Chapter 76: The Impoverished Viscount’s Second Son’s Opening Ceremony 8
Is this what they mean by the scales falling from one’s eyes? As the thought occurred to me, I was simultaneously appalled at myself for having overlooked something so crucial.
I felt ashamed for telling Erica in the Demon Realm that I was serious about my role as her husband in this Farce.
If that were truly the case, wasn’t there something missing that absolutely should have been there?
How could I claim to be serious? It wouldn’t be unreasonable if Erica thought otherwise.
Watching the man and woman exchange rings before the church, surrounded by family, friends, and acquaintances, I became certain.
Claiming to be husband and wife without even exchanging rings—I couldn’t argue if she doubted my sincerity.
And Erica, without saying a word, had been subtly pointing this out through her actions.
That could only mean she believed my words about being serious.
If you’re truly serious, it should be conveyed without words, right? I trembled at the trust Erica placed in me.
“Erica.”
The weight of the kindness and trust she showed made my voice earnest.
“Yes?”
Erica turned back towards me, and for some reason, upon seeing my face, she looked flustered for a moment.
In a small voice, Erica muttered, “Suddenly making that face is unfair, you know.”
So my face is unfair, huh? While feeling dejected, I pushed aside that minor despair.
I never had any hope regarding my own face anyway; it was nothing new. But I’ll cry about it later.
“First, my apologies. Please forgive me for being so dense.”
“Dense… you say?”
In response to my apology, Erica kindly pretended not to realize what I was apologizing for.
“I swear I was serious, but my actions lacked that seriousness. At least, I think it wouldn’t be unreasonable for you to think so.”
“I fail to understand what you believe might cause your seriousness to be doubted?”
Smiling at Erica’s kind words, I shook my head.
It was fine now. She understood. Although it wasn’t a lie, making Erica continue this unnecessary act pained my heart.
“I’m talking about my Illusion (Erica).”
“Are you talking about your Illusion (Ideal)?”
I nodded at Erica, who tilted her head slightly.
“I was content just having my Illusion (Erica) by my side. I was taking chance and good fortune for granted. I made excuses, telling myself it was greedy to wish for any more luck than this.”
My meager self-respect screamed at my own pathetic nature.
Even though I had so keenly felt the difficulty of standing beside the Erika Solntsalri in the Demon Realm Forest, even though I had declared I was serious about this role in the Farce.
A man like me had even forgotten to give her a ring.
“Erica, you were right. I grew complacent because my Illusion (Erica) was already beside me, and in truth, I hadn’t even taken the very first step.”
Would a man making such a pathetic confession be cast aside, even if he was necessary for the Farce? Pulled by that emotion, I found myself taking Erica’s hand.
But still, even someone like me genuinely loved Erica—that alone, please don’t doubt it—I gently enveloped Erica’s hand with both of mine.
“Pyah?!”
—Pya?
“Basically, I wasn’t even standing at the starting line.”
For some reason, Erica was flustered and agitated.
“I should have realized it myself, but I didn’t notice until you kept looking at me as if wanting to say something. Please forgive me.”
“Hoahh?!”
—Hoa?
“Therefore, Erica—”
To be by my Illusion’s (Erica’s) side.
The pain in my chest tightened my throat.
“Let’s break up.”
Erika Solntsalri faltered.