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Chapter 10
Well, now that I’ve said it all, I feel like I’m such a piece of trash.
Now that I’ve said everything with confidence, I feel ashamed of my actions and sorry for him. I had my reasons, but the best thing to do would have been to show no interest in Lyxion from the start and end the blind date.
But I couldn’t do that. I was anxious that something I didn’t want to happen would happen. I couldn’t be 100% sure that Lyxion wouldn’t be interested in me. Isn’t that a common cliché in romance novels?
The arrogant male lead meets a female lead who, for the first time in his life, shows no interest in him, which piques his curiosity, and that curiosity develops into love.
I just wanted to prevent that cliché from happening, but things got weird.
‘I worked so hard, but it all ended up like this.’
I sighed inwardly and bowed my head to Lyxion. I was not afraid of how Lyxion would react or worried about the aftermath, but I was sincerely apologizing for reflecting on my actions.
“I’m sorry, but I would appreciate it if you didn’t contact me out of the blue like this again in the future. I would like it if we never met again in person. Again, I’m so sorry.”
But this time, there was no immediate response.
‘…Why isn’t he saying anything?’
I glanced up timidly.
Lyxion had a thoughtful expression on his face, and when our eyes met, he smiled again.
“I see. I understand.”
Thank goodness. Does this mean he accepts it?
He still didn’t look angry, and he answered calmly, which relieved me for a moment.
“But is it okay to be so honest all of a sudden?” His eyes, still full of curiosity, met mine as he asked. “What if I become more interested in Lady Kristenner after hearing that?”
I froze, having been relieved too soon.
‘I actually thought about that too….’
It was like spilled water that I couldn’t put back in the cup.
As I fidgeted, my eyes darting around again, a short laugh brushed my ears.
“I’m kidding.”
Lyxion said it with a playful voice, then quickly wiped the smile off his face.
“I understand what Lady Kristenner means, so you don’t have to be so sorry.”
Then, with a serious demeanor, he placed his right hand over his left chest and bowed his head slightly.
“I apologize for my past behavior. I didn’t realize that my words and actions towards you were so offensive. I’m sorry.”
I was surprised. Once because he joked with a smile. And again because he bowed his head in front of me and apologized.
I stared at him blankly, wondering if I had been wrong about Lyxion all this time. Did I miss something in the original? Was he a somewhat sensible and reasonable person before meeting Eunha? Could it be that I had seen only a few situations in the original and judged him to be an overly irrational and violent person?
“Can Lady Kristenner accept my apology?”
I was still reevaluating Lyxion when he suddenly held out his right hand with a smile.
Was he asking for a handshake?
I reached out my hand without thinking.
As I cautiously extended my hand, his hand came closer and clasped mine. It felt like my small hand was enveloped in his large one.
I instinctively flinched at the unfamiliar sensation, and my chest felt a little… uncomfortable.
I was about to pull my hand back, thinking it was enough, when his hand held mine with more force.
“Can I ask you one more thing in return?”
Huh? I looked up, slightly flustered, and he smiled again, his eyes curving beautifully.
“I’ve been curious as to why you seem so desperate to avoid getting entangled with anyone. It’s as if you have some special reason.”
I blinked in surprise at his question.
What the heck? It was a question I’d never expected. And it was as if he’d known me for a long time…
“Did we meet somewhere before our blind date?”
“No, we haven’t… well, not exactly.”
He spoke with a distant look in his eyes, as if recalling the distant past, and a smile returned to his lips.
“It’s just that I’ve known of Lady Kristenner one-sidedly.”
Lyxion said it as if it were nothing, exuding an aura that he didn’t want to say anything more.
But I couldn’t just let that slide.
It’s strange. Yes, it’s too strange.
I had been careful not to run into or get involved with the main characters of the original story, except for Michael, whom I had to face every day.
In fact, I had never been involved with any of the characters who played a significant role in the original story.
…Or so I believed.
And yet, Lyxion had his eyes on me before this blind date? When? How? Why?
My head suddenly became a jumbled mess.
I tried to hide my confusion as I met his gaze, waiting for my answer.
“As for this blind date, my brother wants me to meet a lifelong companion and build a family, but I’m not ready for that yet. That’s all.”
