[CHAPTER 15]
The Declaration of His Acceptance
“Rek, wait a moment.”
Ehilie gently pulled Rek closer.
“Yes, Ehilie.”
Rek immediately softened his voice and turned around.
Ehilie whispered in a small voice.
“That person isn’t a robber…… he’s a hero.”
“So what?”
“……Pardon?”
“Hero or not, didn’t he still do something no different from robbery?”
“That’s……”
That was true, but still.
While Ehilie hesitated.
Gabriel, who had staggered to his feet, bent his waist and apologized.
“I’m sorry. I have no excuse.”
“If you know you’re sorry, wouldn’t it be best to leave quickly?”
“Yes. I was truly rude. I will turn myself in and pay for my sins.”
Hearing this, Ehilie jumped in, startled.
“No!”
“Ehilie?”
Rek called out in surprise.
But Ehilie had no time to care about him now.
She had to stop Gabriel from turning himself in.
“Don’t go. Stay here.”
“Ehilie, what are you saying? Why keep someone like him……”
“He’s injured. He should rest here until he recovers.”
It was nothing more than an excuse to keep Gabriel here.
She needed time to think about what to do next.
* * *
Gabriel was deeply moved by Ehilie’s words.
How can someone be so merciful?
She was willing to shelter someone who had tried to rob her just because he was injured.
Overwhelmed by her kindness, Gabriel blamed himself even more.
“Thank you for your concern, but I cannot trouble you any further.”
“Fine. Then get out.”
The man who had pretended to be polite earlier now showed open hostility.
He had been hostile from the beginning.
Standing in front of Ehilie, his face toward Gabriel was sharp and murderous.
But when he looked at Ehilie, his expression softened instantly.
Seeing this, Gabriel thought.
Ah, he truly loves his wife.
Gabriel accepted the man’s hostility humbly.
“N-no, wait!”
“Ehilie, I know you are kind, but this is not right.”
“I know you’re worried about me. But I can’t send him away like this!”
……
Feeling like he was sitting on thorns, Gabriel suddenly knelt down.
He spoke politely.
“……Madam, I do not deserve your kindness. I am grateful, but I will take my leave.”
At that, the man’s eyes snapped toward him.
His red eyes flared like fire.
“What did you just say?”
“Pardon? That I don’t deserve your kindness……”
“Before that.”
Before that?
“You said ‘Madam.’”
“Madam?”
“Aren’t you two a married couple? You’re so affectionate that I thought you were newlyweds. If not, I apologize.”
The man’s lips slowly curved upward.
He answered with great satisfaction.
“Accepted.”
* * *
“Pardon?”
Gabriel asked back, not understanding.
Ehilie was equally confused.
Accepted for what? And newlyweds?
“Rek and I aren’t like that!”
Before she finished, Rek added calmly.
“Not yet.”
Not yet?
Ehilie was dumbfounded by his misleading remark.
“If you’re not married yet……”
Gabriel tilted his head, then nodded in understanding.
“Ah, I see. You’re engaged.”
No, that’s not it.
While Ehilie was internally panicking, Rek looked pleased.
“Rek, wait.”
She pulled him aside and whispered.
“Let’s talk.”
“Yes, Ehilie.”
“You’re making him misunderstand.”
“Misunderstand what?”
His innocent gaze turned sly.
“That was intentional.”
“What……?”
“If people know a woman lives alone in such a remote place, it’s dangerous.”
His gentle voice persuaded her.
“That’s true, but……”
She felt like she was being dragged into his pace again.
“You won’t see him for long anyway.”
“Well……”
She had planned to keep Gabriel for a few days.
Noticing her hesitation, Rek’s eyes sharpened.
“You’re not planning to keep him too, are you?”
“What? No. Absolutely not.”
She shook her head violently.
The idea alone was terrifying.
Seeing her clear disgust, Rek smiled in satisfaction.
“That’s a relief. I won’t need to be jealous this time.”
“Jealous? Were you jealous when I said I’d raise a crow?”
“Yes. When the woman I love pets and cares for something every day, how could I not be?”
His blunt confession made her heart pound.
“N-no, it’s just a crow……”
“I’m quite jealous.”
He stared at her and asked quietly.
“Do you dislike jealous men?”
Ehilie felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
“Do you dislike weak, sickly men who need a lot of care?”
Just like before, he was exposing his flaws and seeking reassurance.
Most people try to hide their weaknesses.
Rek was different.
That honesty slowly broke down her defenses.
“……No. I don’t dislike them.”
“That’s good.”
He smiled brightly.
“I’ll go take care of that matter.”
“Is there more to discuss?”
“Yes. He might be carrying dangerous items, so I want to check.”
Dangerous items……
Her gaze went to Gabriel’s sword.
So he wants to take it.
“Alright.”
With her permission, Rek walked over to Gabriel.
“I’d like to kick you out immediately, but since my Ehilie is soft-hearted, I’ll allow you to stay one night.”
“N-no, I couldn’t trouble you that much……”
“You’ve troubled us enough. And now you’ll refuse our goodwill?”
Frightened by his cold tone, Gabriel corrected himself.
“Understood. Then…… I’ll stay for one night.”
“At least you have some conscience.”
Rek muttered dryly and lifted his chin arrogantly.
“Undress.”
