Chapter 76:


    From that day on, Mr. Maurice and I became partners of sorts.


    Of course I still dont consider him a teacher. He doesnt seem to have the heart[1] to coach me either.


    But on the day he came to visit me, Mr. Maurice stayed by my side, saying he would be prepared in case I needed him.


    I was puzzled at Mr. Maurices words that there would always be situations that needed him, but I soon understood what he meant.


    When therees a moment when writing is impossibleit is said to be an inseparable thing for writersthey share a light conversation with each other and sometimes give unexpected clues. He was willing to take on the role.


    Mr. Maurice.


    Is the pen not moving again?


    Mr. Maurice readily lifted his eyes from the book he was reading.


    Yes I just wrote one page and it stopped again.


    But one page is enough


    That one page was actually a description of thendscape. Now I really have to write about Troy, but I cant.


    There was a time when n Leopold felt like an ardent religion. For nearly a decade, I admired him and loved him deeply, and the emotion was so mournful that I could devote my soul to him. Even though it was just a crush.


    I was too young, and all I knew about him was superficial. Nevertheless, I was blindly drowned in that sea.


    I cant remember whether I jumped on n Leopold or if he hit me like a wave. It was just as natural as if it had been decided that everything would be like this.


    Youre afraid you cant remove him.


    Yes, Im afraid.


    Now that he has be a stain in my life, how can I not be afraid?


    The anger and reproach against n was natural, but I felt a terrible sadness first. All the moments and feelings that I devoted my soul to him and missed him, all those long times, have lost meaning.


    My beautiful n Leopold, mercilessly forsaken me. So my hatred for n is purely due to that. I have be the victim of a devastating loss of arge part of my life.


    Is that all? I have never thought of dividing myself with my imaginary n Leopold. Since I got to know him, I havent been myself for a moment.


    There was always a ce for him in the corner of my heart, and n Leopold, who was firmly entrenched in it, was the master of all my time and consciousness. He was only a vague fantasy.


    But now Im standing alone. There would never be a more ruthless and cruel treatment than this.


    What if I fall in love with him again without realizing it?


    At the crossroads of summer in a lovely afternoon, my lips quivered as if I was instead in the winter.


    If I slowly forget about his evil deeds What if I live like a ghost, chasing that empty shell of love?


    It could be.


    Im confused, Mr. Maurice. I dont have the confidence to get over him.


    Mr. Maurice closed the book he was reading and quietly raised his sses.


    But as you said the other day, if you dontpletely finish the work, this mess wont end. This is a clear fact.


    I dont know what to do. Ive decided toplete the novel, but Im so scared just to face it. Will I be able to finish this.


    Mr. Maurices dark green eyes stared silently at me who was drenched in the sudden flood of emotions. How fortunate it was that he sees me pathetically.


    Miss, I think I can give you two pieces of advice for now.


    Good. What is it?


    I know its hard for you, but think separately from your muse and your novel, Troy, like they have nothing to do with each other.


    His words made me sigh without realizing it.


    That sounds too difficult. At least I cant think like that right away. No.


    Well, as expected.


    Whats the second piece of advice?


    Then Mr. Maurice picked up the book he was reading. A maroon leather cover, with a picture of the moon and stars painted in pale gold. The title engraved in the same color gleamed softly with the sunlight streaming in from the window.


    <strong><The Night that Covers the Waiting and Sleeps></strong>


    Have you read all of this novel?


    Oh, that book.


    I was lost in thought for a moment. Did Iplete reading that novel?


    It didnt take long to conclude that I didnt. No matter how much I looked back on my memories, I couldnt remember the end of the story.


    Ive definitely read halfway through, but I havent read the ending yet.


    Then why dont you read this book?


    .


    I unconsciously frowned. The reason why I didnt read this novel to the end even though it was the most recent book I bought.


    I got a letter from the Academy while I was reading it. So I didnt have the mind to read it.


    You had plenty of time after that, didnt you? Moreover, you said it was one of the two books you brought to Lunoa.


    .


    So the real reason why I didnt read this book to the end is that the main character, who hated the other person so much, eagerly waited for him from the middle of the book. Whenever I think of the rough plot, I remember the uncontroble tears I had shed when reading only the middle part.


    The reason I enjoy reading is that it allows me to forget reality and immerse myself in apletely new world for a while, but unfortunately, this novel was reality itself to me. Besides, I didnt even dare to read the back story because I didnt see the slightest chance that the story would end happily.


    In the end, this book only reminds me of my ugly self, who keeps missing n Leopold even though I decided to hate him, and makes me more clearly portray the cruel reality that I cannot resist.


    In the first ce, I wasnt strong enough to read that novel with a light heart that made me think about how helpless I was in front of him.


    Its no use denying it now. The reason I took this book carelessly is because it was actually a book that n Leopold picked up, and the influence he exerts on me is still so strong.


    Miss.


    It was because I had a hard time. Its so realistic for me that I just wanted to avoid it. I only read about half of it, but I couldnt help but cry.


    Mr. Maurices calm green eyes seemed to urge me to tell the truth, and I was pleading desperately, like a person on the verge of something dreadful.


    Perhaps the reason behind rmending this bookis because the story is simr to mine, right?


    Thats why I thought it would help you to write.


    I I dont want to read it either. Im sorry to give you such an answer after youve been thinking about it seriously. I will try another way.


    I gripped the pen again with trembling hands, but I lowered my head in the overwhelming feeling of a rushing tide.


    Then Mr. Maurices loud voice pierced my ears.


    Its not a bad ending.


    What?


    Im reading it a second time, but its not as terrifying an ending as you think.


    So please read it.When I looked up, his eyes seemed to be saying so.


    * * *


    Were you crying?


    Embarrassingly, that was the first word spoken by n Leopold, who met me again. Why is he calling me out at a time like this?


    Today he came back in time for dinner, so we shared a meal for the first time. Of course, I was trying to stop crying without even grabbing the tableware.


    Why are you crying? Didnt you like the maid? Or.


    .


    Is it the tutor again?


    n, who looked drowsy as if he had had a tiring day, suddenly had eyes like a cold wind. His low voice was calm but eerie, much like the eve of a storm.


    I hurriedly answered to clear his misunderstanding.


    Novel


    I vividly recall speaking to him, calling each other by our names as we conversed.The reason why I made a fool of myself was because I was drunk.


    I cried while reading.


    However, I was not confident in pretending that I didnt remember, so I answered in the same tone as that day after thinking. He also uses an informal tone as if he were dealing with someone close to him.


    nughed like the wind.


    Really? What novel?


    Without waiting.


    I couldnt bear to say anything and burst into tears again.


    Oh, how does it end?


    Its certainly one of his collections, but n asked as if he had never read the novel.


    Maybe hes just talking to me to stop my tears. It must be a difficult task, having to sit face-to-face with someone who randomly cries as she eats her meal. However, it was not possible to say the ending of the novel directly to him.


    A happy ending in which the main character, who hated and despised her partner as much as she could, but realized that it was love, finally achieves that love and finds true happiness. To read such a beautiful story and cry sadly would only be seen asparing myself to the main character andmenting my pitiful situation.


    Even if he sympathizes with me, n, who wont let me even write a letter to the kingdom, wont let me go because of this. Thinking about it that way, sad tears came out again and I buried my head.


    My weak sensibility is sometimes rude because the other party cant even eat in peace as Im so annoying.


    Hik...uhhik


    Just then, the sound of nying down the dishes harshly was heard.