TL Note: Hi! It’s been a while! First off, I would like to apologize for the long delay. I was hacked and had to fought for months to get the access back to my accounts (all my accounts related to the email that’s been hacked were breached) and it was so stressful. 😦 I won’t talk much as I still don’t feel that alright with how things went. All I could say is I’m sorry… I still don’t understand how I was hacked and breached. 😦 Thankfully, the blog didn’t lost much. It did not progress but I’m just glad the website is still safe. I hope y’all be careful online. Take a lesson from me and now start creating separate emails from your socials, finance, and other activities. If you receive email from Google like this, don’t disregard it.
Here’s the start of the chapter~~
[I would ask my parents to find and adopt a successor for our family. They might not have given up on marrying me for now but they should definitely do so after ten years. That’s why you shouldn’t bother yourself and try helping on this, Generous-sama. All will be alright in time.]
How are things going to be alright, though?
While it is true that it may solve the Sevensworth’s issues regarding succession, Anastasia’s happiness wasn’t taken into consideration.
If that happens, she’ll end up all alone.
Just like in my previous life, when everyone avoids me because of what I look like.
Or maybe being happy isn’t actually considered when it comes to nobles?
I have heard that a lot in the noble circle prioritizes political interest over anything else so maybe that’s it.
[If I may ask, don’t you believe in romance, Lady Anastasia?]
[Romance, is it… I actually haven’t thought of that. A fitting love story is something I’ve already gave up and accepted considering my appearance.]
And then she smiles…
…A smile I am so familiar that feels so sad and painful at the same time.
Now I’m sure.
This young lady is just like me in my previous life.
Someone who’s been deprived of happiness just because of her appearance.
She’s already given up on everything and all she could do about it is just smile.
A smile so similar to everything I’ve done in my past life.
Ahh… No good…
My chest is starting to feel hot…The memories from my past life… They’re starting to overcome me and I can’t hardly control it…
[…Genorious..?]
[…Please don’t give up on yourself…]
[…sorry…?]
[Please, don’t give up on yourself! What’s wrong if you look different than the rest!? Just because you don’t look the same as everyone else doesn’t mean that you’re any less of a human than them! Why— just how could you give up on everything else when you are more than just a face! Please, don’t give up on yourself. Don’t give up your happiness! Don’t you think you also deserve to be happy!? Just like me, the others, and everyone else, you deserve to obtain happiness! Please, stop smiling like everything’s already over… Your life is just getting started!]
I can’t help but tremble…
My emotions took the best out of me as I held Anastasia’s shoulders.
Tears continue to stream down my face but I couldn’t care less at the moment.
I had all the time in the world to reflect on my life when I got old.
That maybe, if I didn’t give up on myself until the end, I wouldn’t live a life so pathetic and wallow in regret.
Perhaps… All of this emotion bursted out upon seeing someone so identical to me when I was younger. That may be, these words aren’t just for Anastasia, but for the young boy who’d been isolated by people because of his physical features.
Ah… No good. I think the etiquette lessons that I’ve ingrained in this new life of mine is slipping away while talking to her.
But is that really important? I don’t care anymore.
I just don’t want this young lady to end up like me. To suffer and cry because she thought she deserved to be lonely.
Just how much time do people have to themselves between their retirement until the day of their deaths? It isn’t that much different from the time it takes for a child to become an adult, correct?
She has no idea how slow time will pass by when you’re all by yourself, when most of your family is already dead, and the closest person to you that you could think of is a friend who lives far away that you haven’t seen in decades.
Should I really let someone as innocent as this girl live a life like that?
In the first place, her appearance doesn’t bother me as I don’t discriminate against anyone based on their appearance. Besides, beauty eventually fades. And the time window for people to remain beautiful is considerably less than the time they’d have to grow old, get wrinkles, and start to care less. Life is long and being beautiful is just a phase. Considering the long run, being with someone you can peacefully spend your time with and chat about stuff is much more important. That being said, isn’t Anastasia a jackpot in that sense? Why would I refuse the invitation for a lifetime accompaniment with such a lady? And more importantly, I want this lonely girl to be happy.
Eighty two years from Earth, sixteen years here. I’ve lived for almost a century already.
And all those years, I never did feel nor had any romance in it.
Is the feeling that’s welling inside me is what they call love? I don’t know.
This might sound arrogant but I really want to save this girl.
A
[Anastasia… Could you allow me to be in your life and help you be happy?]
I’ve done this a lot of times since I reincarnated in this world with my older sister and other relatives but this time, it feels really different.
I knelt and kiss Anastasia’s hand as nerves continue to wrack my head.
[I swear that I will help you life a life full of happiness. So please don’t give up on yourself. Anastasia… Please marry me.]
[..A-alright…]
[Thank you.]
[*Cough cough* E-ehem…]
I turned around to take a look at who just coughed so loud while I was hugging Anastasia so tight but… It’s the duke, alright.
And he’s with the duchess, my parents, the servants, and knights, even.
That’s good and all but why do they look like they’re about to jump me any second by now?
[We’ve heard you all the way from the dining room so we decided to see what’s happening.]
O-oh… Seems like I’ve raised my voice without realizing. Any person screaming, a nobleman on top of that, would definitely give people the scare, ain’t it?
Crap!
I immediately let go of Anastasia and returned to my seat like how a prim and proper gentleman should.
And in front of me, is a girl who became so red blushing so hard upon realizing everyone had seen her in my embrace.
I wonder if anyone will tell her that using both of her hands to cover her cheeks doesn’t have much of an effect?
Enough of that. This is kinda bad, isn’t it?
Even though we are about to enter an arranged marriage, I shouldn’t have hugged her so tight. The culture in this world is so conservative. Even more so for nobles. The most I can do when we are still not married is just to hold her hand. I might just have been the fourth child of a viscount but I am still a noble. Hugging her, even just grabbing her shoulders, is already a breach of etiquette.
[I would highly suggest that you keep your tact in control and moderation.]
The duke stared at me coldly as he gave me one hell of a piece of advice.
[My apologies. I shall see to it that I never shame myself again.]
I mean, I could only take this loss and apologize.
[Oh, please. Isn’t it fine? Why would you be so mad when the person in question who’d been wooed in such a fashion is on cloud nine? Just look at Anna. *Grins* Fufufufu]
[You know very well that that isn’t my problem. Hmph *Grunts*]
The duke looks away as the duchess giggles happily.
Simplyrical 