Unspoken Love
Eponime shares her unspoken and forbidden love for Marius.
Marius, how happy you look! You seem so happy to be by her side, more glad than I have ever seen you.
I do not regret bringing you to Cosette. How could I regret giving you cause to have that joyful expression on your face? The two of you belong together; even I can see this, although it pains me.
I know you care for me, but not in the way I so desperately need you to care for me. My body thirsts for your embrace; my very being longs for you. You ruffle my hair, you tease me fondly… but all of this can be done with a sister. The love I bear towards you is deeper, more passionate than that of a sisterly love, but this love will always be unspoken.
Even if I told you the depths of my love for you, you would not be glad to know this. No, this knowledge would only bring you sorrow, and I do want you to be happy, dear Marius. If I left this world for the next, you would mourn for me, surely, but you could still find happiness. Whereas you are my life; you are my only happiness.
This is my burden. I must never tell you the words I so deeply desire to hear you say to me: I love you.
I love you, Marius… but my love must be carried on my own.