When Pride Fell At My Toes - Chapter 119



Only Krnovel

#119. Your Seat
2024.04.28.

Let’s stay together. Emilia stayed at the Duke Michele’s residence without any arguments like before, but the problem was that she was too busy.

If she hadn’t stayed at the Duke’s residence, she would have had so much to do, like the restoration of the Viscount’s family and the establishment of the association, that it would have been hard to see her face.

Although Emilia told her to do whatever she wanted, it was a truly miserable situation for Enrico, who wanted to be with her 24 hours a day.

Enrico also did his own work while Emilia was working, and he tried his best to keep up with her schedule.

However, as the date of the association’s establishment approached, she became busier and busier, and even that became increasingly difficult.

As this situation repeated, Enrico felt that it was too much to be just a superficial romantic relationship. He

wanted to prove that they were meant to be together no matter where they went, and that it would be natural for them to stay in the same mansion, so he wanted to become so entangled in a legal relationship.

Enrico was getting more and more anxious because the talk of marriage had naturally been pushed back because he had been busy lately. Even though

he wanted to propose, he had to be careful not to force it because her situation seemed unfavorable.

The arrogant Enrico Michele, who only cared about himself, lived while watching his step. If his past self had heard it, he would have ignored it.

“I’m sorry for coming all the way here. I’ll be home as early as possible today, so go home first.”

Moreover, now her extremely honorific titles made the two of us feel distant, and it was even bothersome.

Enrico’s mind was filled with Emilia alone, and he had no time to think about anything else.

Enrico didn’t even try to hide his regret, and it showed on his face.

As expected, Emilia kissed his cheek as if she was sorry, and once again confirmed her promise. Her long eyelashes fluttered in satisfaction, and a lazy smile formed on Enrico’s lips.

Inwardly, she said that she would ask him to do it on her lips instead of her cheek next time.

***

Emilia spared no time or money for the ballet association. She

devoted herself to nurturing her juniors, and secretly reached out to the fashion industry to change the perception of ballet, which was considered vulgar because of the leg-revealing dance. In

order to break down the perception of skirt length, she gave short dresses to celebrities and high-ranking nobles, and exerted her influence in various ways to induce a free fashion atmosphere.

However, Emilia was so absorbed in her work that she had less time with Enrico, and that bothered her. A year had passed since she had been staying at Enrico’s mansion, and Emilia’s birthday was approaching.

‘I thought we would go together, but why are we leaving separately?’

Enrico, who had suggested that they go out on a date to celebrate Emilia’s birthday, had left the mansion first in the afternoon.

Normally, they would have stayed together all day and gone out together, but Enrico’s behavior of leaving alone for the first time made her a little suspicious.

As I left the mansion, the white breath that escaped from my mouth broke into thin air. The sun was setting faster and faster, and even though it was just past noon, the sky was covered in a red sunset.

Emilia stroked her cheek with her right hand as she got into the carriage. Last November, the early winter cold had spread throughout my body and I shivered, but this year, it was much more bearable and my cheeks were not so cold.

‘But why are you telling me to come to Lotvili?’

I didn’t understand the promise to come to Lotvili Hill, which was the opposite side of the downtown area, rather than to Deshiro Square.

I wanted to think if there was a place to stop, but the only thing around there was Lotvili Hill, which was famous as a picnic course, and a building that had been under construction since last year. Since I

had no reason to go there, I had heard rumors that a large building, like an art gallery, was being built, so my doubts grew as I got closer to the meeting place.

The carriage, which was running fast, arrived at the meeting place in no time. Emilia couldn’t take her eyes off a building outside the window. I’d heard that it had been started last year, but the building looked finished.

“Emilia.”

Soon, the carriage door opened and Enrico appeared. He naturally stretched out both his hands and lifted her up by her waist as she got up from her seat, placing her on the floor.

Then he cupped one cheek with an affectionate hand and examined her face.

