Even Hot Springs Cannot Mend the Duchess Princess's Ailment
Chapter 9
If you desire, I will bring happiness to all.
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If you desire, I will set the world ablaze
Your joy is my delight
Your sorrow is my fury
You are my everything, my cherished beloved.
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Despised, despised, despised, despised, despised.
Despised, despised, despised, despised, despised.
Despised, despised, despised, despised, absolutely despised.
After the night of the completion ceremony, my relationship with Leon started to unravel. Naturally, he would despise me after hearing something so dreadful. I always realize what I needed to do only after making a fatal mistake.
How foolish it is to discover my feelings of love only after exposing my deepest flaws.
Is this the anguish people call a first love?
If so, I can understand why Prince Julius would despise me for treating the saint with such cruelty.
If anyone dared to insult Leon, I too would strike them down without hesitation.
[T/N- come on all knew Angie have yandere tendencies]
The desire to be with Leon only grows stronger. But I have shown him my ugliest side.
We can never return to the way things were.
I ache to be with Leon. But I'm terrified of being despised by him, so I can't bear to get close.
Conflicting emotions continue to tear at my heart, leaving me paralyzed by fear and uncertainty, I have became terribly cowardly.
The pain is unbearable, and I find myself wishing I had never realized these feelings. If only I could turn back time, I would rewrite our story from before we ever crossed paths.
Night after night, I lie awake, drowning my pillow in tears as I wrestle with these agonizing thoughts.
Even so, morning comes. I hide my swollen eyes with makeup and perform my tasks as if nothing happened.I hate how unnaturally good I am at putting on a façade. Not wanting to get hurt, I keep my distance from Leon. Yet, I feel anxious when he is not around.
Thus, another night of tears arrives.
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All that crying, eventually stained my face , and inevitably my throat become parched.
I head to the washroom, wash my face, and drink water from the kitchen.
The cold midnight air pierces my skin.
I must get some sleep; tomorrow's work will suffer if I don't.
As I was returning to my room, I pause in front of Leon's door.
Once again, I couldn't talk to Leon properly today. We used to banter so easily, but now I can barely speak to him.
I'll just take a quick look at Leon before going to sleep. Maybe I'll dream of the happiness we once shared.With that thought in mind, I quietly open the door. Leon is lying on the bed.
Just one glance would have been enough. But I find myself unable to leave his room.
"Is something wrong?"
Leon opens his eyes and looks at me. It seems he noticed me as soon as I entered the room.
"I'm sorry for waking you up. I'll go back to my room soon, so don't worry."
I try to leave the room, but my movements stop midway. When I turn around, I see that Leon is holding my hand tightly.
"You've been acting strange for the past few days. Is something bothering you?"
There is something wrong indeed.
"I'm sorry for worrying you. I'll go back to normal from tomorrow."
"That's not what I'm talking about."
Leon's grip tightens. It's almost impossible to break free and return to my room.
"You've been acting strange since the night of the completion ceremony. Something must have happened, right?"
Something indeed happen. But it's my problem alone. It's not Leon's responsibility.
"Tell me the truth. Angie, you've always helped me, right? We promised to help each other as business partners."
I'm constantly causing him worry.
At the same time, the term "business partner" hurts. Even though we're engaged, our relationship is merely based on mutual interests.
I can't bear the fact that our connection is purely transactional.
"Let's break up, Leon."
I can't take it anymore. Being by Leon's side hurts too much to bear.
"The fault lies with me, so I don't want to inconvenience the Baltfault family. I'll pay compensation. And of course, the loan agreement will continue..."
"You're saying stupid things!"
I'm scolded by Leon. That fact alone remains in my head.
"Hey, what's really going on? If you're troubled, let me help you. So please, stop crying."
I didn't even realize I was crying. Why do I always show my weak side in front of him?
"Because...! Because if I'm here, Leon can't be happy!"
The words flow from my mouth, driven by my emotions.
"If I'm here, Leon can't retire peacefully! He'll be forced to remain a lord forever! I don't want to force Leon to do something he hates! But because of the contract with the Redgrave family, Leon can't refuse! So if I'm not here, Leon can be free! I love Leon, so I don't want him to be sad! I don't want to see Leon suffer anymore!"
I'm crying and screaming like a spoiled child.
Leon is left speechless by the sudden outburst.
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"Um, so does that mean you like me, Angie?"
I nod vigorously. Once I start speaking, I can't contain my emotions.
