♔亞緣腐宅窩♔

Star-Crossed Lovers（Giles）

Happening 03/10 10:00 am
Until 03/21 10:00 am

Your love with him is forbidden...
Whether it's your family, his family, or your social status keeping you apart,
the one thing they can't take from you is your love for each other.
In this world, love overcomes all.
◆ Choose from Alyn, Louis, Giles, and Leo ◆

Prologue：

Once upon a time, a young woman in a fair city far,
far away knew the bittersweet sadness of forbidden love...

（I know they said this was to promote goodwill in the townspeople,）
（but still... wow! It's so extravagant!）

The luxury and splendor of the party venue left me awed.
That evening, a party was being held in the town I lived in.
It was a party that anyone could attend, regardless of their social status.

（But I just don't know if I can find him in a crowd like this!）

My boyfriend and I had made a promise to meet up at the party.
I scanned the room again and again, feeling an edge of nervousness.
???：What's the matter?

（Oh!）

I heard a voice speak from behind me, and I turned in surprise.
It was Lord Byron, one of the nobles who ruled over the neighboring town.
With him was Lord Nico, another noble who lived in that town.
Jily：My lords. I didn't realize you were both here too.
Byron：Yes.
Nico：We were sent an invitation,
Nico：so we thought we'd come and see what it was like.

（It's been ages since I saw either of you.）

Some time ago the two of them had rescued me when I'd been set upon by bandits in the forest.
It was easy for us to become good friends after an experience like that.
Nico：Are you looking for someone?
Byron：You keep scanning the crowds.

（Oops, I didn't realize I was being so obvious!）

I blushed faintly, dropping my gaze for a moment.
Jily：No, it's just that there's more people here than I expected.
Jily：I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.

（I can hardly tell them I'm looking out for a certain someone, can I?）

Nico：Ahh, I get it.
Nico：It's a bit of a shock to have so many people in one place!
Nico smiled cheerfully, his expression as friendly as it ever was.
Then he seemed to remember something, and his eyes lit up.
Nico：That reminds me! I heard there's a nice quiet garden outside.
Jily：Really?
Byron：If you get tired, it might be a good place to rest.

（Aww, you're concerned because of what I said.）
（You're both always so kind to me.）

Jily：Thank you, both of you.
I smiled brightly up at them, curtseying politely.

＊＊＊

The party raged on into the night.

（I wonder if he's out in the garden?）

It felt like I'd searched the whole room without catching so much as a glimpse of him.
So I'd decided to head out to the garden that I'd been told about.

（Hang on—）

I spotted a figure heading into a room next to the ballroom.

（Was that—）

I saw someone that looked like him, so I stepped into the quiet room.
The room seemed empty, but then I noticed a single letter sitting atop the table.
I crossed towards it and picked it up curiously.

（Wait... this is addressed to me?）

I stared down at my name, scrawled across the front of the envelope.
At that very moment, someone suddenly grabbed me by the hand.

（Oh!）

◆ Select a Suitor ◆
Who will you choose?
Choose and your story will start.

＞＞＞Choose Giles

Giles, Chapter 1：

Suddenly someone grabbed me by the hand, and I jumped.

