No Evil Lady in the World (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 102

“No, Luke. It’s not that simple an issue. When I speak of having no room, I don’t mean only in terms of time. I… as I’ve said before, I’m the one who cares for Lady Ariante most closely. And… I can’t tell you everything, but Lady Ariante always… needs someone’s affection—someone to show her attention, a caring gaze, or simply someone to talk with. That role falls to me. Until the day she no longer needs me… she comes first above all else for me. I simply don’t have the capacity to love anyone else. I don’t know if you’ll understand.”

Having poured out her words like a flood, she was breathless. Meiana swallowed a ragged breath, as if she’d been running for a long time, and looked up at Luke. His face was filled with sorrow—a mixture of expressions that showed he understood her words yet, paradoxically, couldn’t comprehend them at all.

Meiana spoke.

“You’re a charming person, Luke. A good man, too. If we’d met under different circumstances, I think I would have grown fond of you. But not here, not now. I’m sorry.”

Luke’s lips tightened into a straight line. Meiana watched him without missing a single detail as he bit his lip inward and bowed his head.

“I understand.”

He finally spoke, his voice heavy with dejection.

“If that’s how you feel, Meiana… I understand. There’s nothing to be done. I was the one who cherished hopes and affections alone, so I won’t blame you. I’d hoped we might take another walk together someday, but now I suppose I must let go of that hope.”

Meiana’s shoulders trembled faintly.

“I’m sorry, Luke.”

“No, it’s all right. You don’t need to apologize. But… yes, I think I should return to my quarters now. I’d like to escort you, but you probably wouldn’t want that, would you?”

“I can go back alone.”

Luke nodded. He gazed at Meiana with a lonely expression for a moment before finally turning away. His finely tailored uniform, perfectly fitted at the shoulders, now hung limply and lifelessly.

Meiana didn’t watch his retreating figure for long. The instant Luke turned, she too spun around and hurried down the low steps as if running. She never looked back. Though her chest felt tight and her breath caught for no clear reason, she walked as if nothing were wrong.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Meiana thought. “I ended up sounding just like a widow with children.” She kicked a stray stone fragment lying by the roadside and gave a bitter smile.

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