Episode 191
“Lucerne. That's what you should have. It is a message and legacy that Undine-nim risked her life to pass on to you even in a ruined life. Giving up the position of head of household to hold on to me…….”
“I want to ask you one question.”
Lucerne said.
“Did you know what Undine's heritage was?”
Elisha flinched. But denying him now wouldn't change anything.
“I knew.”
“Do you ever regret revealing it?”
“No.”
Elisha answered right away. However, her eyes fluttered slightly once.
“Did you really?”
Lucerne seemed to have seen through Elisha's heart.
Elisha realized he was asking a very stupid question. Because, no matter how she asked, she could only give a stupid answer to this question.
'Because Undine-nim didn't leave a note saying that she loves you.'
Undine did not leave a message for Lucerne. The message she left behind…… It was revenge. She didn't tell Lucerne to be happy, or he to get his life in order.
The saintess, caught up in her vile family, has now lost her love, and the only emotion she will leave behind for Lucerne is hatred. She always is Women caught up in the family are buried in their desires.
Lucerne already had a very unhappy childhood. He didn't want to tell him about Undine's misfortune. But no matter how I thought about it, the answer was the same.
'I would have revealed Undine's will several times.'
It was hesitation anyway. But I would have been heartbroken for him every time.
When a very foolish night comes. Lying in bed alone, I would have been shaken a little bit. The spark that Lucerne had kindled in her heart did not go away and quietly tormented herself in her heart. What a foolish feeling, thought Elisha.
“I don't care what you say.”
Elisha said calmly.
“I don't want to live with you. I don't want you anymore, Lucerne…….”
Elisha was amazed that she could hurt Lucerne. It felt like his world was being torn to shreds in the air. Eventually, she looked at Elisha for a long time before he opened her mouth.
“Am I resentful? For making you suffer?”
“…… Not really.”
It was really strange, but Elisha couldn't hate him for being imprisoned by him. In the first place, she did something similar in her previous life…….
It was true that I was disappointed, hurt and suffering. But she's more……. I had a strong feeling that I wanted to sort out the love that was so painful. If you follow him forever, you will not be able to obtain the normal life or freedom you have longed for all your life.
I was afraid of the life that might one day slip into his hands again.
“I purposely fell off the bed once and got hurt. You were shaken by even one of them. I knew then, I thought I could get out.”
“…….”
“But this time it's not a lie. I can't stand it if you imprison me one more time. You believe that I am behind all of this.”
And that was true to some extent.
“Assume that it is real. Then you can imagine what I can do now.”
Lucerne pressed his forehead. He looked tired but terribly excited. It's a strange expression, but it was…….
“Great. Let the story go the way you want. First, Jacob is missing.”
“…… Are you Jacob?”
“Okay. I took out my anger by smashing Jacob. But I guess I did too much. I got scared and disappeared somewhere. Besides, it's not just Jacob. Enemies of the Cartier family, as well as my own, are scattered. If we divorce at this point, you'll look abandoned to me. Then you will be tired too.”
Elisha shut her mouth. That was all right.
“Besides, there is also the issue of the family head. If we get divorced, he might insist on the marriage he wants. It's difficult because I'm preparing to stab the family head. Lately, I don't want to listen to the old man's nagging.”
“…….”
“So I need to continue my marriage with you.”
Elisha bit her lip.
“And what?”
“That's it.”
Lucerne said calmly. And Elisha blinked her eyes.
“Do you really want to keep a nominal marriage?”
Lucerne pulled something of her out of her arms. It was crumpled and folded paper. Elisha noticed what it was.
[Rose Mansion.]
[Mansion for female singles. Complete escort. A paradise for safe, wealthy single women with maids. Recommended for heiresses!]
Early in her marriage, she was a pamphlet about the sale of her mansion that Elisha thought she would like to live in after the divorce. She had found the pamphlet with Lucerne and he had taken it away.
Elisha was shocked because it was so unexpected. It felt like a very old thing.
“I'll buy it here.”
“…….”