“Aren’t you cold? Don’t dress warmer.”

“It’s okay. It wasn’t cold at all.”

She leaned her cheek further against his palm, which was still warm despite not wearing gloves and was still warm from the wind. The corners of his mouth slightly rose at her slanted gaze.

“… … But be careful, just in case.”

“Okay. But why did you ask me to meet you here?”

“I have something to show you.”

Enrico dug into the gap between her fingers and clasped them tightly. Emilia glanced down at the hand she was holding and slowly looked around again.

‘There’s no way he’d want to climb a hill in this cold weather… … .’

He could see the completed building, but Enrico had told him before that he didn’t know who had bought the building, so he didn’t think it was a new building.

However, contrary to his expectations, Enrico gradually walked toward the new building.

“Your Majesty?”

“Wait a minute. Let’s go inside.”

“Huh? Can I go inside?”

“Yes.”

Enrico entered the building without hesitation. The building, which looked like an art gallery from the outside, was actually structured like a concert hall.

While Emilia kept looking around, wondering what on earth she was doing here, Enrico crossed the hallway and stood in front of large double doors decorated with luxurious velvet.

Pushed by his hand, the doors slowly opened. Along with the fragrant scent of flowers, what came into view were the audience seats and the stage like the Avaleante Theater.

And the stage was splendidly decorated with countless flowers.

“… … Your Majesty? What the heck is this?”

“Go to your seat.” She

was led by Enrico’s hand and approached the stage. Enrico grabbed Emilia’s waist and lifted her up onto the stage, then followed her up.

As she was led by his hand in confusion, she found herself standing in the exact center of the stage. As she

regained her dazed mind, she felt strange. It was obvious that she knew what he meant when he told her to go to his seat, and the past when he had burned himself out without reserve in the center of the stage came back to her vividly.

Enrico faced her and wrapped both of his hands around her. The scent of flowers densely surrounded her as if she were in the middle of a flower garden.

“I thought a lot about when to tell you.”

Neatly slicked-back black hair, beautifully sculpted facial features under thick eyebrows, and a white suit under a brown coat.

Now that she thought about it, his handsome face had been around for more than a day or two, but his appearance seemed a little more careful than usual.

Seeing his actions of putting his hands in his pockets, she gradually understood what was going on.

“I’ve been holding back, fearing that I might be rushing you, but it’s hard for me to wait here any longer.”

A white jewelry box came out of his pocket. Her eyes trembled slightly, and her gaze, which had been focused on the prize, slowly moved to his face. His

cheeks were slightly stiff, as if he were nervous, despite his calm voice.

She could see his throat trembling and his tongue moistening his dry lips, and soon the jewelry box was thrust out in front of her and the lid opened.

Inside was a ring. It had an emerald-cut diamond the size of a thumbnail in the center, and smaller diamonds set on either side connected to the ring, creating a design that was both splendid and neat.

Enrico took out the ring and slowly knelt on one knee as if time was passing slowly. Emilia barely raised her trembling hand to cover her mouth that was about to open.

“Will you marry me?”

It was a neat proposal without any flowery words. And it was a proposal that filled her heart more than anything else.

She no longer worried that his mind would change. He had consistently given her reassurance and stability and given her his full support.

And although it was late, she knew that she had to give him an answer that would meet his expectations.

“… … Yes.”

There was no hesitation. Emilia curled her left hand inside and then carefully held it out to him. She felt his hand tremble slightly as he held her thin finger.

He did not bother to take off the engagement ring on her ring finger. Rather, he simply looked down at her hand with satisfaction as he put a new ring on it.

Enrico looked down at his ring finger for a long time. He wanted to keep looking at it because it seemed to mean that it was completely his. He slowly lowered his head as he held her hand.

His lips came down to her ring finger. A bright smile appeared on her face as she saw him expressing how happy he was at this moment with a pious posture, and her mouth opened.