Chapter 86
His quiet whisper lingered in my head.
I knew right away that calling me “a good person” wasn’t just a compliment.
When we’d started our fake relationship, the condition had been “until you find someone good.”
So Alperen was telling me—
that the person he liked wasn’t Summer. It was me.
At first, I thought I was dreaming.
“W-wait. Are you saying you…?”
“Yeah. I like you, Delly.”
His clear, unwavering answer only made my heart race faster.
“Since when?”
I ended up blurting out that stupid question.
Thankfully, he didn’t seem offended. He thought for a moment, then said seriously,
“Hmm… maybe since you kept bringing home all those injured animals.”
“…”
“I just realized it one day. I feel the most like myself when I’m with you.
When you’re not around, I keep thinking about you.
And when you are, I can’t stop watching you. How could I not notice that?”
He said something so embarrassing so easily.
“I waited for you to notice. But I couldn’t tell if you were pretending not to or if you really didn’t know. Turns out you really didn’t.”
He laughed softly, touching the corner of his mouth as if shy.
My eyes followed that movement instinctively.
“The truth is, the fake relationship was just an excuse. I knew you wanted to help me, so I used that to ask you.”
“Why?”
“Because I needed an excuse to get closer to you somehow.”
“…Then that pink diamond ring too?”
Once he started confessing, he didn’t hold back.
“Yeah. I made it with you in mind from the beginning.
Though I didn’t plan to give it to you that way.
Back then, I was desperate in my own way.”
So that ring I thought just happened to fit my taste—
had been made for me all along.
‘Alperen liked me…?’
And not just recently—he’d felt that way for a long time.
My mind went blank.
I’d been busy trying to set him up with another woman,
completely unaware of his feelings.
I’d ended our relationship thinking it was fake,
avoided him,
and even convinced myself that if I just stepped aside, he’d be happy with Summer.
And while he’d been feeling like this all along…
I’d been crying alone, acting pathetic.
“I… I didn’t know.”
I hadn’t even looked into my own heart,
so how could I have known his?
Besides, I’d been focused only on the original story—
on keeping the world of the book on its proper course.
“This life is mine, but it’s also the world from that novel,” I reminded myself.
“I really didn’t know…”
I trailed off, unable to meet his eyes. My cheeks were burning.
When I tried to hide my face with my hands, he caught them—
and his hand followed as I tried to pull away.
“Ah.”
Startled, I blinked, only to find his hand cupping my cheek, pulling me closer.
Close enough that I couldn’t look away.
“Then now you understand?” he murmured.
My heart thudded wildly.
“Mm-hm.”
“So, your answer?”
“Huh?”
Even though I just made a stupid noise, he patiently waited.
He knew exactly how to make me flustered.
He leaned in, our foreheads touching, as if about to kiss me.
“I just confessed,” he said quietly.
“…”
“So I want to know how you feel.”
His breath brushed against my lips.
The look in his eyes was soft, desperate, full of want.
All this time, he’d liked me—
and I’d been busy trying to push him toward someone else.
Realizing how badly I’d misjudged things made my head spin.
Then, when I placed my hand over his, he kissed me lightly and whispered,
“I like you. So much that I can’t see anyone else.”
“…”
“I won’t ask you to accept me right away. Just—don’t tell me to go chase another woman. I’d lose my mind.”
His voice trembled with emotion, like a plea.
I could feel the sincerity in every word.
He was still afraid I’d reject him,
and that made my chest ache.
Realizing how badly I’d hurt him without knowing it,
I couldn’t help but speak.
“Actually… I’ve been regretting things too.
I shouldn’t have listened to my brother that day.”
At that, Alperen’s expression stiffened.
He looked pained and tried to step back—so I followed and looked straight into his eyes.
“I mean, the fake relationship we had… I really enjoyed it.”
“…”
“I think I liked you too.
When I realized that, I panicked.
I was scared that I was the only one who’d fallen,
so I ran away.
I guess that makes me terrible, huh?”
I tried to joke, forcing a laugh.
But the moment I said I liked him, his expression melted.
Before I knew it, he’d pulled me tightly into his arms.
Pressed against his chest, I could hear his heart pounding like crazy—
as fast and hard as mine.
“Not terrible at all,” he murmured. “If anything, I’m the one who waited too long.”
He gently stroked the back of my head.
“So you won’t avoid me anymore, right?” he asked softly, a hint of doubt in his tone.
He needed reassurance—proof.
I nuzzled my face against his shoulder and whispered,
“Yeah. I’ll stay close to you, just like this.”
I nestled quietly in his arms.
It was almost funny.
Something that could’ve been solved this easily—
why had I tortured myself for so long?
Maybe that’s what happens when you like someone too much.
You stop seeing clearly,
you overthink every little thing,
and you get hurt by your own imagination.
Looking up at him, I declared,
“This time, it’s not fake. We’re really dating.”
“…”
“Of course, to other people, it’ll probably look like we just fought and made u—”
Before I could finish, Alperen tilted his head and kissed me.
His lips brushed softly against mine, then met again—deeper this time.
His hand held my jaw gently but firmly, no longer hesitant.
Without the word “fake” between us,
my heart was pounding so fast I could barely breathe.
Every sense was focused on him—
the warmth of his fingertips on my cheek,
the sound of our mingled breaths,
the intensity in his gaze that told me he wanted me.
The faint noise of the banquet faded away.
All I could see was him.
Only Alperen.
***
After confirming our feelings and sharing that kiss,
an awkward silence lingered between us—
but it wasn’t unpleasant.
Even that awkwardness felt sweet.
Alperen smiled brightly and asked softly,
“Delly, how should I take revenge on that guy?”
Such gentle eyes, and such dangerous words.
He was clearly still furious about Cesare.
To be honest, I understood.
I’d realized tonight that Cesare wasn’t someone who would just give up if left alone.
He was proud and easily offended—
and clearly bitter about being rejected by me.
If he was willing to act out even in public, drunk or not,
then ignoring him would definitely be a mistake.
Alperen muttered darkly,
“A duel, maybe.”
“Hey, come on. You’re terrible with swords.”
“Then maybe magic—”
“Wait, you’re really planning to use magic on a civilian, Mr. Tower Master?”
“But he almost hurt you. I can’t just let that go.”
He sounded genuinely angry, still holding my hand as if it calmed him.
To lighten the mood, I teased,
“We were already on their bad side anyway. Both Nanael and Cesare.”
“So you’re just going to let it go?”
“No. We’ll handle it the proper, noble way.”
