Even Death Was Taken Away by That Obsession - Chapter 11
Saying he shouldn’t have saved me.
It was a chilling statement, no less cold than the wet sensation making my whole body shiver.
Still sitting on the ground, I trembled, tearing up the grass in my grasp.
The man before me, unconcerned, widened his eyes innocently and asked again.
“Ah, did you hear that?”
If you have eyes, you must have seen how I fell into the water, and you’re still saying such things.
What on earth did those words from earlier mean?
I raised my head to question him. Just as such nonsensical conversation was about to begin.
“My lady!”
Hubert came running, gasping for breath.
“Are you alright?!”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“What on earth happened!”
“Calm down. I’m just a bit wet, that’s all.”
Somehow, the old butler’s exaggerated concern quickly grounded my senses.
Ah, right. I’m supposed to be Haine Berdandi now.
The innocent and fragile young lady who’s sharing a pure love with Ian.
As I managed to regain my mask with a bitter smile, the man before me helped me up with the gentlest of forces.
And he shamelessly intercepted the excuse I was about to make.
“It seems you slipped.”
“Ah, pardon my late greeting. Duke Viente.”
Hubert, who had been sweating profusely, belatedly bowed.
Duke Viente, that man, responded quite familiarly to Hubert as if they had known each other for a long time.
“Why so formal?”
Despite having muttered that it might have been better not to save me, he wore a kind smile.
‘Seems I slipped?’
Still leaning on his support to stand, I rolled my eyes, still unable to understand.
Perhaps noticing my questioning gaze, the man’s eyes turned towards me.
They were ruby-red eyes as if they had stolen mine.
“I heard you were delicate, but to fall into the fountain just from stumbling.”
He put on an act of smooth talking to Hubert, almost to the point of being sly.
“You must be very worried.”
“How could I not be?”
“As for this young lady…”
Eyes looking down from far above my height silently pressed down on me.
“She stumbled when no one was around. It was fortunate that I discovered her falling into the water right away.”
No one around? Did he really not see someone pushing me into the water?
I gently touched my nape, recalling the killing intent I had felt minutes ago.
“Die.”
The malice-filled words and the force pressing down on my body as if to crush my neck.
I’m not even sure if it was really human strength, yet he says no one was there?
If this man’s words are true, was it all my imagination?
Have I gone mad from wanting to die so badly?
While I became more confused, Hubert, who quickly regained his composure, bowed deeply.
“Thanks to you, the young lady is safe. We will send someone from the Grand Duke’s residence later to express our gratitude.”
That duke lowered his eyes arrogantly as if he were Hubert’s master.
Was it because of his golden hair that shone as if winter had been ground into it, or because of his red eyes that could rival any jewel?
The arrogant atmosphere surrounding the young duke seemed as fitting as that of an emperor ruling a country.
“You’d better hurry and take care of her. I saved her, but I don’t have the skill to tend to a wet body.”
I remained silent, voluntarily acting like a doll, while they exchanged words.
Suddenly, a languid voice came closer to me.
“You’re shivering.”
Followed by words that wouldn’t reach Hubert, once again unsettling my mind.
“Though I doubt you’d lose your life in such a shallow fountain.”
The heavy tone was overwhelming. I quickly moved towards Hubert like a frightened animal.
“Thank you for your help.”
“I pray for your well-being next time.”
Duke Viente showed concern for me with an excessively gentlemanly face.
‘More accurately, pretending to be concerned.’
Only after the duke turned and left did a belated sense of relief come.
Just standing next to him had made me feel somewhat suffocated.
His graceful movements were so elegant that even his retreating figure would make anyone want to look back.
Anyone would regret not keeping that image in their eyes for even a second longer.
Of course, I didn’t want to encounter him ever again.
***
That man’s name was Dekiel Viente. He was said to be a young duke of the same age as Ian.
Moreover, the two men were close friends who had shared their hearts since childhood.
