Irene Decided to Die - Chapter 198
The two of them headed out to the garden. The sky was exceptionally clear today, and Irene’s spirits were just as bright. Though her concern for Burt was just beginning, there was no sign of any change in the sky.
“The flowers are beautiful.”
“The gardener has been very attentive.”
“I see.”
“Yes, don’t you think this flower, in particular, is lovely?”
Irene pointed to a flower, hoping to lighten Burt’s mood. For a moment, she took her eyes off him.
“Isn’t it?”
When she turned her gaze back to Burt, she froze in place. He had suddenly dropped to one knee.
“Burt?”
“I’m not sure if this is the right way to say it, but…”
“Yes?”
“Lady Irene, would you share your life with me?”
Irene didn’t know how to respond. She stared at Burt, speechless. After a long pause, she managed to ask,
“Is this… a proposal?”
“Yes. Please marry me.”
“So, you mean…”
She had no future ahead of her. And yet, here he was, proposing to her like this? Irene knew that Burt loved her. And she loved him too.
That’s why, when Burt had once spoken of facing death together, she hadn’t been able to refuse.
‘Because I was happy.’
Logically, she knew that letting Burt go was the right thing to do. Yet, she considered herself selfish for wanting to hold onto him.
‘And yet…’
Now, Burt was offering her an even greater gift—his proposal!
‘But I should still turn him down.’
With everything as it was, a wedding would be too difficult. And there would be many opposed to it. Of course, those from the northern lands would object, and even within the temple, many would view it unfavorably. Irene spoke cautiously.
“I’m truly happy, but…”
“I won’t accept a refusal. I won’t get up from this spot until you agree.”
“Burt.”
Even when she called his name, hoping to convey her distress, Burt didn’t budge. To make matters worse, Lani, standing at the entrance of the building far behind them, kept making circular motions with her arms. It seemed like she was signaling Irene to accept.
Why were they both acting like this?
Irene felt increasingly flustered.
“Are you really planning to stay here?”
“Yes.”
“For days, even?”
“I can endure, even if it takes a month. Why should we be denied when we love each other?”
“Well, I am the saintess, and you are…”
“The throne will soon pass to my successor.”
For a moment, Irene was speechless. He was willing to give up his position as king because of his love for her. Her heart began to race at the realization. But she quickly shook her head. There were still heretical followers and their false goddess to contend with.
“Even so…”
“Don’t think about anything else. Just focus on your feelings.”
“My feelings…”
If it was just about her feelings, she could answer confidently.
“If it’s only about feelings, then I can accept.”
“Then that’s enough. I’ll take care of everything else.”
Burt gently took Irene’s hand and slid a ring onto her finger. The ring, adorned with a clear gem, fit her hand perfectly.
“Shall we start with the engagement ceremony, then?”
“What?”
“I’d like to hold it as soon as tomorrow, but I understand you might need some time to prepare yourself. How about in two days?”
“What?”
Could an engagement ceremony be arranged in just two days? She could only ask in confusion, and Burt gestured subtly toward Lani.
“It seems your beloved maid has taken care of all the preparations.”
“What?”
That was all Irene could manage to say yet again. Lani had prepared everything for the engagement ceremony? What could that possibly mean? Shocked, she turned to look at Lani, who shyly turned her head away. Standing beside her, Noah gave a serious nod.
‘Is this for real?’
It was truly surprising. Afterward, Irene learned about everything Lani had done.
“How did you come up with such an idea?”
“I wanted to do something for you, my Saintess.”
“Why?”
“Because you’ve done so much for me.”
Irene instinctively asked in return,
“What have I ever done for you?”
“You changed my life. If it weren’t for you, I might still be living by tearing others down and causing harm.”
“That was…”
It was merely an action taken for the sake of revenge. Irene was about to say as much, but Lani cut her off.
“Intentions don’t matter. What matters is that it helped me.”
Lani said this with a gentle smile.
