Chapter 316: Until Spring Comes (Part 1)
Armand’s mind felt like it was in a fog, almost like some kind of on-and-off mental illness. He had just remembered the way back, but in the blink of an eye, he got confused again.
He repeated the same mistake, he couldn’t remember which staircase he had taken, or which corner he had turned last time. The hallway from the main hall to the bedroom wasn’t far, but he still got stuck on the way back.
Armand looked around at the floor and the ceiling, feeling lost. Their identical colors made it hard for him to tell where he was. Although there were servants walking by this time, all of whom respectfully greeted him, he didn’t want too many people to notice the mess he was in. As long as he could still handle things, Armand didn’t want to bother anyone.
It’s just finding the bedroom… how hard can it be?
Of course, that’s what he thought. But when he actually tried to do it, this simple task turned out to be frustrating.
For some reason, his mind was always a mess.
It should’ve been an easy thing. Just walk forward, find the room, lie down and rest. It was something as basic as daily life itself. So why was it going wrong?
He could still think clearly, but it felt like he had no control over his brain.
This is so annoying… My head hurts.
The confusion in his mind made the world around him feel vague and blurry. His shaky thoughts made him feel like he was walking inside a dream where nothing around him was clear.
Right now, it felt just like a dream. One moment he might discover something, and the next he might forget something. Time seemed to pass normally, but every moment felt strange.
If this is really reality, then have I already gone crazy? Are the things I see and think about even real? Try to think carefully… When did this all start?
If I use what little clarity I have left to think about it… isn't this situation way too bad? It shouldn't be like this—
“Mr. Armand, why did you come here?”
When Evelia saw that familiar figure wandering in the hallway, she was the first to run over to him.
Her warm hands gently held Armand’s cheeks, which had grown cold from the chilly wind. Her fingers softly touched the bridge of his nose, which had turned stiff from the cold.
“……”
The familiar scent entered his nose, and for a brief moment, Armand’s mind went blank. The thoughts he had just managed to gather suddenly paused.
Then, when his eyes focused on Evelia, Armand froze for a second. It was like the brain that had been frozen with winter finally started working again the moment it saw this girl.
His previously dazed eyes lit up the instant they caught sight of that soft pink color, and a smile quickly spread across his face.
“Found you at last, Eve.”
He let the girl he loved hold him, and with a happy grin, he rubbed his cheek against her palm like a big, loyal dog, staring straight into her eyes.
“I’ve been right here all along, Mr. Armand. As long as you need me, just call my name anytime.”
Evelia also looked straight at Armand, but her gaze was far more complicated than his. She stared at him as if she were afraid that if she looked away, he would disappear from her life.
“Eve.”
"Yes, I’m here, Mr. Armand. Is something wrong?"
"It’s nothing... I just need you right now… Sorry, I guess I only feel a little better when I’m near you."
"There’s nothing to be sorry for, Mr. Armand. It’s my honor to be needed by you. You can ask me to do anything… whatever it is, it’s fine."
Looking back now, it felt like their roles had switched. Before, it had always been Evelia who longed for the comfort Armand brought. But now, it was Armand constantly searching for Evelia’s presence.
It was almost like a fair exchange, Armand had once given her all his gentleness and love. Now, it was her turn to give back her share.
"You always say things like that, Eve. I just want you to be yourself, not someone who lives to follow orders. No matter what happens, remember this: you are your own person. Understand?"
Hearing Evelia say that made Armand speak up again, unable to stop himself from lecturing a little.
As for why, he was being a bit pessimistic. Armand thought that if he really couldn’t make it through this, then at the very least, he had to teach Evelia how to be free.
That way, even if he truly died one day, Evelia could live as herself. Not in anyone’s shadow, not even his. He didn’t want to be a burden to her.
"...Okay."
Evelia nodded as she listened to those familiar words. No matter what state Armand was in, he always said things like that to her.
Even though he loved her deeply and wanted to always stay by her side, Armand still told her she was free.
"Don’t worry." Evelia said as she looked at the man in front of her, who was trying so hard to speak kindly. "This is my choice… I will stay by your side, always, because I love you."
Those words of companionship, Armand used to say them to her all the time. Now, it was her turn. Now, it was her turn to express that love.
As she spoke, Evelia gently wrapped the blanket tighter around Armand. Watching him lower his head as she adjusted it, Evelia suddenly felt that the once-tall and strong Armand now looked smaller… and more fragile.
"Let’s go back, Mr. Armand. If you’re tired, return to the bedroom. I’ll stay with you, so you don’t have to be afraid or worried."
She held his hand tightly and led him back to the bedroom just a few meters away.
Armand also gripped her hand tightly. His fingers lightly brushed over her ring. It was the one he had prepared. Seeing its design made him smile.
Once they returned to the bedroom, Armand sat down on the bed, looking a little tired. He watched as Evelia busied herself fixing the blankets and tidying his clothes. Then his eyes drifted to the desk where a few sheets of paper were scattered.
Curious, he slowly got up and moved to the desk, looking at what he had apparently written earlier.
"......"
Armand read over his old notes carefully, word by word. It was a schedule he had planned himself.
All the preparations for their engagement banquet. The guests to invite, the foods they liked, the dishes that needed to be prepared, even the delivery time of their custom-made outfits…
And at the very bottom of the note, a line was written: “Before winter.”
It was clear that all these plans… had been meant to be completed before winter arrived.
"...Winter..."
Armand muttered the word softly. Though his voice was quiet, it still clearly reached Evelia’s ears.
Evelia walked over to Armand and gently draped the coat in her hands over his shoulders.