An Incomplete Divorce - Chapter 64

Of course, saying he just dropped by while passing was a lie.

But Edgar pretended not to know and held out the bouquet, saying:

“I was hoping I could be the second one too.”

This was true.

The midsummer night breeze carried the scent of flowers.

Why are you doing this to me?

Suppressing the urge to ask that, Olivia said:

“…Unfortunately, it’s the coach.”

Just then, Russell Junior’s distinctive laughter was heard unpleasantly. Edgar frowned.

The sounds of people laughing and chattering filled the silence between the two. The banquet they alone were not invited to seemed quite enjoyable.

“Then for the third…”

“Miss Elaine.”

Edgar chuckled. Olivia ended up laughing too at the sight of his straight eyebrows drooping like a disappointed puppy.

“The fourth would be Madam Lauren, I suppose.”

Olivia nodded slightly.

Silence fell between them again. From the dining room, hearty laughter and Russell Junior’s voice occasionally leaked out.

Somehow, she didn’t want to go in. She was also tired from dealing with people at the party.

“Well. I’ll have to be satisfied with being the first. Take it.”

Olivia stretched out her arm. Edgar grabbed her wrist and pulled her close.

“Ah!”

Surprised, Olivia cried out briefly.

“What are you doing?”

“I want to be alone with you.”

“…”

A desire to have the woman all to himself arose.

Edgar started running, still holding her hand. Towards the Vichen riverside.

Quite impulsively, like a teenage boy suffering from the fever of first love.

The fact that such a foolish act, which he hadn’t done even back then, felt particularly romantic today must be due to the brilliant starlight in the night sky.

Her wrist grasped by a man wearing a black suit and holding a bouquet of crimson roses in one hand, she crossed the main street.

The sound of their shoes echoed through the tranquil night streets tinged with the scarlet light of streetlamps.

Red petals falling from the shaking bouquet left a dizzying lingering scent as they scattered in the river breeze.

Being led along running, Olivia blankly stared at the man’s broad back.

Because you keep doing this…

I’m getting confused.

Her heart raced.

Above his jet-black hair, above his straight shoulders, golden starlight shattered and fell.

Perhaps from the very beginning.

Maybe from the moment I first met you on the tennis court of the Lancelot Hotel.

With hair the color of my love, when I saw you swinging that racket, I.

I may have been falling for you.

How are you doing?

Olivia lifted her head. Towards his world that might be connected somewhere at the end of the starry night sky.

Towards the world she once lived in.

Grandmother passed away. On that night when she was curled up alone in an empty room after the funeral, he came.

It was a gloomy and chilly day, as if rain would pour down.

‘Have you… eaten?’

How could she not love that person who appeared at the moment she thought she was left alone in the world?

So she cried her heart out. The sorrow that had filled up to her throat burst out in his arms.

From that day on, that person became a star in her dark heart.

…I too.

I’ll be fine.

Finally, she bid farewell to her long one-sided love. It was simultaneous with Olivia grabbing Edgar’s wrist and pulling hard.

He stopped abruptly and turned around. Olivia, who had risen to her tiptoes without realizing, stretched out her arms and wrapped them around his neck.

Their lips met.

She exhaled a trembling breath while slowly savoring his lips.

Countless rose petals fell to the ground with a thud. Edgar wrapped his arms around Olivia’s waist and pulled her close.

Amidst the scent of blooming roses, Olivia closed her eyes.

The lips, soft like a summer night, were affectionate, fragrant, and hot.

Just a little.

He knew very well how to make a person yearn.

Just a little more.

Heat intertwined between their lips.

The sound of insects crying on the riverbank, the horn of a cruise ship gliding on the Vichen River, and the sound of water flowing could be heard faintly.

Edgar’s lips slowly parted.

Olivia unknowingly opened her eyes. Her legs wobbled.

Holding onto the man’s arm, she caught her breath. Her face grew hotter and hotter.

Seeing the man’s lips glistening in the white moonlight, reason suddenly returned.

I must be crazy.

I drank too much wine. I was also excited about winning the match.

But still.

I’m crazy.

Olivia, who had been intoxicated by the lyrical atmosphere and the effects of alcohol, fell into a state of utter confusion.

Blinking her bewildered eyes, she cupped her face with both hands.

“…L-let go of me now.”

Her trembling voice sounded terrible.

“Now?”

Edgar looked down at the woman trapped in his arms and smiled.

“I’m not done yet.”

Olivia, who had been at a loss for what to do, raised her bright red face.

Seeing the woman squirming in his arms, an irresistible thirst arose.

The woman, flushed red to her earlobes, hurriedly moved her moist lips.