（Oh!）

The hand gripping mine was warm and familiar, and I turned around.
The tutor employed for me by my family, Giles, was standing right behind me.
Jily：Giles!
Giles：I was going to go and get you when I'd finished preparing things.
Giles：But it looks like you found me already.
His smile was gentle, a smile just for me, and my heart skipped a beat.
Jily：I just happened to see you coming in here.
I smiled sweetly up at Giles, and he laughed softly.
Giles：You mean you aren't enjoying the party?
Jily：It's not that.
Jily：But you were the one who taught me that one needs a partner when at a party.
I gave him a coy look as I spoke, and he smirked in wry amusement.
Giles：I certainly did teach you that, didn't I?
Giles was my teacher in everything, from math and science to etiquette and social graces.
He'd been my friend since childhood, and we were also now a couple.
Giles：It's been a while since I've seen you so dressed up.
Giles：You look stunning.
Jily：Thank you.
The compliment seemed to fall so naturally from his lips, and it filled me with joy.
Jily：So, what is it you were preparing?
I liked it when he complimented me, but I still wasn't used to it, so I tried changing the topic.
Giles's eyes crinkled at the edges as he smiled tenderly at me.
Giles：Something that lets us be alone together.
Giles reached out, sliding his arm around my waist.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Giles reached out, sliding his arm around my waist.
Jily：Really?
My heart skipped a beat at his sudden closeness.
I smiled up at him, and his smile widened in response.
Giles：Come this way.
He kept his hand around my waist as he guided me forwards.
I clung tightly to the letter I'd picked up as I let him lead me out onto the balcony.
We stepped out onto the balcony together.
The breeze carried the faint sound of music to us from the ballroom.
Jily：So why did you want to come out here?
Giles：Because there's no chance to see the night sky in the ballroom.
Giles looked up at the sky overhead, and I followed his gaze.
Jily：It's beautiful...
Stars blanketed the night sky overhead, each of them sparkling brightly.
Giles：Tonight, I wanted to relax and gaze at the stars with you.
Giles spoke softly in my ear as he pulled me closer against him.
Giles：Do you like it?
Giles dropped his gaze from the stars to me, his expression gentle.
The soft lilt of his voice and the look in his eyes sent a sweet thrill right through me.
Jily：I do.
I smiled brightly up at him, wanting to show him how happy he'd made me.
He reached out, caressing my cheek with gentle fingers.
Giles：That letter and these stars are my anniversary gift to you.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Giles：That letter and these stars are my anniversary gift to you.
Giles's eyes seemed to reflect the starlight, sparkling brightly at me.

（Aww, you remembered that today is our anniversary!）
（What a wonderful present!）

Joy flooded through me as I hugged the letter tightly to my chest.
Jily：Thank you. This is a moment I'll treasure.
Giles lowered his hand from my cheek, laughing softly as he looked away.
Giles：Please find even better moments to treasure with your future partner one day.
His arm was still tight around me, hugging me tenderly against him.
But it only made his pointed words hurt all the more.

（I know you're right. We're only a pretend couple, after all.）

But my heart ached as I remembered how I'd brought this all about.

〝Giles：You want to practice being a couple?〞
〝Jily：Yes. There are so many things I just don't understand.〞
〝Jily：I want you to pretend to be my boyfriend, and teach me how to be a good partner.〞
〝Giles：...Very well.〞

The older I got, the more my parents were mentioning the idea of marriage.
I knew full well that it was forbidden for me to have a relationship with my tutor.
But I wanted to be with him in any way I could, so I'd suggested we pretend.

（But when you say it so blatantly like that, it hurts.）
（Because I don't want it to be pretend.）

Tears blurred my vision, and I turned my head away.
Giles：What's the matter, Miss Jily?
Giles leaned towards me, his face coming far too close.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Giles：What's the matter, Miss Jily?
Giles leaned towards me, his face coming far too close, and I lowered my gaze, blinking back my tears.
Jily：It's nothing.

（You never used to call me that, either.）
（Why do you have to be so formal?）

We'd been friends since we were young, and we'd always been very fond of each other.
But Giles had gradually become concerned about his position, and he'd distanced himself from me.

（It's not fair. You're breaking my heart here.）
（If you hadn't started acting so cold and distant—）
（I never would've asked you to pretend to be my boyfriend.）
（I just wanted us to be close again, like we used to be.）
（Maybe it was a stupid idea. But I did it. And at least I get to pretend, right?）

I pushed away my sadness, reminding myself that I still had this moment, even if it wasn't entirely real.
I straightened up a little, turning back to Giles with a smile.
Jily：I'm sorry. It's just—I was so happy I was lost for words.
Jily：Thank you so much.
I thought I heard Giles catch his breath at my words.
I looked up to meet his gaze, studying his expression.
He looked oddly saddened, his brow furrowed.
Jily：Giles?
I blinked up at him, and he took a deep breath.
His expression steadied, his gaze turning serious.
Giles：Miss Jily, I...

