Refusing Your Ex-Husband’s Obsession: A Guide - Chapter 193

Chapter 193

Translator: Yonnee

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What exactly do you want from me? As you’ve said before, do you truly want to be with me again, as a couple, like in the past? Is that truly what you want?

As curiosity welled up in me, my heart started to flutter faintly. I couldn’t ignore the premonition of what this might signify. It made me want to ask Ciel directly.

We struggled together in the past, yet do you still wish to be together in this life?

So, can we genuinely love each other this time? Without interference from anyone, honestly?

“When will he return home? There’s something I want to ask him…”

“…Perhaps it would be best to keep some distance from him for a while?”

Aiden’s response, colder than usual, took me by surprise. When I looked at him questioningly, he continued with an angered expression.

“He nearly hurt you, Lady Closch. If it weren’t for Lady Clausent intervening, who knows what might have happened. No, actually, he did end up hurting you.”

“…Young Duke.”

“He once advised me to take care of my loved ones, yet why isn’t taking his own advice? Why isn’t he taking good care of you? Doesn’t he feel any remorse towards the Baron, Baroness, and Brother David?”

“……”

“I want to protect him because he’s my brother… but Lady Closch, you’re also important to me. I’m so torn about what to do. At times like this, I’m just too curious about what goes on in both of your minds.”

“…I guess it might have seemed that way.”

Aiden, his cheeks puffed up, spilled out his grievances.

“You both are too reckless.”

“Um…”

Lacie chimed in tentatively.

“I don’t know the details. But there’s one thing I’m curious about.”

“Go ahead, you can ask.”

“Well… are you and the Duke in a relationship? I mean, have you promised to marry each other?”

At Lacie’s question, I found myself at a loss for words. To them, we must have appeared very close, but there was no clear definition for our relationship.

The secret between Ciel and me, unknown to anyone else, seemed like something only we could understand.

Meanwhile, Rouman and the physician arrived. Fortunately, there was no serious issue, and I filled my stomach with the food they brought.

Even then, both of them stayed by my side. Watching Lacie, I wondered who her Guide might be. Though the hypothesis was unfounded, there seemed to be a pattern of Espers pairing with Guides.

Who should I discuss this with?

Up until now, Ciel had been the only one I could talk to, but it seemed like he would be busy with his duties, and I should handle my own.

“Young Duke, I’d like to go out for a bit.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to rest today?”

“Sitting around all day has made me feel stiff.”

“How about a walk, then?”

“Hmm…”

Thinking back to what Ciel had said, I responded to Aiden. A place that might resolve my curiosity, somewhere I had never been before, came to mind.

“Could I go for a stroll at the temple? I’d like to offer a prayer. Maybe if I really am a saintess, the gods will respond. Even a hint of direction would ease my troubled mind.”

“I suppose the temple would be alright…”

Aiden pondered and then rang a silver bell. As soon as Rouman arrived again, he instructed him.

“Have the carriage ready, please.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Oh, and send some maids to help with the dressing.”

“Yes, understood.”

I quickly asked Rouman as he was about to leave.

“Where is my luggage?”

“Yes, it has already been unpacked in the dressing room.”

“Thank you.”

I chuckled at my shabby gloves. Despite their state, I hadn’t thought to change them due to my preoccupation.

Observing me, Lacie cautiously asked,

“Lady, is there a reason you don’t remove your gloves? I never see you without them.”

Upon hearing her question, I looked down at my hands.

The reason I had never spoken of it to others was simple.

So that Mom won’t be sad.

And so that my family won’t be worried.

Every time they faced the evidence of their failure to protect me in the past, they wore expressions of guilt. Still, it was an unavoidable accident after all.

Right. Even in the past, Ciel’s rampage was an unavoidable accident. And even if it led to my demise, it too would have been unpreventable.

So, I coolly removed my soiled gloves, revealing the burn scars on my right arm to them.