Chapter 48
“…If you stay with me, you’ll become unhappy…”
I almost laughed at how gloomy his voice sounded.
I snorted and patted Solard on the back.
“Unhappy? What nonsense.”
He had no idea that my time in Ardentia had been the most comfortable, warm, and leisurely period of both my past and present lives.
How many trash exes had barged into my life, messed everything up, and then disappeared after leaving chaos behind? And now this “perfect specimen”—this so-called “Benz”—was saying something like that?
“I am a curse… after all…”
His pitiful words were so absurd I didn’t even know how to react.
“Solard, you know what? Your so-called curse doesn’t work on me at all. If I were afraid of it, I wouldn’t have come anywhere near you in the first place.”
His usually neat hair was now a mess. Strands stuck to his tear-stained face as I brushed them aside, meeting his eyes.
And then I realized something.
Ah. I really can’t win against this man.
“I… I want to protect you, Solard.”
…Looks like I like you.
This clumsy, big, emotionally fragile “baby cat” of a man—I had somehow grown to like him so much I couldn’t even hide it anymore.
“I wanted to be someone you needed.”
His scarred, tear-streaked face wasn’t exactly something you’d call beautiful. And yet, my heart was undeniably racing.
Yes. I like Solard.
When did I become someone who would get flustered over a man I’d only known for a few months? I should’ve just been cursing him out, not getting emotionally involved like this.
“…So if you don’t need me, then I have no reason to stay here.”
If I couldn’t be needed, then I had no reason to stay.
That realization made something in me click.
“…Selly?”
His trembling voice snapped me back.
“…Don’t go.”
Arms wrapped tightly around my waist from behind.
“Solard?”
He clung to me, crying.
“I need you… only you, Selly… please…”
“I was wrong… please stay by my side… I can’t… without you…”
The tension in my body snapped.
“…You didn’t want me around anymore, didn’t you?”
“No… I didn’t…”
At last, the truth came out—simple, pitiful, too late.
“Ha…?”
I let out a hollow laugh.
This was clearly my fault too. I’d been the one overthinking, assuming everything, spiraling alone.
“…You’re such an idiot…”
I sighed, then gently ran my fingers through his messy hair.
“Were you mad at me?”
“No… I wasn’t…”
“Then what were you sulking about?”
“….”
He couldn’t answer.
I exhaled again.
“…Fine. Then I’ll go first.”
But before I could leave—
“…Don’t… please…”
He held me tighter.
“I was wrong… I need you… only you…”
His desperate voice made everything inside me loosen.
“…You’re really bad at this, you know that?”
I sighed and turned back.
“Fine. Then listen to me.”
I pressed my forehead lightly against his.
“I wanted to protect you.”
My voice softened.
“I think I… like you, Solard.”
His breath hitched.
“You’re the only one I want.”
His eyes widened as tears spilled again.
“…You’re staying with me?”
“I’m choosing you.”
That was all.
And it was enough.
A little while later—
“…So everything’s resolved?”
A voice came from the doorway.
The butler.
Why is he HERE?!
“Y-yes… it’s resolved…”
“Oh, then—”
“Wait.”
I sighed.
“I’m staying.”
“HUH?!”
He collapsed on the spot in shock.
Then immediately grabbed my hands.
“Miss, thank you! Truly, thank you!”
“…Please just convince Solard instead.”
But when I glanced at Solard—
“…That won’t be necessary.”
Huh?
The butler smiled calmly.
“Miss only needs to remain here.”
What is this, some kind of conspiracy game?!
A few days later, I told everyone I wasn’t leaving anymore.
Servants, knights, staff—all of them welcomed me warmly.
“…I thought I was leaving dramatically for nothing…”
I muttered, embarrassed.
But the warmth of people welcoming me made something inside me soften.
However…
The real problem remained.
How do I even handle Solard now?
“Miss Selly…!”
A voice called out urgently.
“Why is the door blocked?!”
We opened it—
And froze.
The hallway outside was completely covered.
Jewels. Gold. Boxes stacked everywhere.
“…What is all this?”
“I should be asking YOU that!”
Flora screamed.
Diamonds, gold bars, jewelry boxes—everything was piled up like a mountain.
“…Did he… do all this?”
No doubt.
Solard.
That over-the-top, no-middle-ground man.
“I heard the north found a gemstone vein, but this is insane!”
Flora’s eyes sparkled.
“…Is he trying to bankrupt himself?”
Even Sarubia had joined, stunned.
“This… is a gift?”
“A gift…?”
Yes.
Apparently.
Just because I came back after my “escape incident,” Solard had started sending absurd gifts daily.
Exotic fruits impossible in the north.
Chests full of gold.
Even a bed made of glass and jewels.
At this point, I was genuinely afraid of assassination attempts.
One of those beds alone could fund a lifetime of luxury.
My baby cat had no concept of moderation.
And somehow…
Despite all this chaos—
I still hadn’t managed to properly “win him over.”
…Sigh. Of course. That’s just how my life goes.