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Giles gazed down at me, his expression unusually serious.
Giles：Miss Jily, I...
But then he stopped, pressing his lips together, and swallowed his words with a smile.
Giles：Never mind. If you are happy, then I am happy.
Giles：Shall we stay here a little longer and gaze at the stars together?
Jily：Yes please.

（What were you about to say?）

But something about his smile stopped me from asking.

（I will never treasure moments with anyone else the way I do with you.
（But if I ever said that to you—）

I sighed to myself, locking away my sadness deep in my heart.
I leaned into Giles's embrace, and gazed up at the beautiful stars with him.

＊＊＊

When the party was over—
Giles escorted me home, and then we said our farewells.
I sat alone in my room, reading the letter he'd written for me.
Jily：I wish that 'one day' would never, ever come.
Reading his sweet letter only made me love him even more.
I knew what I wanted was impossible, yet I wished for it all the same.

＊＊＊

Meanwhile—
Giles escorted Jily to her room, and then made his way back through the house.
He was almost at the entrance hall when a voice spoke.
???：Giles, can we talk?
Giles：Yes, sir.
Giles turned quickly at the familiar voice, inclining his head politely.
The man standing there was Jily's father, and the master of the house.

Giles, Chapter 2：

???：Giles, can we talk?
Giles：Yes, sir.
Giles turned quickly at the familiar voice, inclining his head politely.
The man standing there was Jily's father, and the master of the house.
Giles：Of course. Is something the matter?
Father：You're the household tutor, so I just thought I'd let you know.
Father：It's about my daughter.
Giles：Miss Jily?
Giles looked surprised for a moment as he listened to the man's explanation.
But his expression soon turned serious, and he nodded in quiet understanding.
Father：I need you to instruct her, now more than ever.
Giles：Of course, sir.

＊＊＊

The following day—
Giles attended a study session being held for tutors.
As he reached his seat, a gentleman wearing glasses sat down beside him.
Giles：Long time no see, Albert.
Giles：The research group you held several towns over was quite enlightening.
Albert：Ahh, you attended that? Thank you.
Albert worked as a tutor in the neighboring town, and the two had met several times.
Albert pushed his glasses further up his nose, frowning a little.
Albert：But things are a little complicated in that town right now.
Giles：Did something happen?
Albert scowled, glancing around him before he went on.
Albert：Actually...

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Albert：Actually...
Albert：The daughter of one of the most respected noble families fell in love with her tutor.
Albert：All the nobles opposed it, and so the two of them eloped.
Albert：I just can't understand it at all.
Giles：Yes, I agree.
But in spite of Giles's ready answer, his expression was stiff, and his usual smile was gone.

＊＊＊

Several days later—
I continued to have my daily lessons with Giles, just like always.
Giles：Well done. Now, why don't we finish up here for today?
Jily：Thank you.
Giles began to pack away his textbooks, and I watched him, my heart heavy with loneliness.

（Can't you stay here with me, just a little longer?）

I couldn't stop thinking about the letter he'd written for me.
My feelings for him just seemed to grow stronger by the day.
Giles：I will be here again tomorrow at the usual time.
It was what he always said, yet it sounded colder and more distant than ever.
He started to stand up from where we sat on the sofa,
and without thinking I reached out and put my hand on his arm.
Jily：Oh—um—I'm sorry—

（Gah, I know I'm feeling lonely and all, but—
（I don't think this is the right way to go about fixing that.）

I hurriedly moved to let go of his arm again.
But before I could, he placed his hand over mine, holding it in place.
Giles：What's the matter?
Jily：Oh, no, it's nothing—
His hand was warm and sure, his fingers gently caressing mine.
I couldn't think of a single thing to say, and he spoke again, his voice low and husky.
Giles：I thought I'd already taught you this, but you should be honest about sharing your feelings with your partner.
Giles：It would seem I have been lax in my tuition.
There was a sensual light sparkling in Giles's eyes as he pulled me towards him.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Giles：I thought I'd already taught you this, but you should be honest about sharing your feelings with your partner.
Giles：It would seem I have been lax in my tuition.
There was a sensual light sparkling in Giles's eyes as he pulled me towards him.
A moment later I found myself leaning up against him, his arm around my shoulder.
Jily：No you haven't...
Giles：Even so, we should take advantage of this opportunity.
Giles：Shall we spend some time practicing being a couple?
Giles slid his hand under my chin, tilting my face towards him, our lips practically close enough to touch.
Giles：Please tell me what you're feeling, Miss Jily.
Jily：I—
His husky voice seemed to worm its way inside me, leaving me breathless.
Jily：I just—I wanted to be with you.
Giles：Is that all you want?
There was a teasing, wicked edge to his voice as he whispered in my ear.

