Come and Cry at My Funeral - Chapter 126
‘Once I’ve done that, I’ll let go of everything. It’s something I can’t do alone anyway.’
Without being part of the duke’s household, it would be difficult to track Riegel’s movements in the palace. One way or another, it would be the end of her lingering feelings.
As a wistful, sad smile crossed her face, a flat voice echoed in her ears.
“And what about after that?”
“Pardon?”
“After the festival, there must be something you want, hence this lengthy explanation.”
Freesia lifted her head.
‘Izar’s tone… is the same as usual.’
But suddenly, it felt as if a giant block of ice was pressing down on her shoulders, leaving her feeling cold.
“Tell me everything you’re thinking.”
His expression was indifferent, but it felt a little frightening, like stepping into a dark forest at night.
“Then, well, actually… after that, can I continue visiting the academy?”
“…Why?”
“Today, I heard that I could come not just as a visitor but if I’m curious about anything, I could stay and study.”
During the short tea time, Viela Alpheratz had shared a lot of information with her.
<Oh, you don’t need to take an exam to get in! As long as your records are clear, you can stay for short-term study, just like me.>
<But I’m married… would it be okay to come and go freely?>
<There are fewer and fewer people with abilities left! Even if one person participates more in academic pursuits, it becomes an honor for the family! Let’s do it together, Madam!>
While the honor was unnecessary, it was something she had never considered in her life. It was the first time a woman her age had suggested doing something together.
‘Is it worth spending my remaining life on this?’
No one could know that.
At least when she met her little briar baby again, she could proudly say she had tried something new.
“Ha.”
But at that moment, Freesia blinked widely at the sharp, mocking laugh that pierced her ears.
Izar had just run a hand over his face, smoothing his still-damp black hair. Droplets were trickling down his jaw, while his brow was furrowed, and his mouth twisted into a sneer.
“What nonsense.”
“No, it’s not nonsense…!”
“Seems you’ve got some silly ideas after visiting that place.”
Freesia flinched at his roughened tone. The dissatisfaction in his voice was clear, but his eyes were what suddenly scared her.
The golden eyes, distorted beneath black brows, clearly showed his anger.
“You made sure to talk to me so urgently, and this is what you wanted?”
“Ah.”
Izar was the only person in both Antares and Arcturus who had never struck her.
‘So why?’
Why was she stepping back toward the door?
As Izar cornered her against the wall, Freesia’s mouth went dry.
She had always seen him from a few steps away, casually thinking he was just ‘very large’, but now she realized how imposing his presence was.
And why was Izar looking at her with those burnt and clouded golden eyes?
Should she try to explain his words in a way that he might understand and agree with…?
“Duke, wh-what’s wrong…?”
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Izar glared at Freesia, who shrank back in surprise.
From the moment she started speaking, an unbearable anger had been simmering from the pit of his stomach to his heart.
This woman was undoubtedly his curse. How could every word she chose infuriate him so?
‘Of all places, the academy. Ha.’
It was the place where Riegel, who had never received a proper marriage proposal, found her lovable, and where the talkative Albireo Deneb—who helplessly fell for Freesia—roamed freely.
And now, she was saying she wanted to go there of her own accord.
Izar lifted Freesia’s chin, forcing her to look up at him. It had been a long time since he had looked at her so closely.
How had she become so beautiful? Not knowing made him feel even more infuriated.
“Uh…!”
As he stroked under her chin with his finger, a breathy gasp escaped her small lips.
The pain that had been pounding in Izar’s temples vanished in an instant. Instead, an abnormal heat flashed from his abdomen to the top of his head.
‘This is ridiculous.’
It was astonishing how easily he was swept up in desire.
“Duke, no…”
Breathing heavily from the discomfort of having her head lifted, Freesia’s attention shifted to the other hand not holding her chin that had somehow found its way to her body.
His left hand was caressing her shoulder blade and then pressing firmly against the middle of her back.
Even though it was a simple action, she felt completely immobilized.
“Wait, hold on.”
Due to their height difference, their feet quickly became entangled. It was hard to believe, but there was almost no distance between her and Izar.
‘What is this? How did this happen?’
Izar smiled tightly as he watched Freesia freeze in shock.
“I’ll ask you again. To whom were you planning to go, preparing such an elaborate excuse?”
“What? What do you mean— mmh!”
Before she could even ask for clarification, her lips were sealed by his.
