Can’t Come Back - Chapter 10

“I need to go back now.”

“Can you… Can you stay for a little longer?”

As she stood, he said that. Cain held her wrist and urged her to remain for a little longer. Berlia, though, shook her head. Because I should not get used to his limited regard and courtesy.

“We can’t let anyone see us.”

There were barely three months of them being together. When she became used to being in Cain’s arms, Berlia was the only one harmed, not Cain.

‘If not me, for sure, a lot of girls would be in his bed right now—”

Many blonde ladies must have slept on this bed. To Cain, Berlia was one of them, but to Berlia, he was the only one she had ever liked. The heart that chose this partnership has a different density.

Berlia, who had redressed and donned her underwear and clothing, remarked to him as she carefully turned the doorknob without looking back.

“Sleep well, Cain.”

Therefore, Berlia disappeared through a dark passage. Cain’s door silently closed. Cain, who was left alone in the room, grinned grimly as he felt Berlia’s warmth on the bed gradually dissipate.

Cain was unable to sleep. He rose from his bed and made his way to the window. It was a night with a full moon. The wide window provided a view of the peacock’s garden. In the yard, golden Undeum flowers were in full bloom.

‘If I waited, can I really have it?’

Cain’s countenance seemed slightly lonely as he saw the flower through the glass.

And at that moment, Berlia, who was returning to her room, stopped walking when she saw a flower outside the window.

‘Ah… It was true… It’s Undeum flower.’

Golden-shimmering Undeum blossoms. I was extremely affected when I saw the blooms I had only seen in photographs. As it is stated that flowers take a long time to blossom, their look was lovely.

‘By the way, I’m not familiar with floral language.’

About the floral language of Undeum, which Cain had mentioned in the vehicle, she had just heard it, so she was unaware of it.

‘Next time, I’ll inquire once more.’

Berlia smiled sheepishly like a girl when she realized she had a subject to discuss with Cain.

This weekend is Cadeline’s birthday celebration. She is not particularly fond of fancy things, so she invited close aristocratic wives and young women to a little tea party.

Twenty or so aristocratic ladies came to honor her birthday. Berlia was among the group.

“Berlia. It has been some while. How are you doing?”

“Cadeline. Best wishes for your birthday. This is a present.”

After three and a half years, Berlia and Cadeline became good friends and began addressing each other by their given names. Berlia wished Cadeline a happy birthday and presented her with a gift.

“Oh, many thanks! May I now open it?”

“Absolutely.”

Catherine smiled joyfully as she unwrapped the present. A set of opulent teacups emerged from the box, which may be described as quite enormous. Cadeline’s eyes became large as she examined the contents.

“This is the teacup of the Alendra family!”

Cadeline’s face beamed with happiness. The Alendra family was a 300-year-old family of artists who specialized in the production of tea cups and kettles. Due to the elegance and finesse of the teapot, teacup, and plate, each teacup and dish was regarded as a piece of art.

Cadeline, a tea enthusiast, had longed to own the teacup belonging to the Alendra family. She forgot her decorum as a countess and exhibited her happiness by hugging Berlia.

“Berlia! This is great! A teacup by Alendra!”

“I’m delighted Cadeline likes it.”

Berlia grinned after seeing her true happiness. Cadeline was deserving of happiness. The teacups of the Alendra family were created in such little amounts each year that even money could not purchase them. A real luxury item is a rarity that is difficult to acquire regardless of one’s financial means. Alendra Teacup was exactly the same.

“As expected of Hildayden. They’re so pretty Berlia… Thank you so much!”

According to Cadeline, this is only possible because of the Duke Hildayden. She inquired of Berlia, unable to conceal her excitement.

“You must be very busy these days, especially with the Duke visiting an estate… There’s a lot of things that you might be doing.”

“No. Cain is almost in command, so I have little cause for concern.”

When the owner of a mansion is absent, the hostess often does the majority of the labor. Cain was there, so Dean delegated most of the job to him instead of Berlia. Cain was the one who was occupied throughout Dean’s absence.