（As if! I want so much more!）

His voice was enough to drive me crazy, and it was all I could do to keep my real thoughts to myself.
He slid his hand down to the ribbon ties on my dress, slowly unlacing them.
Jily：Giles!
At that very moment there was a knock at the door.
Jily：Guh—
Maid：Miss Jily? A package has arrived for you.

（Oh no! What on earth am I going to do?!）

My heartbeat roared in my ears, and my thoughts scattered and fled.
Giles seemed completely unruffled, ignoring the maid entirely.
He parted the fabric of my dress, pressing his lips against my bare neck.
Jily：Giles!!
I hissed his name, terrified the maid would hear me.
Giles peered up at me, his smile as wicked as his gaze.
Giles：If you don't say something, she's going to come in.
Giles continued to trail kisses along my neck and collarbone as he spoke.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Giles trailed soft kisses along my neck and collarbone.
I gasped softly at the sweet sensation, unable to keep silent.
Maid：Miss Jily? Is everything all right?

（Gah, if I don't say something, she really will come in and check on me!）

The maid's voice sounded worried, and I quickly scrabbled for words.
Jily：Yes, I'm fine!
Jily：I just—I'm in the middle of something right now! I'll come and get the package later!
Maid：Very well.
I went limp with relief as I listened to the sounds of her footsteps moving away.
Jily：Geez, Giles!

（You're a dreadful tease today!）

My pulse was still racing, and I pouted up at Giles.
But as I met his gaze, I thought I saw an edge of sorrow in his expression, in spite of his smile.

（Giles?）

Giles：I'm sorry, that was a little too pushy of me.
He gave me a wry smile, and then gently retied the ribbons on my dress.
Giles：I shall go and collect the package for you.
Giles turned and stepped swiftly out of the room without even waiting for a response.

（You're not your usual self today, Giles. Did something happen? Why did you look so sad?）

I stared at the closed door, unable to get his expression out of my mind.

＊＊＊

Giles closed the door to Jily's room behind him, sighing softly to himself.
Giles：I won't be able to touch her like that for much longer.
Giles：I always knew this day would come, and yet—
Giles frowned and began to walk off down the corridor.
At that moment a maid appeared and called out to him.
Maid：Sir Giles? The master is asking for you.
Giles：For me?
Maid：Yes. He asked you to come and see him, and bring Miss Jily with you.
Giles：Very well.
Giles sighed again, for he had a pretty good idea of what was coming.
He nodded to the maid, and steeled himself before turning back to Jily's room.

＊＊＊

Giles and I entered the drawing room together to respond to my father's summons.

（But what on earth could this be all about?）

I sat down across from my father, gazing at him curiously.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

My father studied Giles and I for a moment before speaking.
Father：Sorry for calling you here so suddenly. You too, Giles.
Giles：Not at all.
Giles sat down next to me as he spoke.
He hadn't said a single word to me since telling me about my father's summons.
Something about his behavior had me uneasy and nervous.

（I don't know what's going on, but—
（Even when we were in my room earlier, you weren't your usual self.）

I glanced up at Giles, and then turned to look at my father again.
Jily：So what did you want to talk about?
My father nodded once, his expression serious.
Father：I've already mentioned this to Giles, but it's good news for you.
Jily：Err... yes?
I glanced up at Giles again, but he refused to meet my gaze.
His expression was flat as he continued to stare at my father.

