Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 163
He said he would tell me, so I thought I’d know eventually. But until I stayed longer in the North and returned to the center, Burt didn’t say anything.
“We’re finally back!”
Looking at the temple in the distance, Lani exclaimed joyfully. She seemed to have missed this warm place, as she was especially sensitive to the cold.
“Welcome back.”
As soon as she stepped into the temple, Grein and other priests who had been waiting greeted Irene.
“Did you rest well?”
“Yes, I rested comfortably.”
“That’s a relief.”
Life at the temple after returning wasn’t much different from before.
“The Duke of Rostelle hasn’t changed either.”
“Is he still holding out at the front gate?”
“Yes, he comes every day, begging to see the Saintess. Of course, the Holy Knights never let him in.”
Though they were rejecting him, Lani seemed exhausted by his persistence. That once-so-proud Duke of Rostelle had fallen this far. Yet, no sympathy stirred in her.
More than that, something else was on her mind.
“Burt.”
The name that kept slipping out of her mouth was always the same. Burt hadn’t accompanied her on the return journey. Knowing full well he wasn’t there, yet whenever something happened, his name was the first to escape her lips.
Even when the snacks were delicious, the garden flowers were beautiful, or when she was busy with work.
“Burt.”
Irene called his name again. At least when no one was around, she could cover it with a cough, but the problem was that she did it even when others were present.
“Burt.”
At the sound of his name slipping out again, Grein, who was seated across from her, commented,
“The King of the North is not here.”
Irene knew that, of course. It seemed she had spent far too much time with Burt.
He had become as familiar as her own tongue, and now that he wasn’t around, she felt the emptiness. That’s why his name kept slipping out.
‘This is all Burt’s fault.’
She tried to blame him lightly, but breaking the habit wasn’t easy.
“You must miss him quite a lot. Well, you were always together.”
Even Lani, who had been quietly sitting with her lips sealed, joined in. Naturally, Irene’s ears turned bright red with embarrassment.
‘I’ll never call his name again.’
Irene made a firm resolution. But sometimes, no matter how determined you are, things don’t go as planned.
“Burt.”
As she reviewed documents, his name slipped out again, and Irene frowned. Why was she thinking about someone who wasn’t even here?
Sighing deeply, this time she called his name more comfortably.
“Burt.”
“Yes, Irene?”
Was she hearing things? His voice seemed to come from somewhere.
Startled, she looked around and saw Burt standing on the tree outside the window.
“What are you doing up there instead of using the door?”
“The door is guarded by other knights. They said no one could be let in.”
“Then you should wait!”
“I tried. I climbed up the tree because the view of the garden from here is beautiful.”
What kind of ridiculous excuse was that? Irene glared at Burt.
“More importantly, why are you here?”
“Am I not allowed to be?”
“It’s not that you’re not allowed.”
“But, Irene.”
“Yes?”
“Why did you call my name just now?”
The direct question made cold sweat run down her back.
“I just felt like it.”
“Why?”
“Do I have to tell you?”
“There’s no obligation.”
Burt nodded casually.
“But I’m curious. What made you call my name when I wasn’t around?”
Irene opened and closed her mouth several times but then shut it. How was she supposed to explain this?
As she hesitated, Burt smiled and moved closer.
“That’s dangerous!”
Even if the tree was sturdy, Burt was a full-grown man. One wrong move, and the branch could break.
“It’s fine. But could you hold out your hands?”
Before she knew it, she held out her hands, and Burt poured soft pink petals into them.
“What is this?”
“A gift. Isn’t it beautiful?”
“It is pretty.”
Though it was a ridiculous gift, it didn’t feel bad. Irene smiled, breathing in the soft fragrance that tickled her nose.
“I’m back.”
At Burt’s next words, she looked up at him. His face, gazing at her while hanging from the tree, was gentle.
“Welcome back.”
Irene greeted him warmly.
