Chapter 103
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Chapter 103
I stared at him blankly.
I didn't mishear, did I? He just said he liked me...
"Because I like you, I don't want to break up."
His eyes were wide and earnest. The hand I'd placed on Dale's shoulder felt warm against my palm.
He gazed at me with such tenderness.
"I know you'd hate to hear this, but as the time we spend together grows, my affection for you deepens with each passing day."
"...."
"I can't suppress this desire. I love you. I've only been holding onto the promise that you'd return to me, but if you leave now, I..."
When he tilted his head, warmth brushed against the back of my hand. I couldn't tear my gaze from his face as he whispered earnestly, his eyes glistening as if on the verge of tears.
"I won't accept the contract being broken."
"...."
"Come back to me as promised."
"Dale...."
As I held his shoulders, I felt a subtle tremor. Looking more carefully, it wasn't my arm shaking—it was his body.
With a composed expression, he spoke with absolute sincerity.
When did this start?
I never imagined Dale could develop feelings for me. I'd always thought his shyness was simply part of his nature.
"Do you really like me, Dale?"
When I cupped his face in my hands, Dale's eyes widened. He gazed at me with trembling eyes and nodded carefully.
His ears were crimson, and the corners of his eyes were flushed. When my hands touched him, he flinched as if burned.
"So it wasn't just because of your personality?"
I stroked him slowly. As I brushed back his soaking wet hair, I remembered the day we first met.
My heart began to fill gradually, like water rising in a vessel. An overwhelming emotion swelled upward, filling my chest completely. An itch I couldn't scratch tingled within me.
I gazed at him intently and opened my mouth.
"Dale."
"I'm sorry. That's what I came here to tell you."
Just as I was about to respond, Dale released me.
"???"
Suddenly, I felt terribly empty.
I stood with my arms raised in empty air, still in the position where I'd held his shoulders, staring at him blankly.
Looking up at Dale's face, it was as red as it had been moments before.
His ears, face, and neck were all flushed so intensely that strawberries and tomatoes could take a step back.
He clenched his fists and steadied his voice.
"I apologize if that was too much for you to bear."
"Wait, Dale."
"I received your letter and simply couldn't remain idle."
Dale, gathering his courage to meet my gaze, revealed his flushed face as he spoke.
His eyebrows twisted with sorrow.
"I waited, thinking I could speak when the contract ended. But termination..."
Dale truly seemed wounded.
His voice grew progressively quieter. The eyes looking at me also became increasingly furrowed and distressed.
"I want to make a good impression on you, Enya. Parting like this wasn't part of my plan."
Contrary to his words, Dale stepped back and gazed at me carefully with drooping eyes.
"If I can't be your husband, couldn't you keep me by your side under a different contract?"
"Dale? Wait a moment."
"You could use me as a cook. You could employ me as a guard knight."
"I understand. But let me say something—"
"You know I'm skilled at many things."
"That's an unreasonable proposal. Because—"
"You're free to overwork me, to exhaust me as you wish."
Perched on the windowsill, Dale spoke in a quiet voice, his long legs stretched out before him.
He pulled his lips up in a lukewarm smile, a faint laugh crossing his face.
"Anything you give me, Enya, is fine."
"...!"
"Even if it's punishment."
It seemed as though a saint's halo was shining behind Dale. I pressed my spinning head.
"Um... But Dale, what are you doing right now?"
I wondered why he'd gone to the window, only to see him quietly opening it.
I hurried over and grabbed him.
"You're going out that way? It's dangerous!"
Dale turned to me and laughed with an unbothered expression.
"It's fine. The rain has stopped, so there's no risk of slipping."
"No, I can't let you leave like this!"
I dragged Dale, who already had one foot outside, back and sat him on the bed.
There was no helping it.
"I need to dry you off with this at least."
I pulled over the blanket and dried his hair. Then I took his temperature.
"You don't have a fever yet. But when exactly have you been waiting for me outside?"
"Only a few minutes."
"That's a lie. The rain wasn't falling like this before I fell asleep. Tell me the truth."
