If you Don't Love Me, I Will Die

Chapter 25

I headed towards the village as if chased by something.

The Brontë mansion was on top of a hill, and despite the slippery road due to the snowfall, I didn’t stop my hurried steps, almost slipping several times.

I couldn’t understand why, but it felt like something terrible would happen if I were even slightly late.

Something irreparable.

‘Ania...’

I didn’t know what had happened.

The event of Edward coming to the harvest festival with Ania didn’t occur in the original.

Last night, I remembered the ominous glances I felt during the eve of the festival.

I considered it a novice who couldn’t hide their presence properly.

But I blamed myself for thinking that way.

‘Were they a sorcerer...’

What I thought was feeble strength could have been backed by magic instead.

Since it is a constituent element of this world, like bloodlust and enmity, it can be concealed by a powerful sorcerer.

‘Hurry... a little faster...’

The purple magic was getting farther away.

Was it heading toward Ania?

Perhaps it had already encountered Ania.

***

Ania, following behind Yuren, felt something strange as the village scenery gradually got farther away.

Surely there was a problem at the harvest festival, but Yuren’s footsteps were gradually leaving the village.

Furthermore, without explaining anything as promised, Yuren continued walking, widening the distance between them.

As they passed through deserted alleys, Ania stopped and looked at Yuren.

“Yuren.”

Sensing something strange, Ania slowly called Yuren’s name.

Yuren, who had stopped walking, didn’t turn around but simply halted.

“Where are you taking me?”

Ania asked.

Yuren’s head turned slightly sideways at Ania’s question.

“Didn’t I tell you, Miss? There’s a problem.”

“Then, can you explain why we are heading out of the village?”

“...”

Yuren remained silent, her shoulders trembling.

“Explain! Right now!”

“Ahaha!!”

Yuren’s shaking shoulders grew more pronounced, and laughter erupted from her mouth.

“I didn’t expect it to be this easy.”

Laughing more fervently, Yuren slowly turned to face Ania.

Taken aback by Yuren’s expression, Ania gasped in surprise.

A wicked grin was etched on the face that had seemed like that of an ordinary village girl.

“You’re really naive, Miss Ania.”

“Who are you?”

Yuren began to approach Ania step by step, and in response, Ania also took slow steps backward.

“If you’re so curious, why are you backing away?”

Yuren came closer and closer.

Feeling something touch her back, Ania turned her head. It was a dead end.

“My name is Yuren. I’ve come to kill you.”

‘Why...?’

“You’re a very curious person, Miss. You don’t need to know the reasons. You’re just meant to be sacrificed for a greater purpose. That’s all you need to know. No matter how much I explain to a foolish person, they would never understand.”

I blamed myself.

For almost making all the wrong decisions in a moment of emotion.

For almost hanging myself with my own noose out of childish and naive emotions.

But even if I try to remain calm,

Even if I promise to look at things rationally,

Whenever I stand in front of you, my heart jumps like a child...

Ania Brontë, do you know?

You probably don’t.

And you shouldn’t.

You must not realize my feelings.

Because that moment will be our last,

The terminus of our relationship.

“I almost arrived too late.”

“Edward...”

So let’s just stay like this.

At a distance that neither of us loves each other too much,

Nor resent each other.

“I’ve come to keep my promise.”

“Promise?”

“I vowed to protect you.”

So the reason I came to protect you isn’t because I love you.

It’s not because I’m afraid of losing you.

It’s not because I fear my life crumbling with the regret of losing you.

It’s not even because I feel guilty for forgetting our long-standing promise.

It’s to keep the promise.

The promise to protect you.

Our relationship is simply bound by that promise.

Our marriage began as a contract from the start.

“Edward Radner...”

As I turned my head toward the direction of the voice, a black-haired girl glared at me.

Although she was a girl I had never seen before, I knew who she was.

“You’ve come to interfere at a convenient time.”

Yuren.

A madwoman obsessed with dark magic.

A woman destined to be consumed by Johann’s manipulation and ultimately self-destruct.

If my memory serves me right, Yuren appears when Johann’s minions attack the mansion.

So, did the events change because I came to the Brontë estate?

Or would it have changed regardless of my actions?

I don’t know anymore.

I didn’t want to know.

Even if I knew, it wouldn’t change anything, and not knowing wouldn’t matter either.

‘Your heart, My Lord”

I recalled Ricktman’s words.

If there is a heart you want to protect, you can become strong...

He surely said that.

At the time, I couldn’t understand its meaning.

No, I deliberately feigned ignorance.

The fact that this villainess, who always plays with men’s hearts,

This obstinate woman who always does as she pleases,

Has suddenly found her way into my heart.

But I will not convey this feeling.

I will not acknowledge it.

I will keep it hidden deep within my heart, not revealing it to anyone.

After all, it’s a feeling that will never come to fruition.

Like a story with a predetermined ending, our relationship will eventually meet its downfall.

I’ll simply keep it as it is.

If it means Ania Brontë won’t leave my side,

That alone is sufficient.

Because I don’t love her.

I will never, ever love Ania Brontë.