“Ah, so there are no longer any such tales regarding Young Master Cain?”

“Tales?” 

“Even Berlia is aware. It occurred in the same mansion, therefore you would have personally seen it. They claim that he always invites ladies inside the residence.”

“Ah… those kinds of rumors—”

Few people were aware that Cain sometimes dated women. Berlia smirked sardonically.

“However, it is uncommon nowadays.”

“Yes?” 

Berlia was stunned and surprised by her statements.

“Rumors said that Young Master Cain doesn’t meet any woman now. He only ever meets blonde ladies anyways.”

There were rumors that Cain had ceased seeing women. Berlia was unable to reply to Cadeline’s statements. Had it been a typical gossip about a socialite, she would have listened with curiosity, but it was because of her that Cain stopped dating for a time.

‘Since you’ve chosen to have s*x with me for the next three months, it’s unlikely that you’ll date other women.’

Berlia and Cain were the only ones who knew the truth about the rumor. However, the truth could not be exposed.

“Yeah… excellent.”

“Oh… it’s because he’s family so it might be awkward… so I apologize to Berlia.”

“Thanks, Cadeline.”

Cadeline, seeing that Berlia’s facial expression was not favorable, attempted to shift the topic.

“Tea time will begin shortly. Shall we go to the garden’s tea table? Since it was my birthday, I decorated it with more care than usual.”

“I am eagerly anticipating it.”

If I were not the Duchess, I could not have given Cadeline such a costly present.

Berlia pondered as she followed Cadeline, who led her into the garden. She felt so egocentric.

Although her marriage to Dean was unsatisfactory, the Duchess’s lifestyle was extravagant. Aside from the fact that her spouse did not love her, her life was extremely prosperous. However, it is stated that human greed has no limit.

She even considered what might have happened if her husband had been Cain. Even if I cannot have it all.

“Is this the teacup of Alendra?”

“It’s really pretty… Oh my goodness.”

“It’s an artwork.”

There were noble women and little children seated at the table. The girls who were there to celebrate Cadeline’s birthday were awestruck by the teacup Berlia gifted her.

“As expected of Duke Hildayden!”

They, too, responded similarly to Cadeline.

However, their response made Berlia’s heart heavier. However, she did not detest their splendor, so Berlia felt quite bad.

“No… I was lucky that I got it.”

Berlia masked her sorrowful heart by forcing a grin and waving her hand. Her grin, which she had perfected over the years, did not seem to be forced. Since then, the mood at the tea gathering has remained cordial.

“Oh yeah… did you heard anything about Count Hanzelan?”

“Who doesn’t know the story?”

As it was a site where many ladies congregated, the conversation continually shifted. Then, an aristocratic girl brought up Count Hanzellan’s account. When the term “Hanzelan” was spoken, everyone in the room became engaged and began to contribute to the discourse.

“It was shocking.”

“Countess Hanzelan has lost her mind. To believe that the noble Countess had an affair.”

“It was ludicrous that the Countess’ affair was with her husband’s cousin, which was not only an affair.”

“This lady is the Countess. It is an absolute disgrace for the aristocracy.”

“Aristocracy? Isn’t she a commoner? If she’s one… what else could she do?”

As they continued to converse, Berlia’s skin got paler.

The Countess Hanzelan has recently had an affair with the Count’s cousin. The news rocked the social community. Not only was Count Hanzelan very well-liked, but the Countess was previously a commoner before marrying him and becoming a nobleman, so increasing her popularity.

This event stopped the Countess Hanzelan from rejoining society.

It was an intriguing narrative that many people would be interested in, but Berlia was unable to participate.

Because they believed that the guilt lay with her and not with Count Hanzelan. Berlia anxiously shook her fingers under the table each time a rebuking voice emanated from their lips.

‘It’s only three months… just three… just don’t get caught.”

If she’s concerned, she may end her contact with Cain immediately. But even with that concept in her brain, Berlia was unable to complete the task.

Cain Hildayden, since Berlia’s friendship with him was as delicious as a forbidden fruit.

Berlia was already on the other bank of the river of no return.