Chapter 18: The First Fall of Snow

“I’ll call the carriage, so get going.”

Alan said without even giving a glance to the seductive woman beside him, holding her chin.

“That’s too much, baby. I came this far to celebrate your birthday.”

“I never called you.”

“You’re a cruel man, really.”

Monica pretended to be sullen and muttered, but, contradry/ironically, she had a smile on her face. As if she couldn’t stand the cold reaction because it was lovely, she was enjoying Alan’s perfect features with sparkling eyes as if honey was applied on him.

“I’ll be quiet. I’ll just watch from the side, okay? I haven’t been here in a long time.”

“... long time?”

Monica smiled innocently as his cold gaze, which had been fixed on the documents, reluctantly turned to her. Perhaps because her bright red lips were on the border between glamour and vulgarity, even her clear smile looked slightly sexy.

“It wasn’t long ago that I was forced to hang out with you, who came here recklessly.? Even foolish people behave in moderation.”

(T/N: He’s telling her she is pushing her luck by coming by all the time. And even foolish people know when to stop)

Tch, she could hear Alan clicking his tongue, but Monica didn’t blink.

“I miss you so much. What should I do?”

“Stop it. I’m going out anyway.”

“.....”

As if displeased with those words, Monica got up and slowly folded her arms.? Her luscious hair, which fell down to her waist, swayed like red waves.

Maybe because he was old-fashioned, but if Monica notified Alan in advance he was usually more cooperative.? Even though he was cold-hearted in everything, he was the type to lose to her.

The two have been each other’s only allies since childhood. Alan’s feelings seem to have been different from her, but the two children did not deceive each other while cheating on adults who were full of lies.

Knowing the truth about adoption, she knew he had a hard time. Young Alan wasn’t particularly sweet, but he wasn’t as cold-blooded as he is now.? He may still be going through a tough time.

Monica was ready to accept and support Alan who felt betrayed and irate at the truth that was hidden from him, waiting for him to storm out of the family. She had planned to lock him in her ‘comforting’ arms when he left and was no longer of high status or perfectually unattainable. Instead had Allen continued his path as successor

Maybe he is twisted from inside, but Monica shrugged as if it didn’t matter. She is confident that she’ll love him in any form.

“By the way, baby, did you get addicted to literature all of a sudden?”

“What?”

“There are no good accomplished writers here.”

This is not the Principality of Lunoa. Monica added a little.

“You’re going to run a business in Lunoa next year, right? Isn’t it okay to fully appreciate literature at that time?”

“What are you talking about?”

“There was a piece of paper with a poem on it at your desk. Don’t tell me you forgot to organize your desk.”

Alan’s forehead was wrinkled by the words. The woman continued to talk.

“If only one season is allowed in my life....I will live a winter that resembles you?”

“Monica Elwood.”

Allen rang his voice low.

“Is that right?”

“You.. I am warning you.”

Monica shivered at his sharp blade-like gaze.

“Stop threatening the servants and getting the key. It’s not something I can endure forever.”

As soon as Monica’s red lips were about to utter a retort. Alan pulled the string. An aide rushed as he heard the bell.

“Call the carriage. Two.”

“...Two?”

“Baby!”

The aide’s curious question and Monica’s charismatic voice mixed in the air.

Of course, Alan didn’t budge. He just ordered it in a cool tone.

“Miss Elwood will return to the Principality, so take her straight to the port.”

* * *

“What snow....”

It was extremely rare that it snowed so much in the capital, Florin. I stared blankly at the white snowflakes that embroidered the sky.

As expected, I think it’s better to postpone going home a little. It wouldn’t be a good idea to leave the coffee shop right away without waiting for the snow to subside.

The coffee shop was increasingly crowded with people trying to avoid heavy snow. To the extent that the soft aria played by the pianist was almost inaudible because of the noise of the people.

In the cold, humid air, I was just staring out the window.? The chilly beautiful winter scenery kept reminding me of someone.

If I were to make this season a person, wouldn’t it look exactly the same as him? My eyes, which had begun to get wet, were counting the coveted snowflakes without enthusiasm.

The snow showed no sign of abating at all. But now it was good. Somehow, there was a strong urge to go home in the snow, and I got up abruptly.

It seemed like it would be okay even if I was stupid, even if I had a bad cold.? It would have been better if a bad cold could put an end to these ephemeral thoughts.

The identity of this thought is a pair of beautiful lovers. From the moment I saw the rumored woman in person until now, she and Alan have been dancing all the time in my head.? Holding hands, looking into each other’s eyes.

Reality was noisy, but in my imagination, only elegant and majestic music that I had never heard before resounded. The fantastic dance song just for the two of them showed no sign of ending.

If I want to let them go out of my head, I have to fall asleep.....

“Miss.”

The attendant rushed up to me as I was heading to the door after paying my coffee price and putting a small tip on the table.

“As you can see, it is snowing heavily outside.? So please wait a little bit...”

In his hand was a rolled up cloth.? It was a black apron with the word?Antris–the coffee shop?embroidered with gold thread.

“If you have an urgent business that requires you to leave the door now, then take this.”

I felt comforted by the kindness. Of the two coffee shops in the capital, this is probably the reason why people only go to Antris.

But I shook my head with a light smile. Now I’m completely obsessed with the child-like idea of wanting to feel white snow with my skin. The will to follow the impulse was stronger than expected.

