The Man’s 101st Bad Ending

“Robert?”

Miragen frowned, spotting Robert approaching from the far end of the hallway. He wasn’t coming from the entrance.

His expression was somber.

Had something happened?

“I apologize for the delay. I encountered the Crown Prince. I should have informed you.”

“It’s alright. I haven’t been waiting long.”

They hadn’t set a specific time.

She had only been waiting for an hour after hearing of his arrival. A shadow flickered across his face as he smiled.

Had he heard something unpleasant from Kaitel?

She had many questions, but now wasn’t the time. She decided to start with pleasantries.

Asking about the masked figures would seem strange, so she feigned ignorance.

“You don’t seem well. You look worse than the last time I saw you.”

“I’m fine. Just a little tired.”

“You didn’t have to come if you were tired. I shouldn’t have asked.”

Robert rubbed his eyes.

He had seemed fine yesterday. He must be troubled by his conversation with Kaitel.

He could kill without hesitation. He had done so countless times. He didn’t hesitate.

But Kaitel’s order to kill Adele had shaken him, even though he had anticipated it.

He had planned to use it to his advantage, to undermine Kaitel. But hearing the words… he had almost lost control.

He had barely managed to restrain himself.

It had only been a few minutes since their conversation, yet the change in Robert’s demeanor was evident.

He had a headache. He could barely remember why he was here.

The reality of Kaitel’s words was far more impactful than he had anticipated.

“Robert.”

He hadn’t heard her call him. He was still reeling from the encounter.

He forced a smile and looked at Miragen.

“I apologize. I was lost in thought.”

“I’d like to know what you’re thinking. You have so many secrets. Sometimes, I feel like you live in a different world.”

Miragen knew Robert was secretive.

She hadn’t pressed him because she was indebted to him. She wouldn’t be where she was without his help. But her questions grew, fueled by her recent memories.

His complex expressions whenever he looked at her, his sudden ambition to become the head of the Taylor family.

If he had planned it all along, he would have prepared earlier. But his ascension had been abrupt, more opportunistic than strategic.

He had become Duke less than a year after meeting her.

While it could be attributed to his skill, she couldn’t understand why he had endured years of mistreatment only to suddenly seize power.

She noticed the long scar on his chest, visible even through his clothes. She knew how he had gotten it.

She knew his position within the Taylor family, the abuse he had suffered.

She believed she understood him to some extent, but she knew there was more to his story.

Adriana knew things she didn’t.

Adele, the Grand Duchess of the North, knew things she didn’t.

She had pondered the reasons for this discrepancy countless times, but couldn’t find an answer.

‘Do I have to tell you how I feel about you?’

She knew her feelings were complex.

She wasn’t sure if it was love, or just a fleeting infatuation. She felt neglected when he didn’t contact her, frustrated when the only news she received was of his injuries.

She was happy to see him again, but their time together was always too short. She couldn’t keep him by her side. He had his own responsibilities.

If he were still just the son of a Duke, she would have found a way, but she didn’t have the power to keep a Duke tethered to her.

If she had to define her feelings, they were closer to romantic love. But she didn’t say it.

She looked at him, then sighed, realizing how foolish she sounded.

“Forget it. I was just frustrated. You always prioritize others. Will you only come when I call you?”

“I haven’t… visited you on my own initiative, have I?”

Come to think of it, Miragen had always been the one to initiate their interactions in this life. She had given him the artifact, encouraging him to contact her.

They had a casual relationship, unusual for a Princess and a Duke. But he always felt a sense of heaviness whenever he was with her.

He had always responded to her summons.

Even his previous visit to the Imperial Palace had been at her request. He turned away from her intense gaze.

“It wasn’t intentional.”

It was intentional.

He had avoided her, fearing that frequent contact would trigger his memories, the complicated emotions he wanted to suppress.

This room, their shared bed… he couldn’t look at her.

He looked away.

They had been close in his past lives, but in this life, their relationship was strained compared to others.

Where had it gone wrong? It was his fault, his behavior.

He scratched his cheek and pulled up a chair beside her.

“You seem upset. You’ve never said that before.”

“I am upset.”

Miragen admitted. She couldn’t deny it. Nothing would change if she did. Her recent “delusions” had emboldened her.

“I was upset. But not anymore.”

Seeing him again, she couldn’t stay angry. She was easily swayed by his presence.

She couldn’t fault him for apologizing as soon as he saw her.

Robert smiled, a genuine smile this time.

Being with Miragen eased his worries, even if only for a moment. But there was still something he had to do.

Miragen had been considerate, avoiding the main topic, but he had come to the Imperial Palace to tell her about his past lives.

He hesitated, then Miragen spoke.

“You know why I called you, don’t you? There’s something I wanted to ask.”

“I can guess. You mentioned something before.”

“Do you know what I’m talking about?”

“If you’re asking if I know… yes, I do.”

“Robert, please don’t think I’m strange. Just… listen to me.”

Miragen’s voice, transmitted through the artifact while he was with Adele, had trembled.

He wouldn’t have noticed if his senses weren’t heightened, but he had sensed her distress.

Her subsequent words confirmed his suspicions about her memories.

“I remember being with you, even though we weren’t. We only walked in the palace gardens once, but I remember doing it many times. The same day, repeated. That shouldn’t be possible.”

“I see.”

“I remember confessing my feelings to you. I remember you confessing your feelings to me. I remember us kissing. It’s not… a delusion. I thought it was, but… the feeling… it lingers.”

It couldn’t be a delusion.

Miragen touched her lips, her face flushed.

She felt a warmth spreading through her.

These were memories, real memories of her and Robert.

But they couldn’t be real. They weren’t that close. They had never confessed their feelings.

She could understand if she had been hypnotized, but there were too many memories for that to be a plausible explanation.

“I understand what you’re saying.”

He knew she had regained her memories. He knew there was no point in denying it. Her gaze was intense, filled with unspoken emotions.

He sighed, accepting the inevitable.

“Before I explain, there’s something you need to remember. Will you promise me?”

“What is it?”

An old story.

A story he had kept hidden, too painful to share.

He had hoped no one would remember, but now, he couldn’t hide it any longer. He had to tell her. They had shared countless lives, countless moments.

He smiled wryly.

“Promise me you won’t blame me. Not even for a moment.”

[Translator Notes]