Chapter 21
She hopes he does. She hoped to remain in his memory for as long as possible. Though it won’t be a lasting memory, with him, beside such a beautiful person, she still hopes he will remember her occasionally until my image completely fades away.
Instead of harboring such trivial desires, Yvonne wore her practiced, indifferent smile and asked,
“You have to leave early today, right?”
“How did you know… that?”
He asked back, seemingly surprised. She simply understood that he must return to the imperial palace before dawn to prepare for the wedding, so he wouldn’t be able to stay long. Perhaps even taking the time to visit her under the cover of darkness was a significant effort on his part.
“I just guessed. It seemed that way since you haven’t taken off your robe yet.”
“Ah.”
Jerome finally seemed to realize he hadn’t removed his outerwear and looked apologetic.
“I’ve been so busy since I got here. I have to leave right away. I couldn’t bear not seeing you today, so I stopped by.”
He whispered, planting short kisses all over her face.
“Thank you for letting me see you, even if only like this.”
Yvonne smiled brightly, genuinely, within his hands that held her face. She had expected him to come and waited, but she was still anxious. She feared leaving without seeing him and giving him her final gift.
“…Yvonne.”
Jerome asked in a low voice, watching her smile for a moment.
“Is something wrong? You seem a bit… different today.”
His persistent gaze scanned her face. She hesitated briefly but then shook her head with a calm expression.
“No. Maybe it’s because I’m tired. I’ve been very busy lately.”
“Well, if that’s the case, get a good rest tonight. Don’t think about anything.”
“Yes, I will. Oh, and before you go.”
Yvonne spoke while pulling at the tie of his robe, loosening the knot.
“Can you take off your shirt for a moment, Jerome?”
“Hmm…”
His reaction was peculiar. He fumbled briefly as she unfastened his robe, then licked his dry lips and furrowed his brow. Finally, he let out a deep sigh.
“Yvonne. What should I do? I really don’t have the time for that…”
“What are you thinking right now?”
Yvonne widened her eyes, then burst into laughter.
“Did you really think I was trying to seduce you?”
“Weren’t you?”
Jerome grinned sheepishly, then wrapped his arms snugly around her waist and chuckled.
“I’d be a bit disappointed if that wasn’t the case.”
“I can’t stop you.”
Yvonne shook her head with a soft laugh. No matter how uneducated she was, she wasn’t shameless enough to suggest mingling bodies with a man who was about to get married.
To be honest, she desperately wanted to have him one last time. Just once more. But she couldn’t make Jerome into a shameless man as well.
“Before you go, Jerome… I have something to give you.”
Her hands moved busily, unbuttoning his shirt. She could tell from his unconcealed urgency that there really wasn’t much time left.
Amidst it all, Yvonne realized one thing and hid her bitter face. The black shirt he was wearing wasn’t something a commoner could afford. Made from the finest silk, it was clear at a glance that it was crafted by a renowned designer.
How had she not noticed something so obvious before? Yvonne laughed at her own foolishness.
Still, it was a relief. As she fully undressed his shirt, she opened the box she had prepared on the bed.
‘This will suit Jerome.’
Yvonne pulled out a white silk shirt. In the past, everything she had gifted him was something a commoner would wear. It was unworthy of Duke Lance.
But this gift was different. She used the best silk she could find to make a shirt just for him. Something that even Jerome Lance would find suitable.
From slipping his arms into the sleeves to fastening the buttons, it was all done by her hands. As she fastened the final button, her fingers brushed over the lower part of the collar.
There, hidden, was a blue feather of a dreamcatcher she had meticulously embroidered. He might live his whole life without knowing it was there, so small and well-hidden it was.
Just as her existence had been in his life.
“Hmm. It suits you very well.”
Yvonne said with satisfaction, smoothing his shoulders.
“Why a shirt all of a sudden, Yvonne?”
“Just because.”
Yvonne brushed Jerome’s disheveled blond hair back. He smiled like a docile child at her touch.
“I just wanted to give you something nice for once.”
If she was lucky, this shirt might hang in his wardrobe for quite a long time. She smiled too.
“Thank you, Yvonne.”
Jerome kissed her on the lips. Then he hurriedly put on his robe and said,
“I have to go now.”
Ah, this is the last time. This is the end of our meetings. Yvonne clenched her fists unseen. If she didn’t, she might end up grabbing him.
“…Yes, goodbye.”
She bid him farewell. A goodbye only she knew.
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