“It’s okay, and thank you. What I asked for earlier was also.. I got up earlier than I thought....”

(T/N: I got up earlier–meaning she is leaving faster then she thought so the stalker probably didn’t come)

“It’s not.”

The attendant added with a slight nod.

“If you need anything else, please let me know.”

Was it because his words were so sweet? My lips moved on their own.

“....I mean the woman who came to the store earlier, red-haired.”

“.....”

Seeing the attendant’s face hardened strangely, I regretted my hasty speech. How can I ask this?

But since I already brought it up, I had to end it.

“Do you happen to know who she is? I think it’s my first time—” (seeing her)

“She’s a very special guest.”

The faint gray eyes of the attendant showed a tense light.

“....This is all I can tell you about her, Miss.”

“Oh.. Yes, I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry I couldn’t be of any help. Then please be careful.”

The attendant politely stepped back. I also turned around in a hurry. Seeing the coffee shop employee so silent, she seems to be a more important person than I thought....

Certainly, I don’t remember seeing her here in society. Then, is she from foreign royal families or high-ranking aristocrats?

By the way, it was fortunate that the conversation ended before asking if she was Alan’s lover. I would have been too embarrassed to come to the coffee shop if I had asked about it. It’s terrible just to think about not coming to the coffee shop.

I made my way through the crowd at the door and pushed the heavy wooden door.?Jingle,?The golden doorbell in the shape of a small bird rang with a clear sound.

“Wow..”

A white scenery spread beyond my white, scattering breath. It was like a snowy country out of a fairy tale.

The snow was already quite piled up. I just walked awkwardly like a child learning how to walk. The feet fell deep with an unfamiliar and pleasant sound.

Thin leather boots got wet helplessly. Walking through white snow, or even the streets where snow is gradually accumulating, is harder than I thought.

When my frozen feet felt like they were about to fall off, and my toes were full, I realized I was wearing pretty thin clothes.

It wasn’t just the tip of my toes that became numb to the biting cold. How long did I walk in a silent blizzard where there is no one’s presence? I shuddered, and I was trembling as my teeth chattered. It wasn’t enough to rush my feet, but my steps only slowed down.

Snowflakes, which seemed only beautiful from the inside of the window, landed on the head, the bridge of the nose, cheeks and the eyelashes, without any delay. Heartlessly as if laughing at my foolishness. I just shuddered at the inexorable coldness.

The crystals of snow that melted as soon as they touched disappeared, leaving only a creepy chill on the delicate skin.? It was so fleeting and merciless.

“..Ha.”

A self-deprecating laugh broke out. Things you can’t have, are the most beautiful when you look at them. Why do I forget every time I go through it?

The dense snow covered my sight and hearing. The dull surroundings were hazy and desolate. I felt like my consciousness was fading little by little, but there was no one to ask for help. I was the only a stupid writer walking in the unprecedented heavy snow.

That’s true. No matter how white and innocent it may seem, the arms of winter can never be splendid or cozy. I knew that, too.

That’s why I feel dejected without a lot. It’s only a foolish impulse to encourage you to walk into the cold and despair that freezes you to your bones.

It’s not unlike that man.....

“Ah!”

Having lost strength all over my body, I finally lost my footing. Then I fell down on the spot. Like a piece of worthless wood.

My whole body was buried in the cold snow. It was natural that I couldn’t raise my body. What was surprising was the fact that I didn’t feel any pain or worry.

In a dazed consciousness, I thought. When white snow piles up over my fallen body, I will soon be invisible even as a human being. If no one finds out in this harsh snow, how much longer can I last?

While imagining this terrible thing, I felt helpless tranquility. Perhaps my judgment has become more blurred than I thought. Eventually, I didn’t feel the cold anymore. I felt a wave of irresistible deep sleep rushing in.

Right at that moment. Under the heavy eyelids, with my hazy vision I saw a whitish figure approaching. I didn’t hear any of the carriages approaching me... It was definitely a person.

The figure of a tall, slim, and beautiful man as if drawn. I know a young man with such a silhouette. But even if I tried to look closely at him, it was impossible to keep my eyes open anymore.

When my eyes finally closed, a firm chest hugged me. It was cold as if I was hugging winter, but it was calm in the person’s arms. In the sudden warmth, thin tears came out of the eyelashes with snow crystals hanging.

I didn’t feel any surprise or discomfort. Everything was just as hazy as a dream. It was also the same as hearing the sound of a horse whipping. Like a boat horn in the distant sea.

I, who eagerly embraced him like a person standing on a cliff, lost consciousness.

***

Comments from Korean readers:

The setting is a little funny compared to the fine description. While spending time at the cafe. She lost consciousness while walking in the snow.

(T/N: idk what to say about the comment that this Korean reader made and how tf did this come at top best comments— but readers let me tell you, normally if a person who is used to sunny climate experience snow, it’s actually hell, and Mel FYI isn’t used to the snow since Florin doesn’t snows that much, normally snow looks very beautiful and harmless but it’s a bitch actually.?Based on true experience, I did this actually but came back together coz I couldn’t handle that fck)

Even if I look at it again.. It’s nice. ?? I feel like I’m at the cafe. On the snowy road..

The description of the scene is so good.

The writing is pretty.

It’s the immature and impulsive youth who fell in love. The female character is a very emotional character. Because she’s the main character of the novel. I’m here to read it again.