About Your Pride and My Prejudice

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Abel’s eyes widened. Monica Elwood came to visit him, and that too in the morning.

“Miss Monica…….”

Elwood’s rose, he thought, was too noble to bloom in these shabby piles of mud. That’s why she always knocks on his door at night when even the moon is hidden.

Of course, he never resented or questioned it. It’s just a matter of course and suffocating.

“How come all of a sudden…….”

Monica’s beautiful hair, fluttered against the wind like a picture. It was a red and more vivid color than autumn leaves. The scattering hem of her dress smelled like a lonely autumn with a deep rose scent.

Sometimes reality is far more distant than a dream. Abel felt an ecstatic shell.

“Are you going to keep me standing here?”

“Oh…….”

A dark beard and tangled hair. Monica didn’t blink an eye even when she saw Abel, who was not as tidy as usual. It’s been a long time since she saw him, but she wasn’t even impressed, so it’s not surprising.

“……Please come in.”

The inside of the house was even worse. The room, with windows closed, not allowing a speck of light, was filled with melted candles, thickly hardened candle wax, messy shape, and the pungent smell of ink and papers.

Monica sat down, somewhat displeased, on the wooden chair Abel had hurriedly covered with his handkerchief. Her presence in a house which was like a parched woodblock that didn’t feel alive was as seductive and foreign as a flower painted with red paint.

The teacup he hurriedly fetched was never touched again after it was placed haphazardly on the old console table. Monica said,

“I have a favor to ask.”

Abel, who took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes.

“You have a…… Favour?”

“Yes, Abel.”

Abel looked bewitched as her bright red hair curled between her elegant fingers in black lace gloves.

“You must be writing.”

“……Yes, after many years.”

It was the anger of the world that was pouring out like countless arrows that broke the gap over the years. He called the woman who takes control over his soul as ‘The World’.

The day she poured out her anger and resentment at him as if her world was about to collapse, part of Abel died forever. From that day on, the remaining part of Abel Maurice, which was still alive, began to write.

While eating dried up groceries, he wrote the story of his world blooming like a flower in a room without light. May she no longer be ill, glistening but serene like a glowing, still watery surface. That was the only salvation for himself.

“Really? Almost done?”

“Yes…… It’s not a long story, so maybe tomorrow…….”

Abel answered gently, but felt suspicious. She, who’s not interested in his writings and considers it as dust, is now asking about his writings.

“What’s the title?”

“Ah, the title is <A Room Without Windows>…… It’s still a work in progress.”

“A Room Without Windows, huh.”

The flower-like red lips drew a languid arc. Her lips whispered,

Not bad, as the title of the posthumous work.

“……Pardon?”

“Abel.”

Abel’s green eyes flickered anxiously along with the soot from the candle.

“Die for me.”

“………Miss…….”

Abel doubted his ears. The times when he thought that he would give her his life if she wanted to, passed before his eyes. His heart still remains unchanged. He just couldn’t give it because she didn’t want anything like his insignificant life.

“What are you saying…….”

Then Monica burst into laughter. It was obviously an innocent laugh, but with a strangely erotic sound.

“I’m not asking you to really die. Were you really going to die?”

Look at his expression. She murmured and continued to laugh out loud. Then Abel looked at her with silent and serene eyes.

“……What, will you?”

“If I have to die someday, I have always wanted to die because of you.”

“…….”

“Having ugly feelings toward milady without permission…… I thought I’d take it sweetly if you wanted to punish me at any time. If you’re trying to step on me for that reason, I also…….”

A desperate soul was imbued with every word that he uttered. Although his words were a desperate and pitiful confession, his world did not shed tears, let alone imitate cheap sympathy. She was just a jewel of insensitive and brilliant eyes.

“What a wild coward.”

With a sweet voice.

“Do you think I can do such a thing? You’re mean.”

“Miss…”

Abel, kneeling in front of Monica, leaned his cheek against her neatly placed hand on her legs. Soon, the rough gloves were wet with his tears.

“I only wish for your happiness…….”

His world stroked his dark brown hair, which grew so badly that it soon covered the back of his neck.

“So you have to help me.”

“…….”

“That happiness is finally in front of me.”

Abel sobbed, feeling Monica’s soft touch. She’ll never know how I feel. When I thought about it, I felt like something ugly and old, abandoned on the side of the road. I felt a wind piercing in my bones.

But at the same time, I didn’t want her to ever know my bursting despair and even greater passion. May my cruel and beautiful world be full of dazzling and noble things like her.

