Even Death Was Taken Away by That Obsession - Chapter 16

Hubert and the clerk returned leisurely, taking their time.

At the old butler’s instruction, the clerk brought a leather case and prepared to wrap it.

Ian, seemingly concerned about my downcast expression, observed my complexion for a while before speaking.

“Let’s keep the necklace as it is.”

As he gently waved his hand, the clerk politely stopped.

And he bowed deeply until we left the boutique.

While Hubert prepared the carriage, we quietly conversed facing each other in front of the boutique’s door.

“I really like it.”

Not wanting to worry Ian unnecessarily, I deliberately spoke in an excited voice.

As I kept fiddling with the necklace, he held my hand instead of answering.

His face, brighter than the midday sun, smiled as beautifully as spring.

“If there’s anything you want, just tell me. Nothing is difficult when it’s for you, my fiancée.”

I was amazed at how easily he used the word fiancée.

As I unconsciously averted my gaze, Ian whispered, gently pressing his lips to my hand.

“When I said it wouldn’t be bad if you became my ‘real’ fiancée, I didn’t mean to pressure you. I have no intention of rushing your answer or forcing your feelings.”

His blue eyes were half-hidden by his eyelids.

Ian’s appearance was as pure as a priest confessing sins.

“Just… please know that I was sincere. It wasn’t said lightly.”

He seemed to regret what he had said in the library.

“I didn’t intend to speak carelessly, using fatigue as an excuse.”

His demeanor, alternating between a gentle lamb and a predator, was confusing, but I found myself smiling without realizing it.

Had I grown accustomed to his repeated kindness, as natural as breathing? Was it because of the sweet flower scent carried by the wind that suddenly blew?

It was strange how I let my guard down only with Ian.

Strange, but not unpleasant.

I found it irresistibly pleasing that someone born with an innate sense of superiority showed such a vulnerable side only to me.

‘How can such a person exist?’

He was always kind, yet strived to be even kinder.

And somehow, that shy face he seemed to show only to me.

The consistent warmth Ian had shown me all this time flowed through my mind like a painting.

Probably even after countless years pass, I won’t be able to forget this moment.

“Ian, you’re… truly a good person.”

Too good to be entangled in my complicated mess.

Even though I kept the latter part secret, he answered as if he knew everything.

“If I may explain to avoid any misunderstanding, I’m not that good of a person.”

If you’re not a good person, who in this world could be?

I found myself strongly denying his words.

“No!”

“Haine?”

“To me, you’ve been a good person from the very beginning. Without exception, not even for a moment.”

“…I’m really happy that you think that way.”

Ian smiled broadly, then quickly added an explanation, realizing his intention had been misunderstood.

“However, what I meant earlier was that while I can show kindness to strangers without reason, I’m not the type of person who would readily invite them to stay at my mansion.”

“Then…”

“From the moment I saw you, I couldn’t take my eyes off you. I didn’t want to, either. So it was a kindness I bestowed on my own accord.”

Ian’s awkward smile, as if he was a bit embarrassed, was quite adorable.

“So you don’t need to force yourself to think of me as a good person out of a sense of debt for my help.”

He paused to catch his breath, then carefully reached out his hand.

His large hands gently cradled me, one pressed against my back and the other resting on my head.

“I want you to be free, but at the same time, I want you to stay by my side. I know it’s too early to say this, but…”

As I was pressed against his upper body, the pure blue scent that resembled him tickled my nose.

“Still, I hope you’ll stay at the mansion for a very long time. And someday… if you become my real fiancée, that would be even better.”

An endless stream of sweet words.

I closed my eyes, savoring this moment pressed against him.

Apart from winning the bet, I thought that if I had to love someone, I’d like it to be Ian.

No, it felt like it had to be Ian.

‘I’ve been captivated by you from the moment I first saw you too.’

Because I wanted to watch a bit longer as you alternated between being mischievous and innocent.

I lightly crumpled his shirt in my grip, imagining a sweet future for a moment.

A future where I’d break free from an unknown entity, enjoy freedom, and live a normal, human-like life.

Peaceful days spent living brilliantly beside a new love, rather than wishing for death.

‘I want to live like a real person, even if just once before I die.’

It might seem like an unbearably modest wish to some, but for me, it had been an unattainable desire for a long time.

And just by being with Ian, even for a brief moment, the world felt sweet as if I had achieved it.

But as if to say that such warm sentiments were not allowed, someone stopped in front of us.

“Fancy meeting you here, Ian.”

A low voice I had heard somewhere before pierced my ears.

Ian greeted the man who had invaded our space with a bright wave.

“Dekiel!”

Using that welcome as a foothold, the Duke I had met at the temple closed the distance without hesitation.

And like winter that impartially engulfs the world, he froze my heart.

“Pleased to meet you.”

The Duke extended his greeting to me as well.

“I’m Dekiel Viente.”

It was a brazen face, false from the start.

Pleased to meet me? What happened to pulling me out of the temple fountain?

What makes him tell such a blatant lie so shamelessly?

‘You’ve quite lightly carved out your conscience.’

I stepped back to observe them as the two men exchanged greetings comfortably.

Ian, kind to everyone, was equally gentle to his friend.

Despite interrupting our time, he remained kind to the end, making his handsome face look even more beautiful.

However, Duke Viente’s side was… peculiar.

Although he was acting cheerful, his cold nature wasn’t hidden, resulting in a somewhat sharp expression.

It looked as if he was just pretending to be a good-natured person.

‘They really do seem close, these two.’

Not only did a bright smile spread across Ian’s face, but even Duke Viente, whom I had thought to be cold, maintained a soft smile throughout their greeting.

As if Hubert’s explanation of their special relationship wasn’t unfounded, the two men showed undisguised joy at meeting each other, as though they were frequent companions.

Dekiel, encountered again under the midday sun, was confident as befitting a young duke.

His features were also remarkable.

It was an endlessly dangerous face that made one want to turn a blind eye, even while suspecting that this person’s true nature might not be so admirable.

‘When we met at the temple, both he and I were so on edge that I didn’t notice.’

I quickly took in the broad shoulders visible beneath his handsome features.

The appropriately luxurious belt wrapped around his straight, firm waist also caught my eye swiftly.

His reputation for excellence in various fields – I wondered if these were just words added out of embarrassment to praise only his handsome face.

That made it even more ridiculous.

‘You’re going to pretend not to know me?’

After saving me from the temple fountain with your own hands.

Are you planning to make excuses about not remembering, even after exchanging greetings with Hubert?

‘Or do you think I’ve kept the incident at the temple a secret from Ian?’

No, that’s not it.

What could this man possibly know about me to go to such lengths to pretend not to know me?

Ian, unaware of my increasingly cold expression, introduced us to each other in a most gentlemanly manner.