Chapter 40
At Derwin’s confession, Shanellica’s heart began to race wildly.
Thump, thump, thump.
Her pulse surged through her entire body, and her face burned with heat.
Shanellica lowered her head completely. She couldn’t bring herself to look up. She wanted to make an excuse, blaming the drink she had just had, but both of them knew that wasn’t it.
“Uh, I, I…”
Not only could she not lift her head, but words wouldn’t come out properly. Her mind went completely blank, and she had no idea what to say or how to say it. It was the first time she had ever experienced something like this.
Finally, when Shanellica stayed silent, unable to speak a word, Derwin asked,
“Are you flustered?”
“Ah… well…”
“I apologize for startling you by saying this all of a sudden. I know what you might be thinking.”
Shanellica lifted her head slightly. A trace of tension lingered in her mint-colored eyes.
“I know that if I’m not your dragon companion, you would leave. And even if I am, if you regain your memories, the current me will disappear. But…”
Derwin took a breath and continued.
“Even if only for that period, I wish for you to stay by my side.”
For a moment, Shanellica nearly muttered “How cool…” aloud without realizing it. Part of her was embarrassed by this bold man’s words, but each thing he said felt strikingly admirable.
How long must he have harbored that heart? Knowing I would leave, how did he hide it and endure it? And now, how did he summon the courage to say this?
Derwin had found the courage while considering Shanellica’s feelings. Setting aside an uncertain future, he expressed his current heart.
Shanellica didn’t feel that Derwin’s actions were selfish or uncomfortable. His words carried the weight of countless deliberations and patience. They only made her heart flutter.
“So, even if only briefly, I want to officially announce you as my fiancée.”
Shanellica’s mouth dropped open. It was nothing short of a bombshell declaration.
“I want to protect you from being linked with other men through rumors. And, since we would be officially together, I also want to tell others not to pursue you. The first is for your sake, and the second is my selfish desire.”
What should she say?
Shanellica felt both happiness and worry, excitement and nervousness. A jumble of first-time emotions twisted together in no particular order.
Yet even amid that, Shanellica decided to speak with Derwin’s position in mind rather than her own emotions.
“That would be difficult. If you regain your memories and return as a dragon, it’s fine. But if you were to return and continue as a human, enjoying life, it would cause a problem. I could end up in a situation where I have to divorce a missing foreign fiancée…”
“That will not happen.”
Derwin spoke with strong determination.
“If I truly am the Dragon Lord and regain my memories, I will never leave your side. Whether I choose to enjoy life again or not, I will be with you, so there’s no problem.”
“……”
“And if I am not the Dragon Lord… I will hold on to you so you won’t leave me. With all the strength I possess. Even knowing that I am not the companion you imagine, I will remain in human form to stay by your side.”
Shanellica’s heart pounded uncontrollably. He was saying that he would never leave her side—no matter whether she was a dragon or not.
What a profoundly earnest declaration.
Shanellica becoming a dragon was something that would happen naturally over time. It couldn’t be forced. Also, there was no guarantee that a Dragon Lord who regained his memories would retain this heart. Honestly, it was unlikely. To a dragon, enjoyment was just one long dream.
Derwin was indeed the Dragon Lord, and Shanellica knew that even if she returned to being human, she could not enjoy life at his side.
Yet still, Shanellica wanted to pretend she didn’t know, letting herself get lost in this moment. Even knowing reality, she wanted to be completely immersed in these emotions. Her heart tingled. She wanted to accept anything Derwin said.
“Lady Shanellica. If you do not feel the same and my request is unreasonable, I apologize here and now.”
“……”
“But I believe that your heart is also directed toward me.”
It was undeniable. Shanellica’s gaze toward Derwin mirrored his gaze toward her. Moreover, her face, flushed red like a ripe tomato, was not from embarrassment alone.
Her heart and mine were aligned.
It was a certainty without a trace of hesitation.
“I ask once more, Lady Shanellica. I have dared to hold you in my heart. Please, become my fiancée.”
Before she realized it, Derwin had knelt respectfully on one knee, looking up at Shanellica.
The sincerity in his dark eyes sent a ripple through Shanellica’s heart. In that instant, she decided to cast aside all thoughts of the limited time remaining.