As the head of the Viente ducal family, he was a man who possessed not only the reputation befitting a duke but also immense wealth.
‘Even a power comparable to the Grand Duke’s family?’
Hubert, in response to a simple question about who he was, ranted as if possessed by Dantea.
“This year is the ‘Year of the Oracle’ that comes once every 10 years! Duke Viente is scheduled to co-host all events with the Grand Duke’s family.”
He even added the cursed words that we would be seeing him often from now on.
Supported by Hubert, I belatedly surveyed my surroundings.
The owner of the hand that had driven me to terror was nowhere to be seen or perhaps had already disappeared, as there was nothing stirring around the fountain.
“Today, it might be better if you return…”
“Um, I’m not feeling well, so I think it would be better to see the High Priest before going back.”
I lowered my eyes pitifully and acted helpless.
“Rather than going back like this and worrying everyone, I think I’d feel better if I at least got examined… Is that not possible, Hubert?”
How many people in the world could resist these eyes?
Faced with my desperation, Hubert hurriedly led the way to Feiden’s office.
“He’s waiting for you anyway…”
The old butler offered me his own tailcoat, as I was still dripping water.
I adamantly refused him and hurried my steps.
The path we had come through was soaked, but I didn’t mind.
I was only anxious to meet Feiden, as there was one more thing I needed to ask.
‘Dekiel Viente.’
That man with golden hair and red eyes wouldn’t leave my mind.
Like a tiny thorn stuck in my hand, an irritation I simply couldn’t ignore finally made me furrow my brow.
***
Before long, the old butler and I reached a white door.
The door, lavishly decorated with pure gold, seemed too luxurious for a believer in God.
As Hubert opened the door, Feiden’s gentle figure appeared in the distance.
“What’s this all about?”
“……”
“It’s not easy to get soaked in this temple unless you fall into a fountain or something.”
Tell me about it.
I nodded, affirming his hypothesis that had, ridiculously, hit the mark.
“Hello. Unfortunately, you’ve guessed correctly.”
“Huh? You really fell into the fountain?”
Then he muttered, just loud enough for me to hear.
What nonsense are you talking about, he said.
“The young lady is not feeling well!”
Hubert, almost on the verge of tears, explained the whole situation.
That I had come to the temple to receive medicine directly and express my gratitude, that I suddenly felt unwell and fell into the fountain, that Dekiel barely saved me… and so on.
I remained silent, feeling grateful to the butler who was explaining the situation on my behalf.
“Could you please examine the young lady quickly?”
Hubert, catching his breath for a moment, pleaded earnestly.
Feiden’s green eyes, drenched in an act of holiness, quickly scanned my appearance.
“Why not? You know where my personal storage is, right?”
“Of course.”
Feiden pretended to examine me briefly, then skillfully shooed Hubert out of the office.
“Then go and bring the tools and test tubes written here. I’ll make the medicine right away.”
The old butler quickly headed to Feiden’s storage as soon as the High Priest finished speaking.
Before the sound of his shoes faded away, Feiden narrowed the distance between us and chuckled.
“What on earth happened? Hm?”
It was clearly mockery, but for Hubert’s sake, I stopped my intermittently shaking shoulders and tilted my head askew.
“I have a lot to ask.”
My bright red eyes sank as coldly as my wet body.
Feiden pretended to be scared and offered me the sofa in his office.
‘I wonder if it’s okay to sit with wet clothes.’
As I hesitated for a moment, looking at the sofa covered in purple velvet, Feiden tapped my shoulder, asking why I wasn’t sitting down.
It was a meaningless gesture urging me to sit.
But I shook off his arm, demanding who he thought he was to touch someone’s body.
“Don’t touch me.”
“Drop the pathetic wariness, will you? Between us.”
“Between us? Is our relationship even close enough to say such things…”
I met Feiden’s eyes as I questioned him.
And I froze, just like the statues I had seen to the point of nausea in this temple.
