I Became a Childhood Friend With the Villainous Saintess - Chapter 194



194 – The Curse of Love (3)

There was a small lake within the forest owned by the palace.

It was a place that King Geonjeong gave as a gift to his empress a long time ago.

Although the forest was reverted back to the imperial family after the empress’s death, the love story that took place at the lake remains a legend of the imperial family to this day.

So, Karzan originally planned to go to that lake.

Because Ellis had once shown interest in the lake story.

It was a place I promised myself I would definitely take her to once she got better.

I happened to see a small boat on the lakeside.

It was a boat that was perfect for two people.

– Remember, the soul can only be whole for a day.

– You should prepare to say goodbye by sunset tomorrow.

– If you want to postpone the breakup, I won’t necessarily go to see you, but as the Saint of Peace, I cannot recommend it.

The Grand Duke of Illencia certainly kept his promise.

Ellis’s expression became much more relaxed after the divinity of rest washed over her body.

He didn’t scream in anguish or attempt further self-harm.

Although we couldn’t have a conversation, it seemed like he could understand what I was saying.

There were times when he showed his emotions, however faintly.

It was just the kind of sweet snack that made the corners of my mouth go up.

She couldn’t smile as warmly and dazzlingly as she used to.

But did I let my guard down too much?

“Ellis? Ellis! Where are you?”

It wasn’t like I had left him alone for that long.

While I was packing up my things to take to the lake, Ellis disappeared somewhere.

For a moment, Karzan’s heart sank.

Fortunately, it wasn’t difficult to chase after her.

The door was wide open.

It seemed as if Ellis had not been trying to run away to begin with, but was looking around, looking for somewhere.

Karzan took Ellis’ hand and asked.

“I was surprised. Was there somewhere you wanted to go?”

“… … .”

As expected, there is no answer.

Ellis simply smiled, her expression slightly brighter than before.

Suddenly, Karzan realized where she was headed.

It was the patronage of the palace.

The place where the two people first met.

It was a place where fleeting moments came together to become eternal memories.

Ellis, who arrived at the sponsorship, quickly became cheerful.

She looked around like an excited child, then squatted down in front of the well-buried dirt.

As his white fingers gently touched the dirt, Karzan let out a trembling voice.

“That is… … the place where coneflowers are planted. They are the flowers that come with summer and greet autumn. That is what you told me.”

“… … .”

“Normally, at this time of year, there is no land left in the palace gardens to plant flowers that are already in full bloom. However, since you seem to like coneflowers, I decided to plant them and wait. If only we had just a little more time… …we could have seen the sprouts together.”

Perhaps I won’t be able to meet Ellis when the azaleas are in full bloom.

Karzan tried to control his expression. He didn’t want to recall the memories with tears the next time.

Fortunately, I was still good at hiding my expression.

“You wouldn’t know. When I first fell in love with you, I was like an outcast in the world.”

A breakup that I didn’t even know was a breakup.

Those were the days when he shivered from loneliness after losing his mother, the only person who treated him like a human being.

He was consumed by despair and anger, as if he had been thrown into this world alone.

Life felt like hell.

In the pit of loneliness, Ellis was like salvation.

“You were the only one who reached out to me first. You were the only one who laughed at me while telling me silly stories and gave me your heart. So you were like the world to me.”

The voice continued calmly.

Suddenly, Ellis gave Karzan a light hug.

At that moment, Karzan had to barely suppress his emotions that were welling up.

It’s always been like that.

Ellis always used to heal and melt his heart like this.

Even though he was not worthy of being comforted by her right now.

Just as she had forgiven him for his rudeness from their first meeting, Ellis gave her warmth without saying a word.

Karzan clenched his fists and pressed his eyes shut.

“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault. I… I messed everything up. I threw a tantrum like a child. Breaking up should have been painful and beautiful, but I couldn’t put a proper period between us.”

Every story has an end.

Every sentence had an ending.

I don’t want to remove the period I’ve already marked, so I keep holding down the pen, but that only ruins the writing and the paper.

“I am the one who deserves your resentment. If you kill me, I will gladly accept it.”

No answer came back.

Ellis left him and headed towards the spring flowers.

She picked a flower and tucked the petal into Karzan’s hair.

Ahaha- I thought I could hear a playful, laughing voice ringing in my ears.

Ellis spent time carefully examining every nook and cranny of the premises, sometimes even touching them herself.

My eyes hurt when I looked up at the bright sunlight.

After finishing the meal I brought, I took a short nap, and when I woke up, I walked around the garden like it was my playground.

Karzan never took his eyes off her for a second.

Should I call this a blessing? As the appointed time approached, Ellis began to regain her energy.

It bloomed like a flower just before sunset.

“I want to hear your voice. Even if it is resentment, please let me hear your voice. What did you think of me?”

“… … Don’t blame yourself too much, Your Majesty. I still love you, Your Majesty.”

“Ellis? Since when… … ?”

“I’m sorry- was it from that time? I’m not sure. I came to my senses at some point, but I can’t quite remember.”

“Actually, I have been in love with you for a long time. It was before I realized my feelings. Maybe I fell in love with you before Your Majesty.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

“Don’t ignore me too much. I’m not stupid either.”

I am only the gardener’s granddaughter, but Your Majesty, you are the one who will become the sun of this empire.

I don’t think my love will ever bear fruit.

If something like that were to happen, I would definitely become your weak point.

I don’t like that kind of thing.

I’m sick of just being protected.

You act like you’re so happy you could die when you meet me.

Elsewhere, the voices that had been standing over me softened and listened to what I had to say.

But I also wonder if there is something you can do for me.

I loved you like that.

“Was it by chance that the reason you hesitated was because of your status? I… … could have easily stopped you. No one would have questioned my decision.”

“No? What if it doesn’t work out? Our time together was so beautiful.”

It was a fun and happy time.

It was sweeter than the chocolate made by a pastry chef and more fragrant than spring flowers.

That’s it.

I think love is about exchanging each other’s happiness.

Happiness is an emotion that becomes happier the more you share it.

If so, we were already in love.

You’ve already found love, what more do you need?

“The reason I didn’t express my love was because I thought it would be a curse to Your Majesty.”

“A curse? How can love be a curse?”

“If I whispered words of love, Your Majesty would never forget me. I was someone who could not stay by Your Majesty’s side forever. That is why I hoped that our love would be a fleeting wind.”

Just because one love ends doesn’t mean one life ends.

I am human too, so I have greed.

I would be more than happy if I could grow old with the person I love.

If one day you start loving another woman, I might feel a little hurt too.

But it won’t hurt as much as thinking about you in pain.

Because the love I have isn’t meant to make things difficult for you.

But that won’t be possible anymore.

“Your Majesty, my time is coming to an end. The sun is setting and dusk is falling. The sunset is such a beautiful thing.”

“Ellis… … .”

“I’m so glad. The last sky I see is such a beautiful sky.”

I thought about it for a while, and I think this is the place for my last stop.

A place where the beautiful sun sets. And a place where flowers bloom in spring.

I’ve found my place, so I’ll put a curse on you.

“I’ll say it again. I love you, Karzan. Please continue living so that you won’t forget my love. This is the curse I’m giving you.”

“I too… … I loved you too. I loved you madly. If you leave, I will definitely suffer from a long fever.”

“The fever will get better. Now, do what you have to do.”

Karzan took out a small medicine with trembling hands.

It was a deadly poison that took effect the moment one bit into it with their teeth.

The two kissed passionately.

The moment when the red sunset is in full bloom in the backyard and the shadows of lovers stretch out long.

Ellis’s body slowly collapsed.

Karzan supported Ellis’s body, then sat down and cried.