（It's good news, and it's something Giles has to know about?）

I was starting to feel even more uneasy as I waited for my father to get to point.
Father：There's been a marriage proposal. From a family with very good standing. I'd like to make it official.
Jily：Wait, WHAT?!

（A marriage proposal? For me?）

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Continue your romance with your prince♪

Decision Time>>>

Select the Sweet Ending>>>

Giles, Chapter 3-Sweet Ending：

（A marriage proposal? For me?）

Father：Things are going to get much busier for you soon.
Father：In the meantime, I want you to learn as much as you can from Giles.
Jily：But Daddy—wait a minute—
Father：I have another engagement. We'll talk about it later.
And before I could say anything more, he stood and left the room.

（Just like that? You're just going to rush me off into marriage just like that?!）

It was all too sudden, and I couldn't even get my head around it.
I turned to look at Giles, a dozen suspicions running through my mind.
Jily：You already knew?
Giles：Yes. Your father told me about it, the night we attended that party.

（And the way you've been since—and particularly today—）

I thought about how forward he'd acted, and the sorrow in his eyes.

（You knew everything. That's why you've been acting so odd.）

Giles：It may seem a little sudden, but we always knew this would happen.
My heart was breaking, yet Giles sounded so cold and detached.
Giles：Our relationship was only until you had a proper partner.
Giles：That's the agreement we made.

（I know you're right—I know we agreed to that. And yet—）

I couldn't accept it, any of it, and I clenched my hands into fists.
Giles：And so, Miss Jily—
Jily：It's just Jily.
Giles：What?
I cut him off, my voice tight with anger and pain.
Jily：Call me Jily, like you used to!

（I don't care if I'm being selfish. I don't care if this isn't right. I just—）

I'd been holding back my feelings for so long, but suddenly I couldn't bear it anymore.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Jily：Call me Jily, like you used to!

（I don't care if I'm being selfish. I don't care if this isn't right. I just—）

I'd been holding back my feelings for so long, but suddenly I couldn't bear it anymore.
Jily：I started off thinking I'd be happy just being your fake girlfriend, even if we only had a limited time together.
Jily：But I was wrong.
My voice was shaking, but the words just kept coming.
Jily：The more time I spent with you, the more I realized I didn't ever want it to end.
Giles pressed his lips together, his eyes dark as they met mine.
Jily：I don't care if it's not right, or not allowed. I love you, Giles.
I ran out of words, and the sudden silence was almost oppressive.

（And I can't just wish these feelings away and pretend they never were.）

Giles reached up, caressing my cheeks with gentle fingers.
I hadn't even realized I was crying, and I bit my lip as he wiped away my tears.
Giles：Even though we've been close since we were young, we come from very different worlds.
Giles：If we stay together, we will face a great many hardships.
Giles：Are you still sure that's what you want?

（I don't care how difficult our future is.）
（If we're together, we can overcome anything.）
（That's how much I love you, Giles.）

Jily：It's what I want. Please... stay with me.
My voice was hoarse, tears blurring my vision again.
Giles reached out, wrapping me in a gentle embrace.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Giles reached out, wrapping me in a gentle embrace.
Giles：My, my. I really am no match for you, Jily.
At last he smiled for me, and I leaned gratefully against his chest.

（You used my name, just like you used to!）

Happiness washed through me, my broken heart mended in an instant.
I could feel Giles stroking my hair, and I closed my eyes for a moment, leaning into the caress.
Giles：We should speak with your father.
Giles：Although I doubt he's going to be understanding at first.
Jily：Okay.

（We need to tell him how we feel.）

I snuggled up against Giles for a moment longer, taking courage from his warmth.

＊＊＊

That evening—
I walked Giles to the entrance hall to see him off.
Jily：I should've known they wouldn't understand.
We'd spoken at length with both my parents, trying to make them understand our situation.
But both of them had been too horrified to accept anything.
My shoulders slumped as I remembered their expressions, but Giles gave me a reassuring smile.
Giles：We'll find a way to make them understand.
Giles：Don't give up. We just need to keep explaining.
Giles took my hand in his, squeezing it gently.
Giles：I will come as many times as is needed to persuade them. This is for you, after all.

