Chapter 48
‘Back then it only felt humiliating.’
Unlike other nobles who bought his time with money and constantly sought shameless opportunities, Leila that day said something unexpected and left the room.
‘You don’t have to spend this time with me. I only wished to give you some free time, sir.’
But to a youth barely past adulthood, her words sounded like mockery. To him, it felt especially malicious. She was a woman who knew full well that he was caged yet spoke of freedom.
With wounded pride, he didn’t move from the room and sat staring straight ahead for the entire allotted time. He thought his situation, treated as nothing more than a rich noble lady’s amusement, was damned unpleasant, and resented her who toyed with him using those innocent eyes.
Looking back, it was closer to shame than anger. Even for a moment he had liked the girl’s gentle gaze, and the fact she knew he was someone bought and sold wounded his pride. Worse still, the girl pitied him and gave him that time as charity, which twisted his feelings completely.
But now that he understood Leila, Bjorn realized how kind and considerate her intentions had been. And when he thought of Leila, who had loved him unwaveringly from then until now…
A thrilling satisfaction climbed his spine. Truly, she was a miraculous existence.
After waiting a long time for a suitable hour, Bjorn rushed into the flower shop the moment it opened and demanded flowers from the bewildered owner.
Since he had never bought flowers before, he had no idea what to choose. He picked every flower that looked pretty to him, so the bouquet became a large, chaotic mound of blooms, but it didn’t matter. The biggest and best flower Leila would receive today was Bjorn himself.
Holding the armful of flowers, Bjorn restrained his urge to sprint and walked the shopping street with forced composure. Yet as soon as Leila’s shop came into view, his heart began pounding uncontrollably.
At the same time his heart seemed to grow wings and soar into the sky. He didn’t know what to call this elevated feeling.
To commemorate this rebirth, perhaps he could make today his birthday. No, that was too selfish. Since it would be the first day he and Leila were joined after long wandering, it would be better kept as a precious anniversary for the two of them.
Each year when this day returned, he would offer generous donations to the God who blessed them and allowed this love to be fulfilled. And to Leila, every year he would confess his love again and again along with unforgettable gifts.
His thoughts naturally turned to their future together. One year later, two years later, and ten years later, what would they be like.
As husband and wife, he and Leila might run her bookstore together. He didn’t want her to suffer, but if she wished to continue, he would not stop her.
He was somewhat doubtful about remaining a paladin. If Leila wished it, he would stay, but if it deprived him of time with her, he would leave the temple without regret.
Between the reward from the holy war and his savings, he could support at least Leila alone no matter what work he did.
But… what if she’s not the only one he’d care for?
At the sudden thought, the corners of Bjorn’s mouth loosened foolishly. Of course, the matter of having children depended entirely on Leila’s wishes. Still, perhaps in a few years there might be one or two between them.
If that happened, Bjorn wanted to raise the child with utmost devotion. He was confident he could fill the child only with love so they would never experience abandonment like he had.
No matter the form, it seemed only a happy future awaited him. The couple would love each other forever, and he would devote his entire being to protecting his family’s happiness.
With such small yet grand hopes in his heart, Bjorn flung open the bookstore door.
* * *
Yet, as he was greeted by the now familiar cozy scent of paper when he stepped into the shop, it was not Leila who welcomed him.
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