Chapter 71…………………………………
Ban bit his lip without saying a word.
“There has to be something human about a person. People don’t like someone who is overly cold, rational, and calculating. They think such a person is different from themselves. Sometimes, one has to be emotional and let themselves be carried away by feelings, right?”
“…I lack that.”
“I know. I thought so too. But look.”
He let go of my hand and opened his palm wide. I could see a faint trace of moisture. Ban looked at my palm and moved his lips. He was probably wondering whether to apologize or not. But I didn’t want his apology.
I let out a quiet laugh.
“You’re sweating like this.”
“That’s…”
“Someone who speaks about things they don’t want to, without any emotion—that’s what’s strange. Ban, it was the same when I asked you that favor. I knew it was something I shouldn’t ask, but I had no choice—not because I’m shameless, but simply because it was you.”
I took out a handkerchief and gently wiped his palm. I looked at his hand as I wiped away the dampness, speaking softly.
“Ban, you’re not as cold as you think. You’re not as calculating either.”
Ban was the type of man who kept telling himself he had to be. I quietly looked at his palm and smiled.
Ah, I see now. The reason I like Ban isn’t just because he’s handsome or a crown prince. It’s because I knew what kind of man he was. I got to know Ban while reading novels and had a vague understanding of the heart he carried and the struggles he endured.
A man who believes he must protect someone but also wants someone to be his support. He’s not just a person who gives everything. That’s why I fell for him. I could understand, even a little, the feelings I subconsciously held for him.
“You’re still at the age where you want to act spoiled, right?”
“That’s…”
Ban grew up mostly alone. His mother always had to ask for help from those around her to protect him, shielding him from countless adversities. Those days were her way of protecting him, and Ban strove to repay her.
I felt a pang for him—he had never been able to rest in his mother’s arms freely. I reached out, thinking of my own parents, whom I trust I can meet again someday, even if not now.
I wrapped my arm lightly around his neck over his stiff shoulders and drew him closer. I rested his head quietly on my chest and whispered,
“You don’t need to wear a mask for me, Ban.”
“…”
Ban quietly wrapped his arms around my waist. I stroked his head and let the silence flow around us.
It felt a little awkward, but I thought we had grown closer, though the embarrassment was inevitable. Ban and I couldn’t meet each other’s gaze, so we turned our heads to stare absentmindedly at the garden.
Hmm, this isn’t right. I had hugged him just now, but it was my first time holding a grown adult man, so it felt a little awkward. Of course, if I could go back, I would do the same thing again.
I turned my head with an awkward smile and saw Ban staring intently at me. No wonder the back of my head felt hot.
“Ban…?”
“Ludia.”
He whispered my name with intensity in his eyes. My heart raced as I answered, and Ban hesitated for a moment before decisively reaching out his hand. Wait, that’s too fast. I did hug him, yes, but the next step already…?
“This…”
I shut my eyes tightly and tilted my head back slightly, feeling a cold touch on my finger. Huh? What’s this?
Squinting, I looked down. A thin golden ring glinted on the fourth finger of my right hand, with a white pearl-like gem set atop it.
I stared blankly, unsure what it was, then looked up to see Ban quietly smiling.
“I meant to give this to you as a gift before but didn’t get the chance. People said it might be too burdensome, so I delayed it… But since I’ve already decided to give it, I hope you’ll accept it.”
What kind of ring is this? It didn’t seem like a wedding or engagement ring. Such a simple ring wouldn’t be for that purpose, would it? Maybe like in movies: “This ring was my grandmother’s when she got married. Please take it,” or “This is a family heirloom passed down to brides. Please accept it.” No, I don’t like those kinds of things. Too burdensome. What if I lose it?
I didn’t have the courage to take responsibility for losing a family treasure, let alone think about love. I looked at him with worry. Ban smiled softly.
“This is a ring to protect Ludia.”
“To protect me? This…?”
Recently, Teferi said something similar and gave me a bracelet. So, I’ve basically got a bomb strapped to my arm, huh?