After all, the Dragon’s enjoyment is said to be like a dream. And right now, I am dreaming. If I’m a little happy in this dream, what’s wrong with that? Even if recalling this memory later makes the Lord unhappy… so be it. I want to enjoy this dream.
“All right.”
Shanellica reached out her hand toward Derwin.
“I will gladly become your fiancée.”
Moonlight, sneaking out from behind the clouds, fell beautifully upon the window where they faced each other.
Shanellica opened her eyes and sighed.
Her heart was racing from all the dreams, and she hadn’t slept well at all.
Last night, Shanellica had tried to comfort Derwin. She waited and waited for him to return from work, then finally mustered the courage to go downstairs.
Unexpectedly, she had received a confession of love and even agreed to an engagement proposal before returning to her room.
Recalling last night made her cheeks flush. After answering Derwin’s confession, she had suddenly felt sleepy and fled to her room. And now she was in this state.
Had she responded too impulsively last night?
Shaking away her worry, Shanellica reminded herself that she had decided not to overthink the matter when she gave her answer. Now, all she had to do was get along with Human Derwin for the remaining time.
But now… how should she face him?
“Miss.”
The maids cautiously entered as Shanellica got out of bed.
“Master asked me to deliver this to you.”
It was a square piece of parchment. As Shanellica received it, she asked,
“Has he already gone to work?”
“He said he has work early today. And…”
“And?”
The maids hesitated for a moment.
“He visited at dawn.”
“The Duke… came to my room?”
“Yes. He stayed by your side for quite a while before leaving.”
Shanellica was astonished, not knowing why the maids’ faces were flushed.
So it wasn’t a dream?
She had dreamt so many things. It felt like she hadn’t slept at all, yet she had. And among those dreams, she seemed to remember one where Derwin looked down at her gently.
No… he didn’t just look down.
Shanellica placed her hand on her forehead.
His lips had touched here…
It felt strangely vivid for a dream. Judging by the maids’ reactions, it seemed it wasn’t a dream at all.
She cleared her throat nervously, her heart still tingling. She unfolded the parchment the maids had handed her.
I wanted to see your clear eyes, but I could not wake you, so I left first. I will miss you greatly throughout today.
Even the opening lines, brimming with affection, made Shanellica’s face flush again. Just reading the words, it felt as if Derwin were whispering beside her.
I thank you once again for accepting my heart. I understand well what you had to give up to make such a choice.
Derwin’s handwriting was graceful. She had seen countless handwriting samples while translating, yet his alone seemed strikingly elegant.
Today, I will return the dagger gifted by Her Highness the Princess. At the same time, I will inform Her Highness of our relationship.
Lydia. The unexpected name made Shanellica slightly uneasy. Surprisingly, when she had to answer Derwin yesterday, Lydia had not crossed her mind even a little.
What should she do? Lydia might be hurt.
Recalling how Lydia had been upset over Derwin made Shanellica’s gaze falter.
The first reason is to tidy up my surroundings before officially announcing you as my fiancée, and the second is because I fear you might weaken your resolve due to your friendship with Her Highness, and dismiss what happened yesterday.
As if anticipating Shanellica’s concern, Derwin kindly explained why he acted this way, ensuring nothing untoward would happen.
We will discuss the official announcement further with you. Please, do not worry.
Even though he wasn’t physically present, Derwin somehow seemed to read Shanellica’s heart.
Then, I will see you this evening. May your smile not leave your face today.
Shanellica, who had lingered over the parchment for some time, finally steeled her resolve.
When she accepted Derwin’s heart yesterday, she hadn’t thought of Lydia. In this matter, Lydia was not that significant to her.
Lydia might feel a little upset…
Even if Shanellica had not accepted Derwin, would Lydia have ended up with him?
Shanellica didn’t think so. Even now, Derwin’s gaze toward Lydia was purely out of duty, nothing more. Seeing Lydia unable to let go of her feelings for Derwin had been somewhat pitiable.
Still, it was a bit bitter.
Shanellica decided to clear her mind of the lingering complexity.
For now, she thought. Time to get ready for work!
