Secret Love Affair between a Former Saint and a Dark Hero - Chapter 35
It would be absurd to not say anything and instead stand there like a fool, begging for acceptance.
Biting her lip, she took a step back. She pretended to do something to mask her embarrassment. Conveniently, on the table lay juice and pastries for the visitors to the shop.
Iora picked up her favorite grapefruit juice. The feeling of being watched made her feel a bit hot and thirsty. As she quickly drank half the cup, she felt a bit calmer.
‘Huh?’
It was strange. Despite drinking the cold juice, her stomach felt hot as if she had drunk something alcoholic. Suddenly, her body seemed to heat up rapidly. The dress felt constricting, and sweat broke out as if she had been running. What’s happening?
‘Oh! I feel dizzy.’
Her vision swayed like she had downed a harsh drink in one go. Startled, Iora quickly grasped the table, causing the glassware on top to rattle and shake. The loud noise drew everyone’s attention back to Iora.
Arcanda, who had been talking to the other girls, rushed over, grabbing her shoulders.
“What’s wrong, Iora? Are you feeling unwell? Let me see.”
“Oh, um.”
“Iora, what’s going on? Please let me take a look at you!”
The voices around her rang like the sound of a broken machine. Her vision blurred, spinning between the ceiling and the floor. Every time Arcanda shook her shoulders, it made her feel queasier. She wanted to plead, ‘Please, stop shaking me,’ but before she could speak, Arcanda forcibly turned her head to face her.
“!”
And then she met the gazes of those around her, all of them staring at her in disbelief.
‘Why, why are they looking at me like that? Ah, I feel dizzy.’
She didn’t think it could go on like this. Afraid she might vomit, Iora desperately grabbed Arcanda’s hand. Slam! She didn’t know if she’d be thrown away forcefully, but she didn’t have the presence of mind to apologize or even express his embarrassment.
“Ah, Iora…”
“Ugh.”
Clutching her numb hand, Iora barely heard Arcanda’s sorrowful voice or the collective insults from the remaining girls behind her, accusing her of faking it or taking some kind of drug.
She stumbled out of the shop, as if fleeing from people who recoiled from something vile and bizarre.
‘This… this is strange!’
Her tongue had stiffened, making it hard to articulate words. Could there have been something odd in the juice? But if someone had targeted Iora, how could there be a drug among so many drinks? Her logical thinking stopped there.
‘Please, someone, anyone, help me.'”
She didn’t want to even imagine what would happen next if I collapsed and vomited on the street with everyone watching. Her father and mother wouldn’t even come to her rescue. Or perhaps they would bury her alive. You are no child of mine! Shouting like that.
Iora chuckled weakly as she crouched down. Just thinking about a very possible situation made her laugh.
“Young lady…”
Why was she so unlucky? Arcanda must have been disappointed. There’ll be strange rumors again. She’ll have to face her mother and father. Scary. Scary. Chaotic thoughts flooded in.
“Young lady, are you okay? Please snap out of it.”
Someone put their hand on her shoulder and gently shook it. Unlike Arcanda’s overly enthusiastic touch from earlier, this was a comforting hand. A surge of sadness washed over her. Oh, it hurt. It seemed like the other person heard her whimpering.
“What’s this… why are you in such a state? Why does this keep happening?”
“Ugh, huh.”
A small sigh touched her shoulder. The man who knelt nearby, looking down as if to embrace her, pulled his cloak over her. A warm and soft feeling slid over her shoulders.
“Are you alright? You don’t need to worry. I’m here.”
“Ugh, oh. Ah, it hurts. It hurts.”
“Young lady? Young lady?”
The voice was incredibly soothing and pleasant. She didn’t know who it was, but she wanted to keep hearing it.
Please speak more.
Feeling like she wanted him to stay, she gripped the cloak tightly.
Please don’t leave. I don’t want to be alone.
If she stopped mumbling, it felt like the owner of the voice would leave in a hurry. A tear formed at the corner of her eye. It’s cold. It’s so cold. It was warm a moment ago, but now it’s cold.
“Bring the carriage. It seems like it’s not going well.”
“But there are many onlookers, sir…”
“Quickly. Can’t you see the condition of this young lady? She absolutely cannot walk. And… summon the sorcerer. This seems to be a case of poisoning.”
“Poisoning? Here, sir?”
“Why? Does it look like I’m joking?”
“But then, does this mean that the young lady has taken poison? This is a dress shop.”
“I know. We’ll investigate later. Go ahead and move while we’re talking.”
The conversation echoed loudly. It hurt Iora’s ears. As she covered her ears and made a noise, this time something solid wrapped around her.
The cautious sensation of being embraced felt like riding an amusement park ride. Hehe, a laugh escaped her.
Higher, higher. She wanted to feel the sensation of soaring. It felt amazing when she rode the Gyro-Drop with Sol. She missed Sol. Her thoughts swayed like a seesaw, but Iora couldn’t quite understand them.
“It seems the symptoms are quite serious.”
She didn’t even know that the way she muttered and smiled looked exactly like a drug-addled lunatic. The next day, there might be rumors spreading about administering drugs to the candidate for sainthood.
