WCMBI - Chapter 269: Happiness Despite Pain

It was akin to traversing an endless cavern. He walked laboriously on the dark and slimy floor. The place reeked with an overpowering stench, as if it mirrored the depths of his soul, tempting him to collapse right there.

Without hesitation, he acted on his thoughts. He plopped down haphazardly, and the ground transformed into a quagmire, pulling him in. The sensation of sinking into the muck was far from pleasant, yet he lacked the strength to rise.

As he was being drawn into the bog, a familiar and refreshing fragrance wafted to his nostrils. Inhaling the ethereal scent, he couldn't hold back tears. Rarely had he shed tears in his life, but whenever he stood before her, it seemed like a dam burst, releasing a torrent of emotions.

Since their first encounter, he had been filled with regret. From his childhood, he wished to treat her tenderly, to rescue her from the Marquis' oppression, and to bring her to the Duke's residence. No, even from the moment he became a Duke, he yearned to embrace all that was precious in the world and love her with all his heart.

As Ian was being swallowed by the marsh, a montage of past moments flickered before his eyes. The contents were somewhat fictionalized, but they embodied his hopeful desires from the past. Moments of frolicking with young Melissa, holding hands, or standing up to the arrogant Marquis instead of Monica, and then bringing her to the Duke's residence as his fiancée. Imagining what he could never do in reality was not entirely unpleasant.

Guided by the alluring scent, he turned his gaze toward its source. Through a haze, he saw Melissa faintly. Fearing she might slip away again, Ian reached out and began to speak.

"Too late but.. just one, last chance, Melissa."

"I cannot fully comprehend your pain, and for that, I am sorry."

"Does anyone, truly, understand it?"

The kind dream bestowed not only her appearance and fragrance but also a mercy that was conveyed through her voice. Though tinged with anger, her words alone brought him happiness.

Thus, he replied with a foolish smile, saying the words he couldn't properly express in reality.

"I don't know how to return your heart. I know so many things but how to make a foolish apology, I really don’t know."

"But..."

As he spoke, Ian felt that something was amiss. His clouded mind began to clarify, and similarly, the blurry figure of Melissa became distinct.

"Mel?"

She stared at him with a rigid expression. As her violet eyes slowly scanned his body, her countenance turned increasingly frigid.

"I thought I'd desire something like this?"

"No, Mel, just wait."

Melissa could no longer stay in such a place. Disliking this déjà vu-like situation and unable to bear witnessing how deeply wounded he was beyond her expectations, she couldn't fathom her emotions at the moment.

She couldn't precisely identify the emotions surging within her now—whether it was anger, surprise, or torment from past memories...

Ignoring the sounds Ian called out, she fled from the room. With a pale face, she headed to Dia’s chamber but encountered Duke in the hallway. His tears had ceased, but he still wore a melancholy expression as he spoke.

"Just a moment, can you spare me some time?"

"Is Dia asleep?"

“Since the morning, she has been quite active, but as soon as I laid her in bed, she fell asleep.

"We can't take too much time."

"That's right, just a brief moment will do."

The two were led by Henry to the parlor. Melissa regarded the rarely-seen Henry with a cold gaze.

"It's fortunate to see you in high spirits, madam."

"I am no longer the one you serve. So, addressing me as 'madam' feels rather distant."

"My apologies. I shall be careful."

Henry was tormented by a gnawing conscience and a profound sense of guilt, evident in Melissa's gaze alone. Hastily placing the prepared refreshments on the table, he fled the drawing-room as if seeking an escape.

Melissa could hardly conceal her dismay and frustration. She had undergone the same ordeal, no, it was more fitting to call it a self-made drama. Regardless, Ian's injuries from the same cause were too grave to dismiss nonchalantly. His skin was marred with burns, enough to unsettle any heart with a mere glance.

"Has Ian awakened by any chance?" inquired the Duke with a note of puzzlement.

Melissa felt a sense of bewilderment at the Duke's question. "Shouldn't Your Grace confirm that yourself? Haven't you looked in on him yet?"

"I did make a brief visit in the morning, but at that time, he had not regained consciousness," the Duke replied.

"Given that he awakened just a short while ago, you may want to check on him personally."

"As expected, I knew he would regain his senses in your presence."

"What is it that you wish to say to me? I do not wish to remain here any longer," Melissa retorted.

The Duke's manner of speech resembled that of Ian's. It was vexing to see him beat around the bush rather than getting to the point directly as a wealthy man is wont to do.

"Are you not curious as to why I was so certain that Ian would awaken in your presence?"

"I presume it was merely a coincidence that our timings aligned."

"In this world, coincidences seem to be scarce."