The Man’s 101st Bad Ending

It was a story from long ago.

A story I alone remembered, a story Miragen would now learn.

A story I had hoped to keep buried forever.

My lips moved, hesitant, unsure where to begin.

I decided to start from the beginning.

Our first meeting. It had been ordinary, but the path to becoming lovers was anything but. A smile touched my lips as I recalled those days.

The young man, his face pale with nerves, nervously touched his cheek.

He should be used to this by now, but new situations always made him anxious, even after countless regressions.

Theresa’s betrayal had been a shock, but it had also given him a sliver of courage.

He had briefly considered ending his own life. But now, he was facing the Princess.

He appeared calm, but his heart raced.

He knew she would come, to this secluded corner of the palace gardens.

This was the seventh time.

He knew where she would appear.

A cold breeze brushed against his cheek.

He desperately wanted to escape this cycle of death, and his goal was to change the people around him.

He had believed that changing Yuria’s mind would be enough, but now Theresa had betrayed him as well.

“Does the world hate me?”

Perhaps it did.

Every attempt he made ended in failure. If there were gods, they must be watching his every move, mocking his futile struggles.

The Moonstone, a chance granted by fate, a chance to correct his mistakes, to set things right.

In his previous life, he had focused on Theresa’s actions, but it hadn’t been entirely fruitless.

Now, his twisted emotions sought a new outlet.

Perhaps he could use the Princess.

Men could use their charms as well.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror and smiled.

Even his smile was a performance, a facade.

He was known as the weak, timid son of a Duke, but he wanted to show Miragen a different side of himself.

He needed a connection to the imperial family. Kaitel was too high-ranking, and the Emperor wouldn’t even acknowledge him.

The Princess was his only option. He saw her as a means to an end.

He would interact with her again in the future, and perhaps, given their similar circumstances, they could reach a point of mutual understanding.

Understanding.

The thought made him laugh, a cold, humorless sound.

He sensed a presence behind him.

He had expected to be alone, but he wasn’t surprised to see her.

He bowed his head as their eyes met.

He feigned surprise, but he was actually pleased to see her.

“I thought this place was secluded. I didn’t expect to find anyone else here.”

“Shall I leave?”

Miragen shook her head.

She preferred solitude, but she felt a need for company today.

He was the eldest son of the Taylor family, wasn’t he? Their situations weren’t so different.

She felt a sense of kinship.

They were both outcasts, unwanted burdens.

If Kaitel became Emperor, she would be stripped of her power, forgotten like dust. But she couldn’t confide in anyone.

“No, it’s alright. You’re here to think as well, aren’t you?”

She walked towards the edge of the balcony, gazing at the sky.

She wished she could see the stars.

They always brought her comfort, but the bright lights of the ball obscured them tonight.

Her thoughts drifted to Robert Taylor, standing silently beside her.

Why was he here?

She had heard he had arrived with the acting head of the Taylor family, but he must have wandered off, ignored by everyone.

It was ironic, but she couldn’t laugh.

Their situations were too similar. It was her birthday, but no one seemed to care.

She had slipped away from the crowd of nobles surrounding Kaitel, who had arrived later than her.

She couldn’t look down on Robert.

It would be like mocking herself. She turned to look at him, their eyes meeting.

She was startled by the intensity of his gaze, the brilliant blue of his eyes.

It was a fleeting moment, but it left a lasting impression.

He was supposed to be weak and timid. But he didn’t seem weak.

He stood beside her, the Princess, without a trace of nervousness.

She stared at him, intrigued.

Their eyes met again.

This time, she didn’t flinch.

She looked away and spoke.

“Something on your mind? You seem troubled.”

“You know my situation isn’t ideal. And I have a new concern… so, yes, I have a lot on my mind.”

“A new concern?”

“Yes, well… it might sound ridiculous, but… I’ve developed feelings for someone.”

It was a preposterous statement, especially considering his engagement to Theresa.

Miragen stared at him, dumbfounded. She hadn’t expected him to say such a thing, especially in front of the Princess.

Robert smiled inwardly.

He knew her outward surprise masked her true feelings.

The Miragen he knew wouldn’t be able to resist such gossip.

She was his age, in the prime of her youth.

He had approached her with a purpose, and he intended to be proactive. He didn’t have much time.

He had recently realized that the timing of Kaitel’s accusations and his deaths were remarkably consistent.

Three years.

He remembered the limited time he had and continued, his voice laced with a hint of melancholy,

“It might seem strange, but it’s a political marriage. Rumors aside… things have changed recently.”

He sighed, a shadow falling over his face.

He looked heartbroken, and Miragen didn’t doubt his sincerity. She had never believed the rumors of true love between him and Theresa.

She had assumed it was a typical aristocratic arrangement.

In fact, their engagement was already on shaky ground, which was why Robert had approached her so boldly.

“Changed… how?”

“She was after my family’s fortune. My father doesn’t know yet, but I’ll handle it.”

“Oh my.”

Miragen gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.

His change of heart made sense now.

She hadn’t met him often, relying on rumors, but she had heard that his feelings for Theresia were genuine.

His distress couldn’t be faked.

Of course, it wasn’t entirely an act.

He felt a pang of bitterness, realizing the woman he had briefly considered his savior had been using him.

He had considered revenge, but he didn’t want to resort to violence.

He could change things.

If he changed, if he used the imperial family’s influence to prevent the false accusations… Theresa and Yuria would see the truth.

“I shouldn’t have asked. I didn’t expect that.”

“You asked, and I answered. Besides, I’m fine now. I’ve found someone else, remember? I said I had feelings for someone.”

“Will you tell me who it is?”

🚨 Important Notice 🚨

); }

She asked out of politeness, intending to deflect the question. But Robert smiled enigmatically.

The woman he was referring to was, of course, the Princess standing before him.

She was more naive than he had anticipated.

She didn’t seem to realize he was talking about her.

He chuckled at her hesitant demeanor.

“If you’re curious, I should tell you. But…”

He trailed off, glancing around. Even though the ball was in full swing, their conversation could be interrupted.

He decided to move.

He stepped closer to Miragen and lowered his voice.

“Perhaps we should move somewhere more private. What do you think?”

His voice, so close to her ear, sent shivers down her spine.

No man had ever been this close to her.

She was startled, but his gentle voice was strangely appealing.

His eyes, so close now, were even more captivating.

Beautiful, like the stars she loved to gaze upon.

His hair shimmered silver in the moonlight.

She stared at him, mesmerized, then quickly composed herself and nodded.

Unaware of where this encounter would lead, the threads of fate intertwined.

[Translator Notes]