Summer crying

"This is what it looks like if you like me, Sir Elroy. You will receive more of the day's pain than pleasure. I don't understand why you bothered to like me. But… thank you for allowing me to experience the thing called love."

Mariette was about to continue nibbling on her sandwich until she realized Elroy had tears in his eyes.

"Oh, sorry," said Elroy. He hastily wiped his tears with his sleeve. "This… this is just…"

Elroy's efforts are useless. Mariette didn't understand why, but Elroy's tears continued to fall. The man even sobbed.

Mariette also took the sandwich in Elroy's hand and helped wipe his tears with her handkerchief.

"I can't believe you're crying," Mariette said quietly.

"I… felt both sad and happy," said Elroy. He tried to smile at Mariette. "Sad that you feel unloved and happy all this time because you accept my feelings. Even though you say your heart is frozen, it turns out that you are trying to understand the feelings of other people–and mine. I should be the one thanking you."

"I think it's the person receiving who should be thanked."

"I've said before, right, if liking someone is the greatest human feeling? Thank you for letting me like you."

"Yes."

"And you are already betrothed to Sir Anatole."

"The two of us haven't decided anything yet. It bothers you a lot, doesn't it?"

"Yes. Especially after I saw and spoke to him directly." Elroy looked shuddered. "If I may quote what Ferdinand said, this is the first time I admit that there is a very handsome man."

"Well... To me, his face is the same as most men's."

"How about me?!" Suddenly Elroy brought his face closer to Mariette's. "What do you think my face looks like?"

What does Elroy look like, according to Mariette?

Mariette's brain automatically compared Elroy's face to Anatole's. Both of them were complete opposites in both character and appearance. Elroy with his jovial nature and bright blonde hair. Cool Anatole with jet-black hair.

If Anatole was a winter's night, Elroy was a summer's morning.

"I thought… you are a summer that can warm anyone. The people around you are happy with you: Sir Ferdinand, Linda, and Prince Louie. I am also grateful because you want to be beside me, "said Mariette. "That's why I was surprised when I saw this summer crying just now."

Elroy chuckled. "I am fine. Just a little surprised to hear your confession," he said. "Then I promise I will not cry again in front of you."

Seeing how easily Elroy was moved just now, Mariette doubted this man could keep his promise. Elroy was on a trip to learn about Mariette's curse. Soon he would learn many things Mariette had not said.

About Mariette who would die if someone loved her.

And about the death of the person who loved Mariette.

Will Elroy still want to love Mariette even though it will kill him?

***

That night Mariette had a dream.

Very strange dream.

She saw his summer sun laughing with a joyful face. He held a bouquet of flowers as bright as his hair in his hand. His hand waved as if inviting Mariette to follow him.

As Mariette was about to follow him, a woman caught up with Elroy. Mariette realized that the woman was her.

Dimly, Mariette heard Elroy call her name in a tone full of happiness.

"Mariette!"

She smiled. Smiling in a way she never thought she could. A smile as bright as Elroy's.

Elroy then took her hand and led her up the hill, towards the sun. Mariette could faintly hear the waves. And be aware if they are on a cliff.

The two people ran toward the edge of the cliff.

"Not. Wait!"

Mariette wanted to prevent them. But she's too late. They are fell off the cliff.

"My Lady! Lady Mariette! Wake up!"

Mariette woke up suddenly.

Linda's pale face immediately filled Mariette's vision. Her lady-in-waiting said something, but Mariette did not hear it so clearly. She just nodded carelessly at whatever Linda had said.

Linda went out of her room in a hurry.

What happened? thought Mariette confusedly.

She could feel her breath faltering, her body breaking out into a cold sweat, and…

and her heart beats.

Again.

What is really happening? It was too close to the previous one. Are these feelings of love from the same person?

From Elroy Gauthier?

Shortly after that, Linda entered along with the Priest. He checked and calmed the effects of Mariette's curse as usual though it was obvious that he looked worried.

"This is the second time this year. Shouldn't you have told His Majesty the King? Which happened before this you haven't mentioned to His Majesty the King, have you?" asked the Pastor.

"I don't want to add another burden to Your Majesty, Your Excellency," said Mariette quietly. "You have no idea how angry he was when he learned of Sir Anatole's report."

The Priest took a deep breath. "Fine, if that is your wish. But if the same incident happens again this year, I will be forced to report it myself."

"Thank you for your understanding."

That day, Mariette decided not to go to work. Her heart was still beating in the same rhythm, reminding a corner of Mariette's mind that if she was, she was still alive and she was human.

She is just another creature of God who has the right to receive and give love to others.

But does it have to be this painful? Mariette thought.

[Even though you say your heart is frozen, it turns out that you are trying to understand the feelings of other people–and mine. I should be the one thanking you.]

Ah, that's right. Mariette had no right to complain. Wasn't this what she had hoped for these 17 years?

"It's okay… I… am fine," Mariette muttered to herself as she tried to calm herself down.

There is already one person in this world who wants to cry and smile for him. There is one person who wants to understand how he feels and wants. There is one person who wants to love him sincerely without knowing anything.

Mariette feels…

Happy.