Bailonz Street 13

Chapter 170. The Other Side (2)

He stared with surprise, his lips trembling.

“Jane.”

“I… I think from the first time I saw you.”

As I lowered my head, a few strands of my hair fell forward, tickling Liam’s forehead.

“That’s when I started to like you.”

I could feel his skin burning hot. His breathing was the same. I could clearly see his wide eyes, dense eyelashes, and deep eye sockets. I think I’ve always liked this distance.

When I could see Liam Moore’s eyes best, when they were opened wide like this. When those eyes saw only me.

“So I was really scared. I felt like I would lose myself if I accepted you.”

“…”

“Afraid I’d have to acknowledge that the woman who lived in Korea was gone. Afraid you would become my new reason for wanting to live. So I wanted to run away. Wanted to hide it but…”

But it didn’t matter anymore. At my whisper, Liam’s hand slowly rose to my cheek. He was staring at my face as if in a trance.

“I want to live with you for a very long time.”

“That will happen.”

“But people can’t live on memories alone.”

What about loneliness?

When someone vanishes before your eyes, even longing lasts only briefly. What is the purpose of humanity’s blessing of forgetfulness, and what is the meaning of having death as an end?

Liam Moore spoke clearly, as if pronouncing a sentence.

“Perhaps I exist in your world too.”

“It would be sad if it were just someone who looked like you.”

“Maybe I died somewhere and was reborn.”

Liam Moore in the 21st century. The thought seemed quite incongruous. Liam Moore using a mobile phone, listening to music with earphones, riding the subway.

I burst out laughing as I blinked my stinging eyes. Liam smiled as he gently rubbed my eyes.

“If that’s the case… wouldn’t that ‘me’ love you too?”

For a moment, I saw Liam Moore’s soul. Whether it was a reflection or I truly saw his soul with my eyes, I couldn’t say. A soul shattered like cracked glass, a soul bearing the scar of a great hole in its heart filled in. In that broken and mended soul, I was engraved. More deeply than anything else.

Would I remain in your soul even if you were reborn?

If so….

“Wait for me.”

I’ll find you somehow. Whether a different soul, or just someone who looks like you. Even without memories…. Just seeing you, I’ll know. No explanation needed.

Tears that had gathered to their limit left round marks as they rolled down Liam Moore’s cheeks. Liam’s lips covered mine. Overwhelming breath, trembling touch pulling me closer. With awkward, clumsy movements, I wrapped my arms around his neck. Liam let out a small laugh as he placed his hand behind my knees.

* * *

When I opened my eyes, every joint in my body screamed. I felt like my bones were misaligned.

I needed about three seconds to gather my thoughts. Seeing the sleeping face next to me, arms around my waist, my mind went blank.

It was Hisford, with crisp morning sunlight and the steady sound of waves.

Today is… the wedding day.

I looked dismally at the wedding dress in the corner of the room. This is what “showing restraint” led to? Are we crazy?

‘What if I faint during the wedding ceremony?’

Liam was fast asleep, oblivious to the world. His eyes were red and swollen. He must have cried while I was sleeping. He’s such a crybaby after all.

“You cried again.”

Sensing movement beside him, Liam lifted his eyelids. I could only smile seeing his puffy eyes heavy with sleep.

* * *

Before people arrived, Liam slipped away, and I slowly began preparing. A maid from Nifoisse Hall came to help and let out a short scream seeing me dried out and ragged.

“Young mistress…. How did you end up like this on your wedding day…!”

“I know…”

“What on earth happened…!”

It’s because of your young master….

I swallowed the words that rose to my throat. Should have shown more restraint.

Suddenly last night’s Liam flashed before my eyes. His face looking down at me with his shirt loosely undone. I remember how the moonlight played on his pale skin. I must have been enchanted by that sight.

“Must be coming down with something.”

Even as I made excuses, the dress was being efficiently put on. At a surprisingly fast pace. Fortunately, there were no noticeable marks on my body to raise suspicion. The maid spoke while tightly lacing up the back.

“Your brother will come to escort you when you’re ready.”

“Ah. Thank you.”

“Congratulations on your marriage, young mistress.”

What congratulations. I felt like my heart would leap out.

The person in the mirror looked unfamiliar. A woman, pale from nervousness, forcing something like a smile. The design was noticeable for not being typical of late 19th century wedding dresses – appropriately elaborate yet subdued. Lucita had worked hard making this, hadn’t she?

Plurititas helped decorate the venue, and Jonathan would walk the Wedding Aisle with me.

Having decided on a small wedding, there weren’t many guests. No one knew what would happen to Jane after I left anyway. Therefore, the fewer people who knew about our marriage, the better.

‘It would be awkward to explain if Jane suddenly died or lost her memories.’

I closed my eyes and fell into thought for a moment.

It was because of the small reminder that had been coming through the sound of waves. It kept awakening me, telling me I didn’t belong here.

“I know, El.”

I never thought about staying or holding on here. I would leave. That was the last way I could protect Liam Moore.

‘By you surviving, I too can live on.’

I firmly organized my thoughts.

Liam also… knew. Though the shock was lessened, I couldn’t take away his sorrow, so I just planned to give him time.

I was so nervous I wouldn’t be surprised if I fainted right there. Breathing slowly and deeply, I took one last look at the woman in the mirror.

Today is my last day in the 19th century.

* * *

Jonathan soon came to get me.

We went down the stairs toward the garden where the ceremony was set up. True to its name as Nifoisse Hall, meaning “mansion where snow falls,” a pure white path stretched before us. At the end of the aisle delicately decorated with purple flowers stood Liam.

His flushed face was visible even from here. I wanted to run there immediately and jump into Liam Moore’s arms.

Perhaps noticing my feelings, Jonathan carefully bent down and whispered.

“Sister, let me tell you,”

“Yes?”

“A man isn’t just about his looks…”

I burst out laughing brightly.

“You’ll hear the same from your wife’s family someday.”

“Am I handsome?”

“Of course. You can hold your own anywhere.”

I could see the guests’ faces.

Not on the groom’s side of attendants… but the bride’s side? Plurititas was planted there firmly. Even giving up his usual white clothes. Lucita and his butler, Mary and Mary’s sister were all on my side.

On Liam’s side sat only the Moore family and Inspector Jefferson.

Halfway down the aisle, I let go of Jonathan’s hand. Jonathan sighed and smiled, as if knowing he couldn’t stop either his sister or me who borrowed her body.

Liam looked surprised. His reddened eyes had calmed now, and no trace of sadness could be found on his face. He looked happy, like a man about to be married. That made me smile even more.

I wanted to run, but the shoes were in the way. Actually, the dress and flowing veil were uncomfortable too, but the shoes were the biggest problem. What was there to think about? I kicked off the shoes and ran barefoot toward Liam Moore.

It wasn’t a normal wedding scene. It didn’t follow London wedding customs. Where else would you find a bride who threw off her shoes and a groom who didn’t wait for the bride but ran out to meet her?

Liam spun me around once with one arm around my waist, grinning foolishly. Herschel, the officiant, contributed to destroying the customs. He started the ceremony even with the bride and groom far away.

“These two, having overcome hardships together, will live supporting each other, I vow—”

“We do!”

I shouted, cutting off his words. Laughter erupted among the guests. It was the ease of people who had overcome great crisis. Herschel cleared his throat once before speaking.

“Ahem. Let’s skip everything else. It seems this isn’t a place for us to interfere. Bride and groom, you may kiss.”