Chapter 42
Yeah, he definitely knew…
Yet he simply couldn’t make a decision. It was certain his heart leaned more toward the latter, but he couldn’t take the final step. Because he was afraid.
Over these fifteen days, Bjorn and Leila met three more times. Of course, Leila still didn’t budge.
Although his resolve had weakened compared to before, Bjorn kept trying one thing after another.
When he claimed he had been holding a sword since childhood, was ignorant and dull, Leila, just like during dining etiquette, said she would make up for and cover those shortcomings herself.
“I read a lot of books, so it’s fine. If there’s something you don’t know, ask me.”
Of course, Bjorn had not neglected his studies even during his days as a squire, so he felt somewhat wronged.
One day he met her in a filthy appearance and even lied that although he had tried until now, he actually disliked washing himself.
This too was extremely unpleasant for Bjorn, who was not only shaped by holy duties but also innately preferred cleanliness.
Yet Leila didn’t waver. Rather, she gifted him handmade soap and threw out words that stirred both his body and mind like a kicked beehive.
“If someday the chance comes… I’ll properly teach you how to wash.”
Bjorn still didn’t know what she meant by that.
Lastly, when he used dirty curses and vulgar speech no paladin would ever say aloud…
“I’m more used to your prim and proper appearance, sir, but sometimes this side of you isn’t bad either…”
Unable to endure Leila’s shy gaze and oddly flushed face, Bjorn was the one who raised the white flag first.
It truly seemed there existed nowhere in the world a method to turn Leila Bailey’s heart.
And the bigger problem was Bjorn himself. Whenever he confirmed this very fact each time, he felt so relieved and willingly stepped forward even closer. More than that, he would search for any excuse to kiss her at any given time.
Unable to endure the lack of progress, one day, Todd even brought up words no one else dared to say.
‘What if you just… slapped Miss Bailey once, just once…’
As if afraid the Almighty God might hear, he whispered with clasped hands, and Bjorn and Allen’s hands flew simultaneously to the back of his head.
Despite the three men’s tireless efforts, Leila remained unmoved like an impregnable fortress, and as time passed the one being conquered was instead Bjorn.
Now her obsessive affection toward him didn’t bother him. No, he even welcomed it.
Leila’s unchanging attitude regardless of his flaws made Bjorn dare to harbor a certain hope.
Maybe… just maybe. Perhaps he too had the right to be loved. Perhaps there might exist in this world at least one person who would remain at his side unchanged through the storms of time. Someone none other than Leila Bailey…
While Bjorn was intoxicated by the aftertaste of the kiss and the sweetness of optimism, Leila, having seen off the customer, returned to him.
“Fortunately it ended quickly. Looking at the clock, I think we should be leaving soon.”
They had been apart less than ten minutes, yet her reappearing face here was achingly welcome.
Had she always been this pretty?
With his heart now completely leaning toward Leila, Bjorn thought.
The black hair he once considered dull now looked like ebony, and the amber eyes he thought unreadable shone like jewels. Even the large glasses covering half her face looked so adorable.
Moreover, Bjorn now knew the face beyond those glasses. Clear, innocent, delicate, a lovely face that flushed red whenever he kissed her, a face she showed no one else.
He was not the type to be captivated by a woman’s appearance. Yet at some point, Leila began to look cute and lovable to him like a fairy from a story. It was irresistible.
Yes, she was a special being like a fairy. The only one in the world who would love Bjorn as he was. The singular existence who would never abandon him no matter what. Someone he could now discard fear and trust…
As his heart’s direction rapidly shifted, he stared blankly at Leila, and she approached without knowing anything. Bjorn watched in rapture as the woman looking up at him slowly blushed apricot across both cheeks.
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