Transmigrated Into A Tragic Romance Fantasy-Chapter 35: Same Sky, Different Nights

The Garden of Eternal Winter.

Within the Grand Duchy existed a garden where the snow never melted.

As such, the place had earned its name from that eternal frost.

It quickly became a symbol of the Grand Duchy’s pride.

Naturally, the only ones who could enter the garden were the Grand Duke’s family, or those ‘invited’ by them.

For the Grand Ducal family of Winterfell, trespassing this sacred space could literally cost someone their head.

Therefore, security was tight.

Scrunch, Scrunch-.

And I was currently heading there.

Although the Heroine eventually left, the fact that I was invited by her made me walk with ease.

I didn’t even bring a knight for escort.

There was no need for that.

This would grant me the opportunity to be quick and decisive.

That was my response to her ‘challenge’.

Now, why would Lumia do this?

In the novel, she said that those who sincerely repent would be granted freedom.

That’s what I did.

I did a self-reflection and concluded that a ‘wastrel’ like me wasn’t worthy of the Grand Ducal Family.

Thus, I chose to forget about such aspirations and simply disappear.

I was completely sincere about it.

Because the character known as Elden Raphelion, was without a doubt, a Villain.

Wasn’t there also that line saying she would never become obsessed with revenge?

Well,

I understand that because of my actions, things may have changed, but taking away my peaceful night’s rest is a bit too much.

No matter how high in the hierarchy the ‘Third Northern Duchess’ was, she had no right to disrupt the rest of a participant who had declared his withdrawal, even if said participant was a Count’s son from a fallen house.

Besides, until now I had only ‘participated’ in the contest to fulfill the slightest obligation I had.

And the only reason I even bothered to stay here, was so troublesome grudges wouldn’t threaten my future Culinary Journey.

But if they wish to force my hand, then there’s no reason to be polite either.

Anyway,

That’s why I didn’t refuse her challenge.

After having her heartfelt confession ignored, she sent an invitation to the forbidden territory known as the Garden of Eternal Winter.

Rather than letting this troublesome scenario continue, it would only be right, as the decent party, to give her a proper rejection.

“So you came.”

As I reached the Garden’s entrance,

I could see a towering wooden wall securing the area, making the Garden’s interior completely obscured from view.

If I died there, I don’t think someone would ever find my corpse. This supposed ‘sacred’ place was giving an eerie vibe.

Gelwood, who stood at the entrance, bowed to me.

It seemed odd that he, rather than a guard, was standing there, but it worked out better for me.

So, I approached him with a smile.

“The Duchess invited me to the Garden of Eternal Winter.”

“Indeed, she has been waiting for you.”

“And what sort of business does she have with me, a mere withdrawer, to invite me to this sacred place?”

Gelwood sighed as he shook his head.

This poor Advisor also seemed frustrated with Lumia’s antics.

Just yesterday he was supporting me with a kind smile, but now, he looks like an overworked salaryman.

He must be very stressed.

A man of Gelwood’s insight must know that obsession tends to ruin things.

While Lumia’s first note could be overlooked, her other actions could cause severe damage to the sacred festival of the Grand Ducal Betrothal.

Especially the way she acted when Kyle won the second evaluation.

If anyone else but her had smashed the Winterfell’s crest, the poor sod would be lacking a neck by now.

“Hmm...I’m not sure as well, My Lord. I was merely ordered to guide you.”

“Is that so?”

“Shall we proceed then?”

As Gelwood stepped towards the Garden’s entrance,

I merely stood there, with my hands clasped behind my back, lost in thought.

As he turned back, Gelwood’s expression looked confused.

“......Aren’t you coming?”

Instead of answering him, I simply smiled.

**

As the sunset faded, the twilight’s dim shroud fell upon the North.

Inside the Garden of Eternal Winter, Lumia Winterfell put on her white fox mask.

“Haaaa......”

A deep sigh escaped her lips.

Yet, instead of quenching the turmoil inside her, her emotions only became more chaotic.

Losing her reason, she stormed into Elden’s annex.