“It carries the blessing of Belle Olivia, the goddess of hope and love.”
“The goddess of hope and love…”
“Actually, it doesn’t have much function. It’s just a ring many people give to wish for their partner’s health and well-being. Is that a little strange?”
“…”
I gently touched the ring. So, in other words, it’s a couple’s ring? I laughed, and Ban looked embarrassed, offering a flurry of excuses. I tilted my head, watching his eyes flinch slightly.
Ah, what should I do with this man? He’s more extraordinary than anyone else, yet wants to seem ordinary. How should I handle him?
Ban hesitated before sighing deeply.
“…I just wanted to try it.”
“Good. I like it. It fits me perfectly.”
“Is that so?”
“I’ll give you a gift too, someday.”
“A gift?”
I nodded, recalling the jewel I had asked Teferi for. Ban raised his eyebrows and smiled slightly.
“I’ll look forward to it.”
“Don’t expect too much.”
We lowered our hands and started walking. Though it didn’t feel like we had stayed long, it was already time to leave. I felt a strange mix of emotions—not unwilling, but slightly wistful. My steps were heavy.
“Ludia.”
“Yes?”
“The favor you asked me earlier…”
“Oh, if it’s too burdensome, don’t worry about it. I realized it might be risky for you. I was selfish.”
Ban shook his head with a gentle smile.
“How could that be? If it’s Ludia asking, I would do even more.”
“Your thought alone is enough, thank you.”
As he had when he entered here, Ban lowered his hands and held mine, smiling warmly.
“The temporary permit you mentioned, I will grant it. It’s not difficult. We just need to work with Kaves.”
“But…”
“You want to help, don’t you? That friend.”
“…”
“Then you should help. If Ludia wants it, and only Ludia can help, isn’t it wonderful to be needed and helpful to someone?”
At the end of the short path, Ban turned to face me. He lifted our joined hands to his lips and lightly kissed the back of my hand. I felt goosebumps at the warm, soft touch and heard his voice.
“I hope this will truly help him, Ludia.”
“Ban…”
“Next time, I will come to you. Until then, stay well.”
The streets under the setting sun were quiet. People returning home after the day were heading toward their families, faces relaxed and shoulders swaying with subtle joy.
Everyone carries something precious—family, lover, friends… or even material things. And losing them is a thought best avoided.
I watched them quietly, then entered the building. The life outside the window belonged to strangers, but the reality inside was tangible: people frantically sorting papers, taking turns resting, and reports neatly stacked to one side.
These were the people mobilized to help Elian. Ardina approached me with a smile as I entered.
“You’re here, President.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Ardina. And everyone else as well.”
“No, not at all.”
From a distance, Tesla shook his head and gathered papers. There weren’t many, suggesting he had organized only the essentials. Ardina stepped aside as Tesla approached.
“I’ve summarized based on what you mentioned. There were about thirty incidents over five years involving elderly people—crimes, kidnappings, or disappearances.”
“That’s a small number.”
“Yes. Of those, twenty were simple disappearances, and ten were crime-related.”
“Any indication of premeditation?”
“All the perpetrators were caught, and nothing appeared premeditated. We checked for connections to other crimes, but there were none.”
It was impressive how quickly they had organized everything. As I reviewed the papers, I marveled at the focus and clarity in connecting each detail to this case. I realized, now that I was the head of Astria’s guild, that these people were essentially the brains of a major corporation—truly impressive.
I pursed my lips, thought for a moment, then raised my eyebrows.
“Has the guild we requested information from responded?”
“That report consolidates the information. Since there was a lot of overlap, nothing particularly unique came up.”
“So these are simple disappearances…”
I tapped my chin lightly with my fingers, staring at the report.
Simple disappearances… In this world, disappearances were a headache. Lack of manpower was one thing, but accurate information was scarce. In Korea, we could check black boxes or CCTV, or inquire using registered data and photos—but not here.
The best one could do was give vague descriptions and crude sketches. I nervously bit my fingernail while tapping my chin.
