~Chapter 83~
“Mm…”
I couldn’t answer Harry right away. Why was I being so kind to him and Pin?
Of course, I knew one day he would ask this question.
But… how should I answer?
Because in my past life, I lived like Harry and could understand him?
Because in my past life, I was also terminally ill and could relate to Pin’s sickness?
If I thought carefully, it would be better to just tell the truth.
That I was living with a time limit, and because of that, I simply wanted to help as many people as I could.
But…
I looked at Harry. His eyes were filled with curiosity, waiting for my answer.
‘Harry doesn’t know yet that I’m terminally ill.’
It was difficult to tell him first.
Someday, I would have to. I knew that. But even though I thought it might be better to be honest now, the words just wouldn’t leave my lips.
I couldn’t guess how Harry and Pin would react if they knew.
Harry, who was finally chasing his dream.
Pin, who was making up for lost years by reading book after book.
I wanted them to focus only on learning, on growing.
So…
‘Sorry, Harry.’
I smiled faintly.
I would tell them later. When they had grown stronger, when their lives had found stable paths—then it wouldn’t be too late.
“Before I grew up, I wasn’t like this. That’s why I regret not taking care of people around me.”
Instead of telling the real reason, I covered it up.
“Really… I just wanted to help. Watching you grow makes me happy too.”
“….”
“Actually, I should be the thankful one. Most people expect gratitude when they help, but you and Pin always show it willingly.”
That was the truth.
Many people take kindness for granted, but Harry and Pin never forgot to be grateful.
“Don’t lose that heart. Don’t grow lazy. Keep putting your soul into painting. Watching you grow is the greatest reward for me.”
I smiled as I finished and sipped my tea. The soft fragrance of black tea filled my mouth.
Then, I noticed the silence.
When I looked up, Harry was staring at me.
His brown eyes, usually calm, were now looking straight at me—clear, unshaken.
It felt like time had stopped. My heart dropped heavily in my chest.
We stayed like that for a while, until unexpected words came from Harry’s lips.
“I like you, Milady.”
“….”
I widened my eyes, doubting what I had just heard.
Harry held his breath, then exhaled slowly. His voice trembled slightly.
“I know it might be wrong for me to have these feelings. But… I wanted to say it at least once.”
“…Harry. I—”
“You don’t have to answer.”
Harry raised his hand with a small smile, as if to calm me.
“I’m not saying this expecting a reply.”
“….”
“I just wanted to tell you. While painting this picture, all I could think of was you, Milady.”
Harry turned his gaze toward the painting he had been working on.
Lisman Port—painted in warm golden light.
Memories, feelings, emotions that had bloomed in his heart were all there, captured on canvas.
He closed his eyes once, then looked at me again with a warm smile.
“It may be small and unworthy, but… I really like you, Milady. Somehow, my heart just flowed that way.”
Clack.
I closed the door of the studio, carrying the tray with the untouched teacups.
…For some reason, I had just received a confession.
When I first entered, I had only intended to share a light tea time.
Even in the hallway afterward, I stood dazed in front of the door.
I had never expected to be confessed to so suddenly.
[I like you, Milady.]
[I know it might be wrong, but I wanted to say it at least once.]
‘…Of course, I had guessed he might feel some affection.’
If I were Harry, I couldn’t help but like me too.
Objectively, Irene was a flawless, pretty noblewoman. And she had appeared like an angel, helping them. It would be stranger if he didn’t feel anything.
Still, I never approached him trying to win his feelings.
And I never imagined he would confess like that in his studio.
‘…Harry really is bold. To confess to a noblewoman like me.’
He must know it’s impossible.
That was why he told me not to worry about it.
So—I decided not to. I would erase it from my mind as if I had never heard it.
‘…Instead.’
I had a new thought.
Watching Harry, who confessed honestly despite the difference in status, gave me a hint.
A hint on how I should deal with Fabian Alfonso.
I took a deep breath and walked with firm steps.
Clack.
A large, graceful hand set down a whiskey glass.
Fabian sat alone in his room at the Magic Tower, drinking whiskey.
The liquid was rich in both color and scent.
He usually drank strong, empty-tasting peat whiskey, but sometimes he enjoyed one with more depth.
In truth, he preferred this kind.
These flavors were unfamiliar, richer, more mysterious—more enjoyable.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his memory.
[Why don’t you try taking off that cloak for once?]
[You always wear black. Try wearing something brighter, Fabian. Maybe it’ll change how you feel.]
Irene’s words.
Fabian lowered his gaze. The black cloak he had worn for so many years hung over his shoulders.
“….”
He frowned slightly, staring at it.
Should he… change it?
Just then—
His ring began to glow red and vibrate.
The signal Irene used whenever she needed him.
Fabian set his glass down and stood.
He didn’t expect she would need him much now that she could control her mana better. But still—whenever she called, he would go.
The cloak swayed slightly as he stepped.
The next moment, Fabian stood in Irene’s chamber at the Duke’s mansion.
“…What is it?”
He tilted his head, puzzled.
There was no sign of mana instability around her.
She was just sitting quietly at her table, gazing outside.
“Fabian.”
“…?”
“Would you like me to introduce you to a young lady?”
Irene’s soft voice made Fabian frown slightly.
A lady? Out of nowhere?
“A while ago, when we had whiskey together—you remember the lady we met then? She asked me to introduce you.”
“….”
The suggestion was so sudden, Fabian was almost speechless. He was about to respond when—
“But,” Irene said first, turning to face him.
“I don’t want to introduce you to anyone else.”
The sunset painted the sky red behind her.
Fabian thought Irene’s expression looked unfamiliar in that moment.
“Somewhere along the way…” she continued, her eyes clearer than ever,
“I think I’ve started to like you, Fabian Alfonso.”