《M-My Duchess! Please restrain yourself...!》

Gelwood’s pleas fell into deaf ears as Lumia entered the annex.

Her fury left her on the brink of madness.

Even when she withstood her rising disgust and wrote that confession, Elden expressed his ‘rejection’ as he nonchalantly walked down the mountain munching on a blasted fruit.

H-How dare he...To reject this Duchess confession...!

It should have been an irresistible temptation.

It should have been a certain conclusion.

As such, Lumia didn’t doubt for a second that her plan would succeed.

However, her second failure only increased the intensity of her grudge.

Lumia was furious.

Everything had gone wrong because of Elden. And with each day, this tangled conundrum seemed utterly hopeless.

It was sickening.

She had been made a fool once again.

Her body trembled with shame.

Her insides twisted with humiliation.

For Lumia, who had never failed to solve a problem, these repeated failures presented an unbearable despair.

Her mind felt devastated, and her body seemed to be breaking down.

So much so, that she, who never knew surrender, wanted to give up.

Rational thinking became difficult.

Her emotions overtook her, and impulsive actions had become her norm.

And eventually,

《My Duchess...Forgive my presumptuousness, but your recent actions have been completely inappropriate.》

She had ended up being scolded by her Father’s advisor, Gelwood.

All because she made the impulsive action of throwing the family’s crest onto the ground, shattering both her family’s prestige and her promise to the victor.

Even if Lumia had ten mouths, she still wouldn’t be able to explain herself.

Because her actions were indeed wrong.

However, Lumia knew that if the same situation happened again, she wouldn’t be able to contain herself.

Just seeing Elden made her blood boil.

Her anger was so great, that should she be able to reverse the time, Lumia would surely rush towards him and slap his face until her anger cooled down.

T-That annoying, disgusting, infuriating—!

Stomp-!

Lumia stomped her heel on the wooden bridge.

shhh—thud-.

The snow that was piled on the railings slid off.

Perhaps, my entire premise is flawed...?

It was a hypothesis that presented no solution.

Because, if her entire premise was flawed, and Elden’s change wasn’t a lie...then there’s nothing she could do about it.

Perhaps that was the truth?

NO-!

That can’t be right-!

It shouldn’t be possible-!

Stomp-!

Lumia stomped her heel once more.

She absolutely refused to consider the possibility that she had been wrong since the start.

Since that would mean all her efforts were now in vain, and all her future plans would be disrupted.

The young researcher desperately hoped her premise was indeed correct.

Or perhaps,

Does he know of my disguise?

If Elden somehow found out that Lumia Winterfell and Erenscia Velroc were the same person, he could have foreseen this situation and planned his withdrawal.

It was a plausible hypothesis, but his actions were too relaxed.

Elden had no sense of crisis, he even seemed to enjoy his stay in the Grand Duchy, thus making the previous hypothesis unlikely to be true.

“Sigh......”

Regardless, simply pondering about the problem wouldn’t grant her any answers.

Lumia had no choice but to confront him and find the truth.

If necessary, she would even reveal her face.

Due to the chilly weather, the long sigh Lumia exhaled turned into a white vapor that floated away.

That’s when it happened.

Scrunch, Scrunch-.

The sound of someone walking over the snow echoed from behind her.

So, Lumia straightened herself and collected her tangled thoughts.

Only then did she turn around.

“My Duchess.”

“......”

The sound had been a bit awkward,

Since those footsteps belonged to only one person, instead of two.

And it was a sound she had grown familiar with.

“What? And why are you here alone?”

“Ah-. That’s because...”

Only Gelwood stood inside the Garden Of Eternal Winter.

And as he approached her, Gelwood cautiously handed her a single note.

“Lord Elden delivered me this at the entrance before he left. I’m sorry your Grace, no matter how I tried to persuade him, he simply said this was his best effort.”

“His...Best...Effort...?”

“Those were his words...”

Lumia received the note.

What could possibly be written inside it to be considered ‘his best effort’?

Her anger lit once more.

Lumia tore the note open.

And she read it.

