Read Novel Full Chapter 43, Edward Tries to Take Responsibility
Chapter 43, Edward Tries to Take Responsibility
Translator: Lizz
Edward returned to the fortress and decided to settle the final issue.
Sylvia snuggled up to Enma, who had come to welcome them. As the two happily headed back to their room, Gina tried to follow them, but Edward stopped her.
“Gina.”
“Yes?”
Gina turned around, puzzled to see Edward looking at her with an unusually serious expression.
She could tell he had something to say, but the look on his face screamed how difficult it was for him to say it. And she was right; that was exactly what Edward was thinking.
“…I was the one who treated your injury.”
Gina nodded hesitantly.
“…It was a severe wound, and there wasn’t a moment to lose. I used to be in the knight order, so I was trained in basic emergency care. I’ve treated many injured people before, so I’m experienced. I acted right away because I believed if I didn’t, it might have been too late.”
Edward explained this all with a straight face.
Gina didn’t know how to respond to Edward, who spoke with such a serious expression.
“Thank you for treating me…?”
She replied.
It didn’t seem like Edward was telling her this because he wanted gratitude, but since Gina couldn’t grasp the true intent behind his words, that was the only response she could manage.
Edward shook his head.
“No. It’s not thanks you should be giving, Gina. I tore your clothes off. You’re a young girl, not yet married. Surely that must have meant something to you? …If you’re saying I should take responsibility, then I will.”
Hearing that, Gina finally understood.
That was just like the earnest Edward she knew. Smiling a little, she turned to him and said.
“I have strong beliefs about marriage. …I lost my parents young, so when I marry, I want to build a warm, loving home with my partner.”
She thought… She was always starved for love from a family.
That was why she did everything she was told, shutting herself away in the workshop and worked like a slave.
She thought if she did that, she’d be loved. …What a foolish misconception.
That was why, this time, she didn’t want to get it wrong.
“I don’t want to marry without love just out of obligation. If that’s the case, I’d rather stay single!”
Gina declared her feelings firmly, prompting Edward to smile wryly.
“There may not be love… but still, Gina, you’re an important companion to me.”
Upon hearing that, Gina smiled gently at Edward.
“I feel the same. …You know, I tried to persuade Mr. Calogero by saying ‘We’re companions, so please talk to me.’ But now that I’m speaking with you, Sir Edward, I realize I never actually saw Mr. Calogero as much of a companion. That’s probably why he didn’t open up to me.”
“Huh?”
Edward blinked in confusion as Gina continued.
“Sir Edward has shared everything with me – your past, and the things that matter most. And I’ve told you everything too. But I’ve never shared any of that with Mr. Calogero, even though he’s a priest who listens to confessions. That’s because… Sir Edward listens to me. You’re the only one who truly trusts me, and I trust you just the same. So if I’m going to open up, it’s to you. If I had to choose whose words to believe, between Mr. Calogero and Sir Edward… I’d choose Sir Edward. The townspeople may trust Mr. Calogero, but for me, Sir Edward is the only one I truly trust.”
Edward was speechless. He couldn’t stop a tear from slipping down his cheek.
Gina cried too.
“We’ve lost the ability to trust people… but now, Lady Sylvia, Sir Edward, and me, we’ve finally found people we can truly rely on. That’s why I want to cherish this feeling. As for marriage, thank you for saying that, but I’d like you to ask me when you truly love me, and I love you back.”
“…Understood. I’m sorry.”
Edward reflected on his actions and realized he’d been careless.
Even though he knew Gina’s past, he had still spoken so casually about ‘taking responsibility’.
She was a young girl, surely carrying hopes and dreams about marriage. Of course she would reject the idea of marrying someone just out of obligation.
Instead, he should have offered a heartfelt apology. He did, and Gina responded with a gentle smile and waved her hand.
“Please don’t worry about it. It was medical treatment, and besides, someone as handsome as you, Sir Edward, is probably used to seeing naked women, right?”
Gina meant that last part as a light joke. But Edward froze, falling silent.
“…Wha—”
His reaction made it clear she’d hit the mark. Instantly, Gina’s expression flipped, her gaze turning scornful.
For a young maiden like Gina, a man familiar with women’s bodies was nothing short of contemptible.
“Wait, please. You’re right, but I don’t want to lie to you, Gina, so don’t press me. It was from a darker time in my life.”
dEward raised a hand to calm Gina, who was now giving him a frosty glare.
Gina, exasperated, watched Edward flail in panic and cold sweat, then gave him a smile.
“I’m not going to dig too deeply. A little contempt, maybe. But when Lady Sylvia gets older and hears your heroic escapades, she might take offense, you know.”
“Huh?”
Edward stared at her, mouth agape.
Gina looked back at him with a face that said, ‘Seriously? You’re pretending not to get it now?’, then continued.
“I just hope you won’t end up torn between me and Lady Sylvia in the future. I’d hate it if I finally sorted out my feelings only to find Lady Sylvia had become my romantic rival. So please, make up your mind early.”
Edward, startled, rushed to deny it.
“Wait, hold on. That’s not going to happen with Lady Sylvia. Maybe if I were some noble stuck in a political marriage, sure. But I’m just a commoner, twenty-one years old. I don’t have the rank or age for that kind of drama. You were the one who mistook us for a parent and child, remember?”
As Edward brought up that past mix-up, Gina recalled the moment and poked her tongue out playfully.
“Just forget about it. I ruled out ‘siblings’ because you two didn’t give off that vibe, so the only option left was, well, that.”
“You thought we were less like siblings than anything else? Fair enough. But still, not a chance.”
Gina flashed Edward a teasing smile.
“Ohhh really? I don’t think Lady Sylvia sees it that way.”
“I know she relies on me and doesn’t want to be apart, and I take pride in that. But that comes from her upbringing. She’s lived on her own until now, and I’ve helped her with a lot. For someone so young to finally have someone she can lean on… it makes sense she’s clingy. I get it. Besides, Lady Sylvia is a noble. Right now she’s being left alone, but once this place starts to gain recognition, her parents won’t stay hands-off. From what I’ve heard, she’s bound by a magical contract, so they probably won’t be able to dismiss her as the Lord of this town, but they’ll likely send her a suitor for a political marriage.”
Gina frowned slightly as she listened to Edward speak.
Edward caught the look on her face and gave a small, wry smile. No doubt, to a commoner, all this talk sounded far-fetched.
“It can’t be helped – that’s just how nobility works. All we can really do is develop this place, make a name for it, so Lady Sylvia’s parents will think it’s worth sending a decent suitor.”
“…Alright.”
As Gina looked down, Edward gently patted her head.
“Let’s go. You’ve been injured, I’ve been working from the shadows… We’ve got mountains to deal with.”
And with that, he set off walking.
Gina watched Edward’s back as he walked ahead and murmured softly.
“…I really don’t see Lady Sylvia obediently going along with a political marriage. And honestly, if she did get a fiancé, I feel like Sir Edward would find fault with him somehow and make sure it gets called off. I mean, wasn’t he furious when Mr. Calogero so much as kissed her fingertips?”
With that, she picked up her pace and followed after him.