The End of First Love - Chapter 37

“Oh? I was sure the first thing you’d do was punch me…”

“Oh, believe me, if I could, I’d love to slap you as hard as I can.”

The room Elizabeth was led into by the priest was so luxurious that it was hard to believe it existed within a church.

A chandelier hung from the ceiling, and the furniture was intricately carved and adorned with gold leaf. The paintings on the walls and even the subtly placed ornaments were clearly expensive at a glance.

It was undoubtedly a reception room, but it was far more extravagant than what one would expect in an ordinary church.

(It’s like a reception room prepared for royalty…)

As Elizabeth looked around the room, Heinz spoke to her.

“You must be wondering—why a church in such a remote place is this luxurious.”

“Yes, and about how well-guarded this church is. But I suppose you’ll explain everything, Lord Heinz—the secrets of this church. And about that particular sister as well.”

“Of course.”

“—But before that… can’t I just punch you once?”

“Heh… Go ahead.”

With a chuckle and a provocative smile, Heinz watched as Elizabeth strode toward him. Instead of a punch, however, she grabbed him by the collar—and stole his lips.

Their lips pressed together deeply, passionately.

As Heinz’s lips parted slightly in surprise, Elizabeth forced her tongue into his mouth, claiming it. At first, Heinz did not react, but soon, his tongue intertwined with hers in response.

They kissed, devouring each other, their tongues entwining. Saliva dripped from Elizabeth’s chin, staining her dress, but she paid it no mind.

She had been longing for this moment. Ever since that night…

As the kiss finally ended, Heinz’s lips gently sucked on hers one last time before pulling away. He chuckled, his eyes fixed on Elizabeth—her cheeks flushed, her eyes wet with emotion.

“Truly, you are a cruel man. You lie so easily for the sake of your goals. You have no idea how much you hurt me, do you?”

“—A trivial matter, is it? And yet, do you not spare a thought for my own fears? The very idea of you disappearing from my sight drove me to the brink of madness… It was a gamble. I had no guarantee that you would chase after me even after I pushed you away.”

“That’s a selfish excuse. Anyone would despair if they were suddenly treated coldly right after sharing their feelings. You made me believe I was nothing more than a tool for your plans. Watching that play—do you have any idea how much it hurt?”

Tears welled in Elizabeth’s eyes as she recalled that night.

“Elizabeth, did you not feel anything when you watched that play? The story of a baron’s daughter, chosen by the crown prince, living a happy life. The two of them working together to condemn the wicked villainess before finally being united in love. To an outsider, it seems like the perfect story. But no one ever questions it—was the villainess truly evil?”

“What…?”

Elizabeth’s heart pounded at Heinz’s words.

(Heinz saw the same flaw in that play as I did?)

She recalled what he had told her that night when she had demanded to know why he had shown her the play.

“If I said I wanted to show you the truth, would you understand?”

She had believed it was a warning—a way of reminding her that she was a fallen woman, branded as a villain.

That she should know her place.

But… what if she had misunderstood everything?

What if there had been a different truth hidden behind those words?

Pushing down her uncertainty, Elizabeth spoke.

“You wanted to show me… that the villainess’s fate is not yet sealed?”

As she saw Heinz’s full smile, tears spilled from Elizabeth’s eyes.

Unstoppable tears that washed away the fears that had threatened to consume her.

And when all else was stripped away, one feeling remained—her love for Heinz.

“Elizabeth, you must reclaim your honor with your own hands. Only you can break free from the curse of ‘William’ that binds your heart. That is what I wanted you to understand.”

“The curse of William,” huh…

No matter how much she loved Heinz, unless she settled things herself, William’s shadow would never truly leave her.

Every time doubt crept into her heart, the ghost of ‘William’ would return to torment her.

(Heinz showed me that play so I could realize that…)

There was no one else who understood her like he did—no one else who guided her so unwaveringly.

Elizabeth followed her emotions, throwing her arms around Heinz and holding him tightly.

He gently stroked her head.

It was the same as that night at the play.

But now, knowing she was loved, she felt courage welling up inside her.

“Lord Heinz, I… I will end this with my own hands. I will bring my first love to a close.”

“—Then let us go. To the allies who will fight alongside you.”