Looking for a Husband to Confine Me - Chapter 49.1
Chapter 49.1
Hector blinked slowly, his gaze flickering with uncertainty. He clearly didn’t understand my sudden laughter. He probably suspected I’d hit my head during the recent incident. I scoffed inwardly. He had said that even if the engagement between Hector Asid and Amelia Hazel ended, they would remain friends.
‘How could I so easily discard the time we’ve spent together since childhood?’ he’d asked. But those are my words. We did spend all that time together; we did promise each other a future, even if the feelings weren’t there. How could you so easily break it? When you were entwined with Vivian Ewill, whispering sweet nothings, did you not once think of your fiancée? Did my face never even cross your mind? Each thought brought forth another bitter laugh.
“…Amelia.” Hector’s voice was low as he spoke my name. I met his confused gaze. “Thank you for your concern, Hector.” A flicker of relief crossed his face at my short reply. He must have thought I finally understood his sincerity. But my next words would change that. “But I’d prefer it if you didn’t seek me out for such matters in the future.”
“…Why?” His fleeting joy hardened into confusion. I pressed on, finally voicing the feelings I had kept bottled up. Why had I cherished them so dearly for so long? “You may have taken our engagement and promise of marriage lightly, but I didn’t.”
“….”
“I loved you, Hector.”
Blink. Hector blinked very slowly, as if struck by the unexpected. “This engagement wasn’t something I just fell into. I accepted because I loved you.” His perfectly shaped lips parted, as if words crowded his throat, yet none escaped. My faint smile faded as I met his gaze, all emotion draining from my face. He seemed to have misunderstood everything I’d said until now. After the broken engagement, he had assumed we would remain friends. He believed the time we shared was precious, that he could still be there for me if something happened. But this time felt different. Finally, his expression shifted; he seemed to understand my intent.
“So, I’m saying I don’t want to see your face anymore. Not after you so readily broke your promise.”
“….”
I took a step towards him, my voice hardening, a warning lacing my tone. “If you have any conscience at all, you’ll wait. Wait until I come to you.”
“…Amelia.”
“If you have even a shred of remorse, that’s what you’ll do. You have no right to just show up here, acting as if nothing happened.” I backed away, leaving him speechless, a cool smile playing on my lips as I observed the distance between us. There had always been a distance between Hector and me. Even knowing that, I had foolishly believed he wouldn’t leave. I had been foolish not to see Hector Asid for the inconsiderate… jerk he truly was.
“I really did love you,” I murmured, my gaze fixed on his bewildered, stammering form. Behind him, I noticed a carriage bearing the Crow Knights’ insignia. When had it arrived? I hadn’t even noticed, too preoccupied with Hector.
“So, no matter what rumors you hear, don’t come looking for me. Even if you hear I’m dead.” The carriage door opened, revealing Ricardo’s bespectacled face. I brushed past Hector, adding one final piece of advice. “Until I seek you out, please, don’t show your face.”
Without looking back, I climbed into the Crow Knights’ carriage. Only after we started moving did I glance back at Hector through the small window. Even as the distance grew, he remained rooted to the spot, staring blankly after the departing carriage. I drew the curtain, unwilling to meet his crimson eyes. Then, I felt a gaze upon me. Ricardo was watching me over his spectacles.
‘So, it’s Ricardo today.’
I had known the Knights were coming for me, but not that it would be him. I felt a pang of embarrassment at having been seen in such a state.
“Um….”
“Was that Duke Asid just now?” Ricardo’s voice overlapped mine. He, too, seemed startled by the simultaneous speaking and offered an apologetic look. I nodded slowly. “Yes, that was Duke Hector Asid.”
“But I thought…”
“We’re not officially separated yet.” I answered with a tight smile, cutting off his hesitant words. Rumors of our broken engagement were circulating, but technically, we were still bound. Hector had simply demanded the separation and escorted another woman at the ball.
“Is that why you were waiting outside, instead of inside the mansion?” He seemed to be asking if I had deliberately waited outside the carriage to speak with Hector. My face hardened. Me, wanting to speak with Hector? Deliberately? It sounded as if I still had feelings for him, so I quickly shook my head. “No. My family is at the mansion today. I didn’t want them to see me leaving in the Knights’ carriage.”
