I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 108
She drew the sword from its scabbard with a sharp clash of metal.
Sarubia hastily stopped her hand, fearing that Rufus might wake up. However, Rufus, lying on the bed, showed no reaction.
‘It’s fine. He’s asleep. He won’t know.’
Reassuring herself, Sarubia quietly pulled the sword out, struggling slightly with its weight.
The sword in Sarubia’s grasp shone with a soft luster.
It was a uniquely shaped sword. Above the handle was a pattern resembling flames, which Sarubia remembered as the emblem of the Inferna Barony.
Silver lined the blade’s edge, which split into two forks at the end, reminiscent of the consuming tongues of fire.
Could there be another sword of such a similar form in all of the Hevania Kingdom?
It was unmistakably unique.
Then.
Sarubia swallowed dryly.
This was, certainly…
“…Sarubia?”
Rufus’s voice came from behind her.
Startled, Sarubia hastily returned the sword to its place.
“D-Did you wake up?”
Leaving behind the sharp metallic sound, Sarubia sprang up.
Turning her head, she saw Rufus covering his eyes with the back of his hand while lying on the bed. His face was still heavy with sleep, apparently having called out Sarubia’s name in a drowsy state.
Relieved inwardly, Sarubia tried to get up.
“…Where are you going.”
Rufus’s voice came again from the darkness.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Sarubia sat back down beside Rufus. Rufus sighed deeply and grabbed her waist.
“Don’t go…”
“I told you, I’m not going.”
Sarubia stroked Rufus’s head as it burrowed into her lap.
Rufus finally seemed reassured, letting out a long breath.
“Stay with me, Sarubia…”
“I will.”
“Don’t leave me behind…”
“I won’t. Don’t worry.”
Sarubia chuckled lightly, caressing Rufus’s cheek. His furrowed brow slowly smoothed under her gentle touch.
“I wouldn’t even give up my spot beside you for a grave…”
“That’s quite the dreadful confession. Sounds like you want to die together.”
“Yeah, right…”
As Rufus mumbled, drifting back into the quagmire of sleep.
“Without you… I’d die…”
“…”
Sarubia looked down at Rufus clinging to her.
This man.
What am I to do with this man?
Lost in thought for a moment, Sarubia then slapped Rufus’s arm sharply. Rufus jolted awake.
“Wh, what’s going on.”
“You’re heavy.”
Rufus looked around to gauge the situation, still groggy and his eyes bleary.
“What have I done?”
“Yes. You were trying to pounce on me.”
“…Is that true?”
“No.”
Sarubia, lying down again beside Rufus, draped his arm over her shoulder.
“I woke you because you were talking in your sleep.”
“I’m sorry.”
Rufus exhaled a breath full of sleepiness and closed his eyes again. The accumulated fatigue clung to him like shackles.
“Sarubia…”
In the darkness, Rufus burrowed into Sarubia’s embrace.
“I love you… I love you so much…”
Sarubia smiled gently, running her fingers through his hair.
“Sleep well, my love.”
“Sarubia, I love you…”
“Okay, now go to sleep.”
“Okay…”
Rufus’s voice lowered.
“Love… you…”
Soon, the sound of deep, peaceful breathing filled the tent.
“…”
Embracing Rufus, Sarubia closed her eyes.
Her mind was a whirl of thoughts.
Why did Rufus’s sword look so familiar?
Why was Prince Tarek’s whereabouts unknown?
Why had these two things happened at the same time?
No matter how much she thought, there seemed to be only one explanation for both incidents.
But she didn’t want to think anymore.
Just…
Embracing the one she loved, inflated with the anticipation of a future together.
She wanted to fall asleep oblivious to everything else.
Because.
Being with him felt like possessing a magical happiness, as if she had the whole world.
So, rather.
She wanted to live foolishly, just looking at the image you show me, knowing nothing else.
“…Thank you for loving me.”
In the darkness, Sarubia whispered as she caressed his face.
From now on.
In perpetuity.
Always.
And Forever.
Stay with me.
Don’t let go of me.
—Until death do us part.
***
Having left the Eustice Viscounty’s mansion, Iruel turned his steps toward the bar he frequently visited.
“Ah, Lord Iruel. It’s been a while.”
The tavern owners came scurrying over, bowing and scrambling to meet Iruel.
Iruel, a major contributor to the tavern’s revenue, was their prized patron.
The owners seated Iruel in a place of honor, trying to please him with flattering gestures. They hurried the staff to neatly arrange the table and served water with lemon in the most expensive cup in the tavern.
And Iruel liked them too.
“Mr. Iruel, have you eaten?”
They cared about his meals, something the Eustice Viscounty never bothered with.
“I haven’t eaten anything since this morning.”
“Oh, how can a young man like you go hungry in the morning! Boys, prepare a meal for Mr. Iruel right away!”
Soon, a warm meal was set on Iruel’s table. It was a modest spread with boiled chicken and roasted beans. It was no delicacy, but it was far better than the food he had to force down at the Viscounty.
Of course, it wasn’t just the meal that was prepared.
“What wine shall we serve?”
“The most expensive one.”
Iruel responded while chewing beans.
“And put all the expenses on the Eustice Viscounty’s tab today.”
