For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 55
“By the way, your luggage is quite light, isn’t it?”
For someone about to embark on a long journey, the size of the bag slung over his back seemed modest, like he was only going on a short overnight trip.
“What would someone serving God need with many possessions?”
As I leaned my head to peek at his back, Ariel smiled gently. It was a simple and pure smile, and for a moment, it felt like the dark surroundings brightened. It was as if even my heart was warming up.
“That’s impressive. Oh, Priest, if you don’t mind, could you spare a moment? I’m trying to enroll a boy named Truu in the seminary.”
“Of course. I am your priest, Lady Estira.”
Ariel stepped closer and extended his hand toward me. It was a pale, long hand, but with prominent joints.
Why did everything seem to move in slow motion?
As I stared blankly at his hand, Ariel’s soft voice snapped me out of it again.
“Let’s go. Even though spring has come, the morning air is still cold.”
This man… really might be an angel.
***
As I sat crouched in front of the decrepit old house, yawning, I saw two heads with brown hair approaching over the horizon.
Overjoyed, I jumped to my feet and waved my arms enthusiastically.
“Truu!”
As soon as Truu saw me, he broke into a wide grin and came running towards me.
‘Ah, how cute.’
His puffy face, swollen from the early morning, was so adorable that I wanted to pinch his cheeks.
I spread my arms wide to give him a hug…
—but instead of coming to me, Truu made a beeline for Ariel. He pressed his chubby hand to his lips and bowed his head deeply toward Ariel.
It was clumsy, but it resembled the formal greeting of a novice priest.
“Hello, Priest!”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Truu. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Even though I felt a little left out by Truu’s ignoring me, I quietly lowered my arms.
‘With someone he admires right in front of him, of course he wouldn’t notice me.’
As I stood up and stretched my legs, Feyden caught up and stood beside me.
“That rude little brat.”
“At his age, it’s fine to lack some manners. He’s adorable.”
Feyden and I watched Ariel teach Truu the proper priestly greetings, like parents observing their child’s progress.
“Truu, you’ll formally learn how to greet at the seminary, but it’s good to practice early.”
“Yes! Thank you, Priest Ariel!”
Truu’s voice was loud enough to pierce the sky. He seemed like a completely different person after just one day.
I glanced sideways at Feyden’s face.
Watching his brother, so full of energy, as he prepared to leave without knowing how Feyden felt, I couldn’t help but worry about him.
With his arms crossed, Feyden stood in his usual slouched posture, but surprisingly, his expression was clear, without a single cloud. It was as if he felt relieved just seeing Truu so cheerful.
I had felt a slight twinge of guilt for separating him from his brother, but seeing this, I felt a little more at ease.
“He’s smart. He’ll be fine.”
“I know.”
I had meant my words to be comforting, hoping to ease the emptiness Feyden might feel, but his blunt response soured my mood instantly.
Watching adorable Truu had made me forget how gruff his brother was.
I shot a glance up and down at Feyden, who had a sword strapped to his back, before looking away.
“Shall we get going?”
“Yes, let’s!”
“Yes, Lady Estira.”
“Already tired of this.”
Ignoring Feyden’s last comment, I started walking towards the temple.
Once I dropped Truu off at the temple, my first-ever journey would officially begin.
I wondered what kind of future awaited me. My heart fluttered with excitement—a good kind of tremor.
***
“Master…!”
Declan, drenched in sweat, suddenly shot up. His breath was heavy with excitement as Clovin approached him with an indifferent expression.
“Have you come to your senses?”
“Where’s… where’s my master?”
“You keep trying to run out of bed the moment you open your eyes, so I had no choice but to tie your hands. I hope you’ll understand?”
Declan’s red eyes, which had been frantically darting around, finally dropped to his hands. Just as Clovin had said, they were bound to the bedposts.
“Don’t give me that look. It’s not my style either, you know.”
Ignoring Declan’s fierce gaze, Clovin plopped down on the bed beside him.
“Alright, Young Master. I’ll only say this once, so listen carefully, okay?”
“…Where is my master?”
“That’s exactly what I’m about to tell you, so listen up.”
Clovin cleared his throat, gave a sly smile, and raised a single finger.
“That woman you call ‘master,’ Estira, left the capital about, oh, an hour ago?”
Thud!
Before Clovin could even finish speaking, Declan growled and strained against the ropes tying his hands, as if he could break them any second.
