Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 68

Vanessa took one of Gideon’s pinky fingers and wrapped it in hers. Gideon’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“Gideon, I’m really sorry, but there’s something I need to say.”

“As long as it’s not that you want to end our relationship, I think I can handle it.”

Vanessa shook her head, thinking, *What a scary thing to say.*

“Absolutely not. It’s not that, but could we… maybe keep our relationship a little more private? Especially at work.”

Gideon stared down at her, and Vanessa quickly continued, feeling the need to explain.

“Of course, I know this might upset you. I’m sorry. But I just joined the Magic Division, and I’m afraid that if word gets out that I’m with the Special Forces Commander who also holds a Duke title, bad rumors will spread.”

Vanessa worried he might be upset, so she rushed to explain herself. Gideon chuckled softly.

“Vanessa, I understand what you mean. It’s alright. I’m a little disappointed, though. But I have one question to ask.”

“What is it?”

Gideon carefully looked into Vanessa’s blue eyes.

Her bright blue eyes met his gaze directly, more confidently than before. That alone was enough to satisfy Gideon.

“Does keeping it a secret mean you’ll be belittling yourself again?”

“Oh, no.”

Vanessa laughed out loud.

“It’s really not like that. I’m meeting my friends tomorrow, and if I tell them this news, they’ll spend at least three hours telling me what’s better about me than Gideon. That’ll make me feel much better.”

“That sounds a little scary. I don’t think Lina liked me much to begin with.”

“That’s because Gideon was wearing a robe! You should have shown your face.”

Vanessa didn’t reveal that Gideon’s returned affection had greatly improved her self-confidence.

It was still too early to say that. It had only been a few hours.

Vanessa and Gideon had the conversations they hadn’t been able to have, a little awkward and unsure of their feelings at first. They talked for so long that Perez came back to offer them another meal.

After spending the whole day together, Gideon personally escorted Vanessa back to her lodgings.

Of course, as Vanessa wished, his face and body were completely hidden in the robe, but their intertwined hands were visible.

Having finally learned where Vanessa lived, he looked displeased.

“It’s decent enough.”

“The windows seem too flimsy.”

He asked her everything about whether the area was well-lit at night and what the room was like inside, standing firm until Vanessa went inside.

Vanessa swallowed a laugh and waved her hand.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The last day of the weekend, Lina decided to gather at her newly bought house in Puy-de-Dôme [a region in France].

It wasn’t difficult to get to what Lina had named ‘Lina’s House’ because it was right next to the main street. True to Lina’s style, the roof was a deep pink.

Evan contacted them to say he would be a little late. This gave Vanessa the perfect opportunity to share what had happened in the last two days.

Upon hearing the story, Lina dramatically caught the teaspoon that was about to fall. Even Chebatti was blankly gaping.

“….”

“Say something….”

“Well, um. Wow, no….”

Lina stammered and eventually nodded.

The house that Lina had newly purchased in Puy-de-Dôme wasn’t large, but it had a front yard and well-maintained grass.

Lina, who had invited Vanessa, Chebatti, and Evan, had prepared colorful desserts and tea on a small, white table in the yard. Because of this, everyone was out enjoying the cool breeze while drinking tea.

“First of all, congratulations, Vanessa. That’s really great!”

Chebatti smiled brightly and patted Vanessa’s shoulder. Lina also nodded.

Everyone felt relieved to learn that Vanessa’s long-standing crush was mutual. The two who cared for Vanessa were very happy that she was getting something in return.

But from then on, Lina, who had been relieved, began to run wild.

“Drinking! How could you drink so much!”

“No, I shouldn’t have…. Sorry. I won’t do it again.”

“Where did you learn that!”

“Well, there’s a wizard near the Vatnir Bridge who really likes to drink….”

Vanessa began to listen to Lina’s nagging with a very polite attitude.

Lina huffed and lectured her not to do it again. She talked about how cold and urban Puy-de-Dôme was, saying that even if it was someone trustworthy, she had to be careful.

Vanessa nodded unconditionally. Lina was actually right, and it was also good for relieving Lina’s anger.

And Lina began her harsh assessment of Gideon.

