IJEBPSCLB 44

chapter 44

Why did my appearance change wear off now?

I glanced down at my hair.

At some point, the brown tint had completely disappeared from my chestnut hair, leaving only a deep, pitch-black color behind.

I never expected something like this to happen.

This damn pheromone.

It was fine when I practiced alone.

I desperately hid my shock and composed my expression.

Just hurry up and finish. Hurry.

Despite my calm and leisurely appearance, inside I was burning with anxiety.

At some point, the rain must have stopped—the loud sound of pouring rain was gone.

In the silent house, Ariel and I met each other’s eyes once again.

A cool breeze drifted in through the window, wrapping around my body. Feeling the chill, Ariel clenched her fist once before relaxing it.

Her black, thread-like hair fluttered softly in the cold wind.

The faint sunlight streaming through the window behind her gently illuminated her hair.

There was something mystical about the way the sunlight touched her dark hair—it made her seem almost unreal, like she didn’t belong to this world.

Chloe quietly stared at Ariel, who stood before her waiting for an answer. In her clear, light-green eyes, Chloe saw her own stained reflection.

Those eyes were so pure, as if they could capture anything with perfect clarity.

To her, the girl before her looked like a god.

No—she was a god.

A god who had come to save her.

As if entranced, Chloe signed the contract and was about to hand it over to Ariel, but suddenly hesitated.

Ah. Should I add a fingerprint seal too?

She pulled the contract back.

Better to make it official.

Picking up a sharp shard lying on the ground, she decisively cut her thumb.

A sharp sting followed, and crimson blood welled up from the wound.

Seeing the blood bead on her finger, she casually pressed her thumb—still wet with blood—onto the signed line of the contract.

“There’s really no need to go that far!”

Startled by her completely off-target action, I exclaimed—but it was already too late.

“Here.”

With her fingerprint already stamped, Chloe smiled brightly—so much so that it was hard to believe she had been cautious earlier—and handed me the paper.

…What just happened?

I stared blankly at the contract in my hand.

The blood-stained thumbprint stood out vividly.

When I looked at her with slightly trembling eyes, she stared back as if nothing was wrong.

Are all original characters missing a screw somewhere…?

I thought only Ian was abnormal.

A faint sense of concern for my future crept into my mind.

After confirming the contract again, I pulled out a red pouch from my pocket and tossed it to her.

“This should be enough to buy that rocky mountain in the east—and still have some left. The exact location is written on the note inside. Just follow it when you go.”

She caught the pouch neatly.

“Buy the eastern rocky mountain under the name of the <Felix> trading company. Register the company under your name.”

I gave her outfit a quick once-over, then tossed her a blue pouch filled with jewels.

“And get yourself some new clothes. You can’t register a company or buy land dressed like that.”

The heavy sound of jewels settling into her hands echoed as the string tightened in her grip.

Then I threw her one last green pouch.

“Even if it’s just a pile of rocks, you’re still buying a whole mountain.”

I pulled my raincoat hood back over my head and turned the doorknob.

“If you finish the job or need to contact me, leave a letter at the post office.”

Creak—

The rusty iron door groaned as it opened.

“Oh, and don’t forget—make sure what happened between us today doesn’t leak out.”

“Just like the name of your company, I hope luck stays with you.”

“I look forward to working with you.”

Click.

With those words, the door of the shabby wooden shack closed.

Wow… I finally did it.

Feeling all the strength drain out of me, I collapsed onto the floor after returning to the mansion.

It’s done.

I made a contract with the original heroine.

I clenched my fist tightly.

I couldn’t believe it.

A grin spread across my face uncontrollably.

I quickly covered my mouth.

But seriously, isn’t Chloe way too cute?

That fluffy pink hair and those round eyes.

Anyone would fall for her at first sight. And she’s competent too.

With her personality from the original story, she could probably negotiate the price down by half.

There was no way Chloe would fail to purchase a rocky mountain.

I could practically see piles of money walking toward me.

