Chapter 49
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Chapter 49
I opened the door to that person’s room with force.
“Amoide.”
A charmingly sweet voice resonated throughout the room. Even if it was from me, the hairs on my arms still stood up.
“Again? Why?”
As soon as he saw me, he answered me with a dry voice.
Ah, really. This was making me laugh. I think he’d even welcome a persistent beggar that would come every year better than me.
“We already took a stroll together,” he sighed, as if I really was a nuisance to him. “Come back another time.”
When Amoide collapsed from his cold, I practically lived here already.
“Not a walk.”
As I approached him, he watched my looming figure as I carried a pile of books.
“Let’s read together.”
I dropped the pile on the table.
“Read?”
He looked at the books with a frown.
‘They’re not even horse dung, but your face is just…’
There was already another book in his hands, and by the looks of its thick spine, it’s highly likely that it’s full of tedious, boring content.
“Come now, let’s read something interesting. Not that.”
I plucked the book he was holding. He was dumbfounded, but he let me take it away.
“What did you bring?”
His eyes turned to the book in my hand.
“It’s a cookbook, but I can’t read the words…”
“This is the language from the Duchy of Ludes,” he said as soon as he saw the title.
“Ludes? Oh! The territory that’s famous for its scenery?”
It was surrounded by the sea on three sides, and the climate was warm, so it’s rich in all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and seafood.
“Yes. Chefs of the Empire visit that place often.”
Geographically, the Empire and the Duchy had many opportunities to trade with each other, so naturally, chefs from both sides also had many exchanges.
“But.”
His expression got serious and he stopped reading.
“What’s wrong?”
I carefully examined his expression, wondering if I offended him somehow.
“…Are you sure you want to know?”
“Sure.”
“A Hundred Dishes for a Sultry Night with Your Darling.”
“…”
He picked up the next book.
“Energy-boosting Special Dishes for Hot Nights.”
With my mouth clamped shut, I froze and listened to him read the other titles.
“And this…”
Amoide picked up another book and cleared his throat.
“How to Turn Your Husband into a Beast.”
“…”
“Should I continue?”
The corners of his lips twitched.
“Tell me if you want me to.”
“N-No, that’s enough.”
I shook my head fervently.
“Why? I want to read more.”
He tilted his head to the side.
“I’m good. It’s fine.”
I quickly reached for the book he picked up.
“Don’t you need to know the recipes?”
“No thanks, I’m good.”
I shook my head from side to side as I tried to stop him.
“Why? Since you’re here, it’ll be good to read them together.”
He lifted the book high up. His arm was so long that I couldn’t reach even when I was standing.
“Give it!”
I tried my hardest to steal back the book by hopping, but it wasn’t enough.
“Why are you refusing the help that someone’s graciously offering you?”
He raised his hand as high as he could and smirked.
‘How mean!’
You really know how to make fun of someone with that handsome face of yours.
“Give it, give it to me… ohhh!”
With my arms outstretched, I lost my balance and fell forward.
“…”
I was expecting to go down and fall face-first on the hardwood floor, but instead of that, I was greeted with warmth… softness… but still somewhat rigid…
I was right on top of his chest.
Gulp.
The sound of me gulping was so embarrassingly loud.
Amoide was leaning back from his seat beside the window, and it seemed that he purposely caught me before I plunged to the floor.
Ba-dump, ba-dump.
Perhaps it was only because I was right above his chest, but the sound of his heartbeat was especially loud.
I tried to scurry away and get up, but the arms around my waist held me in place, and it was impossible for me to go against his hold.
As we were closely entangled, he whispered.
“Tell me the truth.”
The playful mood from before had disappeared.
“Why are you doing this?”
“Why… you ask?”
Ba-dump, ba-dump.
‘Don’t get too excited, my heart.’
I desperately tried to calm down my heart by reciting a prayer in my mind. Please, please don’t hear.
“Why are you pretending to be sincere?”
If a person was sincere, then they’re sincere. Why was he asking like this?
Astonished by his question, I looked up at him.
“Do you still doubt me? Doubt is like an illness as well, by the way.”
Nice. I said that naturally.
I spoke with a bright tone as I encouraged myself to continue.
“Raymond says that mental health is directly linked to one’s physical health.”
Before saying the next thing, I coughed for no reason.
“So stop suspecting me. Just eat what I give you, take walks with me, and just think about recovering.”
Please live a long life. So that I can get out of this mansion with my head intact.
“…”
Even with that, he showed no signs of letting me go.
Then there’s no helping it.
Slap!
What made the loud noise was me slapping him once on the chest.
“…”
His cold blue eyes widened with surprise.
Whoa, nice reaction there.
I slapped him on the chest a few more times.
Yep, as expected, hitting someone is still effective.
Perhaps surprised by my actions, his grip on my waist loosened, so I quickly pulled myself up—but I hadn’t even taken one step away before he caught me again.
“Gah!”
This time, he leaned over me and pushed me against the wall by the window.
“Answer me.”
His persistence was unwavering.
But it’s time that he gave up and recognized my pure intentions.
“What do you want me to say? Why are you so suspicious of me…?”
“Tell me.”
His voice was heavy with a certain passion, and I wasn’t sure whether it was anger or something else. But compared to that heated tone, his eyes were shining coldly. It felt like I was jumping in and out of a cold and hot bath.
It was so strange.
This man, who seemed to make it known that he was good at giving me suspicious looks and saying hateful things, somehow still found it in him to help me during the most crucial times.
When I sneaked out at dawn, and when I confronted Greta.
But now, why was he suddenly turning around while saying he didn’t trust me?
Which side of him was I supposed to trust?
“Because I… I…”
“You what?”
He drew closer to me, pinning me tighter against the wall and it was getting difficult for me to breathe.
Why are you doing this all of a sudden?
Thud.
He lightly slammed his hand against the wall to block my escape when I tried to turn and retreat.
“Y-You…”
There was no place for me to step back or escape.
I was completely trapped in his arms.
He’s been asking me the same thing several times, and I’ve been good at avoiding it until now. But here, it seems I’m out of luck.
Why was he being so persistent?
“Tell. Me.”
It seemed like he’d also reached his limit on this, and it didn’t look like he’d let me go if I didn’t answer.
“I-I mean…”
My mind raced under this suffocating pressure.
How can I get out of this?
What’s a good enough excuse for all the things I’ve done so far?
I knew where Amoide was coming from, because if I were in his shoes, I’d definitely be suspicious of me, too, especially since I just suddenly started taking care of his health.
So, this was all the more reason to wrack my mind for a reason.
‘What should I say?’
My thoughts were running rampant as those keen blue eyes stared at me.
Then, everything came to a standstill. There’s only one thing in my mind.
‘There’s always ‘that.’’
The magic word to tie all these actions like a ribbon and present it with a bow like it’s ‘fate’.
The very word that was the answer to everything and saved all of mankind.
The one thing that always conquers all trials and tribulations.
“Because I love you!”
I shouted with my eyes closed.
That’s right. Love.
Before I knew it, a song was ringing in my ears.
Love, Love, Love.
Yes, love has the power to save everything.
So it can save me, too—from this man who’s looking at me like I’ve gone bananas.
——
tl/n: *bangs pots and pans* PROGRESS??? FINALLY?!?!? AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
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