Even Death Was Taken Away by That Obsession - Chapter 31
“Ugh……”
How far had I rolled?
I groaned for a while with my eyes still closed before finally managing to get up.
No one could have expected a pit deeper than my height to be dug in the middle of the path.
Having just fallen down there, I gritted my teeth and examined my body.
From small scratches to a sprained ankle, I was quite thoroughly injured all over and it hurt considerably.
Even though I have a body that heals quickly, that doesn’t mean I can’t feel pain.
After waiting a moment for my body to recover, I let out a helpless sigh.
His power made my body unable to die, but it didn’t grant me superior physical abilities.
Meaning, I had absolutely no strength to climb out of this pit that was taller than me on my own.
‘This will take some time.’
At any rate, this is Viente duchy.
Fortunately, since this isn’t too far from the banquet hall, Dantea or Hubert will soon notice my absence and send people out.
So it would be wise to wait instead of doing anything unnecessary.
Having made this decision, I dusted off the dirt and dust covering me before leaning comfortably against the earthen wall.
‘Why is there even a pit in the middle of the path?’
Was it made to hunt beasts? It seems more likely to catch people than beasts.
I bit my lip in annoyance.
I was worried about Ian, who might be anxious upon hearing about my absence.
‘I don’t want to cause him any more worry.’
Isn’t Ian always anxious about me getting even the slightest injury?
Even if I make up a poor excuse about getting into this situation while walking alone, he probably won’t believe it this time.
Moreover, he was strangely wary of Canabeil right up until we departed for the hunting grounds.
If he notices that my danger came from Canabeil, and prevents that little bird from coming anywhere near me under the pretext of protecting me…
‘I don’t want to lose my plaything before I even get to have fun.’
I let out a pathetic laugh, thinking it wasn’t appropriate to have such thoughts while stuck in a deep pit.
Since when did I become so twisted that I think being tormented by someone is better than boredom?
‘I don’t think I was like this from the beginning.’
Although Feiden’s medicine helped recover most of my memories, those related to ‘him’ were still not complete.
That’s why I’m still confused about who I am and what kind of person I am.
The me who lived ordinarily.
The me who lived as his companion after being chosen.
The me who began to hate him at some point.
Among the countless ‘me’s I’ve experienced, when did I become this broken?
If I win the bet and obtain death… could I return to a normal human life?
Lost in thought at some point, I suddenly opened my eyes and lifted my head.
It was because I sensed someone’s presence nearby.
The owner of that presence soon peeked their head out to check on my condition.
“My Lady?”
The problem was that the person was none other than the unwelcome Duke Dekiel Viente.
Even after discovering me in the pit, Dekiel showed no sign of surprise as he lowered himself.
Then, resting his arm like he was toying with prey, he spoke.
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, but you’re not well this time either.”
It was a refined yet mocking greeting.
No, I’m not even sure if it was a greeting.
I looked up at Dekiel, who somehow seemed unlikely to help me out easily.
This man might just watch with interest until I wither away and die.
“I misstepped in a poorly maintained area.”
“How unfortunate.”
Dekiel’s dazzling golden hair was like the sun shining down on me.
His smooth face, which looked like it hadn’t shed a single drop of sweat, didn’t appear to be dressed for enjoying the hunting festival at all.
“It seems you won’t be able to win this year either, Your Grace.”
“I’ve obtained something more precious than victory, haven’t I?”
“…I am not prey.”
“Hahaha, how amusing that you understand it that way.”
Even though I spoke with obvious irritation, Dekiel wiped his eyes and laughed heartily, finding something terribly entertaining.
As Ian’s fiancée, I should be a fragile and innocent noble lady, nothing more than beautiful and refined.
Knowing this, why do I keep becoming sarcastic in front of this man?
He repeatedly managed to strip away my mask.
So this time too, I asked boldly without putting on a fake smile.
“Are such pits really necessary for the hunting festival?”
