62. With Enough time to cool down (1)

So-hee’s eyes grew big and shrank a little. She had been facing his eyes for a long time, unable to read what he was thinking. A large crowd passed between them. So-hee had a strange feeling that only the two of them had stopped for a while. Joshua’s long legs came close. So-hee, who was standing in the corner, also moved her feet. It was a rather impulsive act beyond her mind’s control. Twenty steps. Ten steps. Five steps gradually narrowed the gap.

“Let’s go, milord. Her Majesty is looking for you.”

Kelly, who appeared from somewhere, crossed Joshua’s arms and dug into the gap. The time that had stopped because of him passed again. The two pairs of eyes facing each other without a few steps left in between had broken contact. Joshua turned his gaze away first before the couple passed by So-hee. So-hee stood there alone. When her pupils shook, she raised her hands and quickly rubbed her eyes.

“What are you doing, Sohee? Get a grip.”

This wasn’t the time to be so distracted. The re-rise of the Pearson family could be done as many ways as possible, but she didn’t know when she might catch Blue Levi if she missed her. So-hee turned towards the direction where the newlyweds had disappeared. She planned to chase Kelly to find Mary.

* * *

Kelly felt her hand wrapped around the man’s arm gradually loosen, knowing she’d rejected it. It was highly likely considering how he had treated her so far. However, this man’s attitude seemed different today and soon she read the reason for the subtle change.

“Her Majesty has never called you.” As both entered the ballroom, Kelly murmured low, staring straight ahead. Then, she could feel Joshua’s gaze landing on her. The chandelier lights at the center shone down, brightening their faces. It appeared like they were talking about something, making Kelly smile. The lights cast a pleasant glow on her face.

“It suits you so well,” Sohee murmured, The previous scene between Joshua and Kelly made them appear like they were the main characters in the novel. Ariad dared not intervene in such perfection. In reality, she had already confirmed that Kelly and Joshua weren’t on good terms. Strangely, however, as she looked at the man and woman dancing right before her, the possibility of love seemed to be sprouting little by little. Sohee recalled overhearing them while chasing after Kelly.

‘I had no more feelings left for Ariad.’

‘Half a year is enough time to cool down.’

Maybe it was because she heard it herself. Joshua’s tone was blunt and it really sounded like he had forgotten Ariad. Therefore, she believed that the main characters’ love, which seemed hopeless at the beginning, was improving. Sohee felt weak as she stared at them blankly.

“If I hadn’t caught you there, you might have gone to Ariad to confess your love. Am I wrong?” As the people’s gazes subsided as he stepped inside, Joshua released Kelly’s arm as if he had been waiting to do it. Then, he picked up the champagne on the tray carried by the attendants. Kelly watched his lips move as he quenched his thirst with it without replying.

“But you must have come to your senses the moment you responded to my call.” Kelly’s quiet voice was mixed with the band’s calm performance. “It must have hurt your pride when you suddenly realized that you still feel something for her.”

Then Joshua smirked. Kelly said without caring about it. “I don’t care if you use me, Your Majesty. Use me to your heart’s content if you want to take revenge.”

“….”

“Just like what I did just now.”

The man, who was only listening to the story, opened his mouth after finishing the champagne. Putting down the glass, he tapped the side of the table with his fingernails.

“You don’t have to.” This time, he was willing to look at Kelly, who was only looking at him. “I had no feelings for Ariad anymore.”

His heartless countenance and silent stare made it seem as if his words were really true. Of course, Kelly didn’t fall for it.

“You’re lying.” She burst out and Joshua laughed. His eyes were still hard but the corners of the mouth were raised. “Half a year is enough time to cool it down.” He said quietly as if engraving a spell. Kelly wished that his words had truly come true.

* * *

Sohee wandered around Kelly and plumped into a chair in the corner of the ballroom. Like Blue Ann Levi, she couldn’t see a single strand of Mary’s hair, either. When she secretly took off her uncomfortable shoes under the white dress, her tired legs became a little comfortable. As the band’s performance changed, the atmosphere of the ballroom also did. So-hee raised her head when a sudden round of applause poured in front of her. Joshua and Kelly walked to the center, joined hands, and moved to the waltz. Many men and women were dancing around them but So-hee’s gaze was only fixed on the couple at the center. The hem of her red dress repeatedly brushed and fluttered along Kelly’s movements.