Saving My Childhood Friend Through... Questionable Means... - Chapter 54
Meanwhile, in the guest room of the Saint Viscounty’s manor, Seria was embroidering to calm her troubled heart. Marie had gone out to attend to some business, leaving Seria alone to pass the time. Deep in concentration as she worked on a pattern, a servant arrived at her room.
“His Grace the Duke Lucas is here to see you. Shall I escort him to the drawing room?”
“What?”
Seria hadn’t expected Lucas to come here. Startled, she lifted her head and opened her mouth, only to let out a deep sigh. She had felt a pang of disappointment at the thought that he might not come looking for her, but now that he was here, she feared this complicated situation might be brushed aside too easily.
“Please tell him to leave. I’m not ready to meet with him yet.”
“Pardon? Ah… yes, I’ll let him know.”
The servant seemed visibly flustered. After all, it wasn’t just anyone—this was a Duke who had come all the way to a Viscount’s estate in person, only to be turned away. Nevertheless, the servant had no choice but to withdraw.
Seria fidgeted with her embroidery, lost in thought. By now, the servant must have delivered her message, and Lucas would have left. He had ridden for an hour just to talk, only to be turned down—he was probably fuming.
Just then, a faint sound came from the firmly closed window, like something hitting the glass. Peering closer, Seria realized someone was throwing small stones at it. When she approached, the stone-throwing stopped.
Opening the window, Seria stuck her head out. Before she could even look down, a familiar voice called out to her.
“Seria!”
“What are you doing, Lucas?”
Standing in the garden, Lucas waved at her. Seria stared at him in shock, her mouth hanging open. Lucas continued, his tone apologetic.
“I’m sorry, Seria. I know you probably don’t want to see me, but I couldn’t just not do anything.”
It seemed he had asked the servants about her room’s location. Seria bit her lip anxiously, unsure how to respond.
“I know you don’t want to hear this, but please listen. The reason I lied… no, the reason I orchestrated that lie… was because I wanted to be in a special relationship with you. That’s the truth.”
“…I still can’t trust you. Even what you’re saying now feels like a lie.”
Her voice was cold. Seria couldn’t bring herself to believe his words. Whatever his intentions, he had deceived her, and that was undeniable. Lucas faltered, momentarily rendered speechless by her response.
At that moment, the sky, heavy with dark clouds, began to pour rain. The drizzle quickly turned into heavy downpours. Standing in the pouring rain, Lucas gathered his courage and shouted passionately.
“I have no excuse for what I did! Even if I apologize a hundred times, it won’t be enough—I was an idiot who didn’t even understand my own feelings. But, Seria, could you give me just one more chance? I like you—no, I love you!”
As the rain lashed down, Lucas became drenched from head to toe. Listening to his heartfelt confession from the second-floor balcony, Seria fidgeted in distress.
Lucas, who always valued his pride, would never, under normal circumstances, yell something so embarrassing in someone else’s home. Never. So, could his words this time be genuine?
But then again, he was also the same Lucas who had orchestrated a lie with a sorcerer. Seeing his pitiful, rain-soaked appearance, her heart softened, but she closed her eyes tightly and spoke. She didn’t want to be swayed by him any longer.
“Lucas, just go back. I’ll return to the duchy in a few days.”
“Seria… please, this time, I’m not lying. I swear, it’s the truth.”
Whether it was because of the rain or his emotional state, his voice sounded as though he were about to cry. Seria’s heart ached, but she turned away. From behind, she heard his quiet, trembling voice.
“Seria! I’ll wait here until you come out…”
Not wanting to hear more, she closed the window and drew the curtains. If she listened to him any longer, she feared she might lose control and run to him.
‘It’s raining so heavily… surely, he won’t stay out there the whole time, will he? He’ll probably leave soon.’
Hours later, the rain stopped, and the sky cleared as if the storm had never happened. Carefully pulling back the curtain, Seria peered outside. Seeing no one in the garden, she shook her head.
‘Of course, he left.’
But then, a servant arrived and delivered shocking news.
Duke Lucas had stood in the garden through the entire downpour until he collapsed. The servant explained that the butler of the Duke’s estate had been called to take him back.
Seria’s face turned pale.
‘What? He waited until he collapsed? Why? Why would he do that? Did he really mean to wait for me the whole time?’