“Ah… Is that so.”
I deliberately dodged the gist of the question and answered.
His gaze flew at me intently, as if examining my reaction or expression, but I was too busy thinking about when I had ever crossed paths with Lyxion, even for a moment, to care about that.
“For now, I understand Lady Kristenner’s feelings. I will make sure not to bother lady in the future. And as for the blind date… I suppose it would be better if ;ady declined.”
Recalling my childhood, my debut into society, and the banquets I had reluctantly attended with my brother Michael, I suddenly came to my senses.
Oh, that’s difficult. I made a troubled face and spoke timidly.
“No, I’d rather Your Grace decline first, if possible.”
“Ah.”
Lyxion, who had been slightly puzzled by my words, nodded as if he had belatedly recalled my circumstances.
“Yes, that’s right. I understand. I’ll do that.”
Was this it?
I was a little bewildered by how easily things had been settled, but I was secretly relieved.
Fortunately, Lyxion was more rational and communicative than I had expected.
No, actually, that was to be expected. The man before me wasn’t head over heels in love with me at first sight, like he had been with Eunha.
I don’t know everything about that man, but his attitude towards me must have been out of some ulterior motive or simple curiosity. It was just something temporary.
Lyxion’s violent obsession and possessiveness were only triggered by Eunha, and it’s only right for a person with common sense to back down obediently when the other person says no.
And fortunately, Lyxion was a man who could think rationally ‘towards me’.
Whenever he was involved with Eunha, he would often lose his mind and act like a madman, but that was only because of her.
You see, even though he’s the head of a family with great responsibilities, he wouldn’t act so recklessly and irresponsibly.
Besides, the Kristenner family that I belong to isn’t some insignificant family with no name or reputation.
It’s a little unsettling that he says he’s known me for a while, but oh well. I thought it would be fine since we decided not to care about each other anymore.
“Is there anything else we need to discuss here?”
In the first place, the only thing we had to discuss was whether or not to hire the guild master as an investigator, so there was no need for me to stay here any longer.
After saying our goodbyes and exchanging handshakes, I watched him for a moment, looking for a sign that it was time to part ways. I replied with a welcoming expression.
“Yes, I should head back now.”
“Then I shall escort you to your carriage.”
“Oh? No, it’s fine.”
Oh no, not this again.
I was about to wave my hand and refuse his burdensome offer when I realized that I was still holding his hand.
Yikes! I was startled and quickly pulled my hand away from his. As I flinched and pulled my hand away, he let go with a slightly displeased expression.
I felt a lingering sensation that he had reluctantly let go at the very last moment, which made me feel even more embarrassed.
I hid my hand behind my back and shot him a wary glance.
Despite my gaze, Lyxion smiled nonchalantly as if nothing had happened.
He definitely did, but his expression changed in an instant.
“This may be the last time we see each other, so please allow me to do this much.”
He suddenly spoke in a regretful voice, wearing a bitter smile.
He lowered his graceful and beautiful eyebrows as he spoke, making it difficult for me to refuse him.
‘We’ve apologized to each other, shook hands, and are about to go our separate ways. Why is he making a fuss about escorting me to my carriage? No!’
That thought crossed my mind, but then I thought,
‘It’s just to the carriage. I can just put up with it for a little while. Why am I making a fuss about it? Let’s just say yes and get it over with!’
Two conflicting thoughts clashed in my head for a moment. After deliberating, I nodded with a reluctant expression.
“Oh, um… okay…”
I had no choice but to accept his offer to escort me to my carriage, and we began to walk together.
“Your Grace, Lady Kristenner.”
As we opened the door to the reception room, Wion, who seemed to have been waiting in the hallway, approached us with an anxious expression.
He didn’t say anything, but the way he looked at my face and body made me feel like he was worried that I might have been beaten up.
I shrugged my shoulders slightly to indicate that I was okay.
Lyxion ignored him and walked past him without a glance. Then, when I fell a little behind, he stopped and looked back at me, waiting for me.
Was he really going to escort me all the way to my carriage?
I quietly approached him and began to walk beside him.
Lyxion’s excessive kindness was driving me crazy, but I was determined not to show it.
