Side Story 2.
Life Pledged, Chapter 99
Irina was thrilled as she climbed into the carriage.
The tears she had shed earlier were nowhere to be seen.
The carriage left the Lingester estate and was now moving along a quiet road.
“Do you like it that much?”
“Yeah. It’s been so long since I’ve traveled. It’s hard for the Duchess of Lingester to go anywhere.”
“Because you’re a hero?”
Howard chuckled softly, and Irina jabbed him in the side with her elbow.
“Don’t tease me.”
It wasn’t surprising—wherever Irina went in Borman, she was extremely popular.
Whether visiting the Grand Duke’s castle, going to the theater, or attending an exhibition, crowds would always gather.
They firmly believed that the bond between Arendor and Borman had strengthened thanks to Irina.
In truth, that credit should have gone to Howard and Demian—or rather, Demian, who was now Mikhail.
But on the day Demian announced a full alliance, he had addressed her as “Dear Duchess of Lingester.”
Suddenly, that single phrase made Irina a hero who protected Borman.
Even though all she had done was bicker with Demian.
It was something to be grateful for, but it meant she could no longer go anywhere quietly.
Had she not said “the Lingester Duke who saved me,” she might have avoided even taking credit for that.
Thinking back, that might explain why he hadn’t come in person and had only sent a gift.
After all, he could be quite mischievous.
On top of that, the price of the Findarin root, which she had traded with Lady Telon, had skyrocketed uncontrollably, and the merchant group that Howard had merely lent his name to had grown larger.
Findarin root, which helped slim the waist, reduce swelling, and provide comfort, also had detoxifying properties and was very popular.
The more you drank it, the more side effects there were, but buyers valued its effects over the drawbacks.
Irina was amazed at how one single product could become such a massive success.
Lately, she had been studying rare items that few people knew about.
Perhaps one of them could be as big a hit as the Findarin root.
On top of that, she was busy managing the mine that Roan had gifted her.
That made this long-awaited trip all the more meaningful.
It was a chance to leave everything behind and spend time alone with Howard.
Of course, upon returning, the accumulated work would make her insanely busy again.
Despite dreaming of a grand relaxation, their destination was modest.
They were going to Liston Harbor, a place they had visited once before.
They planned to stay at a villa Howard had built there.
On the way back, they intended to visit the cabin they had briefly stayed in during their previous lives, curious if Irina’s memories of the place still lingered.
“I hope we see the sea soon,” Irina said, gazing out the window.
Howard wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.
“The travel gate isn’t even here yet.”
“I know. I hate the gates.”
“Then should we move slowly?”
“Hmm… no, I hate that even more.”
Irina wrinkled her nose and shook her head.
Before long, the first travel gate appeared.
Disliking the queasy feeling that came with traveling, Irina nestled into Howard’s chest.
From that position, she caught his familiar, fresh yet soft scent, pressing her nose between his chest and side as she sniffed.
“It’s dangerous here.”
Howard, reacting immediately to her small act, heated slightly and subtly pushed her away.
“Huh? What is?”
Irina opened her eyes wide, pretending not to understand.
Howard raised one eyebrow crookedly.
“Really don’t know?”
“Yeah, I don’t. Why?”
Irina pressed closer and sniffed again.
Howard’s hand slid along her waist in response, stopping just short of slipping between the layers of her dress.
He paused at that delicate, borderline moment.
“Still don’t know?”
Irina twisted her waist slightly.
“Cheeky.”
“You wouldn’t even let me touch you in bed yesterday.”
“That’s because you always said just once, but never finished it in one go!”
“Finished what in one go?”
“Well, you know…”
“What didn’t I finish in one go?”
“Ah, well…”
She had intended to tease him, but was immediately pushed aside.
Howard’s smirk slowly crept across his face.
Irina’s cheeks flushed as she glared at him sulkily.
“Damn it.”
Once again, Irina had lost. It was always like this.
Howard hugged her tighter.
“My pretty lady.”
His laughter reached her ears as he leaned over her head.
