I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 175
“It seems you’ve been quite busy.”
“Ah, yes.”
Sarubia gave a short response as she sat down, following Prince Camus’s lead.
The velvet-covered sofa was incredibly soft. The faint scent rising from its surface was enough to melt anyone’s heart. But Sarubia remained on high alert. She remembered the advice Rufus had given her.
‘What do the people seeking you out really want from you?’
Prince Camus took a seat across from her.
“Has there been anything uncomfortable during your stay at Prince Tarek’s palace?”
“No, everything has been quite comfortable.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
Prince Camus smiled warmly, trying to read Sarubia’s expression.
When they first met, he hadn’t had the chance to look closely at her face. But now, looking at her directly, he realized she was quite attractive. That pleased Prince Camus immensely.
He still hadn’t given up on his desire.
‘I must make the Saintess mine.’
She was still young and probably naïve about the world. A few jewels would surely make her open her heart to him, or so he thought. With that complacent thought, Prince Camus gestured to the servant waiting behind him.
“Actually, when I came to see you yesterday, I had prepared a gift.”
The servant knelt before Sarubia, presenting a jewelry box made of ivory.
“Please, open it.”
Prince Camus, full of confidence, urged her.
Inside the jewelry box was a ring made of gold and diamonds.
Upon closer inspection, the band was engraved with floral designs. Several wide flower petals were carved in succession.
Primroses.
The flowers were primroses.
“Do you like it? It’s a ring specially crafted for you, Saintess.”
Prince Camus puffed out his chest with pride.
“……”
Sarubia, holding the jewelry box, fell into silence.
A gold ring engraved with primroses—there was no need to guess whose idea it had been.
‘Roned…’
Sarubia clenched the fabric of her dress.
When would he realize?
When would he finally understand that I had never, even once, liked primroses?
When would he grasp this simple truth?
No, he never would.
It was already too late.
After all, my prophecies had never been wrong.
“Prince Camus.”
Sarubia took a deep breath.
“I do not like primroses.”
“Pardon?”
Confusion spread across Prince Camus’s face.
With a sharp clatter, Sarubia pushed the jewelry box back onto the table.
“Do you know the meaning of primroses, Prince Camus?”
“The meaning? I’m not sure…”
“Primroses symbolize childhood.”
Sarubia’s voice was calm as she continued.
“I’ve never once wanted to return to my childhood.”
Her words left a cold silence hanging in the air. Sarubia didn’t even spare a glance at the jewelry box she had placed down.
She had always been someone who smiled, flashing warm, friendly eyes. Her smile was so constant, it seemed to be a part of her.
But now, she was colder than ice in the dead of winter.
“……”
Prince Camus was at a loss for words.
This wasn’t the reaction he had anticipated. The intricate craftsmanship of the flowers was one thing, but this was a ring made of pure gold and diamonds. It was a treasure beyond anything a mere maid could ever hope to possess. How could she refuse such a priceless gift?
At that moment, something caught Prince Camus’s eye.
A red, shimmering light, like a sunset glimmering over the waves, radiated from the ring on Sarubia’s left ring finger.
At first, he couldn’t quite make sense of it. But after taking a moment to calm his thoughts, he realized.
A ring.
Sarubia was already wearing a ring.
Suddenly, Prince Camus felt a wave of confusion.
How could it be?
How could a pure, untouched girl like her, who was supposed to know no man, be wearing a ring?
“What kind of ring is that?”
He knew it was impolite, but Prince Camus couldn’t hold back his question.
“Oh, this?”
Sarubia ran her finger over the ring.
“It’s an engagement ring.”
“Who in the world—!”
Unable to control himself, Prince Camus leaned forward sharply.
An engagement ring! Who had dared to approach the Saintess before Prince Camus himself?!
“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that.”
Sarubia’s voice trembled slightly as she avoided his gaze.
‘Damn it…’
Grinding his teeth, Prince Camus leaned back into the sofa with a frustrated thud.
His eyes remained fixed on the ring on Sarubia’s finger.
It was adorned with a strange, red gem. Although he had grown up surrounded by piles of gemstones in the royal palace, the material was unfamiliar to him. As Prince Camus carefully examined the ring, he soon realized what it was.
A magic stone.
A rare gemstone that could only be obtained from demons, the magic stone.
‘Where did she get a ring like that?’
Magic stones were not easily acquired. They were possessions of high-ranking demons, those with particularly strong magical powers. Such a stone could only be obtained by slaying one of these powerful beings, making it a rare and valuable trophy.
While only a few humans could handle magic stones, their extraordinary beauty made them highly prized as decorative items.
‘Who gave the Saintess that ring?’
As the gears in his mind turned, one name flashed across Prince Camus’s thoughts.
Rufus, the hero of the Demon King’s defeat. The one who had beheaded the Demon King and likely fought many powerful demons along the way.
Could it be…
While Prince Camus was lost in his thoughts, Sarubia rose from her seat.
“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll be taking my leave.”
“S-Saintess!”
Snapping out of his reverie, Prince Camus hurriedly stood.
This couldn’t happen.
