If you Don't Love Me, I Will Die

Chapter 72

Ania and Viola had already been sitting in the car for over two hours.

Because of that, I kept pacing back and forth at the main gate, nibbling at my thumbnail incessantly.

It was a habit I had long ago, even before I became Edward Radner.

I always did it when I felt anxious.

So, to put it simply, I was terrified that they might end up fighting for no reason and drifting apart.

That was something I really wanted to avoid.

With Ania abandoning her family, any potential business confrontation with the Brontë family was now out of the question.

Initially, it didn’t seem like a big problem not to form business ties with a declining family, but it still felt awkward nonetheless.

The Empire’s gossipmongers had already discovered that Ania had visited the Radner estate and spread the news throughout social circles.

The social circle was like a cauldron of alchemy.

Any rumor that went in would come out completely transformed.

Thanks to that, Ania was currently the hottest gossip.

After the rumor that Ania Brontë had forsaken her father and attached herself to the wealthy Edward Radner spread like wildfire, it became a fact.

So, it was awkward.

Most people looked at me skeptically about the absurd rumors, and a few bold individuals asked about the truth.

I cut off contact with those who asked for the truth.

Curiosity tends to be dangerous.

Moreover, staying hidden in the estate for a week without showing myself would have fueled the rumors further.

Ridiculous rumors would have surely piled up like Edward Radner having taken Ania Brontë as his mistress or Ania having cast some enchantment on Edward Radner.

So, how wonderful it would be if they could let it go quietly this time.

But still, aren’t they parent and child?

At the very least, isn’t it true that Mother passed away at a young age, and Father either treated himself as non-existent... Such tragic events did occur.

Lorendel sighed, glanced up at the sky, and, after emitting a soft whimper, looked at me as if I were insane. Then, she mustered up the courage to take a step forward.

“My Lord, please go inside and wait.”

“I refuse.”

Could I really stay comfortably in the room?

It would only add to my worries instead.

“We don’t know when they’ll be done, so please rest while you can.”

“They’ll be back soon.”

“It’s natural for parent-child quarrels to drag on.”

“What do you know?”

“A lot more than you think.”

Lorendel spoke, lips pursed.

“Although I may be the Viscount’s secretary and servant, I’ve lived five years longer than My Lord.”

“Congratulations.”

“It will surely work out. No matter how much they hate each other, they’re still family.”

“You’re telling me of all people? My father was imprisoned, and my step-brother tried to kill me.”

“You’re a bit of a special case...”

“Don’t talk if you can’t say anything helpful.”

At that moment, the distant sound of an engine reached us.

A car was slowly making its way up the hill below the mansion.

“Ania!”

As the car arrived, I rushed forward in a single stride.

The door opened, and Ania stepped out, followed by Viola.

Ania’s eyes were reddened.

I wanted to ask what had happened, but my steps faltered.

It didn’t seem good.

However, something surprising happened after.

Ania, who had hurriedly approached, tightly held Viola’s hand, leading her towards the mansion.

“Ania?”

“I’ll tell you later.”

Using magic to read and manipulate memories was prohibited, but using it on oneself was not illegal if the individual consented to it.

I unfolded the letter to read.

It was about secretly inviting a memory-reading mage.

There was also a request to come as soon as possible.

“I’ve had a good meal.”

After finishing the meal, I rose from my seat.

If I had to hurry to the Southeast Tower, then so be it.

“Lorendel, is the carriage ready?”

“It’s waiting in front of the main gate.”

“We’re heading to the Tower.”

The inspection could wait for later.

I changed into different clothes and sprayed some perfume before entering the carriage.

As Lorendel talked to the carriage driver, I sank into deep thought.

Memories.

Something inherent to humans.

But in my case, it was a bit different.

My mind was entirely mine, but my body wasn’t.

Then, were the memories from this body gone?

If not, were they dormant within me?

If the memories were within me, I could find out.

The promise Ania and I made while watching the meteor shower from the hills of the Brontë estate.

Would something change if I found out about that promise?

Could I claim to be the man Ania originally loved?

My head was filled with conjectures.

And my body was tired as well.

I couldn’t relax because the troublemaking daughter and the wayward mother were causing a ruckus in the mansion.

As I buried myself in the sheets, sleep quickly overtook me.

I had a dream.

Meteor showers falling from the sky.

Stars twinkle with a blue light, while stars floating in between embroidered the sky.

Young Ania looked at me.

And I looked back at her.

As we looked at each other, we exchanged a small smile and said softly,

“Forever...”

Upon hearing those words, I suddenly woke up from my sleep.

“We’ve arrived, My Lord.”

“Yeah...”

Time had passed, and we had arrived at the Southeast Tower.

However, I was still lost in the remnants of my dream.

I heard something... but couldn’t recall it.

I sat for a while, trying to recollect as I gazed at the top of the Tower, but the memories submerged beneath the surface of sleep didn’t resurface.

“I’ll probably find out soon anyway.”

I moved forward slowly.

It wasn’t anything significant, but my heart was beating loudly.