“Ugh!”
“Ha.” Still, since it was my dear friend who begged for her life, what could I do? Russell let out a short breath and took the coat he had set aside, wrapping it around Summer. Summer was coughing so violently that her shoulders were shaking as if they might dislocate. In the end, Russell patted Summer's back until her coughing subsided. After a while, when Summer regained her breath, she shot Russell a look full of resentment. “Who are you again?” “I am Russell Bertrand, from the Duke of Bertrand's family.” “Oh. I know.” Summer turned her head away with an air of arrogance. From Ian Langerster to Russell Bertrand. What on earth were these people doing, breaking the rules of the world to save her? In this world, Russell Bertrand was kind, polite, highly educated, transparent, and pure, a person who seemed to evoke a sense of longing. At least, that was what people living in this world believed. “If you really want to die, then try again after I completely break away from Count Lindsay.” “Ha. Don’t worry. I have no intention of being a burden at all.” “From the moment my body got wet, it’s already a burden, Lady Lindsay.” However, the Russell set by the author was a bit different. He looked so beautiful that he seemed about to shed tears at any moment, yet the words he spoke were quite cold. On the other hand, Ian Langerster, who was colder than ice, was emotional throughout the story, grieving over the death of a comrade, sharpening the blade of revenge, and struggling with his tumultuous feelings, unable to define them. And Russell? To put it nicely, he was pure reason itself. How could Russell handle administration? It was possible because he sought the greatest good and stability without considering individual circumstances. In exchange for his lack of empathy, he possessed quick judgment and a cold, rational mind. “Did I ever shout for help, for my life?” “It was a situation where I had to save you. If it weren’t for that, I would have been investigated for the murder of a noble.” The words spoken with a gentle smile were bizarre. The Russell Bertrand that Summer saw was a cold person. He was law-abiding and moral, but he lacked a sense of morality. A well-socialized psycho. “Damn it.” Summer hung her head low. To confess now, Summer liked Russell Bertrand the most among the men around the female lead. It was a fondness that was possible only because he was a character in a book, not reality. If Ian Langerster felt like sitting with cold ice in front of a campfire, Russell Bertrand felt like something very bitter yet with a fleeting sweetness. “I expressed myself a bit too strongly. I thought you wouldn’t understand what you were about to do if I didn’t say it like this.” “What was I about to do?” “You were about to inflict wounds on many that wouldn’t heal. I would have witnessed a person dying right in front of me, and the innocent maids preparing for the picnic would have fainted from the guilt of not being able to protect the lady.” “…….” “Can’t you stop such behavior?” Russell Bertrand’s voice was quite composed. There was nothing to criticize in his tone or expression. He didn’t say anything wrong, but he truly had no talent for comforting people. Summer curled up and spoke defensively. “I can’t help it. It may sound like an excuse, but I really wasn’t trying to die.” “Alright. Then what were you trying to do?” “…….” “It seems like it’s a secret you can’t share.” “That’s right.” Summer nodded obediently, letting her eyes droop. Russell Bertrand reached out and pulled Summer toward him. With no resistance, she settled into his arms, her body warmth transmitted to his side. Russell felt like Summer was a cat. “May I ask why you tried to shake me off when I grabbed you under the lake?” “Of course I had to shake you off! I was so surprised. What if someone who jumped in to save me ended up dying! Please don’t do that again.” Russell thought Summer was a bit amusing. “Did someone sinking in the water think like that?” “Of course! I did it on purpose, but you didn’t, did you? If you died, the whole world would mourn.” Russell saw himself reflected in Summer’s blue eyes. He felt as if he had fallen into a vast sea, looking at himself in those deep blue eyes. “Didn’t you think about who would mourn if you died?” “I’ve made sure that no one would mourn if I died, so it’s a different situation from yours.” What do you mean by ‘made sure’? This world is, after all, a book and a text. Even if Summer Lindsay disappeared, this world would create and give birth to another existence under the author’s imagination. Then, in this world, no one would remember or mourn the soul trapped within Summer’s body. The world would keep turning