“He’s older. About five years older? Rounding up, it’s a ten-year difference!”

Chebatti looked confused, but Lina firmly struck the glass with her teaspoon.

“Is that all? Why didn’t he tell you until now, even though he liked you too, making you suffer!”

Lina’s eyes began to blaze.

Chebatti muttered next to Vanessa, “Here we go again. Our Vanessa is the best disease.”

Vanessa also muttered, “I know, it’s been a while.”

“He didn’t know I liked him. He kept avoiding contact, so.”

“So he didn’t say anything? Until you said it? Huh! Does he have that little confidence?”

Vanessa suppressed a laugh as Lina began to scold her. Chebatti was already giggling next to her.

Vanessa swallowed her tea and laughter and said,

“When are you getting engaged? I’ll play your role next time.”

“I don’t need this kind of role. I know I’m the best. You need this kind of role because you don’t know you’re the best. Is it all about being a Duke? Is it all about being handsome?”

“Well, it seems like it might be?”

“No!”

Evan arrived as Lina was excitedly firing off questions.

He was looking around the house from behind the fence. Hidden by the apple tree, only the voices of the three could be heard, not their figures.

“Evan!”

Vanessa waved her hand greatly upon seeing Evan, whom she hadn’t seen in a while. Evan also smiled and pushed open the fence, but stumbled as his hair got caught on a tree.

Evan made a small groan.

“What, everyone’s doing well.”

“Please note that you look the healthiest.”

Lina said primly and gave him a chair. Evan sat down comfortably, leaned back, and stretched out his legs.

Lina sipped her tea and asked.

“How did it feel to be dumped?”

Vanessa mouthed, ‘Are you crazy?’ but Lina didn’t give in, and Chebatti also laughed.

“Ahem, I shed a few tears for a few days and my heart ached for about a month, but I realized from Vanessa’s eyes that it wasn’t going to work out from the start, so I got better, I tell you.”

Evan held out his hand to Vanessa, and the two shook hands politely.

“Where else would you find a friend like me? It’s clean. Anyway, what were you guys talking about?”

“Vanessa-”

Vanessa hurriedly covered Chebatti’s mouth. After all, Evan would be applying to the Special Forces and would often run into Gideon, so she wondered if it was right to tell him this.

Seeing that, Evan slammed his teacup on the table.

“Don’t tell me you’re keeping secrets from me? I’m really upset. Even though I came to Puy-de-Dôme late, you guys hang out so often without me.”

Vanessa broke out in a cold sweat as Evan glared with a huff. *Oh my god, the books didn’t cover how to deal with this situation.*

“It’s more upsetting to keep things like this a secret. It’s better for you to tell me now than to find out later.”

Lina gave Vanessa the choice. Vanessa groaned for a moment and eventually began to stammer.

“Well, um, I’m… ahem, with someone….”

Lina and Chebatti didn’t offer a helping hand and enjoyed watching. Evan waited patiently.

Vanessa continued to stammer with trembling lips.

“Dating.”

“You’re dating someone? Who?”

Vanessa felt like tearing her hair out as Evan widened his eyes and asked. She felt like she was going to die because she felt so sorry for Evan.

“Hey, wait a minute.”

Suddenly, Evan stopped Vanessa from opening her mouth and narrowed his eyes. Evan, who had been looking at Vanessa’s flushed cheeks, blurted out without hesitation.

“Gideon Sol Balder.”

“Pfft.”

Vanessa choked on her tea. Lina made an interesting humming sound.

“How did you know?”

“No, I just guessed. Vanessa must have started dating after entering the Magic Division, so I figured it would be someone from inside the royal palace. Vanessa doesn’t know many people.”

Evan scratched his chin and said,

“And you guys should have seen it. Even during the practical training, he wasn’t openly taking care of her, but he seemed to be subtly paying a lot of attention to Vanessa. That Duke, he’s famous for being indifferent even within Puy-de-Dôme, but he was acting so meticulously.”

Evan readily said that and smiled at Vanessa, congratulating her. Vanessa sighed deeply.

“Sorry. I was debating whether to tell you or not.”

“I would have been more upset if you hadn’t told me. I feel left out if I find out later! We’ve really decided to be friends now.”