（Oh, Giles—）

His hand was warm in mine, and it helped ease my disappointment.
Jily：Okay.

（I know they're not happy about the choice I've made, but—
（I'll find a way to make my parents understand how strong our love is.）

＊＊＊

The days all seemed the same after that.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

The days all seemed the same after that.
Giles visited the house every day to try and persuade Jily's parents.
Giles：Hmm.
Giles turned a corner and heard the sound of two maids speaking up ahead.
Maid 1：Miss Jily doesn't seem at all well lately, does she?
Maid 2：No, she doesn't. I wonder what happened?
Giles frowned a little, his gaze dropping to the floor.
Then he sighed softly, lifting his chin.
With no further hesitation he made his way to Jily's room.

（If things keep going the way they are, I don't think we'll ever get my parents to understand.）

My uneasiness only grew stronger as the days went by.
Giles slid an arm around my shoulder, pulling me a little closer.
Giles：There's no point getting worked up about it.
Giles：We just need to keep trying, in our own way, to get them to accept us.

（Our own way, huh?）

His words reminded me again of an idea that he'd been opposed to previously.
Jily：If I agreed to become head of the family—
Jily：I think they would be more inclined to listen to us.
Giles：But if you do that, then—
Jily：I'll be fine. So long as I have you.
Jily：Please, Giles. Let's try it.
I was determined, and Giles dropped his gaze, his expression thoughtful.
But at last he looked up again, nodding slowly.
Giles：Let's go and speak with your parents.

＊＊＊

It was getting late, and the stars began to appear in the sky overhead.
Giles and I were speaking with my parents yet again.
Father：Do you understand how difficult it will be for you, as a woman, to be head of the family?

（I'm aware of that. It's not like I haven't thought this over.
（But I know I can do this. Giles and I can do this together.）

My parents sat together on the sofa, and I stood before them, my chin held high.
Jily：I do. But I fully believe I can do it, if I have Giles by my side.
Giles reached out and took my hand, squeezing it gently.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Giles reached out and took my hand, squeezing it gently.
Giles：I will swear this to you here and now.
Giles：I love Miss Jily—no, I love Jily.
Giles：And I will continue to love her and support her even more than I do now, for the rest of my life.
Giles's expression was resolute as he gazed at my parents.
My mother's expression softened a little, and she placed her hand over my father's hand.
Mother：Dear...
My father was still scowling, but he glanced over at her soft voice.
At last he gave a long sigh, and then looked at me again.
Father：I wanted to let you live an easier life than this, but—
Father：Giles, take good care of my daughter.

（Oh my god! You mean—）

Giles：Of course.
I looked up at Giles, too stunned to know what to say, and he smiled tenderly at me.
Giles：At last we got through to them.
Jily：Yes!
We smiled brightly at each other, and then turned back to my parents.
Giles：Thank you for being willing to accept me.
I curtseyed low, overwhelmed with gratitude, and Giles bowed beside me.

＊＊＊

After that time seemed to pass by in a flash.
It was a bright day outside, sunlight peeking in through the windows.
Giles was teaching me the many things I would need to know as head of the family.
Giles：The next question is a review of what we did previously. If you get it wrong—
Giles paused, and then laughed softly, leaning close to whisper in my ear.
Giles：I shall have to punish you this evening, Jily.
Jily：Giles!
Giles：Now do your best.
Jily：Geez!
I laughed loudly as I leaned over the parchment, my heart bursting with happiness.

（You're just as much of a tease now that we're officially a couple.）
（And I love every moment that we spend together.）

I did my best to focus on the page in front of me.
But I was so flushed with joy that I couldn't stop smiling...

fin.

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Giles, Chapter 3-Premium Ending：

（A marriage proposal? For me?）

Father：That will be all.

（But—it's too sudden! How can you just rush me off into a marriage like that?!）

I was so stunned I was lost for words, and Giles placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.
Giles：Then, if you'll excuse us.
My mind was blank, so I was grateful when Giles replied for me.
I followed blindly as he led me out of the room.
Giles put his arm around my shoulder as we walked down the corridor.
Giles：Are you all right?
Jily：Yes. No. Maybe.
I was trembling all over, but Giles's firm embrace helped to ease it.
Jily：When did my father tell you?
Giles：The night we attended that party.