and would be filled with someone else. “Made sure?” “If I disappear from this world, no one will mourn for me.” “I will mourn for you.” “…….” “Isn’t it enough for me to mourn your death?” A gentle breeze blew. Though her body was wet, it wasn’t cold, perhaps because warmth was rising from the points of contact. The grass rustled, and the yellow wildflowers swayed. The scent of flowers wafted in the breeze. Until the wind stopped, Summer and Russell did not take their eyes off each other, as if they were imprinting each other deep in their hearts. “……I’ve never thought about it. That there would be someone who would mourn my disappearance from this world.” “Think about it slowly. To confess, I hope there will be time for me to be with you in the future.” As soon as Russell finished speaking, he lifted Summer up. Summer, surprised, looked at Russell’s face, which had come closer. “I can walk!” “The dress will be heavy as it absorbs water.” Yet Russell didn’t seem to struggle at all. Summer looked at her hem with a doubtful expression, lifting it slightly. Her hand trembled as she raised the hem, wondering how much water it had absorbed. “Then I’ll rely on you just a little.” Summer, with an awkward expression, settled back into Russell’s arms. “Then will you repay me?” “Is there something you want?” “Your time is enough.” “How much?” “A week.” “How do I give you my time?” In the distance, two maids who had spotted Russell and Summer were running toward them. Russell quickly whispered his last words into Summer’s ear. “Just think of me for a week.” “……What does that mean,” “Lady!” Just as Summer was about to say something, Daisy’s scream-like shout was heard. “It’s time to part. Please be careful, Lady Lindsay.” “……Thank you for your help.” “Next time we meet, may I have your name?” “Do as you please.” After all, there would be no chance to meet again. Summer gritted her teeth, determined to find a place without people next time and return to her original world. Daisy and Mary, who had rushed over, quickly grabbed Summer’s arms. With their support, Summer headed toward the carriage waiting nearby. When Summer glanced back, Russell had already disappeared. The plan had failed twice. As soon as Summer got into the carriage, she closed her tired eyes. She needed to return to her original world quickly. She had been held back in this world twice by the suddenly appearing protagonists. “It’s terrible.” A clear stream of tears fell from her closed eyes. * * * “What? Did it fail again?” When she returned, Fay was sitting on the window sill, drinking coffee. “It turned out that way, Fay.” “Hmm, don’t be so impatient. There are still a few months left, right?” For some reason, Fay seemed a bit pleased. Summer turned away from Fay, who didn’t understand her feelings, and lay down on the bed, pulling the blanket over her head. In the room were two coats. One was Ian Langerster’s jacket, with all the buttons missing, and the other was Russell Bertrand’s coat, which was stained and damaged by water. A surge of anger welled up. Summer jumped up and nervously pulled at the blanket. Soon, Mary entered the room, calmly waiting for Summer’s instructions. She acted as if she hadn’t seen or heard anything that had happened today. Summer pointed at the coats, biting her lip. Damn novel. Damn male leads. “Throw away both of those coats.” “Understood.” “And forget about this incident. You can just think I’m crazy.” “Yes.” “And don’t stop me no matter what I do. Your lady will continue to do those terrible things in the future.” “…….” Mary, without showing any surprise at Summer’s words, gathered the clothes and left. It was Fay who was startled by Summer’s sharp voice. “Why are you acting like this when there’s still plenty of time left!” The anxiety that had been held back by Fay’s scolding finally burst forth. “What if I can’t go back!” Summer shouted, her voice trembling. Soft sheets, delicious food, and maids were all unnecessary. Every time she made a big decision, she felt like her reality was being thwarted, as if the author was playing tricks on her, making it seem like even her life wouldn’t go as she wished. “I’m holding onto Summer’s soul well, and there’s still plenty of time until the book ends.” “It’s not a year; it’s six months. And now it’s about five months.” “Don’t worry. If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll kill you.” At Fay’s words, Summer momentarily went blank, then gradually lifted the corners of her mouth. Slowly blooming like a flower, Summer’s bright smile broke out, and she clapped her hands, joyfully exclaiming right after. “Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?” “Hmm?” “Fay can just kill me!”