"...I came outside around midnight."
It was now four in the morning.
"Where did you come from? I thought you said you had business and were going to the Northern Region last time. Did you run here from there?"
"I was in the Capital."
I was startled by Dale's words.
"Is it because of my letter?"
"...."
Dale, who had been hesitating, stared at me with a puppy-like expression. He whimpered softly.
Seeing him nod while wrapped in a cozy blanket, my heart skipped a beat.
"...Oh."
I stepped back slightly from Dale. A look of disappointment immediately crossed his face.
"No, it's not because of you, Dale. I was just a bit startled. First, let me fetch some dry clothes from my brother. Just stay here for a moment."
"Are you leaving?"
Dale grabbed the hem of my clothes and asked.
"...Just for now."
"I can't put my clothes on you, can I? The size won't fit."
"...."
Dale nodded. Then he grabbed me again just as I was turning to leave.
"Come back quickly."
I closed the door and stood outside the room for a long while. My heart was pounding wildly.
'...What was that?'
Something felt very strange.
* * *
"Enya, you look tired."
Father asked me at the breakfast table.
"Ha ha, me? Is my appetite not good lately?"
I shook my head and stabbed at the soup in my bowl with a spoon.
"Ouch!"
"That's strange."
Father, who had set down his knife, rested his chin on his hand and looked at me as if I were a suspicious person.
"Something seems to be the matter."
"N-no, it's nothing! It's just such a refreshing and invigorating morning."
"...Is that so?"
The suspicious glint in his eyes did not fade.
"Well, I'm relieved nothing happened. But given that an intruder broke in at dawn, be especially careful."
"Something like that happened? I was sleeping so soundly I didn't notice!"
"The problem is we haven't caught them yet. They may still be in this Mansion, so I'll station knights in front of your room."
"That's not necessary... but I understand! Thank you!"
I bit my lip and held back my words. If I said it wasn't needed in this situation, it would look even more suspicious.
"Forgive me, but I have something to do today, so I'll return to my room first."
"Something to do?"
"It's related to The Emperor. There's something urgent I need to attend to."
Father's eyebrows rose slightly, but he seemed to let it pass once I mentioned it was for The Emperor.
"By the way, can I bring some snacks? Oh, I just ate, but I'm hungry again."
I headed to the Kitchen where the cooks were and gathered various foods, tea, and water.
Those around me looked at me strangely.
"Miss, was the portion not enough?"
"My appetite has been returning lately. The cooks at our Mansion are always the best, after all."
I carried the basket filled with food and rushed into my Room.
Then I approached Dale, who was sitting there vacantly.
As I entered, Dale quickly turned his gaze toward me.
"Dale! Did you wait long? Let's have breakfast."
Dale, who had been sleeping until just before I left, ran his hand through his disheveled hair as if he'd just woken up.
"Don't look. I'm not presentable."
He turned away, unwilling to show me his disheveled state, and smoothed back his black hair neatly.
"It's fine. You're still handsome, Dale."
"...."
Dale looked at me shyly for a moment, then shifted his gaze to the basket.
I placed the food on the bed one piece at a time.
"Sit and eat."
Dale didn't bring the bread to his mouth; instead, he quietly gazed at what I held in my hand.
"At least eat this for now. Security is tightly positioned throughout my Room, the Corridor, and the entire Mansion."
"...."
"It seems it will take time to safely get you out of here."
I cut the bread and brought it to Dale's mouth.
"So eat well for now,"
Dale chewed and swallowed the bread, his gaze piercing through me. His eyes were so intense it felt as though he were devouring me instead.
As I offered the next piece of bread, Dale grasped my hand.
"That's for next time."
He whispered quietly and refused the next food.
"I can't swallow anything right now."
"Is it not tasty?"
"Because we haven't concluded our contract."
Dale's intense gaze fixed firmly upon me.
He grasped my wrist and traced his thumb across my palm.
"Unless you truly despise me."
"...."
"Tell me we're still husband and wife."
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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