“Live here, whatever you want. Plain and safe.”
“You……. What have you done to this mansion?”
“I bought this mansion.”
Elisha hesitated.
“But that's all. Other than that I don't do anything There will be no filling this place with my people.”
“…….”
“I'm not going to lie to you about this anymore.”
“…… Are you trying to rewrite the contract?”
“I don't need that anymore, Elisha.”
Lucerne looked at her. Elisha's heart trembled strangely.
“What do you get from this?”
Lucerne faintly raised the corner of her mouth. And that smile soon disappeared.
“You still don't know?”
Lucerne said.
“I am clinging to you right now. Please give me a chance anyway.”
A thud, Elisha's heart dropped.
She got up from her seat. Eyes trembled. Lucerne followed suit. Elisha just wanted to run away. Lucerne approached her as she approached her door. He slowly leaned over her.
“That's why I have no choice but to erase the tracking tattoo.”
“…….”
“I still love you very much.”
Elisha swallowed her saliva. Her hands trembled slightly. She averted her gaze.
“So do this. Once in two weeks. Meet me That's all you need.”
“That doesn't work.”
Said Elisha. He would stir up and throw her all over Elisha's life into chaos by only seeing her once every two weeks. Besides, she gave him her conjugal duties. What if you are asked to sleep?
Of course I will refuse. But if you get caught up even once……. Elisha will fall into hell of feelings for him again. Such pictures were obvious.
“I don't want to get involved in the Cartier family affair. If that's the case, I'll go back to Sanctuary. All I can give you is a marriage in name only. And when you become a real head of household, you get divorced. If you don't like that, I have nothing to say.”
If you're willing to accept even those conditions, try it. Elisha said something like that. It was sincere. She thought he couldn't accept…….
But Lucerne, like someone who puts up with something, seemed to exert tremendous self-control for a moment. He closed and opened his eyes.
“Great.”
Lucerne spat out.
“Then do not have any obligations. You don't have to see me unless you want to. Instead, stay within my power, under my protection.”
Elisha held her breath. Like the hands of a clock moving, her world fluctuated greatly.
“Why the hell are you doing this? Those conditions……. Why do you…….”
“I told you.”
Lucerne raised her red eyes and looked at Elisha. Elisha's head shuddered at the heavy sincerity of her words, which were spoken out like a whisper.
“I love you. So I will change my ways.”
“How is that?”
“Anything. I'll do whatever you want. Elisha. That's the new rule.”
Lucerne said.
Alas, this is like a dream in which you can't tell if it's heaven or a nightmare, Elisha thought. All of this seemed false.
* * *
Birds chirped through the open window. Suddenly, I felt a chill. Elisha opened her eyes slowly.
She looked around slowly. A warm purple carpet. A sofa upholstered in soft fabric. And a three-story house with very good sunlight.
'Looks like he fell asleep with the window open.'
Elisha opened her eyes slowly. At her feet, before falling asleep, the books she had been reading and her sewing were scattered. I think I took a nap. She looked around slowly.
Haven't gotten used to it yet. One day, when I opened my eyes, I felt like I was in a prison-like room in the outbuilding where the collateral was staying.
It seemed that one day it would be in her mansion in Lucerne, and another day in the cellar of Yuryev's villa where her Lucerne had locked her up. But she always realized she was nowhere.
This was the mansion that Elisha had recently moved into. It had three rooms and a large living room, which was the best room in the building. Lucerne sent Elisha here as she promised.
'I still can't believe it.'
Why did Lucerne send her here? Even he put only three conditions this time.
He would report to himself before leaving the area where she lived, would cover all her expenses for her Elisha to live in, and would keep her marital relations on her papers.
That was all. Other than that, there were no obligations or demands.
In other words, the purpose of this generous transaction was neither Elisha's body nor her status. Lucerne was no longer an illegitimate child, so Elisha's identity was no longer needed.
Elisha got up from her seat and looked in the mirror. The nape of her neck was clean. Now there is nothing there.
Finally, she is free from the Cartier family.