Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 162
“Would you like to take Cocoa with you?”
“No. He’s a dog accustomed to the cold, right? It’s better for him to stay here.”
“Cocoa will miss you.”
At that, Irene laughed, thinking of the dog who joyfully bounded around, unaware of his own size.
Those who cared for him struggled, but just watching him filled her with energy.
“It’s okay. He’ll get used to it soon.”
She thought that since she hadn’t seen Cocoa many times, he’d soon forget her. As she was thinking and answering, Burt suddenly asked as if he just remembered.
“Now, have you found something you want to do?”
For a moment, she was at a loss for words. When she couldn’t answer, Burt asked again.
“Is there nothing?”
There were too many things she wanted. She had learned that stew eaten in a snow house was delicious, that watching snowball fights was enjoyable, and that chess was fun.
And all those were joys she couldn’t feel alone.
“That’s a tricky question. If I have, what will you do?”
Since he was the man who had stuck by her out of concern she might die, would he leave now? She looked straight at Burt.
“I won’t do anything.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, we’ll continue as we are.”
“But you’re the King of the North.”
A king couldn’t always leave his kingdom unattended. Even if he’d been forced to for the Saintess, things would have to change in the future.
“How about passing the throne to someone else?”
“Are you out of your mind?”
At Irene’s serious question, Burt laughed.
“Do I seem crazy?”
Without hesitation, Irene nodded. “Yes.”
“Of course, I have affection for the kingdom. I’ve been taught since childhood to live for it. Watching it develop based on how well I do wasn’t bad. Though it was a bit boring.”
An inappropriate remark for a king. But so what? Irene herself wasn’t suitable as a Saintess in the first place.
“And?”
“Something more interesting has come up.”
“Could that be…?”
“Yes, it’s you, Miss Irene.”
“You find me interesting?”
She thought he’d find her boring and frustrating to be around. When she asked in puzzlement, Burt replied:
“I never get tired of watching you. So I hope you live a long, long life. Preferably thinking I’m more impressive than Sir Allen.”
So muscles were that important. She thought as she observed Burt, who was fixated on past conversations.
“So, I’ll ask again. Have you found something you want to do now?”
“Yes.”
She wanted to break prejudices so that those bearing ominous symbols could settle properly. And now, she wanted to be happy.
“I’ve found something I want to do.”
“That’s great. Then how about we both do what we want?”
“You’re not suggesting that giving up the throne is what you want to do, are you?”
Even at Irene’s question, Burt didn’t answer. Feeling he might really abandon it, she hurriedly spoke.
“You can’t do that!”
She had come to know while staying at the northern palace. How much the people living there respected and cherished Burt.
Yet he wanted to leave his throne behind?
“Why?”
She couldn’t understand his reason.
“Let’s think calmly.”
Based on what they’d talked about so far, Burt wanted to continue as they were. And thinking about how they’d been so far, she found the answer.
She had the answer, but she couldn’t voice it.
‘How can I say that?’
She couldn’t possibly ask if he wanted to stay with her.
‘Is that even possible in the first place?’
She thought it was absolutely not possible. So Irene kept her mouth shut.
“Do you want me to remain as king, Miss Irene?”
“…Yes.”
“I see.”
Burt’s expression as he answered was subtle—hard to pin down.
“You have many people who hold you dear. I don’t think you should neglect them.”
She spoke. Relieved that her words came out more coherently than she expected, Irene sighed. Why was it so hard to persuade someone?
“I’m not trying to neglect them. It’s just…”
Burt hesitated for a moment—uncharacteristic of him.
“There’s something else that’s important to me.”
“Giving up the throne?”
“Yes. I have my reasons, but I’ll tell you about them later.”
Was there even a need to say it? Thinking that, Irene nodded.
