Chapter 5: Conflict

“… Like, I like…”

When I heard Grace say that to James, it felt like the world around me went pitch black. From there, I don’t know how I did it, but before I knew it, I was in my dormitory room.

That’s right… I can understand why Grace was avoiding me. Grace liked James. Grace seemed to be crying. With me being her fiancee, Grace being with James would be an affair and so maybe she was worried all this time.

I can feel the black feelings swirling in my chest. I wish I hadn’t seen Grace and James. But Grace is my fiancee. I won’t let anyone else have her.

But wouldn’t that mean taking away her happiness? It might take away my favorite smile…

After all, I couldn’t sleep at all.

---

As it is, I go to school with a gloomy feeling. I passed by Grace, but I diverted my eyes. After all Grace is… I also ignored the greetings by James.

“Noah, are you okay?”

When I was still like that during the break, James placed a hand on my shoulder and asked with a worried look.

“Aren’t you being strange since this morning? If you’re feeling sick, I’ll follow you to the infirmary. Or was it something happened yesterday?”

Yesterday… I had forgotten about it with Grace’s confession, but I was called by Elena only to find out she stole Grace’s paint. Apparently, Elena is absent.

“Oh… that’s nothing. I’ll talk when I’m done with everything……… James, you’re really a good guy.”

“What’s with that suddenly? Well, don’t overdo it.”

James is really a nice guy. I don’t know what happened afterwards since yesterday, but I don’t think Grace and James will betray me. If only James is not around… I’m the worst to have ever thought so even just a little.

“Does James like Grace?”

“It’s really sudden……… Yes, I like her.”

James then laughed somehow sadly.

Is that so. James also likes Grace.

Since my sister and Grace’s brother will already get married, then it shouldn’t affect much the relationship between our homes even if we break our engagement. James, even though he’s only the fourth son, as a member of a Marquis family, I think it’s still a better condition than I, the second son of an Earl family. Both Grace and James do love drawing, and they have feelings with each other…

The only thing hindering them is me.

I really hate this relationship where everything will go well without me. It would probably be for the best for me to do so. Grace and James are both important people to me, after all…

But what should I do with this feeling… I’ve always, always liked Grace. Her glittering eyes when she talks about her favorite pictures, her serious expressions when drawing, and her smiles that can seem to make flowers bloom, I really like them all. I wanted to make Grace happy, but I wanted to be the one to make her happy.

I love Grace.

But… I want Grace to be happy above all. Even if the person she smiles to is not me…

I want her to keep thinking that it was good to have met me.

---

After class, I called Grace.

“Grace, I have something important to say to you.”

“Noah-sama…”

I think it has been a while since Grace looked me straight in the eyes. I’m so happy to have Grace look at me even though I’m going to offer our engagement cancellation.

“I understand. I’m sorry I’ve avoided you all this time.”

After one beat, Grace strengthened her resolved and nodded.

We moved to the backyard of the school. It’s the place where I’ve overheard Grace’s confession, but it’s convenient because there aren’t many people coming.

I have to say it to Grace as soon as possible, but even though I think so, I also want to be together with Grace longer, so the words just won’t come out.

Grace waited patiently for me like that.

I suddenly remembered that my sister said, “remember to properly say the important things in words.” It’s about time for me to finally say my feelings for Grace…

But first, I have to say this.

“Can you get rid of your engagement with me?”

When I told her so, my fiance Grace widened her eyes for a moment. However, she immediately smiled and nodded.

“Okay, I understand… Just, one last thing…”

“Sure”

“Noah-sama, I–

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