The Gap Between You and Me - Chapter 153

“…….”

It was a short enough time to be called an instant, but Edwin thought about how he and Herietta would appear to them.

He is a wounded enemy general lying on the floor and a woman from a foreign country sitting next to him.

If she tried to make excuses, she could come up with any number of plausible ones. However, Edwin knew Herietta’s character very well. She might be perplexed by the constant interrogation, and she might accidentally say something wrong, such as trying to treat him.

It was a felony to benefit the enemy for any reason. Even if her actions were harmless, if it was revealed that she was trying to help the enemy, especially the enemy commander, Herietta would be severely punished.

If she got unlucky, they may be suspicious of her and she may be sentenced to death on the spot.

Edwin gritted his teeth.

I will always be by your side.

Maybe.

It was the writing he carved into the tree. After meeting Duon in the capital and returning to Philioche, Herietta, who was lying leisurely on the field, suggested an impromptu joke. A large maple tree that was finely colored. On top of that, he jokingly carved his heart.

It was a peaceful day. The sky above his head was blue, the fluffy clouds were pure white, the grass that filled the fields was soft, and the sunlight and autumn breeze touching his skin were warm and cozy.

Herietta, who had been lying in such a perfect landscape, pulled Edwin towards her. Seeing him angry at her for doing something dangerous, she giggled as if she was having fun instead.

She was so beautiful that it took his breath away.

Recalling that happy moment, Edwin put more strength into his hand that’s holding Herietta’s wrist. Then he moved it.

He had no hesitation.

* * *

Stab.

Through the dagger in her hand, it felt like something was being ripped open. Hot liquid flowed out and soaked the back of Herietta’s hand.

Herietta, who was staring blankly at the man’s face, slowly lowered her head. Even in the darkness, the silver blade, which had a cool light, could no longer be found. Instead, she saw the blade of the dagger resting just above the man’s abdomen.

Herietta’s gaze moved to her hand holding the handle of the dagger. The skin that should have been white was dyed red.

“…….”

The man was holding Herietta’s wrist firmly. A hand large enough to hold her wrist completely.

Before long, strength drained from his hand. Slip. Like falling petals, his hand fell helplessly onto the floor. At the same time, his blue eyes that were looking at her became cloudy. The eyes that had been struggling to keep open wanting to capture her figure until the end, trembled and soon closed completely.

The closed eyes did not open again. There was no movement anymore.

The whole scene passed slowly before Herietta’s eyes, like in slow motion.

“Herietta!”

Bernard ran into the room and held Herietta from behind.

“Where are you injured?”

He looked at Herietta with worry. But she couldn’t answer. She couldn’t even think, let alone talk.

“Miss Herietta! You’ve defeated the enemy general!”

Jonathan, who had followed Bernard, exclaimed in admiration as he saw the scene unfolding in front of him.

Defeated.

Herietta slowly repeated Jonathan’s words in her mind.

No. She didn’t kill the man. It wasn’t her who stabbed him. It was him, not her, he was stabbing himself. He just grabbed her wrist and moved it, making it look like she had stabbed the dagger.

It was definitely his will, not hers, that moved her hand at the crucial moment.

Why…… ?

Herietta looked down at the man with a devastated face.

Why would he…… ?

Velicia’s soldiers surrounded Herietta and the man. Bernard gave them some orders, but she didn’t hear them. She felt like she was floating in the air without being tied to the ground. The strange feeling of being there but not being there.

Herietta, who had been staring blankly at the man, reached out her hand toward his face. Bernard, who was holding her in her arms, tried to stop her, but she ignored it.

“…….”

Before touching the man’s face, Herietta hesitated for a moment. Bloodless pale eyes. Lying with his eyes closed, he looked like he was sleeping peacefully.

It won’t be. She doesn’t think so.

Even as she said that herself, tears were already starting to form in her eyes. Her hand, which had yet to reach him, trembled.

No way…….

The mask covering the man’s face was removed. Rustle. Golden hair flowed down his straight forehead.

Herietta looked at the man’s face. She couldn’t breathe. Her heart stopped.

Her expression contorted into a mess.

Her world has collapsed.

* * *

Bernard was sitting in front of the fireplace. A roaring flame burned the dry firewood. He stared at the scene in silence and snapped the thin twig he was holding in his hand.

“How did it go?”

Bernard asked quietly.

“Is…… Redford still alive?”

“Yes, Your Highness. He’s in a precarious state, but they say he’s still breathing.”

Jonathan, who was standing three or four steps away from Bernard, answered.

“I had the medic treat his wounds as you ordered, but his injuries were so great that it was difficult to treat. He probably won’t last long.”

“Because it’s strange that he’s still alive in the first place.”

Bernard laughed and muttered.

When he first saw the two of them in the room, Edwin’s face was horrendous. Not only was his entire body drenched in blood, on top of that, a dagger was stuck in his abdomen.

Everyone present thought Edwin was dead. So, what a surprise it was when they found out that he was barely breathing.

What kind of regrets does Edwin have left in this life? Bernard thought that way automatically.

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