[Side Story] Wind Flower (4)
There are many stories of people who loved someone they could not get over.
We all know that love that transcends social status and ends in a romantic, happy ending is only possible in fairy tales.
Yenica Failover realized this a long time ago. Reality is a series of times that are more obvious than you think, have no twists, and pass by in a dull way.
Even the highlights that we experience once in a while are only brief, and life is mostly made up of obvious stories and ordinary times.
So, your love story will also end with an obvious conclusion.
Unlike fairy tales that end a turbulent life story with an irresponsible line like “I lived happily ever after,” and make you close the book in confusion…
Jenica Failover’s life will, as always, be filled with the occasional highlight and most ordinary moments.
I loved a man named Ed Rosstaylor.
Although my life was short, I can still feel it. No matter how many more years I live, I will never think of someone so passionately again.
The experience of loving someone like fire will serve as nourishment for a long life and make Jenica a more mature person.
Even if it’s a love that doesn’t come to fruition, it will remain in a corner of your heart and allow you to recall that you have ever thought of someone so passionately.
Actually, isn’t that enough?
That’s how Yenica Palover decided to have a heartbreak. Although she is not conscious of it.
I had a feeling that the days of living in the Duchy of Rosstaylor and being by his side would inevitably come to an end someday.
The absurd act of ending a romantic relationship on one’s own because one is so frightened by a heartbreak that hasn’t even come yet. The reason for doing such a thing is obvious. Because I know Ed Rosstaylor’s situation well.
Yenica Palover knows what Ed must sacrifice to have her.
It would be a truly happy thing if Ed made up his mind and made all the sacrifices to take Jenica. But, you can’t blame him for not doing it either.
If you love him, you can be stubborn.
If you want to keep me by your side, be it for political gain, connections, authority as an aristocrat, a busy professorship, whatever… Put it down for now.
If you want something from a woman named Yenica Palover, all you have to do is force her to make the appropriate sacrifice, look after herself more, take care of herself, and hug her from time to time. Ed Rothtaylor probably won’t be able to resist.
However, Yenica Failover was born with a natural inability to do so.
She doesn’t want to force Ed Rothtaylor to make any kind of sacrifice. Especially because I know very well what kind of life he has lived and what kind of life he plans to live in the future.
That is why the girl wanders. The love she has harbored for a long time is as if she has been stranded on a deserted island and has no direction to move forward.
There are times when you feel disillusioned with yourself because you are satisfied with just being by your side.
‘… I need to get my mind together… ‘
After finishing the sesshin, Yenika put on a light gown and tied the front island tightly. And as she looked in the mirror, shaking the moisture from her hair, she made up her mind again.
‘I was distracted by sleeping in the same room for a while, but I shouldn’t get confused…’ I have my role…’
Just because Ed Rothtaylor gives you special treatment, you should not mistake yourself for thinking that you are truly a special and noble person.
I couldn’t thank Ed enough for letting me into the room when I was lost, so why was my heart pounding with anticipation?
Due to Ed’s personality, there would be no need to touch Yenika. In fact, it was highly likely that Yenika was the only one playing the drums and drumming and being nervous, as always.
Looking at her blush-like cheeks, Jenica pursed her lips.
Although he had just graduated from Sylvania Academy, he had already become an adult. How long are we going to keep blushing, rolling our eyes, and getting scared over things like this?
I didn’t really decide to go to sleep, I just gave him a bed in the room.
It’s so embarrassing for a grown woman to stutter, blush, and choke because she’s embarrassed by something like that. It’s not like I can stay under Ed’s care forever.
So, I steeled myself and washed my face again.
“Yeah, it was good..”
The heat in my face that seemed to be on fire has subsided, and I finally feel like I have regained my composure.
For no reason, I look in the mirror and try to smile like an adult. At this point, it doesn’t feel like a mugwort vein at all. This is the very image of an adult who treats men with composure.
Yenika took advantage of that momentum and quickly opened the bathroom door. I think I can treat Ed without any worries now.
“Have you washed everything?”
– Bang!
However, when I saw Ed sitting on Yenika’s bed, shirtless and wearing only cotton pants… Yenica had to slam her bathroom door shut again.
I managed to handle the almost nosebleed by holding the bridge of my nose, and once again had to pour cold water on my face for a long time.
*“I’m sorry… Ed… “I didn’t know you were changing clothes.”
Jenica came out toward the bedroom, her face so flushed that it almost looked like she had been smeared with red paint.
However, even though Yenika came back into the bedroom, Ed was still topless.
“Oh, I haven’t changed yet… ! Sorry! “I’ll be inside for a moment, so call me when you’re done.”
“No, you don’t have to go. “Just come here and sit next to me.”
“What the heck”
what? I tried to answer, but my breathing got caught and I made an unintelligible sound.
