Chapter : 43
I needed to get out of there first.
“Let’s talk for a bit.”
I lightly placed my fingers on Sirinyu’s outstretched hand and spoke quietly toward Arkas.
“I’ll just have a little chat. I’ll tell you the details later.”
“Got it, Selly. I’ll wait in the carriage.”
Arkas relaxed his grip on my hand. I nodded at him and followed Sirinyu.
As we left the murmuring crowd behind in the hallway, I couldn’t help but laugh softly.
“Heh-heh.”
“Why are you laughing?”
Sirinyu looked at me, puzzled. I tapped his arm lightly with my hand and asked,
“Did you mean that when you told me to eat earlier, you wanted to eat together?”
“Yes.”
Hearing Sirinyu admit it so easily made the corners of my mouth lift even higher.
So obedient… too cute, I could die.
I resisted the urge to pinch Sirinyu’s cheek and said,
“How can you suddenly suggest going to eat like this?”
“Well, making an appointment first is proper etiquette.”
“Exactly. You didn’t even think about what we’d eat, right?”
“What do you want to eat?”
“Well… what about you, Duke?”
“Whatever you want.”
Huh? Why is the fan service so good?
I pressed down my racing heart and tried to speak carefully. Eating together sounds nice. But not right now.
“I have things to do at home today. How about next time you come to our mansion?”
“……”
Sirinyu suddenly went silent. Did I say something wrong? Did I upset him? I quickly looked at him.
Instead, Sirinyu took my hand, turned the corner of the stairs, and pushed me behind a curtain.
“Eek!”
Startled, I screamed. Sirinyu placed a finger to his lips, signaling me to be quiet.
“Why… why?”
“Shh.”
Shh? Are you kidding me? Our bodies are pressed together!
My heart began pounding wildly.
With one arm still held by Sirinyu, I leaned against the wall and ended up in his chest, gasping for breath.
His hand on mine started to feel like it was on fire. Being pressed together in the narrow space of the curtain, my face flushed as well.
I carefully looked up at Sirinyu, making sure not to leave a mark on his clothes.
‘Wow…’
He slightly turned his head, as if listening to sounds outside the curtain.
Even in the dim light, his face seemed to glow.
And what is this refreshing, pleasant scent? Not overpowering like a men’s cologne, it was like stepping into a cool forest, yet leaving a sweet lingering aroma… Ah, it’s intoxicating.
I inhaled carefully, trying not to sniff too obviously, and followed his gaze.
‘But why is he acting like this all of a sudden?’
Earlier, I briefly thought he might have some… embarrassing intentions behind the curtain, but seeing him looking outside like this, that didn’t seem to be the case.
Just as I was about to ask again what was happening, I heard the voices of Eloi and Viviana outside the curtain.
“Where did they go? I heard they had a lunch appointment?”
“I heard that too. They couldn’t have gone far. I know all the restaurants worth visiting in the capital. Let’s go.”
“Very well. Duke Rephrix shouldn’t monopolize Miss Selene at such a crucial time.”
Footsteps followed behind Eloi and Viviana. Perhaps to hide the bulge in the curtain, Sirinyu pressed his body closer to mine. I had no choice but to press my cheek against his chest, holding my breath.
‘I’m going to die…!’
After being hugged in Sirinyu’s arms for a while and reaching the limit of holding my breath, the sounds outside finally faded. Sirinyu slightly released his grip and looked down at me.
I drew a deep breath. I thought I was going to die.
“I wanted to go to a restaurant they say is good… too bad.”
“But… why are you hiding? If we’re having a meal, can’t everyone go together?”
“Why?”
I was lost for words at his reply. I knew our relationship wasn’t that close… but I thought things had improved a bit after visiting the prophet’s mansion together.
Well, human relationships aren’t that simple. As I blinked and tried to think of a response, Sirinyu continued.
“Do you expect me to just watch you flirt with others?”
“When did I ever flirt…?”
I felt wronged.
It felt like my favorite person was accusing me of switching attention to someone else. I raised my hands to show my innocence.
“It doesn’t matter who I take on this journey.”
“…….”
“I won’t leave your side.”
W-what…?
My calm expression instantly flared. What is this? A proposal? Should I start looking for an English kindergarten now? Isn’t this a bit sudden?
I lowered my head and fanned my face to cool down. Sirinyu reached out again and said,
“Then, send a formal invitation next time.”
Seeing him throw such a bomb casually made my brain feel scrambled.
Feeling embarrassed for overreacting to a simple comment, I pressed the back of my hand to my cheek and said,
“What I said earlier wasn’t exactly an invitation to eat together.”
Sirinyu took my wrist, lowered my hand, and looked at my face. His handsome face was dangerously close. He raised his eyebrows slightly and asked,
“You don’t want to?”
“No.”
The words escaped my mouth reflexively. I walked after Sirinyu, head slightly dazed, along the garden hallway toward the attendants who would call a carriage.
“Then I’ll wait for your invitation, young lady.”
Sirinyu, glancing at Arkas, walked toward the carriage. Arkas asked me,
“What did you two talk about?”
“Adult stuff…”
“…What did you really talk about?”
The next day, I woke up late, stretching while still lying down, having no idea how long I had slept.
“Ah, this feels nice…”
Even though I opened my eyes, I had no intention of getting out of bed. I rolled to my side, wrapped myself in the blanket, when a soft knock came, and the door opened.
“Huh?”
I was startled to see a tray being brought in.
“Miss, are you awake?”
Yurie smiled at me as she approached the curtain. The maid pushing the tray bowed and left the room. I turned toward Yurie and asked,
“What’s all this?”
Yurie drew back the curtain, tied it neatly with a ribbon, and placed boxes on the table.
“These are gifts and letters sent to you, miss.”
“Gifts? Why all of a sudden?”
“They sent letters saying they wish to visit you soon.”
Ah… here it comes. I buried my head in the pillow, recalling the nightmare of consecutive guest visits.
“Ah~ I’m still considering, so I won’t be hosting anyone yet.”
“Yes, understood. I’ll bring the stationery to send your replies then.”
It’s so stressful that I can’t ignore messages. I got up and opened the letters.
They all had long, elaborate greetings, explaining what their families could do and other formalities.
But… is it okay to receive gifts even if I won’t choose anyone?
I rummaged through the beautifully wrapped boxes, pondering.
‘What’s so great about sealing the Demon King that makes everyone want to go?’
I’m the one who seals the Demon King, dammit. So there’s no real sense of accomplishment. Does being on the Demon King sealing team even help my résumé?
Does standing next to the Demon King give you any scraps of reward…?
Scratching my cheek, I put the boxes down and flopped onto the sofa.
‘I should ask Arkas.’
Just then, as if he’d been waiting, Arkas knocked and opened the door.
“Selly.”
“Oh, brother. You’re not a ghost, right? You only come when I talk about something…”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Nothing… just half-asleep rambling. But brother—”
“Yes?”
“What’s so good about going with you when sealing the Demon King? I mean… what’s the benefit?”
Arkas froze as he sat on the sofa.
“Why all of a sudden?”
Was his voice slightly lower? Maybe just my imagination. I rested my head comfortably on a cushion and said,
“Well, everyone seems so eager to go. They even sent gifts… Is there something I don’t know?”
Arkas looked flustered. I had asked casually, but clearly, something was up.
When I stared at him, he looked away and finally spoke.
“Well….”
