Even Death Was Taken Away by That Obsession - Chapter 5

What I wanted from Ian was just a little help.

That’s still true even now that I’ve regained some of my memories.

But of all people, the one who helped me turned out to be the heir who will lead this Grand Duchy in the future.

‘This is a bit troublesome.’

Dantea busily moved her mouth while dressing me in a flowing silk nightgown.

“Actually, I overheard the conversation between the young master and the butler earlier.”

“What conversation?”

“They said you were the daughter of some noble person, I’m sorry. I can’t remember well! Anyway, they said you were recuperating in some forest because your body was weak.”

“……”

“The young master said he owed you a great debt long ago, but because you were so weak and even had an accident, only now could he repay you.”

Ah, so that’s how he explained our relationship.

My attempt to nod along to this story I was hearing for the first time was clumsy at best, but Dantea didn’t seem to notice at all.

“It’s sad that you had an accident while recuperating, but in a way, it’s fortunate!”

“Fortunate?”

“You know! There’s no better place for recuperation than the Grand Duke’s residence. It’s under the protection of the temple too. And the High Priest is skilled in medicine as well.”

Ah, you mean that crazy guy who claims to be my friend.

I rolled my eyes thinking of Feiden, then quickly worried about Ian.

‘For someone who’s supposed to be the heir to the Grand Duke, to say he brought in someone who was recuperating because they were his benefactor. Is this really okay?’

He’s gone too far to say it’s just to help me.

I fell into thought, touching my wet lips.

‘I was just going to gratefully accept a small kindness and hide away somewhere…’

I clenched my fist, not realizing my nails were digging into my skin.

I hoped the gentle gentleman wouldn’t go any further than this.

Hoping that kindness would end with kindness, I made a decision.

‘Let’s leave this place before it’s too late.’

The condition for me to win the bet was to love someone other than ‘him’.

But wasn’t death always the end for those who got involved with me?

I suddenly worried about Ian’s well-being.

Dantea, who had been chattering endlessly, suddenly brightened her eyes seriously.

“It’s a bit late, but how about taking a look around the Grand Duke’s residence? Ah, the dressing room would be good! We can choose clothes for you to wear tomorrow too!”

“……”

“You’ll be amazed when you see the dressing room here. It will be full of things that suit you.”

“…Then shall we go take a look together?”

I answered with a forced smile, hiding my fatigue.

Although her overly talkative mouth was annoying, Dantea’s kindness in draping a shawl over my shoulders was quite endearing.

She, who had been endlessly praising Ian, even exaggerated that half of the young ladies in the capital Bonasea were desperate to become Ian’s bride.

But she laughed playfully, saying that even those wishes might all be in vain.

It was then.

“Isn’t it too late for a walk?”

Ian, who had approached without notice, whispered quietly.

“Ian?”

I flinched involuntarily at the sudden proximity.

Despite the indiscreet whisper, Ian’s smile was innocent.

“Did I startle you? But it’s too late in the night to explore this mansion today…”

Everything flowing from Ian – his somewhat coy words, his voice, even his gaze – was as clear as midday.

‘Actually, I came because I wanted to see you.’

He murmured secretly as he grasped my hair which was still damp.

Somehow, the distance between us had narrowed.

“Ahem, I was thoughtless. You should rest today! I’ll introduce you to the dressing room tomorrow. Then, I’ll take my leave now.”

Dantea, seeming quick-witted yet oblivious, blushed as she misunderstood the situation.

Eventually, with a mischievous smile fully on her lips, she hurriedly turned around and scurried away, her orange hair fluttering.

By tomorrow, the mansion would be buzzing with the romantic rumors Dantea had been subtly anticipating.

Just Ian coming to see me would have been enough gossip fodder for today.

As soon as Dantea disappeared, Ian hastily distanced himself from me. His noble face had suddenly become as docile as a white lamb.

“I might have been too forward in many ways.”

To think that the man who was acting like a lofty nobleman just seconds ago is now shy like a boy.

Which one is Ian’s true face?

I found the gap endearing for a moment but quickly calmed my heart.

‘Saying he came because he wanted to see me, it probably means we need to sort things out quickly.’

I knew that Ian’s actions just now were deliberately affectionate to express his attitude towards a benefactor.

Knowing this, I was still secretly disappointed.

“Haine.”

“Yes?”

“I keep… approaching you… without permission…”

Ian suddenly swallowed his words as if feeling guilty.

Noticing that even his ears were turning red, he slightly covered his face with his large hands.

‘Really, what a lovely person.’

I encouraged him, showing innocent eyes.

After all, I’m not a naive young lady who would attach meaning to just having my waist held.

“I know you didn’t have any particular intention.”

In fact, a sharp question was circling in my head.

‘Do you know what kind of person I am to label me as your benefactor? Not knowing that I’m not even human.’

But I ended up saying something completely different.

“You don’t need to worry too much. I wasn’t offended at all.”

Really, it was an impulsive statement that came out without me realizing it.

“Still, I’m sorry I couldn’t ask for your consent in advance.”

But Ian, ever the gentleman, apologized politely with a graceful bow at the waist.

I quickly covered my mouth and turned my head.

This man’s apology was so adorable that I had to hide the smile peeking through my fingers.

Having Ian in front of me strangely lifted my spirits. A subtle desire made me wonder to myself.

‘Would it be okay to draw this man to me?’

Whether it’s alright for me to possess someone who is respected and loved by the entire Grand Duchy.

“Perhaps I should have thought of a different pretext than being a benefactor?”

Ian smiled awkwardly while I was lost in thought.

“But similar situations might arise in the future, so let me ask for your understanding in advance.”

“Similar situations?”

“Since I introduced you as an important person… Of course, I won’t cross any lines, so don’t worry too much.”

His thoughtfulness in finally trailing off his words shook my heart once again.

For his sake too, I should leave this place right now. I need to run away.

‘I should, but…’

The soft lighting quietly watched over us.

It was a secretive light as if observing what choice I would make.

“Haine?”

His eyes shone transparently as if the clear sky had been crumpled and stuffed into them.

Using those blue eyes, different from my red ones, as a mirror, I urged myself.

‘Say that you’re grateful for today, that you need to leave… Say it now.’

I had to stop here, as countless memories were telling me how my love had ended.

If we involve you in our bet now that it has started, in the end, Ian would…

But soon, such resolve became meaningless.

“Haine.”

A clear tone flowed between Ian’s lips.

“It’s all okay.”

A calmer voice lingered by my ear.

Unlike Ian, who was smiling faintly, I probably had a face that looked like I was about to cry.

“I know you have circumstances you can’t talk about. Even though I don’t know what they are, I want to help.”

Kindness without a trace of lie sweetly enticed my ears.

“If you’re bothered by me acting too familiar, I’ll think of another way. I won’t do anything you dislike.”

“But…”

“I promise.”

Ian gently grasped both of my hands. I felt his warm body temperature.

“You haven’t fully recovered yet. At least until you regain your memories.”

I lowered my face, pretending to be shy. I couldn’t look at Ian’s clear eyes anymore.

And so, I finally made a selfish choice.

‘That’s right. I still have a lot to talk about with Feiden, and I haven’t recovered all my memories yet.’

Above all, Ian is worrying about me this much.

So I arbitrarily decided to postpone leaving for a few days.

And a few days later.

“Ugh.”

As if reproaching my selfish choice, someone’s knife pierced my chest.

‘Am I finally dying?’

Even in the pain of flesh tearing apart, I let out a thrilling breath between my lips.

Although the pain that felt like a spreading fire rushed in, that pain felt like a blessing.

Naively, I thought this would be the end of my story.