Chapter 80
The problem was that Leila had already become embarrassed. Throughout the meal she tried to ignore Bjorn’s gaze that seemed to ask, ‘Did you really hand such a precious object to a man who meant nothing to you?’ Yet once she noticed his eyes growing moist even during the meal, she could no longer ignore it.
For the sake of Bjorn’s dignity she couldn’t let him burst into tears in front of the whole family, so Leila repeatedly poked his rock hard thigh.
In the end, once the meal was over and the two were alone, Bjorn finally broke down in tears.
“I didn’t even know it was such a precious item… I only wore it reluctantly. I didn’t know you gave it with such feelings, and I treated it as something trivial…”
While consoling him, saying it was all in the past, she also had to anxiously watch in case his divine power went berserk again or he collapsed in pain.
Leila had never particularly liked staying under her father’s roof, but after that day it became even more of a place she wished to avoid. She felt she should refrain from visiting the Count’s residence with Bjorn whenever possible.
* * *
After large and small matters were settled, Bjorn and Leila began what he strongly insisted on calling a ‘relationship’.
From the moment Bjorn, newly released from confinement, bought flowers and jewelry indiscriminately and tearfully proposed, the two were practically engaged.
However, as if trying to compensate for Leila’s time, Bjorn wanted a period of dating before marriage. Leila had no real reason to refuse, so she gladly accepted his suggestion.
On the first date after officially becoming lovers, the two were organizing belongings together not in any special place, but in Leila’s home above the bookstore.
“I could have done this alone. I feel like I’ve bothered you for no reason.”
She had thrown the belongings there in anger when she returned to the count’s residence, so she felt embarrassed borrowing his help to unpack them. Bjorn shook his head and answered no.
“That isn’t true. In fact, I really wanted to see it at least once. I was curious what kind of space you built here by yourself.”
The small space was not especially beautiful or refined, but like her bookstore it felt cozy and warm.
Compared to his bleak quarters, the room’s warmth made Bjorn feel an absurdly strong desire to settle down and live here.
“You’re my first guest, except for the maid. I’ve never invited anyone before.”
It was slightly embarrassing to indirectly admit she had no friends to call over, yet Bjorn’s expression looked very satisfied.
“I’ll bring some tea. Please wait a moment.”
She seated him in a tiny parlor compared to the Bailey mansion and left to prepare refreshments. When she returned shortly after, Bjorn, who had been unpacking first, stood frozen like a statue.
Ah… he saw it after all.
She had expected it might happen someday, only the timing came sooner. Of all things, the very first bundle he touched contained Leila’s collection.
Most items were harmless even if Bjorn saw them. Palm-sized portraits the temple sold quarterly, which Leila bought every quarter without fail, or limited signature sheets were ordinary enough.
Somewhat rarer were things like scriptures he had touched or a drawing he made in an art contest at age ten, but those were official temple goods so they were respectable.
She also kept trophies like the teacup he used on the day she bought his time, a few strands of hair occasionally obtained where he stayed, and the rosary she practically seized from him when giving him the Bailey family rosary. But there was one thing she least wanted discovered, her diary.
And seeing Bjorn’s tear-stricken face, she knew he had already read it. With a resigned heart, Leila called his name.
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