He pressed a brief kiss to her hair.
He was a pro at making her sulk briefly and then quickly cheer up.
Since they had left right after the ceremony, by the time they arrived at Liston Harbor, the sunset was just beginning.
The carriage paused briefly along the beach that stretched from the entrance of Liston.
If they drove straight to the villa, it would get dark too quickly to see the sea.
‘I really wanted to see the sea this much.’
Holding Howard’s hand, Irina got out of the carriage.
The sunset dyed the sand a deep golden color.
Feeling the coarse sand beneath her feet made her finally realize she had returned.
Though it was the same scenery, seeing it after knowing and experiencing everything felt completely different.
Irina reached out to Howard, who was right behind her.
He naturally grasped her hand.
Walking together with the one you love, hand in hand, always felt new and ticklish.
“It feels like a dream, doesn’t it?”
Irina said, her face turned toward the sea.
The place where she had once accidentally pushed him into the water.
Howard squeezed her hand a little tighter than before.
“Yeah.”
“Howard… you know.”
“Hmm?”
“Didn’t you ever want to give up because it was too hard? There were easier ways.”
Irina began cautiously.
She thought of the time he risked his life for her right in front of her.
If he had given up earlier, none of it would have happened.
There must have been times he wanted to give up.
Howard occasionally had nightmares.
Even while holding Irina, he would groan and thrash in his sleep, begging desperately for her life in his dreams.
When she touched his cheek in her sleep, he would drift back to sleep again.
Now, such nightmares were rare—maybe once a month.
Before bringing Irina to Borman, he hardly slept at all, so this was a huge improvement.
It was a secret to Howard, but Irina sometimes had such dreams too.
The day she lost Howard right in front of her.
She took it as a small warning to value life, though…
Her thoughts lingered for a moment with a tinge of guilt. Howard let go of her hand.
He turned her to face him, then cupped both her cheeks with his hands.
“What are you—”
Not gently, but pressing her cheeks so her lips puckered like a fish.
“Irina.”
“Hm?”
“If you keep saying things like that, what did I say I’d do?”
Irina just rolled her eyes, then stuck out her tongue and smiled mischievously.
“Oh, you’ll spank me?”
“Yeah.”
He said it lightly, but his eyes darkened.
He knew what was on her mind, why she said it.
Irina, wanting to lift Howard’s spirits, hugged his waist while he held her cheeks.
“It just reminded me of the past. No bad intentions, okay?”
“…No choice.”
“Hm?”
“There can’t be a choice in your matters.”
Howard released her cheeks.
Irina was free, yet she still looked up at him.
As the sun continued to set, his eyes turned reddish.
Irina placed her hand on his cheek, feeling the smoothness of his skin.
Howard leaned slightly into her hand, meeting her gaze.
His gray eyes were remarkable.
At first glance, cold and colorless, but when looked at steadily, they could feel warm and seem to shimmer with color.
Some said his eyes were so pale and cold that you couldn’t tell his emotions, that he seemed indifferent.
But Irina felt she could understand everything he thought and felt.
She mischievously curled her lips.
“Because I love you too much?”
Howard chuckled softly.
“Yeah. Too much.”
Irina raised her other hand and cupped both his cheeks, just like he had done to her earlier.
She pulled him slightly toward her, and he leaned down to match.
Then she lifted her foot slightly and kissed him.
Howard’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I love you. So much.”
I haven’t said it enough.
Irina whispered shyly, and heat flickered in Howard’s eyes.
“Finally said it…”
He held her tightly with both arms, preventing her from escaping.
They rested their heads slightly apart, embracing each other.
The sun slowly descending beyond the horizon seemed to settle between them.
Whether it was the heat from their closeness or the lingering sun, it was hard to tell.
Howard leaned his head a little further.
Irina lifted her head slightly to meet him, and their lips gently met.
Somehow, the guard carriage in the distance seemed to stir, but to them, it was just the two of them.
As it had always been, and continued to be.
Only after a long while did their lips part.
