From that point on, Etienne calmly and calmly talked about her feelings for Fernando.

“There were times when I wanted to see the same thing you saw at the places you visited and times when I wanted to hear your voice without saying anything. I even wished for a day when I could give you a handcrafted flower on every occasion.”

Once she started the story, the rest wasn’t difficult. The moment she thought about being able to see Fernando again was pale. Now, seeing him wasn’t a big deal, so if someone asked if she could say all this, the answer would be no.

Rather…
“Was time really the answer?”

Rather than my feelings improving over time, it was an opportunity to calmly confess my feelings.

Thinking that when she returned home, she should express her gratitude to Letin, the butler who provided the solution called time, Etienne thought.

“I was relieved that I could cut off my feelings for you through death. I didn’t know I would come back to the past like this.”

“That’s right.”

“Because it’s a life to live again, I wanted to live for myself more.”

Etienne confessed that she had once again pledged not to love Fernando while looking into his eyes.

“So, I didn’t want to get caught by you for a lifetime. I thought I wouldn’t get caught, but…”

Etienne smiled bitterly.

“I told you that I liked you, but now you’re watching Lord Leharht. Isn’t that a bit strange?”

Etienne made an awkward smile. She had said everything, but there was no relief. She just thought it would have been better if Fernando still didn’t know.

But the water had already been spilled.

“I…”

As Fernando started to speak, Etienne’s heart pounded loudly. She clenched her skirt tightly, feeling grateful that the flowing folds of her skirt could hide her trembling fist.

“Never once did I think you were strange.”

“…”

Unable to decide how to respond to Fernando’s cleaner-than-expected answer, Etienne hesitated.
“I told you. With what dignity could I confess to you? I’m the one who should apologize, so why would I think poorly of you?”

“Fernando, I just…”

“Thank you for telling me. And…”

Fernando reached out, pulling Etienne’s hand from under her skirt. Grasping the trembling hand firmly, Fernando looked into Etienne’s eyes.

“Thank you for liking me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ve wanted to say that for a while.”

Etienne was surprised by Fernando’s sincere words. She couldn’t understand why he would say such things.

“I don’t know about anything else. Just knowing that you loved me was overwhelming. So, I felt sorry and thankful to you instead.”

“If you say such things…”

Etienne’s voice choked at the end. She had just kept her feelings to herself, even when Fernando didn’t reciprocate. She didn’t expect to hear words of gratitude.

“Um…”

She tried to say something, but no words came out. Staring blankly into space, her vision, once clear just a moment ago, now blurred.

“Huh? Why are tears suddenly… am I crying?”

Her cheeks felt wet when she touched them. Etienne laughed and said, “Sorry. It’s not a situation to cry, but tears keep coming without notice.”

The conversation they had just shared wasn’t something to be sad about. She had been composed when she spoke her story earlier.
So, it was even more bewildering that tears were coming. Etienne forced a smile, but her emotions weren’t settling.

“I’m sorry for realizing your feelings so late.”

Fernando’s apology brought even more tears. She understood now. The reason for her tears was that she hadn’t faced rejection from Fernando.

The feelings she should have severed when she died, never having received his gaze throughout her life, now felt like they were finally being rewarded.

“I only have feelings of apology toward you. That’s why I couldn’t come to find you. I thought you might not want to see me.”

“Are you just going to keep apologizing to me?”

Etienne laughed with a tear-streaked face. In this situation, she thought it might be better to have been caught.

Despite considering herself pathetic for her fickle emotions, which had changed several times, the laughter didn’t fade. She got an answer from Fernando regarding her feelings.

“I’m here. It feels a bit relieving now.”

Although she had cut off her feelings towards him, it seemed like it wasn’t a complete resolution. Etienne could now look into Fernando’s eyes openly.

“Thank you, Fernando.”

The friend I had a crush on.