“Please disappear from the world forever. Never again, never to be found by anyone.”

The flower-like lips uttered horribly cruel words like a song. Abel raised his head and kissed her knee. His tears never stopped.

“So the day like this comes to me as well.”

Now I can use this humble life for you, miss.

“I’ll be happy for sure, Abel.”

“Yes, you must be…….”

Please, as you wish.

* * *

It has been more than a decade since the cultural properties of the Hwa Empire began to be introduced to the western world. The veil of Eastern culture was all fascinating and fantastic, and naturally fascinated everyone outside the empire.

Unfortunately, trade with the Hwa Empire was very selective. This was partly due to the fact that they did not need any supplies or money, but it was largely because they claimed to be descendants of dragons and put a strict ban on shipping policy which happens through the sea.

Hwa, who saw itself as the center of the world and the chosen ones, strictly controlled the access of neighboring countries. It is because they believed that the more they mixed with other cultures, the more their culture would fade. However, they were always in short supply because the outside of the empire was already frenzied about imported goods of Hwa.

Sourne, who has a giant boss led by the Leopold family, was better off, but the Principality was excited to embrace the great dragon in the east. However, the Parliament, which is absorbed in pretending to be stubborn, did not have the guts to send a special envoy to flatter the Hwa Empire.

However, at Lunos’ social club, the object of Hwa has always been praised as the best gift and used for bribes. The elegant pottery and silk cloths, unique tea leaves, and spices from the East were worth the price.

Under this circumstance, it was only natural that all the traders of the Principality tried to conduct illegal trade by asking the corrupt officials of Hwa Empire and offering them large sums of money. But the amount of goods available was as small as a speck of dust, and it was a tearful struggle.

Alan focused on these traders. He thought of gathering them and establishing a business under his name.

Those who were eager to open the door to the Hwa Empire could not refuse to collaborate with Alan Leopold. Alan already had an acquaintance with the upper echelons of that Empire, thanks to the background of his family. Not only that, but Alan was a man with dark hair and an enchanting look that made them feel friendly.

Unlike the stubborn emperor, the ten princes and princesses were progressive, and they had a deep affinity for this beautiful and polite foreigner. Unlike other westerners, he treated Hwa Empire as a descendant of the dragon, and he had a deep understanding of the Empire and a straightforward attitude, so there was no reason to refuse.

Thus, when Alan Leopold, who started his business in the Principality of Lunoa instead of Ian Leopold from the Sornean kingdom, visited the empire, he was able to return with meaningful results. It was a conviction that one day he could lead the trade between the Principality and the Hwa Empire.

Three days have passed since Alan and executives visited the border area where traders are gathered. Naturally, the atmosphere was smooth. Traders rushed to sign the contract and raised their pens.

Alan returned to Lunos today after announcing that he was only here to gauge the size of his firm that would be set up, and that he would hold a briefing session in the capital soon.

“……This may make up for the railway.”

One of the executives in the business department said in a confident voice as he looked at the proposal, which he did not know how many times he had already checked it.

“No. It’s more than that.”

Alan rose to his feet, answering leisurely. His lips were red with a faint smile.

“I am looking above it.”

The four executives in the conference room looked up at him in silence. Alan Leopold. This young man finally made them want to bet everything on him again.

A strange fear and anticipation floated in the air that a little boy, who until a few years ago, was nothing more than an imitation of Ian Leopold, might soon surpass his father.

“I’m going in first today.”

Suddenly, Alan, wearing a black coat, looked around, tidying up the stiff lapel. There was no dissatisfaction in the four pairs of eyes that were still staring at him. Alan walked out of the conference room with a light step, thinking it was worth the struggle for the past three days without going home.

In the busy and meticulous life of a businessman, three days were close to the speed of light. It certainly was, but the last three days felt so long. Alan realized that his patience was getting weaker day by day.

Not about work, of course. Only one person constantly tested his patience, and Alan could hardly win against that person. It hurts his pride, but there are laws like this in the world. The more patience you use, the sweeter the reward.

A carriage with a black lion engraved on it was waiting in front of the office. Alan, who ordered the coachman to drive straight to the mansion, got into the carriage.

Soon afterwards, as the horses left the main gate of the office and stepped on the boulevard, a carriage approaching there quickly turned around. The carriage with a clear red rose pattern followed Alan’s carriage.

Of course, the coachman, who was afraid of Monica, to be precise, the head Leopold standing behind her, drove the horse calmly, as if he didn’t know, and Alan didn’t know it until he got off the carriage.

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