Secret Love Affair between a Former Saint and a Dark Hero - Chapter 18
“Oops! I-I’m sorry. I should have told you…”
“Why act surprised? We’ve already spent a good five hours together.”
“Oh, shouldn’t you be heading back now?”
Iora clamped her jaw shut as his naked gaze swept her up and down, as if to say that he thought what she said was idiotic. He gave her another one of those arrogant, classy snorts, then lifted his chin in retort.
“If you want to thank me, then next time, instead of running away, at least give me a proper greeting as a sign of gratitude. It makes me feel horrible to see someone running away with their back to me.”
“You’re talking nonsense. Why would I… run away?”
He paused for a moment, then suddenly grinned mischievously, stroking his chin. Iora felt a bit uneasy. He can’t really be that scary, she thought.
“You better remember those words very clearly.”
“But, uh, who exactly are you? I still don’t even know your name…”
“Is that what you’re curious about now? Just now? Don’t you think it’s a bit too late for that?”
A brief, chilly silence ensued, Iora feeling a twinge of embarrassment, and the man displaying sheer bewilderment. Then, simultaneously, they both chuckled. He shook his shoulders while chuckling, then reached out and lightly tapped Iora’s forehead. Well, it was more of a firm poke. Wide-eyed, she wrinkled her forehead in response.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“I was curious about what you’re thinking.”
“…Can you hear my thoughts if you do that?”
Did he possess such an ability? She asked so seriously His lips twisted mischievously, and his eyes narrowed.
“Idiot. Do you think that’s possible? How old are you, anyway, that you still believe in fairy tale ideas like that?”
“…You’re the one who started it. Lies are bad, you know.”
Why did she not feel entirely displeased by his rudeness? Come to think of it, even in novels, she had a penchant for bad guys and obsessive men.
The stranger before her, at first glance, resembled the epitome of a great antagonist in a novel – handsome, sophisticated, yet possessing a certain cunning. He appeared prickly like a hedgehog, yet sparkled with the sleekness of a shimmering black leopard. But… he was still undeniably attractive.
“Heh.”
“…Why are you laughing?”
While she entertained such thoughts, he suddenly burst into laughter. Iora, feeling embarrassed, lightly tapped her cheek. It was almost as if he had actually heard her thoughts. What if he possessed such an ability, just like magic? Filled with doubt, she tilted her head, only for him to flick her forehead with his finger.
“Ouch!”
“A scatterbrained girl who talks to you for five hours and doesn’t even ask your name. Get it together.”
“I’m not scatterbrained…”
“And remember, you promised not to run away if we met again, right? No b******t.”
There was no way she was going to run away from this man, not when he was the one who was going to run away from her. Smiling wryly, Iora shook her head lazily. Tilting his lips up at an angle, the man whispered in that sweet bass.
“I’ll tell you my name.”
His hand waved before her like a willow branch.
“Vigros. Vigros von Elrah.”
Within the thin folds of his eyelids lay irises resembling blue gems.
“Like a squirrel before a leopard, a very dangerous man for such a naïve noble lady to converse with.”
Iora didn’t need a mirror to sense her face must have paled. She might as well have turned completely white. It was clear from the amused, twisted smile on his face.
“Why? Do you recognize the name?”
He seemed to think she was frightened. But Iora’s surprise wasn’t because of that. She didn’t know about the rumors circulating among nobles or his status. All she knew was that name.
“Vigros, really?”
Her fingertips trembled suddenly. Iora was familiar with that name. It appeared in . It was a significant name like Arcanda, Ovid, Iora and…Vigros.
I briefly skimmed through the novel, so I haven’t seen the post-happy ending epilogue. I only know that before the conclusion, the antagonist second male lead, who was causing trouble for the main characters’ love and jeopardizing the empire, failed. He attempted to seduce the saint to bring about the downfall of the empire. I don’t know if he died or survived, or why he did such things. Perhaps he passionately loved the main character Arcanda, just as fate would have it for the second male lead.
And the name of that sinister second male lead was…
‘Vigros.’
He certainly seemed like an antagonist character, but I couldn’t believe it. The things he’d done to gain Arcanda’s attention in the novels, of which I knew only a few, were cruel enough, and even more terrifying to think of as real.
‘Was this person truly that antagonist? The one who didn’t hesitate to use any means necessary for Arcanda….’
If Vigros hadn’t snapped his fingers suddenly, she might have screamed.
“Wake up.”
“Yes, yes?”
“How long are you going to be sprawled out here? Aren’t you going back?”
“Oh…”
“Maybe the Marquis is out on the streets, realizing his precious daughter is missing.”
He nudged Iora on the back. Then he leaned down and whispered in her ear.
“Don’t attract any unwanted attention. Go home like a well-bred noblewoman, quietly dust off your feet, and get some rest. Sleep soundly. Overthinking will only tire you out. Understand?”
“…”
It must be a form of comfort, right? She chuckled as she looked up, and Vigros looked down at her with a stern glare. She didn’t think it mattered if he’s antagonist or not.
“Mhmm, very well.”
“Good girl. Now, get in the carriage.”
What kind of trickery was this? As he gestured his hand gently, a pathway appeared in the forested area, revealing the outside world. The splendid carriage waiting there was undoubtedly from her family. She felt a sudden fear at the impossible scene before her and tried to look back, but he stopped her.
“Go on.”
A force from behind propelled her forward, and before she knew it, Iora was standing in front of the yelling coachman. She turned around, dumbfounded, only to find nothing. There was truly nothing… no apple trees, no old garden, and not even the man.
“Where on earth have you been until now? The mansion is in chaos! Please, please come quickly, Miss! Do you have any idea how desperately the Marquis has been searching…!”
“Just a moment, please.”
“Hurry!”
“…Alright.”
A strange day from beginning to end, she thought as she climbed into the carriage. Iora settled into the carriage, feeling somewhat dizzy, and soon drifted off to sleep as the carriage swayed gently.
