time I see you. You’ll catch tuberculosis at this rate.”
“It’s fine. I plan to die before that.”
He tilted the umbrella slightly towards Cecilia and took a drag from his cigarette. Cecilia’s smile cracked slightly.
Today has been such a hard day.
I’m hurt, confused, it’s raining, and you’re here.
“Then, break off the engagement before you die. I don’t want to be a widow.”
“Why? I’ve heard wealthy widows are very popular among young men.”
“I’ve never seen a wealthy widow meet a good end.”
“How about being a good example yourself?”
“Hmm… I’m not confident.”
Cecilia stared at his wet shoulder for a moment before asking.
“Have you ever considered living a long life?”
He exhaled, making a deflating sound, and crushed his cigarette under his shoe.
“Life never goes as planned.”
“You can try. Isn’t it better to try to live long than to decide to die young?”
In the gloomy weather, his eyes, which resembled Cecilia’s hair, looked at her. Beautiful but cold eyes.
“And you?”
“Pardon?”
“From what I can tell, you don’t seem like someone who plans to live long.”
“……”
“I can recognize people living with a death sentence hanging over them. You have that look in your eyes.”
His sharp gaze and the way his lowered eyelashes sparkled white like ground pearls made his eyes piercing.
“I hope I’m mistaken.”
“……”
When Cecilia stayed silent, he smoothly ended the conversation and handed her the umbrella.
“Oh, I’m alright.”
“I’m going inside now anyway. You can join me if you want.”
“…Then, let me borrow this for a while.”
He smiled, then took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. When Cecilia resisted, he whispered,
“Put it on.”
“No…!”
“It’s see-through.”
“……”
Cecilia’s eyebrows twisted in displeasure. He managed a gentlemanly smile as he buttoned the coat around her.
Cecilia stood there, holding the umbrella. One side of her shoulder, drenched, felt particularly cold.
* * *
Logan Harper could only leave after the rain stopped. He had stayed for just two weeks and was returning to the military instead of his hometown, proving he was quite the workaholic.
“Take care. I hope you stay as healthy as you are now when we meet again.”
Caroline visited him before the group send-off. He nodded as he stood by the luggage cart, cigarette in mouth.
“Well…”
“Yes?”
“Um, well, pardon me.”
Caroline hesitated with her words.
“What is it?”
“Perhaps…”
She paused for a long time before finally speaking.
“Was there something lacking?”
Logan didn’t immediately understand what she meant. Then he recalled Count Lasphilla’s proposal of marriage for Logan to marry this daughter instead.
Surely, the Count hadn’t told his daughter about the conversation.
‘She must have eavesdropped.’
She had keen ears.
Logan shook his head.
“None at all. If anything, I’m the one who is lacking.”
“Th-that’s not true!”
Caroline waved her hands dismissively.
“Mr. Harper, you are perfect.”
Logan gave a faint, ambiguous smile.
He was aware of his own background and professional shortcomings. The word ‘perfect’ didn’t suit him.
But not wanting to prolong the conversation, Logan briefly expressed his thanks.
“Well then…”
As Caroline blushed, Logan quickly looked up and spoke to the porters.
“What was that?”
Logan asked nonchalantly. Caroline gave him a disappointed smile.
“…It was nothing.”
