Chapter 24: The gossip’s effects.

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Translated and Edited by: luccayn.
Enjoy!

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One example of the consequences brought about by the gossiping was her reaction to her sister's wedding, her happy honeymoon, and her future thereafter. Upon learning of those things, Lulu would moan the world's injustice, screaming and wailing it wasn't fair.

Furthermore, when she read about my new fiancé—the youngest daughter of a count in charge of the kingdom's frontier—she'd said, “No, no, no, no! What about our marriage?! Weren't we going to love each other until the end?! I told you I'd marry you, didn't I?!” It got so bad, she ended up throwing more than a handful of objects around her hut-cum-house onto the walls. Needless to say, she was the one to clean up her mess. After all, broken-up items and torn clothes weren't to be replaced. She would have to repair them herself and learn how to deal with her own issues.

As her senses came back to her, she was unable to do anything in face of such devastation. Her life would only end up more miserable in turn.

Just the other day, in fact, she began hearing of the lives of the men she once had attempted to bewitch. As a matter of fact, the stories she heard were all of their newfound loves, happy marriages, and days filled with mutual love. Confronted with such appalling news, she called liar and growled, “You told me I was the only one in your hearts!” Then, she bolted out of the house to confront the watchmen.

Against her expectations, they all ignored her and walked away. However, one of the hidden guards reported she was left stunned for a while, scrambled herself out of her spot, and stomped inside the house. With some food in tow, she ran down the mountain. After about an hour, she returned to her hut once more. Crying.

…That was a pretty short runaway, if I've ever seen one. Was it a one-person picnic after all? From what I heard, she was quite the nuisance for the guards.

Since then, she had frequently appealed to send her own letters, echoing she wished to reply the countless ones she'd received. Was she going to ask the gossipers the true meaning of their love, or for help? In any case, it was up to the marquis if she would be allowed to or not. Truthfully, I believed he would. I mean, I would in his position, as it would prove more effective.

Even supposing he'd let her write, a limit would naturally be set in place—let's say once a month—and the contents of her letters would be scrutinized to the period. However, none of what she wrote would ever be delivered, as it would only cause trouble for the recipient. That being the case, they could pretend it was sent and use that as a trigger.

Hence, she would never receive a reply, resulting in her becoming more and more furious. More suspicious, and even rougher with every new gossip she received.

Lulu, you used to be oh-so-confident that all they ever loved was you, but how far can that delusion go? She once believed their sweet whispers of love, yet, none ever contacted her, much less came to see her. Added to that, she only ever received happy stories of her past lovers, as if they'd moved on from her ever-so-easily. How long, then, could she keep up the illusion?

Even if she were to seek new love, she could never act on her whims. After all, she was physically isolated from the world, and her only contact was with the direct supervisors of her excommunication—who were mainly women, old men, or devoted husbands with wills of steel.

She soon came to know the labors of the earth and the everyday work of the farmland commoner and was covered in grime from head to toe. Her once glistening noble figure was nowhere to be seen, and she was so shabby none could've believed her upbringing. And she knew that better than anyone else because the cabin had a large mirror mounted on the wall.

Looking at that miserable reflection on the wall, a disfigured shadow of what she once was, she could never see herself as the heroine of some story, unconditionally loved by any and all despite all her flaws and mistakes.

A life where none loved her would be the most painful thing of all, as she took other people's affection for granted. Before, she had a bizarre way of thinking, riddled with egotism and pride, but how long could her vainglorious spirit last without a crack? For how long could she remain unbroken and unaffected?

Surely, the end of her unapologetic fantasy was not far off. I hope she will live to read about me and my beloved fiancé getting married, becoming one as husband and wife, having kids, and living happily ever after.

Then will the raging seas of my heart finally find peace.

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T/N: The next chapter is the last one!

I have to say though, it was pretty brutal. The author could've done a better job showing what she did instead of alluding to it. That’s because we as the audience don't really know the extent of her misdeeds. That's why we feel a bit of dissociation from her punishment.

In any case, it was an okay-ish read. He definitely needed at least 15-20 chapters more to flesh out the characters, and build tension, but eh. Who am I to judge?

All in all, hope to see you on the next one!

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