[I’m terribly sorry for replying with a note like this. I hope you can understand that this is the best I can do.]

...He’s sorry...Really?

[I heard you were waiting at the annex. I should have met with you, but my training delayed me.]

Hah....

All that time, he was just training......!

[Through the Advisor, I have received your feelings, Your Grace. And I am thankful for the overwhelming support you’ve shown to someone as unworthy as me.]

...He’s thankful?

Then why did you lose the second evaluation?

[But, after reflecting on my past, I have humbly relinquished the chance of a betrothal with you, My Duchess, who is someone far beyond my standing.]

I know...!

I know that already-!

But why did you give up-!

[It’s time for me to change. Though it may be a little late, I’m planning on wandering through this Kingdom to rediscover myself.]

Pff-. Don’t make me laugh!

You think I don’t know you’re hiding your true intentions?!

[Therefore, I, Elden Raphelion, through this letter, respectfully return the feelings you had so preciously conveyed to me.]

What....?

He’s...Officially rejecting me...?

[I appreciate your feelings, but I fear I cannot accept your love, Your Grace.]

W-What a minute...!

T-That confession was just a way to motivate you...!

It wasn’t a serious confession!

Why would I even confess to someone like you...!

[I truly wished to convey this in person, but as your Grace knows, I withdrew from the contest, and as such I do not wish to cause unnecessary trouble and misunderstandings with the other candidates. Therefore, my only option was to convey this message with the Advisor’s help. Please forgive me.]

No!

When have you ever cared about harming others?

You’ve always enjoyed it!!

[So please, do your best to forget about your feelings for me.]

Why you-!

There have never been any real feelings for you-!

[I fear that,]

Fear what...?

What is he saying now...?

[That should the people know that there was a ‘predetermined candidate’ for the sacred Grand Ducal Betrothal Contest, it could bring dishonor to your family name. Something I’m sure the Grand Duke wouldn’t desire.]

A predetermined candidate?!

Are you seriously this delusional over one confession note?

Like you could be a predetermined candidate!

You’re being way too presumptuous!

You’re nothing!

[Thus, I hope you have a peaceful night.]

Shudder-!

[The Withdrawer, Elden Raphelion.]

Lumia’s hands, gripping the note, trembled violently.

This time,

Yet again,

The snake known as Elden Raphelion slipped through her net.

Worse yet, the deceitful snake had the gall to flick his tail to her as he escaped.

And,

All Lumia could do was simply stare at it, run away, and rage.

This refusal letter gave her no room for rebuttal.

The letter was completely truthful, containing no loopholes for her to use.

It’s just that,

That’s not fair! it’s not fair! Not fair!

She couldn’t stand the fact her fake confession was taken seriously.

Hadn’t he realized that he almost made her vomit with frustration as he made that note, acting all proud for being the ‘man bold enough to refuse a Duchess’ confession’?

Rustle-!

“Your Grace?!”

Lumia lifted the hem of her skirt as she dashed forward.

She would correct his misunderstanding.

However,

“Elden-!”

As she reached the Garden’s entrance,

There was no sign of Elden, not even his shadow.

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“Haah! Haah!”

It was suffocating,

It was humiliating,

Lumia couldn’t stand the feeling of powerlessness that came from being led around by him. Be it in the past or now, it was simply unbearable.

Initially, she had the upper hand.

But when did the tables turn? Since when had she been the one chasing after him?

Just,

Just where did things go wrong?

Why was the victim clinging to the abuser?

It was complete and utter madness.

In the end, the only thing Lumia could do now was,

Rip!

Riiiiip!

Tear the letter to shreds.

Rip it into pieces.

Just like she wanted to rip and tear him apart.

So, she proceeded to rip the letter until it turned into dust.

“.........Your Grace?”

Rip!

Riiip!

**

At the same time,

Elden leisurely returned to his annex as he looked at the night sky.

Swoosh-!

Then, he saw a shooting star streak across the night.

“Ohhhh-! A shooting star-!!”

He quickly clasped his hands and began to make a cheerful wish.