"So, you think it's pitiful that I reluctantly act as lord?"
I nod again.
"Then you want to break off our engagement?"
I nod for the third time with all my might.
"What? That's some ridiculous logic."
"Leon called me stupid! I'm done! I'm going back to the Redgrave family!"
"Please, stop crying!"
"I'm being scolded! I'm definitely hated!"
"Oh, I'm sorry! It's my fault!"
"Boohoo!"
Like consoling a child, he holds me close and strokes my head. His touch and warmth are comforting.
After being held in silence for a few minutes, my heart finally calms down.
I don't think there could be any more embarrassing moments. Now, I'll confess my true feelings. If he hates me for it, I'll gracefully accept it and return to the capital.
If I can live off this love, it wouldn't be so bad.
"I love you, Leon. I don't even know when it started. I only realized it on the night of the completion ceremony."
I slowly reveal the truth, one by one.
"Your wish is to retire as a lord as soon as possible. But retirement is impossible until the management of the territory stabilizes. Once we receive funding from the Redgrave family, there's also an obligation to fulfill the contract. Retirement seems further away than ever."
"So you thought of breaking off the engagement?"
"Yes. If it's solely my fault, the Redgrave family will have to make concessions. Depending on the situation, compensation may be required. Above all, without me, Leon can be free from constraints."
"Well, that's... quite something."
Leon looks at me with genuine amazement.
"So, Angie, you're actually a pretty unfortunate girl, huh?"
"I'm sorry, I was just overwhelmed."
I feel like I've accumulated a lifetime's worth of embarrassment.
"So, Angie, do you want to break off the engagement with me?"
[T/N - I don't why this line repeated twice]
I shake my head vigorously.
"I love you, Leon. I want to live with you and support you. If it makes you happy, I'll endure any hardship."
I confess my love sincerely, without embellishment or deception.
"But I don't want to be by your side if it makes you suffer. I'm willing to ignore my own feelings for your happiness. If there's another woman you like, I'm okay with being a mistress."
"But Angie and I are close to each other. There's no one else in my life besides family and Angie."
"But we were engaged for political reasons."
"The start may have been like that, but isn't it okay if we fall in love with each other?"
"I have a striking appearance that attracts attention."
"I don't dislike beautiful women."
"I have a harsh personality and lack charm."
"Well, I think it's just the right balance for someone like me."
"I'm sorry, can you please forget about my foolish wishes?"
With that, Leon bows his head.
"So, what about you, Angie? What do you like about me?"
"Everything."
I reply immediately.
"You may have a sharp tongue, but you're actually kind. You complain a lot, but you never run away. You intentionally act frivolous to lighten the mood. And..."
"Yeah, could you please stop talking?"
Leon holds his head in his hands. I still have so much more to say.
"So, if I am happy, will you be satisfied, Angie? I'll make you happy too."
"I understand. I'll definitely make you happy."
With that, Leon's face approaches mine. Or perhaps it's me who's getting closer to Leon's face.
Our lips meet slowly. A kiss filled with affection and tenderness, taking our time.
A profound sense of certainty washes over me,
As if our meeting was written in the stars.
In Leon's company, happiness finds its fullest expression,
Making each moment the pinnacle of joy, the zenith of my existence.
[T/N - I told you she is yandere]
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Authors Note
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Do you like it when strong-willed women become vulnerable in front of men they like? I love it. (Personal opinion)
As for whether the confident Angie confesses to Leon or the timid Ange is confessed to by Leon, I chose the latter, leading to mutual confessions.
After reading the main story, I felt that Angie is the type to become weak when in love, so I thought this approach would be better.
On the other hand, Livia's quick to say 'comfort Angie already' is amazing.
Also, after reading 'Mobseka Kindergarten*,' I found little Angie adorable, so I secretly incorporated some childish behavior to make her cry. (laughs)
The two share a happy kiss and it's the end? There's one more chapter, so please stay tuned till the end."
[T/N- Mobseka kindergarten is official Mobseka chibi spinoff , available in mangadex]
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Translator Note
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As you can see after second para translation quality (I guess?) suddenly drop , that's because my friend who actually proofread things and change speech pattern got himself into accident . (That dimwit was practicing no-hand bike riding, not serious but out of commission for few days) So noone to do these. Ah and if you can plz rate this series in novelupdate, leave behind any comments or how Can I improve my translation....
~~~End~~~