（Wait a minute—is that why you've been so distant since then? And the way you were today—）

I could still clearly recall his forceful caresses, and the sorrow in his eyes.
But it was only now that I understood why.

（You seem far too willing to accept this.
（But I can't!）

I stopped suddenly, no longer able to just walk calmly forward pretending nothing was happening.
Giles gave me a small smile as he took me by the hand.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Giles gave me a small smile as he took me by the hand.
Giles：Come in here.
Giles opened the door to a nearby room and gestured for me to enter.
We stepped into the empty room, and Giles closed the door behind us.

（Why are we in here?）

I turned in confusion, looking up to meet Giles's gaze.
Giles slid his arm around my waist, pressing a gentle kiss against my lips.
I closed my eyes, gasping into his mouth, my thoughts spinning.
But our lips parted all too quickly, and I blinked up at him.
Giles reached up to place his hand on my cheek.
Giles：Miss Jily, you have nothing to worry about.
Giles：At last you will have a proper partner.
Jily：But—

（Stop it! I don't want to choose anyone but you!）

I was tired of hiding it, and I opened my mouth to tell him the truth.
Giles smiled fondly at me, pressing a silencing finger against my lips.
Giles：Thank you very much for being my partner and sharing your time with me up until now.
The finality of his words pierced through my heart, silencing me.

（It's almost as if you're saying goodbye.）

Jily：I'll... see you again tomorrow, right?
Uneasiness gripped me, and the words came unbidden.
Giles smiled brightly at me, but instead of replying, he kissed me again.

（Is this a kiss that says we'll see each other tomorrow?
（Or is this a goodbye kiss?）

I remembered again the sorrow in his eyes, and I found myself afraid to ask.
Or perhaps more importantly, I was afraid of what the answer might be.

＊＊＊

The next day—

（Giles should be here soon.）

I glanced up at the clock, and my heart began to pound in anticipation.

（I need to tell him how I feel. How I really feel.）

At that moment there was a knock at the door, and I jumped.
Jily：Come in.
Anxiety and anticipation filled me with equal measure as the door opened.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

Anxiety and anticipation filled me with equal measure as the door opened.
Albert：Good morning, Miss Jily. My name is Albert Burckhardt, and I will be your tutor starting from today.

（What the—?!）

I was expecting Giles, but instead a complete stranger walked into my room.
Jily：Where's Giles?
The words were more demanding than I'd intended, and Albert frowned a little.
Albert：I am told he left the town yesterday.
Albert went on to explain that Giles had handed in his resignation the day before.
He had apparently left town immediately to work as a tutor in another town.

（No! How could he do that to me?!）

〝Giles：Thank you very much for being my partner and sharing your time with me up until now.〞

（You really were saying goodbye to me, weren't you?）

I knew that Giles had left because he thought it was best for me.
But I still couldn't believe that he'd gone away without telling me anything.
Jily：Do you know where he went?
Albert：I do know, but I can't tell you. Those are the rules.
Albert's voice was cool and distant, and I winced.

（I can't let you leave without giving me a chance to say anything!）
（I want to tell you that I love you—）
（I want to tell you that I want to be with you forever...）

My thoughts were whirling, and I tried to calm them as I focused on Albert again.
Jily：There are things that I didn't get to tell Giles.
Jily：Things I dearly want to tell him. Please... please, will you tell me where he is?
I clenched my hands together in front of me, bowing my head humbly and hoping.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

I clenched my hands together in front of me, bowing my head humbly and hoping.
Albert：I don't understand falling in love with a student.
Albert：But it doesn't seem like you'll listen to these rules anyway.
Jily：What?
I looked up at Albert with a start, and he reached up to adjust his glasses.
Albert：I'm saying I'll tell you where he went.
Jily：Oh! Thank you!!
I bowed my head humbly again, my heart suddenly singing with relief.