But Evan still had questions, so he asked this and that. Lina and Chebatti also had questions, so when the three of them started asking questions, Vanessa was overwhelmed.

“So, when you first met at Jenien’s house, it was just like meeting a new wizard friend. But when you met again in Puy-de-Dôme, it was a little strange, and you enjoyed exchanging letters from time to time. And after the Special Forces practical training, you realized your feelings—is that right?”

Evan clapped his hands at Chebatti’s perfect summary. Everyone made a fuss, saying that she was the top student after all.

Vanessa, whose face was flushed, felt exhausted after telling everyone her situation.

Thanks to Vanessa, who kept getting thirsty, the teapot in front of her was emptied. The heat didn’t subside even in the cool breeze.

“Can’t I rest now?”

“No. It’s fun. Wow, I’m getting a little excited too. Chebatti, I heard there are so many handsome people at that tea house over there, do you want to go with me next time? They said it’s a great place to meet people.”

“Hmm.”

Evan chuckled as Chebatti made an interesting expression.

“Chebatti is still too young.”

Chebatti pouted at Vanessa’s serious objection, but soon hugged Vanessa’s arm and sang excitedly.

While they were chatting, it was time for dinner. A servant residing in Lina’s house brought out warm dishes.

Lina said that she had a romantic idea of setting up and eating food in the yard. Of course, that romance quickly faded due to the flying bugs.

“Let’s give up.”

“Yeah.”

The four people picked up the food again, went inside, and ate and drank casually, rolling around.

There was also very weak alcohol, but Vanessa only drank one glass. Because Lina and Chebatti teased her.

“You can’t confess your love for us.”

“Stop it….”

Evan belatedly heard about the incident where Vanessa drank alcohol and invaded Balder Castle. And he started laughing gleefully.

“I heard that people who don’t usually cause trouble cause big trouble when they do! At Balder Castle! After drinking alcohol!”

“That’s already a past topic?”

Evan pounded the sofa and gasped as Vanessa glared.

Evan, who had barely stopped laughing, took a sip of alcohol and took a breath.

As Vanessa began to narrow her eyes, Evan quickly changed the subject.

“I heard that there are a few officials who are quitting without notice these days. Vanessa, it seems like you’re doing well at work?”

“Everyone at the Magic Division is nice. But they’re quitting without notice?”

“That’s what I heard? My cousin is in the Cabinet, so they urgently posted a job opening thanks to that. Everyone is complaining that the wizards quit! They say wizards don’t have perseverance.”

Vanessa tilted her head. She had never heard of that.

Soon, the topic shifted to Lina. Lina’s relative had offered to introduce her to a man. Everyone widened their eyes and got excited.

“Really?”

“So Lina, who are you going to meet?”

“I don’t know either. My parents sent me several pictures, but I don’t like any of them. Someone’s nose seems weird, and someone else seems too skinny.”

As Lina answered primly, Chebatti waved her hand in the air, asking to see the pictures. Then Evan followed suit.

Lina, who looked at the two of them with disdain, brought several pictures, and Vanessa, Chebatti, and Evan put their heads together and fiercely debated who would be a better match for Lina.

“Someone a little reliable.”

“Someone who seems like they would laugh it off without any impact even if they were hit with words.”

Lina glared coldly at Evan as he pointed it out accurately. Chebatti tilted her head.

“How can you tell that from their face?”

“Since we don’t know, we have to secretly follow Lina when she goes to meet them. What if they’re weirdos?”

Evan and Chebatti nodded diligently at Vanessa’s words.

Lina elegantly flipped her hair back as if she was annoyed, but the three people except Lina whispered to each other, diligently making plans to follow her.

The four people didn’t share any constructive stories for the future. They rolled around on the floor with a completely informal attitude, ate cake, and chatted excitedly.

Lina, Chebatti, and Evan acted no differently than when they were attending the Academy, and Vanessa was the same.

In the peaceful everyday life, Vanessa realized that what happened yesterday was really real, not a dream.

*Wow, I’m really dating Gideon.*

Vanessa secretly smiled inwardly and focused on Chebatti’s words.