Secret Love Affair between a Former Saint and a Dark Hero - Chapter 87
Her heart was pounding in her chest.
She couldn’t tell if it was because of the anticipation of getting revenge on the Crown Prince and that woman, or if it was the excitement of the moments that would intertwine her with the lively man before her. One thing was clear, though: this deal made Iora’s heart race.
“So, the idea is to not give the other side a chance to prepare, right?”
“Sometimes, the closer the danger, the more satisfying the itch it scratches.”
“The Crown Prince must be going mad, huh? It’s going to be lethal.”
“He’s had everything from the start.”
His wicked laugh was absolutely malicious. He truly was the crazy mastermind. His eyes narrowed. Once again, he reached out and grabbed the end of Iora’s hair. He lifted it, making eye contact, and deliberately made a kissing sound. His fingertips curled, and the skin on the back of her hand began to heat up, as if his lips had just touched that very spot.
“Look forward to it, Iora.”
His soft voice constricted around Iora’s heart like a snake.
The way his eyes curved with malice made it impossible to look away. There was a magnetic charm to it.
In that moment, she truly understood why he was the dark mastermind. Wasn’t the original Arcanda frozen before that magnetic man, like a mouse before a snake? She would have just stared vacantly, mesmerized by his slimy sweet voice. Just like Iora was now.
“I’ll be your sweet lover, to the point where those watching would go mad with jealousy.”
If things went wrong, of course, her neck would be severed, and three generations of her family would be wiped out.
It wasn’t something to be joked about with that sweet smile. But if it was Vigros…
Duke Elrah. But before that, the man who had always been Vigros to her.
Sometimes his personality, which could go astray without warning, made things awkward, but he was always such a kind person.
‘Then why?’
The feeling of something being crushed under her shoes gave her goosebumps. The wet liquid she stepped on was slippery, but instead of looking down, Arcanda stared at the man standing there, drenched in red liquid.
Vigros, why are you like this?
Why do you look like that?
“Arcanda. You’ve seen it.”
The backlight behind him was a terribly ominous red.
“You know who these people are, right?”
She did. She had no choice but to know. Just a few days ago, those who had tried to humiliate her were now lying defeated beneath him.
Under the moonlight, amidst the thick stench of blood, the man who had smiled stretched out his hand and whispered.
Suppressing the rising nausea, Akanda slowly shook her head. No. This wasn’t it.
“It’s all for you, my saint.”
It was a cruel confession, one that made her want to collapse right there. The beautiful reality she had known was crumbling.」
Iora gently pulled her hair free. His fingers twitched as if to grab the slowly slipping strands of hair, as if surprised by how they were slipping away.
For a moment, she didn’t realize he was staring disapprovingly at his own hand. Why was his palm so damp? It seemed as if he was unusually anxious.
Iora pretended to be unconcerned. But the words she spoke were almost a whisper, and she felt unexpectedly embarrassed.
“…You’re too close.”
“This distance is standard. Are you sure you don’t want to be closer now that we’re lovers?”
Releasing his hand, Iora shoved her hands in front of her face to create distance. After a moment of silence, the man grumbled out a response. The fact that he went back to his usual light tone made Iora unconsciously let out a sigh of relief. Just a moment ago, he had been too much for her heart.
“Fake lovers, huh? Then no physical contact allowed.”
“Hey. Who says that? No couple just walks holding hands. If we’re going to deceive, let’s do it properly.”
If Vigros hadn’t suddenly stroked his chin and looked at her with an observing gaze, their stand-off might have continued a bit longer. He let out a deep, thoughtful sound and then pushed his hair back before casually throwing out a question.
“Did we have some kind of connection in a past life?”
“…”
Even though she knew he couldn’t remember anything, Iora’s heart sank involuntarily.
Intuition was a scary thing. Despite knowing that it was impossible, she couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe it wasn’t just a coincidence. Iora reflected on his words. There had been a connection. For her, it was the only connection she ever had.
The only things he had ever said to her were wishing her a happy birthday, promising to grant her a wish, and advising her not to cry but to fight back. That was all — those words he whispered with that grin of his.
“Why do I feel so good? Is it because you’re a saint? Or is it because my cute contractor is hiding something?”
“Which one do you prefer?”
“The latter. If you’re hiding something, don’t tell me.”
“Why?”
“Because finding out when the other person is lying is the best feeling in the world… especially when it’s a secret of someone who doesn’t want to reveal their weaknesses.”
His voice, full of playful teasing, sent a chill down the back of Iora’s neck.
Iora’s red lips parted slightly. Was he testing her after all, pretending not to want the contract?
As she froze, staring at him, he suddenly smiled. “I’m kidding,” he whispered lightly, then whistled. The sound of the whistle was incredibly clear and strangely spread out, creating a shimmering light in the air. When she blinked, a piece of paper that looked like a contract fluttered down from the air.
Vigros lightly snatched the paper and waved it in front of her eyes, handing her one of the sheets.
“No need for a notary, right?”
“Right.”
Wondering who could possibly fool Duke Elrah, Iora unfolded the paper she had received and placed it on the grass. Golden numbers were written on it, and the spaces where the questions should have been were blank. As she wondered if it was possible to write on the ground like this, he suddenly laughed.
“Just place your fingertip on the number, and what you’re thinking will be written.”
“Is there such a thing? I’ve never seen it before.”
“It hasn’t been commercialized. I developed it out of boredom, but it’s pretty convenient, right?”
“……”
Could this man possibly be a genius?
Iora suddenly wondered if she’d gotten into something she couldn’t handle.
Iora shook her head, trying to pull herself together.