She really has irresistible charm.

A smile kept threatening to spill out.

My heart raced with excitement.

“Phew…”

I tried to calm myself down. Of course, it didn’t work.

Just then, a shadow suddenly fell over where I had been crouching.

“Did you enjoy your outing today?”

A low voice sounded above me.

I didn’t tell Ian I was going out.

My heart dropped.

At his words, I sank fully onto the floor from my crouched position.

Tilting my head up slowly, I saw Ian bending down, looking at me.

It seemed he had just come out of the shower—droplets of water fell from his white hair.

“Uh… um…”

Since I had plenty to feel guilty about—starting from getting Louise’s permission—I avoided his gaze.

He tilted his head and met my eyes again.

“Well…”

“I—”

We both spoke at the same time.

Ian narrowed his eyes slightly and gestured for me to go first.

He looked like he was enjoying this situation.

Feeling intimidated by his presence, I swallowed hard.

Gulp.

Was this what it felt like to be prey cornered by a predator?

I should’ve just stayed quiet…

Even though he wasn’t doing anything, his presence alone was overwhelming.

It felt like invisible fur was standing on end.

I glanced at him nervously and slowly shuffled sideways.

Unlike his eyes, which weren’t smiling, the corner of his lips twisted upward.

“Shouldn’t the kitty start becoming independent?”

“It might be good to let her learn how to go around on her own.”

For a moment, the voice of an annoying aide echoed faintly in Ian’s mind.

“Ha…”

A heavy sigh escaped his lips, carrying a subtle pressure.

Taking advantage of the moment he fell into thought, Ariel slowly got to her feet and began stepping back.

She even got Louise’s permission by saying she’s known as Louise’s disciple to others…

Ariel always exceeded his expectations.

Now’s my chance.

While he stood still in thought, Ariel carefully distanced herself.

It was instinct.

The instinct to create distance from a top predator.

Even though cats weren’t herbivores, in front of a true apex predator, she felt like prey all the same.

“Where did you go?”

Even the simple question sounded dangerous.

“Well… just what people normally do when they go out.”

No way I can say I was preparing retirement funds in case I need to run away from you.

I forced a vague smile.

“You’re really not going to tell me?”

“I told you, it was just a normal outing.”

Even as I spoke, my feet kept moving away.

He stepped closer.

A red smile spread across his lips.

“Liar.”

One step.

“Lying Ariel.”

Two steps.

He kept getting closer.

He was fixated on his prey.

I could feel it—he was a beast at the top of the food chain.

“It’s true.”

Ariel replied calmly.

No, seriously, how does he know I’m lying…?

This is dangerous.

Feeling a sudden sense of crisis, I turned and ran.

“Why are you running?”

His voice followed leisurely from behind.

“Because you’re chasing me.”

Also because I feel guilty.

Tap. Tap.

My footsteps echoed through the room.

Ian ran a hand through his hair, pushing back his silky white strands.

“If you run like that, I’ll feel hurt.”

His voice sounded amused.

The excited tone of a predator driving its prey into a corner.

How does that sound hurt at all?!

My face turned pale as I ran faster.

The unnecessarily large bed came into view.

Just this morning, there had been nothing more comforting—but now it only got in my way.

It limited my movement.

I veered around it, hurrying my steps.

“I’ve been waiting for you all this time—”

Thud.

Something caught my foot.

What—what’s on the floor?

My balance tipped forward.

I’m going to fall.

I squeezed my eyes shut and threw my hands out to brace myself.

…Wait, I didn’t fall?

Even after a moment, I felt no impact.

Slowly, I opened my eyes.

Beneath me was the bedspread.

“…—for you.”

Ian’s muffled voice came from below me.

At some point, he had pulled me onto the bed, one arm wrapped around my waist.

“You didn’t miss me?”

His voice dropped even lower.

Our faces were less than a hand’s breadth apart.

I could feel his warm breath.

“Ariel.”

His eyes—filled with something like obsession—locked onto mine.