The autumn wind is blowing. The hairs of the two people sitting on the bench moved in the same direction. But other than that, nothing was the same.

Contrary to John’s shaking eyes, Annie’s eyes were frozen like a lake in winter. Unlike his breathing, which trembled violently every time he spit out his story, even her breathing was uniform.

More blue tendons grew on the back of John’s hand, which clenched tightly above his thigh, but Annie didn’t even give strength.

“It was for that reason. I…… I was very sick.”

“…..”

Annie was a little surprised by the fact that she had become the protagonist of such a cliché. But she wasn’t too shocked.

Even to the words that follow.

“Enough to die.”

Contrary to John’s desperate expression, there was no emotion in Annie’s expression. She felt as if she were hearing someone else’s story that had nothing to do with her.

It was hazy while accepting his apology, hearing his tearful voice, and even realizing the truth. The only thing that was clear was the scarred face the last she saw.

It was. Even though he was far away, he felt close. She longed for the person that had permeated herself without knowing when.

By then, John’s gibberish story had come to a conclusion.

“Let’s start again.”

Annie unknowingly chuckled at the grim suggestion. It was something she desperately dreamed of at least once.

A man who left her due to unavoidable circumstances, an urgent situation that puts him at the crossroads of life and death. And, herself who reveals and accepts the truth that has come back

It was the most perfect, and it was the ending she longed for. But even when that moment came, there was no joy at all.

“I see.”

Even the words she spit out after a while were only brief exclamations. Other than that, there was nothing to express.

So she had small expectations. If time passes, she wonders if her feelings for Ejed will also cool down like this.

If that is the case, this feeling, which grows day by day, will probably subside a little.

“Annie.”

Annie jumped to her feet at the familiar voice behind her. It was a completely different attitude from when she heard John’s story.

In front of her stood Ejed disheveled. Wherever he came from, he was dressed in a more disheveled manner than usual.

His well-groomed hair was stretched out a little, and the hem of his clothes was wrinkled here and there. Even his breathing was a bit rough.

Ironically, the fact that he saw her made her nervous, and Annie lowered her gaze. It was a familiar yet unfamiliar feeling for her chest to pound so hard that it hurts.

“May the blessings of the Goddess be with you. Greetings, Your Majesty.”

John slowly got up and bowed his head toward him, but there was a strange reaction in his eyes.

A strange tension began to develop between the two men. Ejed also did not hide his hostility.

“It looks like the story is over, so I’ll take Annie with me. I have a duty to escort Annie to the end.”

John had a face that wanted to refute, but he couldn’t express it. The man in front of him was the emperor of the country.

No matter what excuses he gave, he was in a position to obey his words. He had a lot to say, and no matter how desperate he was, he had to obey the laws of the country.

“…… Then thank you. Annie, the rest next time.”

At John’s greeting, Annie looked at him for a moment. His face, stained with regrets, was the same as he had not long ago.

He was foolish and stupid. Annie fixed her gaze on him, but she turned to Ejed.

“Your Majesty, could you please wait in the carriage for a moment. I want to finish talking.”

Ejed was greedy to stop Annie, but he didn’t put it into practice. He couldn’t refuse Annie’s request.

He was the only woman who he wanted to do anything for and wanted to make it come true. He briefly replied yes, and moved his heavy feet.

Now that Ejed was completely gone, a smile appeared on Annie’s lips.

“As you can see, I’m doing very well.”

“…..Annie.”

Annie shook her head when John called, feeling an ominous feeling. She had enough now. She didn’t have to come back to the past.

Annie’s eyes stared at John, and the lake he turned his back upon. The waves reflecting the afternoon sun shone brilliantly.

She opened her lips in a voice of peace.

“I thought you were a smart person, but I guess you also make mistakes sometimes.”

“…..”

“You must have been in a lot of pain by myself. How hard must it be for a person who can’t eat unless it’s our country’s food to go there.”

Annie’s attitude seemed to go back to when they were close friends before they were lovers.

She grinned at the man, who looked at her crying.

“Still, I was also very sick. Not as much as you, but quite.”

“… … Sorry.”

“But, thank you. I learned a lot after breaking up with you. And, I have gained a lot.”

“…..”

“I thought I was a pretty good adult, but I wasn’t. I just, I believed so.”

Annie continued speaking. Her work at the Imperial Ministry of Foreign Affairs, moments that made her family’s business a success.

The cheeks that have turned blue in the autumn wind are cold. She rubbed her cheek with the back of her hand and then smiled wholeheartedly.

“Thank you for making good memories with me.”