The End of First Love - Chapter 39

“I had a very talented older sister…”

Rebecca’s story began with those words, and just listening to it was enough to make one’s heart ache.

As the second daughter of the Walter Count family, Rebecca’s harsh life had begun the moment she became aware of the world.

Her elder sister was meant to take a husband and inherit the count’s family, while Rebecca was expected to marry for political convenience. The way the family treated them was different from the start. The small gap in their ages only made matters worse.

Growing up in constant comparison to her exceptional sister, Rebecca’s life within her own family felt like walking on a bed of nails. Even after reaching marriageable age, no noble family was willing to take her as a bride, pushing her parents’ frustration to its peak.

Unlike her older sister, who had been engaged since childhood, Rebecca was considered a burden.

Eventually, she was practically cast out, sent to the royal palace as a lady-in-waiting for training in courtly manners.

For Rebecca, it was a chance to escape her miserable days at home, and she accepted the opportunity with joy—unaware of the new hell that awaited her.

As a member of the Walter family, which supported the second prince, Rebecca’s position in the palace led her to serve the concubine who was the mother of Prince William. On the surface, this might have seemed like a prestigious placement. In reality, it was a brutal ordeal.

The concubine was a proud woman who despised those of lower status.

Among the dozens of maids who served her, a strict hierarchy was enforced. Those who failed to gain her favor were assigned the most grueling tasks. Moreover, lower-ranked maids were forbidden from defying those above them—even when subjected to harassment, they had no choice but to endure in silence.

Back when Elizabeth was merely William’s fiancée, she had once been appalled by the concubine’s treatment of her maids.

Scolding them in front of guests was an everyday occurrence. Elizabeth had even witnessed the woman throw tea at a serving maid in a fit of rage.

Recalling those days, when she herself had desperately tried to curry favor with the concubine, Elizabeth felt a dull pain in her heart.

“In that living hell, I was pushed to my physical and emotional limits. And then, I met His Highness William. He found me crying alone in the garden and spoke to me with kindness, comforting me…”

“A man who can only desire women in misery—a pervert.”

Elizabeth had heard that rumor before.

(So, it was true after all.)

There was a time when Elizabeth had loved William so much that she would have considered it a sin to doubt him. But even upon realizing that the rumor had been true, she felt nothing.

Instead, thinking of how he had preyed on vulnerable women, using his status to force himself on them, filled her with disgust.

What a despicable man.

And to think she had once loved him so blindly—it made her furious at herself.

“Lady Elizabeth, I am truly sorry. Even though I knew he was engaged to you, I allowed myself to be with him, and I became pregnant with his child. I am prepared to accept any punishment or reprimand. But please, I beg you—spare my child. The child is innocent…”

Rebecca bowed her head deeply, her tears falling relentlessly.

Perhaps she bore some responsibility for what had happened. But considering the circumstances, how could she have made a rational decision?

She had been pushed into an impossible situation, both physically and mentally. It was no surprise that she had succumbed to William’s sweet words.

“Rebecca, do you still love Prince William?”

Silence filled the room.

“…Love? I’m not sure. If you ask me whether I love him, maybe I do. But… deep down, I also feel betrayed.”

Elizabeth realized—they were alike.

Just like her, Rebecca was shackled by William, unable to move forward.

“Rebecca, you and I might be the same.”

“Huh? The same…?”

“Yes. Both of us are trapped by Prince William, unable to take a step forward.”

“What do you mean…?”

“I was abandoned by him too. And because of his schemes, I was branded as a villainess. That is who I am now.”

Rebecca gasped, staring at Elizabeth in shock.

“I don’t know what feelings you have toward me. But I can guess they aren’t good. William is cunning—he would have easily played the victim and used my name to manipulate you.”

“No… it can’t be…”

“I understand that you want to believe in him. But can a man who betrays his fiancée to pursue other women really be called honest? He lies without hesitation to satisfy his own desires. He whispers sweet words, all while dragging even his betrothed through the mud. Can you still trust such a man?”

Rebecca’s eyes darted around frantically, revealing the turmoil in her heart.

William’s image in her mind was beginning to crumble.

Once she saw him for what he truly was, the emotions that surfaced would give her the strength to move forward.

Just one more push.

“Rebecca, think carefully. Since you were brought to this church, has Prince William visited even once? Has he ever come to see the child you bore?”

“…He is a prince. He must be busy. He doesn’t have time to come all the way here.”

“Then, has he at least sent you a letter? No matter how busy one is, wouldn’t someone who truly loves you find the time to write?”

“…That’s… He wouldn’t do that… His love is real. He told me he loved me, again and again. Again and again…”

Rebecca clutched her ears, refusing to listen.

Having endured such harsh days, she had clung to William’s honeyed words. Even if her mind suspected they were lies, her heart refused to let go.

Elizabeth saw herself in Rebecca and felt a stabbing pain in her chest.

(Telling her the truth might not bring her happiness.)

If she remained in this church, she could continue believing in William’s love, even as she waited in vain for him. Perhaps that would be kinder than forcing her to face the truth.

Elizabeth hesitated.

But then, a voice echoed in her mind—Heinz’s words.

“Elizabeth, do you regret taking a step forward after learning the truth?”

No, she did not regret it.

Everyone must face the truth eventually. It was only a matter of when.

Elizabeth took Rebecca’s trembling hands and held them gently.

“Rebecca, I understand how you feel. I loved Prince William too.”

“…What?”

“It may sound strange, given that our marriage was an arrangement. In a world where love is rarely a factor in marriage, especially among royalty, it would be natural to assume I had no feelings for him. But I loved him. No matter how many times my heart broke, no matter how many painful rumors I heard, I kept believing in him. Because I truly loved him. Facing the truth is terrifying. But taking that step forward lets you see a new world.”

The hesitation in Rebecca’s eyes began to fade.

Elizabeth was certain—Rebecca would choose to learn the truth.

“The choice is yours. Will you embrace the truth, or will you remain in a comforting lie? I will ask you again tomorrow. Think carefully—about your future and your child’s.”

Leaving Rebecca sobbing on the floor, Elizabeth walked out of the room with Heinz.

“Heinz, do you think Rebecca will choose to fight?”

“I do. Women are strong—just like you.”

Elizabeth chuckled. “Have I really become strong?”

“Yes. Compared to when we first met, you are formidable. Even I could hardly stand against you.”

“Liar… Well then, I suppose we should ask the priest if we may stay another night.”

“No need—I already took care of it.”

“What?!”

Elizabeth stared at him in shock.

(First a lying brute, and now a scheming tactician—my luck with men is truly the worst.)

Yet… she didn’t mind it.

And that was the most troubling realization of all.