Even Death Was Taken Away by That Obsession - Chapter 28
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The young ladies, still unaware of my presence, continued their conversation with flushed cheeks.
“But isn’t it a bit regrettable?”
“What is?”
“Young Duke Fortena and Marquis Ilkane’s daughter were such a perfect match.”
The others readily agreed with this assessment, nodding their heads in unison.
“True, when those two stood together, it was like stepping into another world.”
“They were the very definition of a picture-perfect couple.”
“Just looking at them brought a sense of satisfaction.”
“But have you heard the latest?”
A young lady, who had been silently following the conversation, suddenly dropped her voice to a whisper.
“About Lady Haine. They say she’s as beautiful as a porcelain doll.”
At that, another lady immediately spoke faster, unable to hide her excitement.
“I told you I saw her earlier. I thought I would go blind!”
“That’s quite an exaggeration. Could she really compare to Lady Canabeil?”
“We’ll see for ourselves today. I only saw her back during the High Priest’s blessing, which was disappointing.”
The chattering conversation concluded with expectations about me.
I signaled to Dantea to return to the altar before they noticed me.
‘So Lady Canabeil is also here?’
I wanted to meet her.
She must be quite notable, given her good reputation and being the former fiancée of the Grand Duke’s second son.
Whether in a good way or bad.
‘Ian’s former fiancée…’
I hoped she wasn’t some boring, excessively kind person who would just bless Ian’s and my future.
Since this was already a predetermined victory in my bet with ‘him’, I hoped she would be someone who could entertain my boredom until the end.
Unable to hide my excitement, I casually turned my head toward the altar.
Finding Canabeil wasn’t difficult.
After all, she was heading toward my Ian with a fluttering smile.
Even from afar, her pink hair was striking, and her attire, wrapped in a more subtle shade, made her look like a forest fairy, impossibly lovely.
“It’s been a while, Lord Ian.”
She was all pink, right down to her slightly flushed cheeks as she faced Ian.
Her gentle greeting voice was clear like a canary in a cave.
I found Canabeil’s blinking at Ian cute as I slowly walked toward the altar.
Ian, who had finished signing and was coming down, had just briefly exchanged words with Feiden and was turning to receive her greeting.
“Lady Ilkane?”
Ian showed momentary surprise at Canabeil’s friendly attitude but soon responded to her greeting with refined gestures.
Even for Ian, dealing with a former fiancée must be awkward, but I thought he smiled quite splendidly.
I couldn’t help but smile at Ian’s thoroughly gentlemanly series of actions.
Dantea, who had been constantly by my side, misunderstood this smile and stiffened her face.
“My lady… that Lady Ilkane…”
“Ah, it’s fine.”
Knowing Dantea would likely go on at length if she started speaking, I quickly eased her worries.
“I heard they’ve already broken off their engagement.”
“That’s right.”
“And it seems they weren’t even lovers. Am I wrong?”
“No. Everything you said is correct.”
Seemingly relieved that I wasn’t harboring any unnecessary misunderstandings and was letting the past remain in the past, Dantea let out an audible sigh of relief.
Then her face quickly hardened. This was because my steps were already heading toward them.
“Ian.”
“Ah, Haine!”
Ian before Canabeil was as splendid as usual but had a somewhat cold air about him.
However, upon discovering me approaching, he immediately softened like the arrival of spring.
And he showed a clear smile that could steal everyone’s hearts in an instant.
That I could make him smile like that.
I was quite satisfied that it was only me who could do so.
“You waited long, didn’t you? I was just about to come.”
Ian hurriedly passed by Canabeil, apologizing for such a small matter.
I subtly shook my head so Ian wouldn’t feel troubled.
It meant I understood that he couldn’t do otherwise because of the interruption, so he shouldn’t worry.
Then I greeted the cute noble lady who was blinking her aqua-colored eyes.
“Hello, Lady Canabeil. I am Haine Berdandi.”
Canabeil shyly covered her cheeks at my rather friendly greeting.
Her face looked dreamy as if meeting someone she had long admired.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Canabeil Ilkane. Lady Haine, you’re as beautiful as the rumors say.”
And she showed signs of being somewhat flustered, unable to properly meet my eyes.
I had been hoping this little bird would show some cunning, so Canabeil’s innocent demeanor wasn’t entirely welcome.
Though disappointed, I could only respond with a packaged smile.
“I’m truly honored to receive such praise from the one called the Flower of Bonasea.”
“Oh, it makes me sad when you speak so formally.”
Canabeil drooped her eyes like an abandoned puppy.
Sad? I only offered a boring thanks, what’s the problem?
Through the busy noise of people departing early for the hunt, Canabeil whimpered.
“You see, I’ve wanted to become close friends with Lady Haine ever since I first heard about you. But you’re keeping such a formal distance…”
Her cherry-like, demure lips sweetly swallowed her words.
True to being called a flower, she had an impossibly lovely bearing.
An ordinary young lady might have naively let her guard down at Canabeil’s friendly approach, or become flustered at her words of disappointment.
But I stepped into that trap with a strangely pleased heart and whispered.
“Oh my, really?”
“Of course. You don’t know how long I’ve waited for today to meet Lady Haine.”
“That’s a relief.”
Then I gently moved closer to her ear and lowered my voice so Ian couldn’t hear.
“I was worried you might hold a grudge against me, being his former fiancée and all.”
How muddy must it feel to have something everyone tries to keep hushed whispered to your face?
I straightened up with a pleased heart, wearing a face that knew nothing.
For a moment, Canabeil’s aqua eyes seemed to freeze sharply.
But she soon smiled brightly at Ian and pulled at my arm.
“Lord Ian, did you hear? Lady Haine also said she wants to become close to me.”
Canabeil declared cutely, pursing her small lips.
She was acting as if she couldn’t wait to become friends with me.
“From now on is our time together. You should hurry and join the hunt.”
No matter how much that noble lady chattered, Ian, who was always only worried about me, met my eyes.
His eyes held reassurance, asking if it was alright to spend time with Canabeil, and saying he could resolve this situation if I wanted.
I smiled to show him there was nothing to worry about.
Then Ian quietly took my hand with a somewhat bitter tone.
“Have a good time, Haine… I won’t be too late.”
I wondered if he had hoped I would find Canabeil troublesome.
Should I be jealous, albeit belatedly?
Unlike Ian, who wasn’t too pleased with this situation, I saw him off with a somewhat excited tone.
“Please be careful.”
I was so curious to see what Canabeil would show me.
And I forgot.
That the amulet I had been preciously keeping to give to Ian was still safely tucked away in my pocket.
***
“Duke Viente, I wish you victory in this hunting festival.”
A young count came by and politely bowed his waist.
Not participating in the hunt himself, dressed in ordinary attire, he kept watching Dekiel’s reactions while busy offering praise.
And he subtly sought advice about the business he was planning.
Dekiel nodded his head several times, pretending to listen to his words with a kind face.
Eventually, his red eyes caught sight of his friend walking alone in the distance.
The young duke briefly concluded the conversation before turning and striding toward his friend.
“Ian.”
At the familiar call, Ian, who was mounting his horse, turned his head.
Then, discovering his friend, he gladly welcomed Dekiel with a bright smile.
He seemed like someone who had forgotten everything about that day when Dekiel had placed his hand on Haine’s shoulder.
