Even Death Was Taken Away by That Obsession - Chapter 23
‘I have no time to be alone.’
In the carriage heading to town, I secretly sighed away from Dantea and Bonnie’s notice.
This happened right after I accepted the invitation to attend the hunting festival during breakfast with Ian.
‘Going out so suddenly like this.’
I had to hurry with my preparations without even having time to reflect on the day I was attacked.
I was about to say that given yesterday’s unsettling events, I’d like to postpone going out.
‘Going to town today will be so much fun!’
Dantea stuck close to me, urging me with expectant eyes.
Even Bonnie, who was usually so quiet, insisted that she really wanted to go out too.
Having no choice but to be dragged along, now heading to town, Dantea spoke in a lively voice.
“Speaking of Bonasea’s hunting festival!”
It was her habitually dramatic way.
“It’s a sacred event held at the temple to pray for the peace and prosperity of the Grand Duchy’s citizens!”
‘What’s so sacred about a game of hunting helpless animals.’
I sneered to myself at the nobles’ pretentious excuse.
Bonnie, while calming the bouncing Dantea, added to the conversation.
“All animals caught at the hunting festival go to the citizens. The winner’s glory is also shared with the citizens as a blessing.”
“This year, House Viente is sponsoring the temple. It’s going to be such a splendid and wonderful hunting festival!”
I instinctively flinched at the mention of House Viente.
Fortunately, these children didn’t seem to notice.
“That’s right. Duke Viente really loves extravagant things.”
“And he himself is quite magnificent too.”
I half-listened to their subtle praise of Dekiel.
‘What good is just a polished exterior.’
That gloomy duke whose true nature is unknowable, should be the one getting shot with arrows instead of the festival’s animals.
“My lady, we’ve arrived.”
Bonnie, who had been checking outside, opened the carriage door. The bright midday light poured in abundantly.
I slowly stepped down from the carriage, assisted by Dantea and Bonnie.
“Today will be so much fun, won’t it?!”
An excited Dantea fluttered her hands. Bonnie too had rosy cheeks.
I nodded at the two girls, finding them adorable.
“Of course.”
Another charm of the hunting festival was said to be young ladies and gentlemen exchanging amulets with their hearts.
Since it was a hunting festival praying for the citizens’ well-being, there was an unspoken rule to choose modest items available from street vendors rather than high-end boutiques.
Therefore, during this season, even nobles would frequently visit commoners’ stalls and shopping streets.
With many visitors, naturally, there would be plenty of food and other items besides amulets, and the streets would be decorated like a festival.
Dantea and Bonnie’s eyes had sparkled so much while helping me prepare, saying just looking around would be incredibly fun.
Anyway, the main purpose of this early outing was to purchase an amulet for Ian.
Additionally, it was an outing for me, Bonnie, and Dantea.
As soon as we entered the street, I found an amulet with a blue stone similar to Ian’s eye color.
Though surely inexpensive, the blue stone set in the carefully crafted decoration matched Ian’s color so perfectly it seemed like magic.
‘I hope he likes it.’
Having achieved my purpose without much effort, I carefully tucked the modest but charming amulet close to my heart.
In truth, Ian would probably be happy with anything I gave him.
Having achieved my initial goal, I smiled gently at Dantea and Bonnie.
“Well then, where shall we look first?”
Now that I’d chosen the amulet, it was time to give Dantea and Bonnie a good day.
These two girls, who could now be called my people, lived simple lives as maids but attended to me daily with all their hearts.
I intended to let these girls who served me so devotedly enjoy proper special treatment, even if just for a while.
“If there’s anything you want, don’t hesitate to say so.”
“Anything? Really?”
“Of course.”
“Did you hear that, Bonnie?!”
“Wow! I’m so happy!”
The two girls let out small cheers at my words to choose whatever they wanted to eat or have.
Then, like young girls their age typically do, they frantically went here and there.
As if it were tradition to browse the shopping district after buying amulets, nobles were visible everywhere, clearly wearing the most modest things they owned.
The sight of them surrounding colorful street stalls and enjoying their rare leisure was quite an extraordinary scene I hadn’t witnessed in any life.
I too mixed with the crowd, seeing and enjoying many things.
I tasted bits of snacks that Dantea kept insisting I try, and laughed like a child several times at various sights, street bands, and small performances.
For a brief while, I could truly spend time without worries.
Dantea, seemingly tireless, pointed to a stall wafting sweet aromas.
It was a place selling well over thirty types of waffles.
“Ah, here the basic flavor with apple jam, sprinkled cinnamon, and cream is the best.”
Even Bonnie, who had seemed uninterested, muttered in a low voice as if it were a serious matter.
Finding her seriousness adorable, I unconsciously stroked Bonnie’s black hair as if treating a younger sister.
Though momentarily surprised, Bonnie didn’t seem to mind my affection.
Her gentle smile truly made her such a lovable child.
“Choose as much as you want. We should get plenty for the other staff members too, since we’ll need to head back soon.”
“Do you mean we can choose everything?”
“Of course.”
“Wow!”
Dantea and Bonnie held hands and bounced in place.
As I watched them contentedly, I suddenly turned my head.
People’s smiles and the bustling atmosphere flowed brightly along with the street music.
Spring flower petals, lightly tinting the streets, easily danced in the slight breeze, settling like blessings everywhere.
The peaceful Grand Duchy of Aintz. The incomparably beautiful capital Bonasea.
If I could win the bet against him and live and die as a human, there would be no place more suitable than this to spend my final days.
As I absently followed the spring petals while imagining only sweet futures, I suddenly despaired with a feeling of my heart turning to stone.
‘Ah…’
Through the busily passing people, I saw a blonde man.
The red-eyed duke standing with his jet-black butler.
Even from this distance, that terrible grace that easily captured one’s gaze belonged to only one person I knew.
‘Dekiel?’
The duke slowly turned his body.
Red eyes spread like a trap.
Those red eyes chilled my spine.
Hair so brilliant it seemed to have swallowed molten gold.
Everything about Dekiel was incomparably noble.
However, feeling dizzy as if I’d swallowed the wrong medicine, I hurriedly turned and asked Dantea.
“Is that muffin shop at the end across this street the one you talked about?”
“Yes, that’s right. The one with the mint-colored sign!”
Fortunately, Dantea didn’t notice my complexion and continued explaining excitedly.
“It’s the most popular place these days with an incredible variety of toppings and decorations! Ah, come to think of it, it was one of the shops I wanted to visit today!”
“Wait here while I take a quick look.”
As I hurried while hiding my anxiety, Bonnie startled and waved her hands.
“By yourself, my lady? Let me come with…”
“No. There will be quite a lot of waffles, and we can’t let Dantea carry them alone. I’ll just look around and come back, so wait here.”
Bonnie, who was about to say something, finally didn’t dare object and nodded.
I quickly lifted my dress hem and headed toward the muffin shop.
Since it was exactly opposite to where Dekiel was standing with his black-clad attendant, I wouldn’t run into him if I briefly hid inside the shop.
‘Hurry.’
I dislike that duke somehow.
His cold gaze toward me, his arrogance acting as if he knows something, and yet his aspect that easily steals one’s attention – everything about him is creepy.
Truly, not wanting to meet him even for a second, I moved hastily.
‘Quick, quick…’
Biting my lip in anxiety, I kept looking left and right.
I just needed to cross one street, but the timing was hard to catch with the constant mix of passing carriages, horses, and carts.
On the busy avenue, just when I finally saw a gap and moved my body.
Someone grabbed my arm.
