Chapter 44 - From Your Winter
Chapter 44 – From Your Winter
Chapter 44: From Your Winter
Although the renovation was completed, a white candle was burning by the window on the second floor of the old house, where traces of time were still scattered everywhere. The light from the candles dimmed over the well-groomed face of the man sitting alone next to it.
Alan, dressed in a silk shirt that was not properly buttoned, was not visible even to the servants of the mansion. Unusually, he donned a defenseless face, he rubbed his clearly exposed collarbone.
“…….”
The feeling of being cramped as if he was still wearing cravat, maybe meant that he drank alcohol a little too much. Exhaling softly with a bored face, Alan buried himself deeply in the backrest.
Even though he had a busy day that even using two bodies wouldn’t be enough, it was painful for him to always feel regretful and lacking. Things to check never decreased and despite working at all hours there was still more waiting for him. After organizing work, it was close to midnight.
Life was never easy to begin with, But being harsh on yourself is never an easy thing to see. Regardless, Alan pushed himself with a murderous schedule pushing him to the extreme from time to time, giving him a sense of fear that he might get lost sometimes.
However, he had no place to back down. He didn’t know how to stop anymore. He had only one purpose of not giving up a life full of disillusionment and he was still holding onto it. Alan Leopold lived only for that.
“Whoo…”
A fresh, white smoke from wet lips flowed out and scattered. The bitter smell of chocolate and wet soil wafted slowly in the air. The transparent, brown liquid of whiskey glistened in the glass he was drinking from and gently wrapped warmth around him.
Midnight.
It was all quiet and dark outside the window. There was a blurry light that looked like a small dot. A red brick house located on a small hill, where the light leaked from the small window on the second floor.
“…….”
His white snow-like cold face suddenly had a faint smile. Under the thick eyelashes, his gaze as cold as the morning mist stared at the weak light for a long time.
It was a strange thing to find the greatest comfort of a day in this dilapidated old house, where he can only stay late at night and very early in the morning.
Alan turned his head towards the console table placed near the window. Above it lay a letter, handwritten as if it had been written by his left hand, and a golden envelope with a magnificent sailing ship printed on the outside. It was the last job of the day.
“……soon.”
The man who muttered languidly drank the whiskey slowly. A thin smoke rose from the cigar sandwiched between his long fingers.
* * *
There was a commotion during the day. This was because a royal carriage once again came to the two-story house located in a quiet place outside the center of the capital.
When a royal official visited me the other day, there was only one carriage. However, this time there were as many as three, and it was clear that the carriage at the forefront belonged to the royal family.
I was suddenly scared. This is because I remembered the unpleasant gaze I felt when I met Prince Bentley and an unexpected soggy touch that stroked my head slowly.
I didn’t want to face him again. But the problem is that there is no way for me to dare to reject the royal family.….
“Miss Collins?”
“Oh…!”
When I saw a lady getting off the carriage, I was so startled that I covered my mouth.
“I see you, Princess Cynthia.….”
Princess Cynthia, who is mentioned as the first royal daughter and the most likely candidate to succeed the throne, drove all kinds of beautiful stories and praise compared to the prince who had nothing to praise. A royal treasure that is wise, frugal, and has extreme love for the kingdom.
I bowed down holding her outstretched hand with trembling hands. Apparently, today, she came to meet the owner of the novel selected by the academy and came to explain the royal support.
In fact, like the last time, only officials were supposed to come, but the princess, who had a great interest in fostering the cultural foundation of the kingdom, came with me to personally praise my efforts and achievements.
“I heard you’re not an academy student.”
“Yes, I’m embarrassed but I can’t afford the tuition…….”
Then Princess Cynthia’s greenish brown eyes scanned the surface of the two-story house. For example, faded red bricks and gaps between them. But it was never an arrogant look.
The princess spoke in an elegant and confident voice.
“Nevertheless, it is great that your work was selected by defeating prominent competitors.”
“I’m grateful for it, your highness…….”
“I was curious because the dean praised so much, but I couldn’t believe she was such a small girl.”
Somehow, my palms tickled and my face was hot when I was praised by the first princess for being excellent. I muttered with a small voice.
“I’m… I’m past adulthood.….”
Then the princess burst into laughter.
“Then you will sincerely work harder and shine in the kingdom with your extraordinary talents.”
When Mrs. Kerney awkwardly offered her tea, Princess Cynthia refused, saying it was okay because she met me in person and said hello. In addition, it seemed that there was a different schedule immediately thereafter.
“So…”
After the princess got on the carriage, an official approached and gave a brief explanation.
