When That Door Opens - Chapter 51
I barely managed to open my mouth.
“A deal? There was no such thing. Have you forgotten who I am? I am Astel. I simply gave Roman an order.”
“Three years is a very long time. Enough time to investigate someone thoroughly. During such an investigation, you can find quite interesting facts. For example, Astel, who was severely ill at the age of eight, suddenly started behaving like a different person afterward.”
His tone was so casual that at first, I didn’t understand what he was talking about. Realization hit me like a wave. He naturally supported me as I staggered in shock and whispered.
“That’s not all. As you said, Astel is the most noble person in Schultz, yet this Astel demanded to sleep with a slave. Even though she had no experience with men. As if her purity was a burden. Coincidentally, around that time, there was an oracle to marry Roman.”
His voice dropped even lower.
“I thought about the moments we shared for a very long time. I mulled over your gaze, your words, your gestures. Naturally, I became curious. Why did you refuse to be called Astel? Why didn’t you reveal your name? Was that name really yours?”
He smiled softly as he saw me frozen, unable to breathe.
“And finally, I realized what kind of life you had lived. What was binding you.”
I collapsed as my legs gave out. He held me in his arms, his voice filled with delight.
“My guess was right.”
“Laki..an…”
“You weren’t the real Astel. Astel was the shackle that bound you.”
“That’s not true.”
“It’s no use. Whatever you say, I won’t be deceived.”
He was gentle yet firm. Tears poured down my face. I was terrified of what he might do, certain of the truth.
What would he sacrifice to break the shackles that bound me? Sobbing, I shook my head.
“Lakian, please don’t do this.”
“You won’t be able to stop me.”
“I’m sorry. It was all my fault.”
“You did nothing wrong.”
“Please, Lakian!”
“Adela.”
Suddenly, he kissed me. Despite my sobs, I accepted his kiss. A moment later, he wiped away my tears and whispered.
“Do you like it?”
“W-what?”
“Your name. Adela.”
“…What?”
“I came up with it myself. A name only we can use. In Gracion, Adela means God’s grace. You were my miracle. I thought it was the perfect name. Do you like it?”
I stared at him blankly, tears rolling down my cheeks. He laughed at my expression.
“Don’t you like it?”
I barely shook my head. How could I not like it? Adela. The sound of it echoed in my heart.
“It’s beautiful. The most beautiful name I’ve ever heard.”
“I’m glad you like it. In that case, I must collect the price for the name.”
“The price?”
He smiled and kissed the ends of my hair.
* * *
I looked at my reflection in the mirror, feeling strange. My long hair was gone, replaced by a short bob. It felt light but also a bit empty.
Last night, Lakian had asked for my hair in exchange for the name.
‘In Gracion, a woman cuts her long hair and gives it to the man she loves. The man uses it to make a hair ornament for his proposal. That’s why I wanted it.’
‘A proposal?’
I couldn’t believe it and asked again. A proposal? That’s something people with dreams of the future say. I asked urgently.
‘Were you really thinking of proposing to me? You weren’t planning to handle everything alone? You weren’t thinking of leaving me and dying, were you?’
‘Not at all.’
‘But earlier, you clearly told me…’
‘When did I say I was going to die alone? You just jumped to conclusions. I’ve just been sulking because I was upset. Now that I’ve found you again, do you think I’d give up on that sweetness?’
Relief washed over me with his sincere voice. Tears welled up and spilled out. Lakian gently comforted me. In his arms, I thought, I was indeed overly pessimistic.
Lakian wouldn’t have come back without a plan. He is much wiser than I am and surely has a way to resolve all these problems.
Lakian cut my hair himself. Was it because we had been intimate again? Every time his fingertips brushed my skin, it felt electrifying.
Lakian seemed to feel the same, and we ended up sharing the bed that night. The atmosphere had changed along with my shortened hair. Throughout, he kept whispering his love to me.