Since he was in no position to consider Yenika, whose brain was overloaded right now, Ed had no choice but to add an additional blow with the next line.
“I wasn’t changing, I just took it off.”
“… .!!!”
Yenika had already stopped breathing here, so it would not be surprising if she died of suffocation.
After nodding his head a couple of times, which wouldn’t be surprising if steam started to come out right away, he just did what Ed told him to do and walked over to sit next to Ed.
“… “Without losing?”
The sound of my heartbeat went beyond the pounding level and reached the point where it could even echo in my ears. He almost lost track of Ed’s words for a moment.
“Yes?! what?!”
“Wasn’t it cold?”
“huh! The weather is warm too! “I actually liked the cold water because it kept me alert!”
I was nervous for no reason, so the tension was higher than necessary.
It’s as if he wants to emphasize that there’s nothing wrong with me. Usually, there is no good person who takes that kind of attitude.
“Then that’s a relief. By the way, since this opportunity has come, there is something I really want to say to you, Yenika.”
“Yep! say! “Tell me everything!”
Yenika had already become a complete yes man.
Enclosed space. We promised to spend one night together. Ed takes off his shirt and sits on Yenica’s bed. Yenika, sitting next to him, wearing only his underwear and gown, his head flushed and his breath catching.
In this state, it is impossible to think anything more or use your brain. Yenika was that kind of person.
“… This is a bit serious. From your perspective, it may feel natural or unexpected, but… “But let me be clear.”
“What?”
Ed pulled the edge of the bed sheet for a moment, then just spoke in a flowing rhythm.
“I think I like you anyway. “In a rational sense.”
Yenica Failover’s breathing stopped.
Dead. Jenica Palover, age 21.
Ed Ross Taylor dies of shock due to a heart attack caused by his sudden confession.
*“… .Huh!”
It felt like I lost consciousness for a moment and then came back. Was it 3 seconds or 5 seconds?
Yenica’s mind, which had been in a state of panic for a moment to the point where it felt like she had died and returned, quickly returned to its proper place.
“Well, what… ”
“I said I thought I liked you rationally.”
“Oh, no, I heard it, but why.. uh.. ugh why… Saliva… ”
Saliva came out because she couldn’t close her mouth, so Jenika sniffed and quickly came to her senses.
“I’m sure you had an intuition to some extent. “How many years have you been in trouble?”
“No, that’s true, but… Because there is a gap between Ed and me… Ed is the Duke’s master, and I am his vassal and only received the title of Baron… ”
“okay… I expected it to be said that way… ”
Ed spoke with his head down for a moment.
“… That’s right, from my perspective, I have nothing to say even if I get dumped.”
“What? What are you talking about! Don’t interpret this as strange! It’s not cold! It’s not cold, so don’t jump to conclusions too hastily, but we need to talk about it first! Do not misunderstand! I’m definitely checking it because it’s important, but it’s not really cold! “I didn’t kick it!”
“If it’s not full, then… ”
“Huh… !”
Yenika, who was out of breath every chance she got, spoke while clutching her face as if she couldn’t handle the heat on her face.
“Eh, Ed… Something big happened… ”
“what? why?”
“I can’t control the corners of my mouth… Just give me some time. I think I’m making a really funny and insincere expression that doesn’t fit the mood right now… ”
“… “Take your time.”
Jenica lowered her head and buried it between her white thighs.
What is this feeling that has been creeping up my back since a while ago? This subtle sense of coolness, catharsis, and heat that I don’t know what to call it is the first time I’ve felt it in my life.
I try to express happiness in such a general way, but it feels like something is missing. I don’t think it would be strange if I ascended to heaven right now, feeling my heart pounding so much that even my breathing became difficult.
“But, there is a problem.”
Ed’s next words fell on Yenika’s back, who was so happy that she was trying to make a sound out of her tied neck.
Unbecoming of a man like that, he hesitated and avoided eye contact… He continues speaking with difficulty in a strange tone.
“Maybe you’re the only one who likes it… .”
The world stopped.
Yenika, who was trying to somehow pull down the corners of her ascending mouth, became as stiff as stone.
Then, he raised his head stiffly and looked at Ed with widened eyes.
“… Yes?”
“Well… listen… Yenika… There is a saying called heroic sensuality… “I’m not a hero, but even so, I’m a master peacock and I’ve accomplished a lot.”
“Uh, uhm… .”
“How can a large ship settle in just one port? Any man with grand courage must have numerous experiences and cultivate an inner spirit that can embrace many people… ”
For someone like Ed Ross-Taylor, there are a lot of rumors. It feels strangely different from how he always spoke calmly and straightforwardly.
I couldn’t help it. She had experience with women before she possessed Ed Ross Taylor, but she never did the trashy thing of openly declaring to her partner that she was going to cheat on him.
