21. By the Lakeside (3)
Some distance away from the shore, on a floating boatā
āLook, William-sama! The fish are swimming!ā
Carla leaned and innocently pointed at the water. William stared at her with a troubled face.
Today was indeed strange. After leaving Williamās mansion, Carla kept talking to him, but soon after Amelia entered the carriage, she became silent. During the entire trip, Carla didnāt speak to Ameliaāit didnāt change after they got off the carriage, either.
Her line of sight was entirely occupied by William.
William was aware of Carlaās feeling towards him. Carla was only a child when she confessed to him, yet ever since then, her feelings only grew stronger. It could be seen through her behavior. William never thought of it as unpleasant, so he didnāt refuse nor avoid her.
However, to be honest, he didnāt find it particularly pleasant, either. William thought of Carla as his little sister. He adored her the way a brother would his cute sister, instead of as a lover.
Even if he said that, he also didnāt hold a shred of romantic feelings for Amelia.
Either wayāWilliam was in trouble. The usual Carla would keep her composure and opted to stay silent because she didnāt want to appear childish in front of William.
However, such wasnāt the case today.
She became coquettish and showered William with affectionāeven in front of Amelia. As he had been her friend since childhood, William knew that this was Carlaās true self.
William regretted his laidback attitude towards Carlaāhe was overconfident. He was so sure Carla wouldnāt think of doing anything incredulous. His attitude only encouraged her feelings furtherāthat was why she tried to be honest, modest, and gentle. All that so she could be suitable for William.
āwhy did this happen?
āCarla, what was with your behavior towards Lady Amelia just a while back? That was too rude.ā
William finally spoke to Carla about the way she behaved.
āeven if Carla had feelings for him and Amelia didnāt mind it, that could never be a reason for her to behave like that. William hoped Carla would understand at least that much.
Yet, Carlaās smile disappeared completely, as a rebuttal towards Williamās words.
āMe? Rude? But that woman is even ruder than me! I heard about her from my brothersāand I know itās the truth.ā Carla glared at William.
William glared back at Carla with a serious expression.
āā¦What did you hear?ā
āWilliam-sama, did you know? That woman, along with Edward and Bryan, frequent the cityās pub! Moreover, they are sneaking around at night!ā
āā¦pub?ā
William never heard about that before. In the first place, William knew little about Amelia. It had been less than a month since they got engaged. In reality, this was the third time they had ever met in person.
Of course, Carla didnāt know that.
āAs I thought, William-sama didnāt know! During the ball, Amelia tricked both my brothers and brought them to a pub! Can you imagine that?! Even more so when she didnāt actually know my brothers in the first place! After that, she started chatting up random strangersāhow shameless can one be!?ā Carlaās voice vibrated with anger and contempt.
Then, she continued. āI, I have pride tooā¦!! Whyā¦!! Why does it have to be that womanā¦!? That kind of woman isnāt suitable for William-samaā¦!!ā Carla stared at William determinedly.
Yet, William stayed calm.
āThe two told you that?ā
āExactly!ā
āBut you didnāt see it with your very eyes?ā
āā!! Wi-William-sama, youāre saying that my brothers are lying!?ā
Carla stood up on the boatāthe sudden movement caused the boat to shake. However, Carla managed to balance herselfāthis is one thing I wonāt ever back down from!!
āCalm down. Thatās not what Iām saying.ā
āWhat else could you be sayingā!?ā
āI understand, I understand why you would think like thatā¦ but, did the two say they hated Amelia? Did they mention anything about her being annoying? Was she rude to them?ā
āāt, thatāsā¦ā
William didnāt know how much interaction those two shared with Amelia. He also wasnāt sure of their exact impression about her. However, from what he saw today, the two didnāt look like they despised Amelia, or found her bothersome.
William continued.
āSure, there are lots of bad rumors swirling about herāI wonāt deny that. Thereās no smoke without fireāā
āāif you already knew since the start, then whyā!ā
āBecause I donāt think thatās all there is to her.ā
Williamās serious look made Carla bite her lips with regretāand asked.
āWilliam-sama, are you sure that you arenāt being fooled by herā¦?ā Carla resumed. āIā¦ about William-samaāā¦ā
Her eyes swayedāsadly, painfully, lovinglyā¦
Yet her feelings never reached William.
William slowly opened his mouth, and stated the most unbearable fact that she too, knew;
āā¦Even if thatās true, itās none of your business.ā
āā!!ā
The severity in Williamās tone made Carla speechless.
ābut William didnāt stop.
āIāll be honest with you, CarlaāI canāt accept your feelings. I too am fond of you, but itās just the fondness one feels towards their family. Itās different.ā
āāā¦ā
Drop after drop of large tears spilled from Carlaās eyes.
āItās my faultā¦ I shouldāve told you sooner, I apologize, Carla.ā
āT, this canāt beā¦ no wayā¦ becauseā¦ becauseāā¦ā Carla finally started sobbing. She stood there, dazed, with tears endlessly flowing down her cheeks. Nevertheless, William said nothing. He kept staring at Carla, emotionlessly.
***T/N: I pity Carla, it’s every girls’ dream for their first love to come true, right? But at the same time, I feel like she’ll do something even more childish after this…
Oh my gosh! I haven’t read the chapter yet but that thing up there pushes me to comment here. I mean, Carla you’re such a pendejo! Ofcourse the fish are swimming!!!! Ugghhh!
Thank you for the chapter
I hope she can grow up to be a fine lady. And someone who finds love, before she does something irredeemable.
Many thanks