If you Don't Love Me, I Will Die

Chapter 19

Ania Brontë was stubborn to the point that she wouldn’t yield to anyone in the Empire.

To put it positively, she had a firm and dignified character, but negatively, she was like a stubborn noble daughter raised in a prestigious household.

So, when Ania started throwing a fit, going without food for three days was standard, and there were instances where she confined herself to her room for a whole week.

Being such a headstrong young lady, it wasn’t unusual for the household steward, Ricktman, to scold the young lady when he had to.

He knocked on the door of Ania’s room.

“My Lady.”

It was the third day that Ania had locked herself in her room.

The exact reason was unknown even to Ricktman, but considering that despite insisting on the couple having meals together, Edward had been eating alone for several days, there must have been some problem between the two.

Not receiving an answer from the other side of the door, Ricktman knocked again.

“My Lady, it’s Ricktman. May I come in for a moment to talk?”

“......”

With the continued silence, Ricktman made a firm decision.

“I’ll come in, Miss.”

He might receive resentment, but to Ricktman, the young lady’s health was more important than anything else.

If she had been abstaining from meals for three days, even if he received her resentment, he wanted to somehow get her to eat.

With trembling hands, he turned the doorknob and opened the door, revealing Ania sitting by the window with her back turned.

Ania spoke coldly, “Ricktman, did I tell you to come in?”

Ricktman bowed deeply.

“I apologize, My Lady. However, above all, your health comes first. You’ve been avoiding meals for three days already. I couldn’t just stay quiet, worrying about you.”

“I’ll go out when I’m hungry.”

“Even so, My Lady...”

Ricktman gently placed the tray he was holding on the table.

“I, Ricktman, pledged my loyalty to the Duke. It’s inevitable for me to be concerned about your well-being, My Lady.”

“Ahaha...”

Ania chuckled softly and turned to take a bite of the bread on the tray.

“If you insist.”

“My Lady...”

The old knight’s eyes became watery.

“It’s delicious.”

“If you need more, please let me know.”

“It’s okay. I don’t want to trouble Ricktman for no reason.”

“It’s never a bother, Miss.”

“Thank you.”

Ricktman would do anything for Ania. Compared to what he received from the Duke, it was nothing.

Ania slowly nibbled on the bread and gestured lightly, glancing at Ricktman from a distance.

“Come and sit, Ricktman.”

“No, I couldn’t possibly...”

“I have something to say.”

Ricktman was once again surprised by those words.

Ania rarely spoke to the servants, let alone have something to say to them. He approached her in a single step.

“Sit down.”

“Well then, excuse me.”

Ricktman awkwardly sat down, stiff in posture, and looked at Ania with expectant eyes.

However, seeing her expression sunken for some reason, Ricktman decided to be more serious.

“Ricktman.”

“Yes, My Lady. I’m listening.”

Ania hesitated and slowly opened her mouth.

“Do you know how to apologize, Ricktman?”

“Yes...?”

Ricktman was momentarily bewildered by the unexpected words.

Just until the morning, Ania was distraught, but now she wore a warm smile.

“... It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has.”

I didn’t have anything specific to say. The words I had thought of remained unspoken, swirling chaotically in my mind.

I was about to say something, but I closed my mouth, sighed softly, and scratched the back of my head.

“Would you like to have a meal together?”

That was all I could muster.

Ania’s expression was subtle. Not really one thing or another; she simply smiled faintly.

“Sure.”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll get ready and go to the dining room.”

Watching Ania turn and return to her room, I unknowingly rushed towards her, grabbing her hand.

“Edward...”

Ania looked at me with surprise.

“I have something to say.”

I couldn’t even explain why I did it, but the words poured out.

“Yesterday, when you called, I didn’t answer. It wasn’t because I hated you or tried to avoid you. It’s not an excuse, but...”

Ania’s pupils widened.

Looking at her face, I felt the sensation of warmth rising again.

However, this is not love. I don’t love Ania Brontë.

I made a vow not to give love to this woman.

However, as Eldrigan suggested, I need to be honest.

I may not love her, but...

We are a married couple.

“But...”

After uttering those words, I took a small deep breath. Then, I spoke a truth untainted by falsehood.

“On that day, you looked even more beautiful... It was just difficult to look at your face.”

It might sound like a lie, or it might seem like an excuse to ease her feelings.

However, I believe she could feel my genuine emotions.

I bit my lower lip lightly and looked at Ania.

Beautiful,

So beautiful,

That woman whom I should not approach but find myself drawn to.

“It’s not a lie.”

As I said that, I felt a heavy sensation in my chest. When I lowered my head, Ania Brontë was nestled in my arms.

“I trust you.”

Looking up at me with eyes that had turned reddish, she smiled brightly, more radiant than ever.

“And... I’m sorry, Edward.”

For a moment, I felt my heart stop.

With an apologetic smile, Ania was already briskly heading back to her room.

“It’s a gift of reconciliation.”

Watching Ania innocently smiling, I slowly wiped my lips.