Because Pushing Didn't Work, I Decided to Pull Away Translation

6. My Love Appears to be Over

Three weeks had passed since then. For obvious reasons, I hadn’t participated in any social events. Outside of work, I also refrained from going out.

Noel’s expression of that day never left my head.

Indeed, I was scared of meeting him. Above all, I was terrified that I’d hurt him even more and that he’d hate me.

There seemed to be no way to dispel the restriction spell, especially since it was applied with consent. There was no choice but to wait for the passage of time. In the first place, it was because I desired for something that was just beyond me. I was at fault for relying on magic.

“…What is Lord Noel doing now?”

A few days ago, I heard from a colleague at his office that Noel had successfully been promoted to division leader. While I was doing such a foolish thing, he went farther and farther.

It’d take a little more than a month until the restriction spell was lifted. Let’s wait quietly for the time to pass, and apologize to Noel properly at a later date. From now on, as one of his friends, I was thinking of spending my time praying for his happiness.

Once I got home straight after work, I saw a gorgeous carriage parked in front of the mansion. The moment I casually turned my eyes towards the coat of arms on the carriage, I doubted my own eyes.

While thinking, ‘no way!’ I rushed into the mansion. I was suddenly caught by the maids. In the blink of an eye, I was all dressed up and was being escorted to the hall. There I saw Noel sitting while facing my father.

“W, why…”

“You’re late, I was waiting for you. Hurry up and sit down.”

No matter how many times I rubbed my eyes, the sight before me didn’t change. Apparently, Noel was really at my home.

Prompted by my father, who seemed to be in a very good mood, I sat down beside him. I was terribly confused—Noel was sporting a beautiful smile.

Why was he there?

I couldn’t think of any reason why Noel would come to my house. When I was thinking about my rude attitude towards him the other day, my father dropped a bomb.

“You see, Sherry. Lord Anderson has requested for your hand in marriage.”

“…Huh?”

While listening to my father, I glanced at Noel, wondering if what he said was true. Regardless, Noel’s smile remained unchanged.

There was surely some sort of misunderstanding. So why was Noel not addressing them?

My heart was beating so fast, it hurt.

…Did the ‘Push and Pull’ strategy, which I thought was a mistake, succeed? Even though I had only done it twice, I was beginning to feel frightened of its horrifying effect.

“I’m sorry, but could you leave us alone for a moment?”

“Yes, of course. Sherry, talk in your room.”

“Understood.”

Because Noel said that, we went to my room. To be alone with him in that room, it was such a divine feeling for me.

However, as of the present, I was overwhelmed by anxiety. At the same time, I was scared of spouting merciless words once again.

***

With a small table dividing us, I sat in my room while facing Noel. As soon as the maid finished preparing tea and dessert for two, she left the room. After the door was closed, silence descended upon the room.

He was the one who opened his mouth first.

“It’s been a long time, Sherry. How have you been?”

“So-so, I guess.”

Even if I could only give such a simple reply, I was already happy by the fact that I was reflected inside Noel’s eyes. My love endlessly overflowed.

“I’m sorry for how sudden this is. I wanted to see you as soon as possible.”

“I see.”

“It’s about our engagement. Will you accept it?”

“What would you do if I were to say, I’m displeased by it?”

Shortly after he had said that he wanted to see me as soon as possible, I replied with such heartless words. The temperature dropped in an instant.

“…Do you not love me anymore?”

With a doll-like face, Noel muttered that question.

His beautiful face, arranged like a sculpture, was listless. A dark shadow was casted upon his eyes. Dark circles were apparent under them.

“That may be the case.”

I desperately wanted to tell him that I loved him, but unexpected words flowed out of my mouth. I regretted my action two months ago—

—just why did I have to put myself under a restriction spell!?

“…Truly, what a terrible person you are.”

Noel’s stare was full of anger and blame.

Even though he was kinder than anyone else, for him to take such an attitude… he must had been backed into a corner.

Even if it was a mistake for Noel to offer an engagement with me in such a way… the memory would stay with me for a lifetime—such were my thoughts.

“I truly love you.”

“…Eh?”

Towards his sudden and unexpected confession, I let out a stupid voice.

—Lord Noel… loves me?

I could only stare at him in disbelief. At the same time, I also knew he wasn’t someone who would lie about something like that. His eyes, which were staring at me, were dead serious. My heart beat as loud as a bell.

…I hurriedly averted my gaze and lowered my face. I should had been so happy to the brink of tears. However, my face, which was reflected upon a teaspoon, remained surprisingly flat.

Eventually, Noel stood up from his chair and slowly approached me.

As soon as he arrived in front of me, he gently touched my cheek with his long, thin, fingers.

His touch was so gentle, I wanted to cry.

“I’ve always believed in your words—that I’m the only one for you, for the rest of your life.”

“…Lord, Noel?”

“I’ve come this far for you.”

I had no idea what he was saying.

His words, ‘I truly love you.’ Filled the entirety of my mind where they echoed endlessly. My mind wasn’t functioning properly.

“I’ll never let you retract those words.”

Then, as if to bite onto me, he claimed my lips.

He looked ready to cry at any moment.


***T/N: Lol I still can’t get over how he acts like he’s the one who’s wronged in this situation, when it’s actually our heroine. If I’m the heroine, I’d at least scream to his face, “Oh, so you apparently “love” me now!? What about the past three years where you didn’t say any shit pertaining to that?!”

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