A Graceful Defeat
Returning to her estate after completing another packed schedule that stretched late into the evening, Sylvia dragged her exhausted body to her bed and collapsed onto it.
Staring blankly at the ceiling of her darkened room, a whirlwind of thoughts rushed through her mind, carrying with them the scenes she had witnessed at the academy earlier that day.
"...I never would have imagined Miss Scarlet showing an interest in dieting or makeup."
Dressing up to look pretty for the person you like. It was a perfectly ordinary thing, something you would expect from any teenage girl.
But the fact that the person displaying such behavior was Scarlet—who had only recently left her estate—was what left Sylvia's heart in such a complicated tangle.
Scarlet Evande. A girl born with a tragic fate, forged by the darkness of the Astra family.
Because she was usually expressionless and calmly accomplished things no ordinary person ever could, Sylvia had always secretly believed that the girl was as far from 'ordinary' as anyone could get.
Yet, today's events had forced her to realize something. Beneath the surface of that seemingly extraordinary girl lay the heart of an incredibly ordinary girl—one who simply wanted to look beautiful in the eyes of the person she loved.
Recalling how Scarlet had shyly denied it when the other girls teased her about having someone she liked, Sylvia let out a sudden, hollow laugh.
She had known absolutely nothing. She had simply assumed, entirely on her own, that letting Scarlet live a luxurious life in a grand estate and eat fine food would bring her happiness.
But that had been nothing more than her own selfish desire to keep Scarlet by her side.
Having escaped that mansion—which must have felt like hell to her—and living with the person she loved, Scarlet looked so wonderfully ordinary. And so very happy.
The one who could bring her happiness was not Sylvia.
As that painful truth sank in, a sliver of jealousy and an even heavier sense of resignation settled deep within her chest.
Driven by a devastating sense of defeat, Sylvia impulsively dialed a number before she could stop herself.
The recipient was...
"...Sylvia? What's going on?"
It was Yoon Siwoo. Having made the call on a complete whim, Sylvia hadn't actually expected him to answer. Flustered, she stammered,
"A-Aren't you busy right now?"
"I happen to be on a break. I have a few minutes. Anyway, what's up?"
"Ah... well..."
At his question, Sylvia asked herself the same thing. Why on earth had she called Yoon Siwoo?
After a moment of reflection, she recognized the ugly, petty emotion hiding in the corner of her heart.
She simply hadn't wanted to admit it. The fact that Yoon Siwoo could do what she never could.
"...Do you remember what you said during the interrogation the other day? That if Miss Scarlet ever became a threat to humanity, you would kill her with your own hands."
"...Yeah."
"Did you really mean it?"
Before she even realized what she was doing, the question had slipped past her lips. She was desperately searching for any flaw in him, anything she could use to comfort herself.
"...And if I did?"
"...Ha. So you're saying you don't care if Miss Scarlet dies?"
Upon hearing his response, Sylvia spat the words out with a contemptuous edge. She might have even let out a bitter sneer as she spoke.
I care about Scarlet more than Yoon Siwoo does. That makes me far more suited to be by her side than him. Even though she knew it was cowardly to tear someone else down just to feel better, she clung to that thought for comfort.
"...How could you... even say that?"
But the raw emotion in Yoon Siwoo's voice over the receiver made Sylvia freeze.
"I don't even want to imagine Scarlet dying... But Scarlet is someone who hates causing harm to others more than she hates death itself. If something like that ever happened, she would be utterly devastated..."
His voice trembled, as if the mere thought of Scarlet's death was too painful to bear. Yet, his answer carried a profound, heavy understanding of who Scarlet truly was.
Hearing that, Sylvia suddenly understood.
"...Miss Scarlet asked you to do that, didn't she?"
"...!"
The sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line was all the confirmation she needed. Sylvia let out a self-deprecating chuckle.
So they had both prepared themselves for the worst-case scenario.
She finally understood why Scarlet had tried so hard to keep her distance.
She had done it deliberately, worrying that Sylvia would be heartbroken. It was a terribly, agonizingly kind gesture, designed to spare Sylvia from future grief.
Yes, Sylvia knew that was exactly the kind of person Scarlet was.
And that was also why Sylvia realized why Scarlet had never asked her to make such a promise.
Just as well as she knew Scarlet, Scarlet knew her.
Scarlet, who was quick-witted enough to notice the moment Sylvia merely craved a macaron, already knew that Sylvia could never bring herself to fulfill such a request.
