Comte de Saint-Clemont, everybody will say you have lost your mind! That''s why I abhor the revolution! It calls black white and distorts everything!"

His voice scarcely faded, a crisp slap landed on his left cheek.

It seemed that Edith also realised what she had done only after she had withdrawn her hand, and there was some guilt in her tone:"I didn''t mean to hit you... I just can''t tolerate blasphemy of the revolution."

The former nobleman tilted his head and covered the half of his face that was hit with his hand, showing no surprise or resentment in his eyes.

After a while, he put down his arm and stumbled towards the front door.

Edith watched his desperate back and felt for an instant that if she let him go like this, she would lose him forever.

Raphael stopped one step away from the doorknob.

A pair of slender yet powerful arms wrapped around his waist from behind. He felt a soft, warm cheek hit his back.

His hands hesitated to grab the two hands pressed against his abdomen and did not move for a long time.

He knew clearly that it was just a moment of compassion overwhelming her heart.

Raphael took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. He pulled her arms down, turned around, and sat back at the table.

Edith relaxed a little. At least the young man in front of her no longer exuded the aura of resolve he had just now.

She silently sat back in her chair. Raphael supported his head with one hand, leaving his back for her.

After a while, she was surprised to see the