Ed spoke while turning his head.
“Well, isn’t it possible for me to like another woman rationally again…?” ”
“W-what do you mean… !”
“I come from the Rosstaylor family, so there must be quite a few women who try to get involved with me or try to string me along… Anyway, I hang out with them socially, and then we make eye contact… Well, that’s a common occurrence in aristocratic society. At that time, I thought, “Isn’t it a bit wrong to hurt you, Yenika?” In a way, I am considerate of you… That’s it… ”
This is sophistry itself.
However, even though Ed Rothtaylor knew that this was an absurd thing to say, he somehow continued the story.
“therefore… Even if something like that happens, can you understand and forgive me? Such a question… I wanted to try something… ”
Here, Ed Rosstaylor braced himself, thinking that Yenika was going to slap him.
I also thought about how I would respond if someone cried or cursed. Anyway, Ed was ready to accept whatever Yenika did.
“Eh, duh… ”
Yenika raised her head like that… She had a surprisingly faint expression.
It’s been almost four years since we first met at the lake in the northern forest of Aken Island when we were second-year students in Sylvania.
After overcoming many hardships, living together, and even becoming a vassal… Jenica had a deeper understanding of who Ed was than anyone else.
Are there all these trash people? You might think it’s time to yell and slap him, but…
Yenica Failover even understood Ed’s intentions when he said those words.
The man named Ed Ross-Taylor is not greedy, nor is he over-extending himself, nor is he interested in catching up with the limelight. I am definitely not the kind of person who would say something like that.
Nevertheless, the reason Ed Rosstaylor said such words is because he deeply understands Yenica Palover.
When a person named Ed Rosstaylor takes the Yenica Palover at the cost of self-sacrifice, the sense of debt and burden she feels… Ed knows all too well.
Yenika, who had once collapsed under such a heavy burden, did not want to experience the same thing twice.
That’s why Ed himself called himself trash.
Rather than forcing that burden on Yenika through Ed’s sacrifice, he bows his head, accepts the criticism, and puts himself in a position to be forgiven.
Jenica Palover does not become a debtor who owes Ed a lot of debt, but becomes a person who understands and forgives Ed’s vice and debauchery.
Because I understand very well how much weight that in itself can erase from Yenika’s heart… . Ed didn’t necessarily care about things like social prestige. Among nobles, there are many people who play with fire with commoners. Are you saying that you can handle that level of gossip?
I don’t really think that responsible Ed would embrace multiple women at once. This is because he is serious in everything he does and treats everyone he deals with with sincerity. There is no reason for such an upstanding man to want to commit debauchery.
At least Yenica knows Ed’s temperament well. He has always been the type to focus on what he has to do rather than on romantic relationships.
I wonder if the people around Ed will stay still… Aside…
You don’t know how things will change later… Putting it aside for now…
Even the fact that things in the world don’t always go as expected… Assuming we put it aside somehow…
First of all, the consideration that Ed gave to Yenika actually made Yenika cry. There are a few things I left aside, but whatever.
“Ed. “Don’t try to take responsibility for my feelings even if it means putting yourself down.”
Yenika’s words penetrated to the core, leaving Ed speechless for a moment.
I at least thought that Yenika would have questions about Ed’s actions.
Still, since it was such a shocking declaration, I thought people would first look at it with disdain. However, Yenica had a deeper understanding of Ed than expected.
I am not a person who plays with people’s hearts for no reason.
Since that firmly established trust cannot be shaken, in fact, Ed has no choice but to suffer stigma.
In the end, it is nothing more than a futile attempt.
─However, it is impossible to believe that such a futile attempt would lead to unexpected development… No one thought of it. Yenicado, Eddo.
In the end, their relationship is close to tying each other up with mutual respect and consideration intertwined like a spider web.
Ed is worried about Yenika’s heart, and Yenika is worried about Ed’s heart… If one of the two makes up their mind, the relationship is bound to change completely.
“then… Okay, Ed.”
In the end, Yenika, who read Ed’s entire intention, swallowed her dry saliva and shouted as if making a declaration.
“If you’re that trash, be trash!”
Could it be that Yenika was also affected by Ed’s strong mind? Yenica made up her mind and grabbed Ed’s arm, pulling him down onto the bed.
I felt like I used up all my courage just by pulling Ed while taking deep breaths.
When I came to my senses, I felt Ed’s arm supporting my body around the nape of my neck.
The front island that has been unraveled. When I think about my chest and buttocks that are clearly exposed, I already feel so feverish that I feel like I’m about to pass out.
The cool night air coming from the window touches Jenica’s bare skin and sweeps down her body. Even the late summer night air feels as cold as ice due to body temperature rising to its limit.