Sylvia had claimed she would do anything for Scarlet, but that was the one thing she could never do.
To end Scarlet's life with her own hands—a concept so devastating it made her feel like she was losing her mind just thinking about it—was utterly impossible for her.
Which made the realization cut all the deeper.
Yoon Siwoo, despite loving Scarlet so deeply, was willing to push aside his own immense grief to make that choice for her sake.
The fact that he might actually be far more suited for Scarlet than she was.
At the very least, compared to herself, who prioritized her own feelings, Siwoo, who prioritized Scarlet's wishes, undoubtedly cared for her in a much deeper way.
It was an undeniable, absolute defeat.
Sylvia let out a soft sigh and offered her apology through the receiver.
"...I'm sorry. For saying that earlier. I knew you loved Miss Scarlet and would never feel that way, but I let my emotions get the better of me..."
"Huh... W-Wait a second. Why does everyone take it for granted that I like Scarlet...?"
Sylvia's mind went blank for a moment at his bewildered question. Then, with genuine exasperation, she shot back,
"...Excuse me, did you honestly think no one would notice when you make it so incredibly obvious?"
"...I guess it really was obvious. I thought I was doing a pretty good job of hiding it..."
"There was no way you could hide it from me of all people. I even know that you're living with Miss Scarlet."
"...Fair point."
Sylvia couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction. He sounded as if he might faint if anyone else found out they were living together.
And besides, after going to a place like that with Scarlet...
As her thoughts drifted to that particular incident, a mischievous urge bubbled up. A little teasing wouldn't hurt. Sylvia said in a sly, suggestive tone,
"By the way, even if you two are living together, please try not to lead too... promiscuous of a lifestyle. Miss Scarlet is still a student, after all."
Just as expected, a frantic protest erupted from the other end.
"P-Promiscuous?! Scarlet and I aren't doing anything like—!"
"Hmm, really? Because I happen to know that you and Miss Scarlet went to a motel in District 15 together. Just the two of you. Of course, where a couple chooses to express their love is their own business, but you're a public figure, Yoon Siwoo. You should at least be careful of public eyes. One wrong move and you'll end up on the front page of the newspapers, you know?"
"We didn't!!! I mean, yes, we did go to a motel together, but...! We just talked! Nothing happened! And besides, Scarlet and I aren't in that kind of relationship!"
Sylvia blinked in surprise at his desperate shout. She could feel the genuine, agonizing frustration radiating from his voice.
Huh? But a young man and woman who like each other went to a motel alone and came out with absolutely nothing happening? And they aren't even dating...?
"...Um, Yoon Siwoo. Are you saying you and Miss Scarlet aren't dating...?"
"...We're not. I mean, of course I love her, but... I don't think Scarlet feels that way about me..."
"...But you're living together."
"...She said it was more like being roommates."
Sylvia was left utterly speechless by his sorrowful mumble. Then, a wave of sheer disbelief—bordering on exasperation—washed over her, and she let out a heavy sigh.
"Miss Scarlet has been dieting lately. And she's showing an interest in cosmetics, which she normally wouldn't even glance at."
"...Really? I wonder if there's someone she wants to look good for."
"...And who else would she want to look good for? When she's living under the same roof as a man."
"...!"
Hearing his sudden, stunned silence, Sylvia shook her head in disbelief and continued.
"...Miss Scarlet has probably never experienced romantic feelings in her entire life, so she likely has no idea how to express them. Since you're both incredibly clueless, it might be best for you to be a bit more proactive, Yoon Siwoo."
"But proactive... how do I even do that...?"
"Why don't you ask her out on a date on your day off? I'm sure she'd love it."
"A date..."
Yoon Siwoo seemed to hesitate at the word 'date,' but soon, as if making up his mind, he replied,
"...Yeah, I'll gather my courage. Thanks for the advice, Sylvia."
"...No need to thank me."
Sylvia shook her head at his gratitude. She didn't need his thanks. All she wanted was...
"...Please make Miss Scarlet happy."
Only Scarlet's happiness. Overwhelmed by sudden embarrassment, Sylvia hung up before he could even reply.
"Aaaah! Why did I say something so embarrassing?! It's not like I'm her ex-boyfriend or something...!"
And that night, Sylvia spent the entire night kicking her blankets in mortification, unable to sleep a single wink.