The day Alen was to leave the abbey was drawing near. And just then, a knock from outside caught her attention.
"Yes."
The door slowly creaked open while the past Laya was still feeling bewildered. A voice called out, saying he wanted to say goodbye before leaving. She flusteredly and hesitantly replied to Alen, "Yes, please have a safe trip."
At that moment, he also sensed something was strange, and Alen approached the past Laya to check on her. This startled her, and then the past Laya had to speak up.
"Sir, is there something you wanted to say to me in private?"
Alen was confused, but still replied, "Yes."
Right then, she spoke first. "I have something to say to you as well."
He became even more bewildered. "What do you mean?"
Laya, who was opposite him, shrank back and suggested, "Let's meet behind the abbey in a little while."
"Okay."
I felt that the moment Alen came to me himself was an opportunity.
And so the two of them had a private conversation, and Alen was extremely astonished by what she said. The past Laya avoided his gaze and replied, "I won't bother you for long. Just marry me for exactly three years. After three years, I will leave on my own."
At this, Alen's face darkened as he looked at her. So before hearing what Alen was about to say, I proposed the deal by using his weakness as collateral.
He silently stared at the past Laya before him, and after a moment he lowered his head, agreeing to her terms. "I understand. We have to leave soon, so hurry and get ready."
Seeing Alen turn and walk away abruptly, the past Laya couldn't help but feel flustered. "Yes, I understand."
And so the carriage began to move. The carriage clattered on continuously, but in contrast, the inside was surprisingly quiet. Alen sat opposite the past Laya and suddenly spoke up. "It'll take a few days to get there."
She just let out a surprised, "Yes."
He seemed a little worried as he advised her. "The road will get rougher, so you should get some rest beforehand."
His words made her feel astonished and stunned.
When I left the abbey with Alen, I realized that Alen was a warm person, just like Lady Gray. And I also realized that he had gone through lonely and painful times just like me. Because I was blinded by my own sorrow, I had overlooked Alen's sorrow.
She recalled Alen's warm expression when he introduced himself. It looks like you'll need this. I am Alen Thodell.
Back then, she had slowly reached out to take the handkerchief. But right now, the past Laya reached into her pocket, rummaging for something. There was no turning back now, and they traveled until it was late at night.
The past Laya kept threading her needle, embroidering the handkerchief on which vibrant flowers had been newly added. Alen called out, a bit surprised, making her pause. "What are you doing?"
The past Laya, flustered, lowered her head and answered, "I embroidered it on the handkerchief you had lent me," which made him stare blankly for a long time.
After that, I started to believe. The original story had begun. I became Alen's wife, and he brought ruin to the Lariston family. And at that time, I thought Alen was helping me get my revenge, that it was to cover up Gray's story. But after succeeding in my revenge, my life wasn't happy at all.
Alen sighed helplessly, clutching his head. Helena, who was across from him, flinched and cried out, "Yes."
Back then, he had coldly brushed past her, warning, "Just stop it. Every time you do this, I get sick of it. You know that."
She was stunned, but still reached out for him, calling, "Even so, please just look at me. If there's something you don't like, I'll fix it. I can change myself to please you."
Alen turned back to look at her with sad, weary, and pitiful eyes. At that moment, the past Laya lowered her head sadly and added, "So please just look at me gently."
My meeting with Alen was wrong from the start. But I always hoped that Alen would notice me.
She clung to his hand, begging repeatedly, "Alen, please."
Because after my revenge was done, Alen was the only thing I had left.
The next evening, a carriage was already waiting at the mansion gate. The past Laya stood sadly, looking out the window. She lowered her head, thinking somberly, Alen is going out again today.
The more I begged for his love, the more Alen pushed me away.
She muttered in confusion. It was then that I realized I was suffocating Alen. A commoner, a fraud, someone like me who had to live her entire life as a copy of Helena, was not someone who could dream of marrying Alen. Even if I were the real Helena, why did I even dare to long for love? I took advantage of his weakness just to have someone so wonderful and so far out of my league.
Her footsteps echoed with a clatter. When she stepped inside, the room was empty, making everything feel so suffocating.
I knew that myself from the original story was also wrong, but it was too late for regrets.
She closed her eyes as she had this thought. At first, I was jealous of everything she had. The overflowing attention and love from Gray. And on top of that, a powerful man who had defeated the Lariston count family, Alen Thodell. Even after getting married, I could never become like her.
People constantly pointed fingers and gossiped about her.
"This is the first time I've ever seen a duchess so clumsy with social etiquette. How could a woman like that possibly capture the heart of Duke Thodell? Could it have been her body?"