Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 192
Her words burst out, scattering in every direction. Luna, who had always been known as clever and wise, now found herself babbling like a fool.
“So, you’re asking me to send Burt away to save him?”
Thankfully, the Saintess seemed to have understood her.
“Yes.”
At Luna’s response, the Saintess smiled softly. Despite bearing ominous symbols, when she smiled like that, she appeared more like a Saintess than anyone else—holy and benevolent.
‘Maybe.’
Perhaps the Saintess would even force Burt away from her side, just to save him.
“Lady Luna, you’re not entirely wrong. Burt knows very well that I could die at any moment. Even so, he chose to stay by my side. He intends to follow me in death if I die.”
Something felt strange.
“In the past, I would’ve pushed him away for his own sake. But, Lady Luna, even a Saintess is still human. I’ve decided to allow myself some selfishness. Burt won’t leave my side because I won’t let him go.”
Luna’s mind went blank.
“That… that doesn’t seem very Saintess-like.”
“And what exactly is ‘Saintess-like’?”
“Hha…”
The words caught in her throat. She knew the answer in her mind, but couldn’t find the words to express it. When she finally spoke, her words were pitiful.
“Does Lord Burt know that this is the kind of person you are? That you won’t let him go because you want him to die with you?”
Just as she finished speaking, the curtains that had been trembling the entire time were pulled aside, revealing Burt.
“I know.”
Burt smiled contentedly as he looked at the Saintess. In contrast, the Saintess looked slightly troubled.
“I’ve been waiting to hear those words. The words that the person I love wants me by her side until the very end.”
“Did you hear everything?”
“I did.”
“You lied. You said the curtains would block out the sound.”
“The king has excellent hearing. Curtains can’t hide from that.”
Burt grinned widely and scooped up the Saintess in his arms. Holding her as if it were second nature, he stepped off the balcony.
“Lady Luna, I’m sorry, but I have no interest in you. I’d prefer you refrain from this sort of meddling in the future.”
“Lord Burt!”
“Now, enjoy the rest of the party.”
With those words, Burt disappeared with the Saintess. Luna couldn’t bring herself to follow them.
“What is this?”
She felt like she was about to cry. She had failed to persuade either Burt or the Saintess. The two were already deeply in love, and there was no place for her to intervene. Realizing this belatedly, she felt ashamed.
‘But I don’t want to give up.’
Luna had loved Burt since she was a child. She had lived her whole life believing that one day she would sit by the king’s side. Giving that up now seemed impossible.
She steeled her resolve. Then, she noticed the curtains rustling again. Thinking someone might be eavesdropping, she pulled them aside, only to find a small child there.
“Master Milli, what are you doing here?”
“I was just looking for a place to rest.”
Milli answered obediently.
“But were you tearing up?”
“No.”
“It looks like you were.”
“Young master, it’s not polite to ask such things.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“I must not have studied enough.”
“Now that you know, please step aside.”
“Yes.”
Luna left the balcony. She wanted to find Anne and vent her frustrations right away, but it seemed like the party would continue for a while longer.
Leaving in the middle wouldn’t be polite, so she felt she had to endure a bit more.
Irene stood silently, staring into the distance.
“Lady Irene.”
Burt was gently coaxing her.
“I’d like to hear what you said earlier once again.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You know, those words.”
“What words?”
She pretended not to know, but Burt was persistent. He kept asking her over and over, even as they moved.
Of course, she rarely ever said “I love you” outright! Saying it to his face felt unbearably embarrassing.
“Why are you so fixated on hearing it?”
“Because I want to hear it.”
“Alright, just once then.”
In the end, Irene surrendered first.
“Burt.”
“Yes.”
Irene took a deep breath.
“I’d prefer it if you looked into my eyes when you say it.”
He sure had a lot of requests. Looking directly into his eyes required a lot of courage. Burt carefully placed her on a nearby bench so she could sit comfortably, then knelt before her and looked up at her expectantly.