＊＊＊

The next morning—

（Daddy, Mama, I'm so sorry.）

I placed the letter I'd written on top of my desk, where it would be easy to see.
I'd wanted to apologize and explain why I was leaving, but I couldn't say any of it to their faces.

（But I can't be happy without Giles.）

I'd already made up my mind, and there was no point putting it off.
I left the house with what few belongings I needed before the sun had even fully risen.

＊＊＊

It was a long journey, but I made my way to the town Albert had told me about.
The sun was beginning to set as I walked the streets of the unfamiliar town.

（It should be around here somewhere, right?）

I glanced down at the notes I'd written, then looked around me again.
At last I spotted the house that Albert had described to me.

（Giles might not even want to see me.）
（But I want to tell him how I feel.）

My hands were shaking a little as I knocked on the front door.
My pulse began to race as I heard distant footsteps inside.
Giles：Coming!
It was Giles's familiar voice, and a moment later, the door opened.

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝

I heard Giles's familiar voice, and a moment later, the door opened.
Giles：What are you doing here?
Giles looked completely flabbergasted at the sight of me.
Jily：I asked Albert, and he told me where you were.
Giles：I see.
Giles dropped his gaze, his expression pensive, but then he opened the door.
Giles：Come in.
I stepped past him into the room, and he gestured for me to sit on the sofa.
Giles：So you came.
Giles's voice was deceptively calm, and suddenly I couldn't stand it anymore.
Jily：Why did you leave so suddenly?!
Giles：Because me leaving was the best way to ensure your happiness.
In spite of his calm words, I could see the sadness in his eyes.
I knew then that I'd made the right choice, and I sat up straight, looking him right in the eye.
Jily：If I was the daughter of that family, that might have been true.
My hands felt cold, and I clenched them together in my lap.
Jily：But I'm not the daughter of that family anymore.
I looked down at my hands as I explained to Giles that I'd left my family,
and that I'd written my parents a letter telling them I wouldn't be returning.
Giles：Miss Jily—
Jily：I don't regret a thing.
Jily：I'm happy just being by your side, being regular old Jily.
My voice trembled with the force of my emotions.
Giles stared at me, a frown slowly crossing his face.
Giles：I've forced you to make a very painful choice, haven't I?
He sounded distressed, and I shook my head firmly.
Jily：No, you haven't. Living without you was a much more painful choice for me.
Giles blinked at me for a moment, and then at last his expression lightened.
Giles：Goodness me, you always know just the right words to make me happy.
He leaned towards me, pressing a sudden light kiss against my lips.
Giles：Thank you for choosing me.
His voice was a tender whisper, and then he kissed me again.

（Our last kiss was a goodbye kiss, but this one is different.）

It was a kiss that seemed filled with hope for the future.
I closed my eyes tightly, wanting to savor the moment.
Our kisses quickly grew deeper, and I reached up to wrap my arms around Giles.
A moment later he pushed me back against the sofa cushions.
I gasped as our lips parted, looking up at him.
His gaze was filled with tenderness, and it made me smile to see it.
Giles：Let's be a proper couple this time, Jily.

（You finally called me by my name...）

I'd waited so long to hear him say it, and joy burst through me.
I was lost for words, and so I nodded instead, and he smiled at me.
He slid his fingers under the hem of my dress, and I gasped again.
The feel of his warm fingers against my skin left me breathless with desire.

（You will be my first and my last love.
（And if I have you with me, I don't need anything else in the world.
（I don't ever want to let you go again.）

I reached up and hugged him tightly against me, giving myself over to his kisses...

fin.

After Episode

Find out what happens afterwards in a sexy After Episode...

You've chosen a life with Giles, and now a sweet gift awaits you.
A sensual night with Giles that will leave you light-headed with desire...
Giles：You are clearly drunk, so hold still and let me do this.
Giles presses you back against the covers, his eyes smoldering with desire as he gazes at you.
Giles：I don't think you understand.
Giles：Removing your partner's clothes is part of the enjoyment of the experience.
Giles's embrace is warm, his fingers teasing as they stroke your bare skin.
His passion will fulfill your every want and need...