“So I’m going to attain a two year academy in the Principality for literature?”
“That’s right. And…….”
In addition, the registration fee and dormitory fee have been paid, and the monthly living expenses could be handed over to the academy’s person in charge on a specific day every month.
Shortly after receiving the documents with the descriptions written on them, three flamboyant royal carriages swept away in dust.
“…….”
Thanks to this sudden commotion, the unbelievable reality in front of me was more vivid than ever. How can I leave my house for two years and live abroad alone? I’ve never had such an experience even in my previous life.
“About two months until I leave for the Principality of Lunoa….….”
Returning to the room, I was swimming in endless thoughts. Most were negative imaginations or worries.
“What should I do with my clumsy Lunoa language?”
Sourne and Lunoa have the same language, so daily communication is possible to some extent, but it’s a completely different story in academy classes. Will I be able to keep up with it?
Life itself was also a problem. It is said that living expenses are supported, but would her expenses compare to the locals when she has to buy everything from scratch? I can’t believe I have to stand alone among those warlike and bold Lunoites.….
Being independent from home means having to handle everything outside the door on your own. Having a bad habit of worrying about things that haven’t happened, my heart seemed to be tightening already because I was afraid of how messy my settlement in Lunoa would be.
There was nothing to be upset about just because the only best friend Viola left for Piccom. No, it was rather a happy thing. When I go to the Principality, I won’t even have a friend…….
“Ah.”
I don’t have friends, but I do have him.
“Yes, if it’s him.….”
The letter stating that I am also going to the Principality has not yet reached Toby. It’s probably floating somewhere on the sea between the Kingdom and the Principality.
However, it was not difficult to imagine how brightly his face would smile as he read the letter, and how happy his black and friendly eyes would shine. It was so good that I could draw a picture of it right away.
Then, I, who had been biting my nails nervously until just now, disappeared, and a faint smile spread around my lips. I always thought so, but Tobias is a person who resembles the spring.
And in the most brilliant season of the year, we would meet again.
At the same time, overwhelming emotions flooded in, even though it felt difficult to realize that I had come to his side sooner than expected.
I’m sure he’ll smile at me just like I remember. His dimples on his blushing cheeks, asking if I had enough time to think, and he will kneel shyly once again.
By the time I return to the kingdom after studying abroad, he will be twenty-eight years old, so before we get separated again, he…….
“Maybe…”
He might propose to me.
Someday in my imagination, I saw myself running freely on the sunset street of the Principality with a happy face. My brown cilantro hair flutters, a book with my name written on it in one hand, andflowers for the two of us at the dinner table in the other (hand)…….
Even if it’s not a hot love like a burning flame, with Tobias but I could be happy to my heart’s content. Because he’s the one who makes me chatter and makes me laugh a lot.
With him, I think everything will be fine for two years when everything is clumsy and scary. I stretched my body with a lighter face.
<The Night that Covers the Waiting and Sleeps>
Come to think of it, the newly bought novel was lying on the desk with only the ending part left to read.
“Oh, this book…….”
The two people who hated each other even at the beginning, fall in love that cannot be resisted. In the end, it is about longing for each other out of control and suffering at the same time., and when I read it so vividly that it made me exhausted.
“I think I want to write a novel like this someday.”
Now, only the long-awaited ending remained, but I couldn’t read it hastily under the pretext of preparing my mind, but I completely forgot after receiving the academy’s letter.
Should I read it until the end? No matter how slow I read, I think I can finish it within an hour.
But good days are continuing after a long time, and if I read this…….
“Lady!”
At that time, the door burst open and Julia rushed in. I calmed down my surprised heart and complained.
“…Julia, did you forget how to knock? What’s the point of calling me lady?So, can you call me a lady anywhere else?”
“I’m sorry.”
Julia, who said so, didn’t look sorry at all. Wouldn’t it be possible if you had a face that looked like you were having fun as if you were whistling at any moment?
“I got a letter for the lady…….”
“Letter?”
Did Viola reply? After writing a letter to Toby, I also sent a letter to Piccom.
Even so, it’s a little early.
“Is it Viola?”
“No!”
Julia laughed. If it’s this kind of expression…….
“Tobias?”
“Well, I can’t tell you the answer. I think you two wrote in your own code, so let’s pretend we don’t know!”
Julia, who handed out the letter with a peachy cheeks, hurriedly left the room. The sound of her running down the stairs and her lively whistle faded away.
“What are you talking about?”
I flipped over a letter envelope with nothing written on it and froze.
From your winter.