The End of First Love - Chapter 25

“Ku ku ku, you look thoroughly displeased.”

“No, that is not true at all!”

The Schwein Duke’s townhouse, despite being located in the royal capital, was surrounded by a vast forest. While being only a few minutes away from the royal palace, the estate was secluded by the trees, blocking the gazes of outsiders. The Schwein family’s wealth might even surpass that of the Baker family.

As Elizabeth took in her surroundings with such thoughts, Heinz spoke to her.

“Is that so? You’ve been restless ever since we arrived.”

“Well, of course. I am still an unmarried woman, after all. If something were to happen before marriage, I wouldn’t be able to face my father…”

Her words trailed off as her cheeks grew redder. At this rate, she would seem as if she were expecting something to happen.

“For example, something like this?”

At Heinz’s words, Elizabeth let out a strangled scream as he pushed her down onto the blanket spread beneath the shade of the trees.

“S-stop this at once!!”

“Why? After all, we’ve already done far more intimate things together back in the Schwein Duchy…”

The whispered words in her ear made her recall that sinful night, and Elizabeth’s entire body heated up.

“…Besides, only my trusted servants are present at the townhouse. No one would notice, no matter what happens here.”

This is seriously bad, isn’t it?

As Elizabeth rapidly processed the situation she was in, her face turned pale.

She should have realized it earlier—when the butler handed them a basket filled with light snacks and a pot of tea.

Now, as she gazed at the distant mansion, she finally understood. Heinz had set her up.

Being in a forest that blocked outside views meant that no one could see what was happening. And with the mansion so far away, even if she screamed, no one would hear her.

A crisis was rapidly approaching, and even if she wanted to escape, she was pinned down, unable to move.

“Hahaha, Heinz! Please, you must not be so hasty. We are only recently engaged, after all. We should maintain proper decorum—”

“Proper decorum, you say? Like this?”

“W-wait—”

Before she could protest, her lips were stolen.

Elizabeth’s thoughts came to a halt as Heinz’s tongue pried open her slightly parted lips and invaded her mouth.

His tongue traced her teeth, roamed freely inside, and greedily sucked up her saliva. The obscene, wet sounds filled her ears, further overwhelming her senses.

“You’re truly adorable… Your cheeks are flushed, and your eyes are glistening. Did you enjoy my kiss that much?”

“H-huh? Enjoyed?”

“Of course. Just look at your expression—it seems like you want more. Was that not enough?”

Not enough…?

“There’s no way that’s true, you idiot!!!!”

With all her strength, Elizabeth pushed against Heinz’s chest.

The weight that had been holding her down suddenly disappeared, leaving her momentarily stunned.

She had tried pushing him away multiple times earlier, but he hadn’t budged an inch. Now, however, he had easily let go.

She couldn’t afford to sit there idly. Hastily getting up, she turned around, ready to complain—only to be met with Heinz’s narrowed eyes and a blissful smile.

What kind of face is that? Looking at him like this, it’s impossible to stay mad.

“Heinz, you were teasing me, weren’t you?”

“So you figured it out. I did entertain the thought, but alas, I cannot win against you, Elizabeth.”

Liar. You were fully intending to go through with it…

Her face flushed even deeper at how naturally the situation had progressed, as if leading into something more.

At some point, she had become influenced by Heinz.

And yet, she didn’t dislike it.

Feeling a strange emptiness from the distance between them, Elizabeth let out a small laugh.

If this continued, she might say something embarrassing. It would be best to change the subject.

“By the way, Heinz, why are you so strong?”

“Ku ku ku… What an abrupt question.”

“Is it? After the swordsmanship tournament, I was simply curious. That is all.”

“Hahaha, I’ll take your word for it. I wouldn’t want to push you too far and have you hate me. You’re asking about my sword skills? I’ve never thought of myself as strong.”

“But they say your skills are on par with Louis. That makes you strong, doesn’t it?”

“It’s true that people say Louis and I are equals with the sword. However, my style is unconventional. Louis has undergone formal knight training, making his swordsmanship orthodox. Because of that, he struggles to predict my movements. My style is simply too unorthodox for traditional knights.”

“Is that really all there is to it? Louis trains rigorously every day. To keep up with him must require immense effort. Your duty is to assist the Crown Prince, which must make it difficult to find time for training. And yet, you still manage. That is no small feat.”

Elizabeth took Heinz’s hand and gently ran her fingers across his palm.

“See? These are the hands of someone who has worked hard.”

His rough, calloused hands—just how much effort had he poured into his training?

“Why did you push yourself so much to improve your swordsmanship?”

“Elizabeth… I truly cannot win against you. If possible, I wished for you not to notice.”

“Why? Effort in any form deserves recognition. It is something to be praised.”

In the past, as William’s fiancée, Elizabeth had never spared any effort in preparing for her role as a future princess.

The training at the palace was relentless. The instructors were strict, pushing her to the brink of breaking. Yet, she endured, refining her etiquette and knowledge to perfection—all for the sake of William.

But no matter how much she tried, no matter how perfect she became, William’s words were always cold.

Nothing was more miserable than unrecognized effort. Elizabeth had learned that lesson painfully well.

That was why Heinz deserved to be acknowledged.

“I see. It is because you have endured so much yourself that you can say that with certainty.”

“Heinz… You knew?”

That I had suffered…

“I told you, I know everything about you. I even know that you used to cry in the shadows after your lessons at the palace. Your eyes would be red and swollen, yet you never once complained. Your effort was truly remarkable.”

Tears spilled from Elizabeth’s eyes, unstoppable.

She had always longed for someone to acknowledge her.

To tell her that her efforts had not been in vain.

“I wanted to protect you, Elizabeth. Not by borrowing someone else’s strength—but with my own hands. There’s no way I would ever begrudge the effort to do that.”

She could no longer deny it.

His words seeped into the emptiness in her heart, filling it with warmth.

No one else had ever understood her like this.

Overcome with emotion, Elizabeth threw herself into Heinz’s chest.

Following the desires of her heart…

“Heinz… Please, take me. I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

Cupping his face with both hands, Elizabeth kissed him of her own accord.