“It is dangerous, isn’t it?”
“I was lucky, but couldn’t someone else get seriously hurt?”
“Lucky, you say.”
Dekiel repeated my words while maintaining his bright smile.
“Well, you might indeed be incredibly lucky. Despite your dress being in such a mess, you don’t seem to have a single scratch.”
Following Dekiel’s gaze, I checked my appearance again.
I knew the injuries hadn’t been minor, but my torn dress revealed my skin embarrassingly.
My bare skin that had already healed.
While I pretended to be shy and hurriedly adjusted my appearance, Dekiel tilted his head in curiosity.
“Don’t you know? Bonasea’s hunting festival doesn’t permit hunting methods using pits.”
“……”
“As you can see, it’s for safety reasons.”
Of course, I didn’t know. How could I know Bonasea’s hunting methods?
Dantea and Bonnie had only told me about the festival’s origins and how noble ladies typically enjoy the hunting festival.
I covered my ignorance with silence.
Dekiel’s red eyes, similar to mine, surveyed the pit.
“Only swords, bows, or other handheld tools are allowed.”
“Are you saying this trap wasn’t prepared by you, Your Grace?”
“Of course not.”
Then who would do such a dangerous thing?
As I tilted my head in confusion, Dekiel, who had already found the answer, dropped a strange hint.
“Of course, there is just one person who can control the Viente duchy without even my permission.”
“Who would that be?”
“Someone with the position to freely enter and give orders in the duchy without any interference…”
Dekiel looked at me with pitying eyes, like watching a decorative fish bowl, waiting for me to recall that person’s name myself.
I raised my eyes coldly.
“Surely you’re not referring to that person?”
“Well…”
Dekiel left an irritating response that was as good as confirmation before lowering his eyes coldly.
Then he completely reversed his statement.
“I merely mentioned a possibility.”
“……”
“More importantly, My Lady. It seems you could get out on your own. It’s not even that deep.”
“I can’t. Please don’t assume everyone has physical capabilities like yours, Your Grace.”
“You’re quite generous in your assessment of me.”
When I easily admitted my helplessness, Dekiel kept smiling as if something was terribly amusing.
‘Sigh…’
Should I just use my power? Ask him to forget what happened here after saving me.
After brief consideration, I quickly changed my mind.
‘No.’
That method isn’t good.
Didn’t I decide to live like a human?
After winning the bet with ‘him,’ I will live here in Bonasea of Aintz as Ian’s fiancée, and eventually as the Grand Duchess.
Like an ordinary person, living as the normal human I dreamed of being.
So I concluded that using power on people was no longer acceptable.
Then, putting on my familiar mask, I appealed with an innocent face.
“Duke Viente, I need help.”
Perhaps surprised by my vulnerable appearance, Dekiel examined my state with eyes wider than usual.
He looked quite shocked.
Had I been that sharp with the Duke? Enough to make my humble plea surprising?
Whatever the case, not wanting to miss the chance to easily escape the pit, I spoke more desperately.
“If you really don’t want to help me up, it would be enough to call someone. However…”
Pretending to be as pitiful as possible, I gently trembled my shoulders like a distressing noble lady.
“I’m honestly scared. Just earlier, I almost got attacked by a beast…”
“Take my hand.”
I was about to appeal more to his sympathy by expressing more fear, but Dekiel extended his hand as if he needed to hear no more.
I grabbed Dekiel’s hand firmly, treating it like a rope of salvation.
The arrogant Duke pulled me up without showing any sign of strain.
‘He helped me out faster than I expected.’
That was fortunate. If I had been stuck in that pit for hours, I might have lost my patience and revealed my true self.
‘Now I should just give proper thanks and hurry to find Dantea.’
I let out a shallow sigh, realizing that the game with Canabeil had become unnecessarily complicated and lengthy.
It was then, while I was examining my dress.
My face was lifted up by Dekiel’s hand.
