Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 192
“Are you all right?”
At Logan’s question, Cecilia raised her head. He was still waiting for her hand.
“I don’t need an escort. It will only spark unnecessary rumors…”
“If rumors spread between an engaged couple, it would be a romantic story.”
“…Lieutenant.”
Cecilia spoke with difficulty.
“Do you really have no intention of breaking off our engagement?”
“I do not.”
“Then, are you going to marry me?”
“…”
Sometimes, silence is the best answer.
Cecilia let out a slight laugh through her nose.
“Accompanying a woman you have no intention of marrying alone at night—that’s not a romantic story, it’s a scandal.”
She brushed off Logan’s hand and stood up on her own. As she stumbled, Logan followed her, but she firmly shook off his hand again.
“Let go of me.”
“Miss Cecilia.”
As she struggled to walk forward, awkwardly holding up her cumbersome dress, Logan’s voice came from behind.
“Can’t we start with love?”
Cecilia tried to keep walking. If only the stiff petticoat didn’t cling to her legs.
“This damn dress…!”
Despite her frustration, Logan remained steady.
“If, as you say, we talk about marriage after just two meetings, wouldn’t that seem suspicious instead?”
“…There are plenty of people who fall in love at first sight and propose the same day.”
“In romantic novels, perhaps?”
“…”
Logan Harper was no ordinary man. He had the sharpness to remember his opponent’s words and use them at the right time. Cecilia clicked her tongue inwardly.
“Honestly, I’m not sure either. Whether I’ve fallen for you or if I’m just drawn to you.”
For the first time, he muttered something unbelievable.
There’s no way a man like him has never had a woman. Cecilia listened to his nonsense with one ear and let it pass out the other, still doubting his claim of never having had a lover.
But his next words stopped her in her tracks and made her turn back.
“If you dislike pity, there’s nothing I can do.”
“Have you gone mad?”
When their eyes met, Logan smiled victoriously, narrowing his eyes.
“I’ve picked up a lot through eavesdropping, so I’ll give it a try. Though, most of it’s dirty, so I’m not sure it’ll suit your taste…”
His choice of words, so clear in meaning, made her blush. As Logan’s imagination wandered, Cecilia’s face twisted as if she were squashing a tomato.
“How vulgar.”
“Now you’re finally looking at me properly.”
Even in the face of direct criticism, he remained relaxed. So self-assured—there’s no way he’s inexperienced.
“You’re good at it.”
In the end, a fragment of her past life slipped out.
“I am? Good at what?”
“That…!”
Knowing the future isn’t always a good thing. She almost wanted to bite her tongue and die.
Cecilia took a deep breath.
“So… escorting. You’re quite skilled at it. How can a man unfamiliar with women so easily be in close contact with one?”
“That’s because I have no such feelings. I’d do the same even if I were practicing with a wooden doll.”
“A wooden doll…?”
She was speechless.
“Now I see.”
Cecilia narrowed her eyes and lifted her chin.
“Lieutenant, you’re treating me like an interesting object, aren’t you?”
A doll that stood out a little among the wooden dolls. But still just a toy.
“You want to hold me once because I keep slipping away, but you think you’ll get bored holding on to me forever, so you don’t want to marry me. You’d rather just date me comfortably under the guise of an engagement and end it.”
“I didn’t say it so lightly.”
“Or…”
Her lips, which had been moving quickly, paused. There was something she had always wanted to ask. But now wasn’t the time. If she asked it now, she would immediately regret it.
‘Keep your mouth shut, Cecilia.’
As if mocking her own heart, the remnants of an old wish burst out like a sneeze.
“Do you love me?”
Regret surged in immediately. Cecilia squeezed her eyes shut.
“…Love?”
Logan stared intently at Cecilia. The yellow outdoor lights flickered. His laughter also came out intermittently.
He shook his head.
“It’s too soon for love.”
“…”
“Beginnings are inherently clumsy and slow, aren’t they? Unnecessarily cautious.”
Yes, you’re right. Too soon, way too soon. Even after years of being married, I didn’t dare ask this question.
Cecilia nodded, deeply agreeing with him.
“Thinking carefully, I suppose we’re not meant to be after all.”
