Precious

"Viscountess Mariette will be taking time off?"

Seeing the wide grin on Louie's lips, Elroy immediately covered his mouth. He overheard Louie's conversation with Ferdinand and blurted out his thoughts.

"Yes. I heard from Louisa at breakfast today," Louie said.

"But taking time off after only a few months back to work…" Ferdinand ran his hands over the sword he had just trained Louie with. "That doesn't sound very Viscountess Tierney."

"Right?" said Louie. "I always thought Mariette was the workaholic type. It's strange to hear that she'll be taking time off."

Did something happen? Elroy thought.

It's actually not surprising that Mariette took time off after everything that happened to her. Mariette would also want to avoid Elroy…

So he doesn't die.

"What do you think, Sir Elroy?" asked Louie suddenly. "Why is Mariette taking time off?"

"Maybe there's trouble in the county," Elroy chose the safe answer. Even though he knew that Mariette actually wanted to stay away from him.

But would such a way work? Elroy thought. Would his feelings for Mariette can disappear after a few moments of not seeing her?

"Elroy!" The rebuke startled Elroy. He found Ferdinand and Louie steadily worried. "What happened to you? You've been daydreaming a lot lately."

"Oh, sorry," Elroy said quickly.

"There is a problem?" asked Louie. "You tried to see Sir Anatole some days ago. Is it not going well?"

"Well… But that's not it…"

"Wait," Ferdinand said suddenly. "It's just a guess, but… what if it turns out that Sir Anatole and Viscountess Tierney are actually going to be–errr–married?"

The three of them were silent for a moment.

Elroy didn't think that far!

If Mariette intends to get rid of him seriously, the easiest way is true to get married. Besides, it made perfect sense that the reason for her sudden leave and the difficulty in seeing Anatole was because there was an impending wedding.

But, but!

"Oh, buddy. I didn't mean to say that. It's just a guess," Ferdinand added hastily.

"No," said Elroy weakly. "Because… the reason makes sense too."

"I'm sorry, Sir Elroy…"

Sob. "Thank you, Your Highness…"

If that's true, what will happen to Elroy after this?

***

Even though Elroy had had enough to think about, now he had one more burden on his mind. Since coming to the Palace, it seemed that Elroy's life had seldom been calm.

What's with these books? thought Elroy as he stared at the cover of the umpteenth book he was translating. How would he get the results of his report to Anatole and King Vallotton?

Elroy's mind wandered all over the place, desensitizing him. Right at the end of the bend, he almost ran into Mariette. Surprised, some of Elroy's things from the library fell. What an unexpected meeting.

W-wait. What should I say?! thought Elroy panicked to himself as he let the woman pick up the fallen luggage. Worse, he just kept quiet and didn't help.

"Next time, don't daydream while walking, Sir Elroy," said Mariette. He returned Elroy's luggage. "Well then, good night."

Elroy gaped at this. "Th-that's all you wanted to tell me?!"

Mariette, who had already walked away, turned and looked up. "I don't think there's anything else I need to tell you," he said.

What a human with a frozen heart, Elroy thought. "In fact… all this time I… have always been confused. What should I tell you when we meet by chance? What should I do if I can't see you forever? Is this all just me feeling it?"

"Sir Elroy…"

"Viscountess Mariette, I heard you're going on leave," said Elroy carefully. "It must be because of me."

"Yes."

"You seriously want to leave me?"

"Yes."

"What about your words about wanting to feel love and all that."

"That's not a problem. There are things more important than me."

"Viscountess Mariette." Elroy walked over. He was standing right in front of Mariette. "That act of yours sounds like a sacrifice. How can I not love you when you sacrificed that much for me?" he said. "I already know why you forbade me to love me."

Mariette let out a long breath. "Very well then. Now you understand why I tried so hard? So please respect my efforts to protect you."

"What if I say I don't care?"

Mariette looked at him in bewilderment and disbelief. "Are you out of your mind?"

"I heard love can really make people crazy."

"No, Sir Elroy." Mariette massaged her temples. "Think about how the people around you will feel if you die. Think of how I would be if you died–despite my heartlessness."

Elroy smiled faintly. "That's it, My Lady. Each of us will make sacrifices–so why? Dying with you isn't that bad."

Mariette shook her head. "You really are mad," he said. "Let's just end this conversation-"

"If I say there is a possibility of removing the curse, will you let me love you?"

Mariette's mouth opened, about to say something. But it was apparent that she looked unsure.

Actually, even Elroy wasn't sure if people would be able to undo Mariette's curse once they found out how. Just like all the books he had read, the curse only wanted life.

"You seem to have finished the books Sir Anatole brought you," said Mariette.

"Not really. I just… found something in a book I've been reading lately. And I… had to give a report regarding the work on translating those books. It's been some time since I haven't said anything, "explained Elroy.

Mariette observed Elroy. "Surely not something good."

"Yes. From the start, this curse was not something good.

"Then report it, Sir Elroy. You may request an audience with His Majesty the King if you wish."

That was exactly what Elroy wanted to do.

Everyone must know the truth behind Mariette's curse.

"I shall postpone my leave then, Sir Elroy," said Mariette. "But you should know I don't want to kill anyone just to break my curse. Humans… are precious. Including your life as well."

"And you too, Viscountess Mariette." Elroy tried to smile, then said goodbye to leave.

When she turned around, Mariette was still where she was. Perhaps she was contemplating Elroy's words just now.

Meanwhile, Elroy…

He knew his recklessness was only to delay Mariette's departure forever.