“…I made a mistake. I did. …That’s right, it was a mistake.”

“A mistake?”

Was it because of the unusually clear moonlight? The smile that appeared on the man’s face looked excessively sensual.

It was dangerous. Why did she do such a thing? Olivia suddenly felt scared.

The woman nodded her head vigorously and quickly added an excuse while avoiding his gaze.

Her neatly combed hair swayed at her nape, following her movements.

“…Y-yes. A mistake. I think I had too much to drink. I don’t usually drink much, but today was, well, a special day.”

Edgar grinned and tightened his arms around her slender waist, pulling her close.

Olivia startled and pushed against his chest with her hands. Such a reaction was quite cute.

No, it was overwhelmingly lovable.

Edgar appreciated the woman who was solely focused on him with a calm gaze.

A pawn to be used and discarded. Any emotion beyond that was unnecessary.

But today. It was also a meaningful day when the woman had perfectly proven her usefulness.

So just for today.

It didn’t seem too bad to enjoy this moment for a while.

“It is special. Today.”

Edgar chuckled and lowered his head. He consumed her lips. While cupping her small face with his large hands.

Surprised by the kiss that was deeper than the first, Olivia tightly closed her eyes. Her thin eyelids trembled.

Edgar. The name that escaped with her irregular breath scattered on his lips. It was ecstatic.

‘Olivia is off-limits.’

Johan’s voice shattered over it. The pleasure intensified.

Edgar swallowed a suppressed sigh and explored the woman’s lips, Olivia. He called her name again and again like a languid breath.

Olivia.

Under the moonlight by the quiet riverside, the night he didn’t want to end deepened.

The express train carrying Johan arrived at Le Mont Station.

It was evening, but befitting Rondos’ finest resort city, the night streets of the downtown area centered around the station were brilliantly lit with illuminations.

The carriage that had been waiting after receiving the message departed for Le Mont Port with Johan on board.

Pushing aside all urgent schedules, what kind of crazy act is this?

Morris clicked his tongue while glancing at Johan, who had his eyes closed, sitting across from him. It was a deviation utterly unlike him.

Suddenly heading to Brit, of all places.

Could this unexpected move possibly be because of Princess Krantz?

Morris could bet his entire fortune that it absolutely wasn’t.

How foolish, how foolish indeed.

Morris was certain.

Human nature is inherently that twisted.

When someone clings to you saying they like you, you get tired of them, but when they say they dislike you and leave, you want to hold onto them.

You should have treated her well when you had the chance.

“Stop staring.”

“Ah, yes.”

Startled, Morris closed his mouth and quickly turned his head towards the opposite window.

Even so, Morris sneaked a glance at Johan’s reflection in the dark glass window. He still had his eyes closed with his arms crossed.

What could he be thinking?

As the dazzling lights flowed into the silent carriage, the night sea gradually enveloped in darkness revealed itself.

The carriage came to a stop upon arriving at Le Mont Port while Morris was nodding off.

“You’ve arrived, Representative.”

Johan nodded lightly at the greeting of the employee who had come to meet him and moved towards the Second Pier where the Leopold was docked.

“An urgent telegram has arrived from the royal family.”

Johan, who had been walking ahead, stopped at the words of the employee who was following closely behind.

“From the royal family?”

“Yes, Representative.”

He irritably brushed his forehead. The sea breeze clung stickily, heavy with moisture.

An ominous feeling that the day would be extremely long came over him.

Sure enough.

Johan’s brows furrowed as he checked the telegram handed to him in the VIP lounge.

His gray eyes held a chill. While daring to read the letter from His Majesty the King of Rondos.

“Damn it.”

The low muttered curse was bleak.

He must have gone mad.

Morris’s complexion turned pale blue like someone caught plotting treason.

Curious about what the contents could be, Morris craned his neck and tilted his head.

“Urgent. Summons to the palace”

That was the content of the urgent telegram sent by the Queen.

What terrible timing.

Morris shook his head repeatedly.

Johan placed a cigar between his oiled fingers.

With a click, a flame ignited. His features, which had been cold yet elegant, instantly sharpened.

Johan’s gaze turned to the window where the boundary between night sky and sea had collapsed into total darkness as he slowly exhaled smoke.

The small lights of the pier, lighthouse, and passing ships twinkled.

Johan twisted his wrist to check the time.

His wife’s face invaded his vision before the clock hands.

‘Think of me.’

Ha. The slowly rising blue-gray smoke from his long sigh scattered in the air.

He missed her.

That ridiculous sight of her playing tennis, somewhere across that sea.

Because he couldn’t possibly believe it until he saw it with his own eyes.

That was all.