For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 111

‘It’s this procession, right?’

At Rozemian’s appearance, I looked back at the procession of pilgrims.

Until now, they had seemed nothing but a bunch of beggars here to squeeze money out of the village, but the moment I spotted Rozemian, my impression of them instantly changed.

If someone were to look into my eyes now, they’d probably say stars were twinkling in them, that’s how full of curiosity I was.

Because this procession appears in the prologue of the novel I’ve transmigrated into, To Become the Master of that Collar.

In other words, Rozemian is about to head straight up this road, where she’ll meet Declan, a slave, in the Glioced Margraviate where I once lived. The episode where she picks up Declan and travels to the capital is about to unfold.

‘Of course, Declan isn’t there anymore.’

How will Rozemian act when there’s no Declan to rescue? How will this world change and flow?

What sort of storm will my small butterfly’s wings turn into as they ripple out toward me?

With a hint of anxiety, I gazed for a long time at Rozemian’s pink, cotton-candy hair as it disappeared into the distance.

***

“What’s that?”

Feyden glanced at the paper in my hand as he entered my room.

Last night, Ariel had visited and carefully handed me this letter, like passing a secret note.

He said the reason he’d come to my room that day, after meeting Declan at the duchy, was actually to give me this letter.

But with everything that happened with Declan, being threatened by Feyden, and then my sudden collapse, he hadn’t found the right timing to give it to me until now. He apologized for the delay.

‘Even the handwriting is neat and tidy, just like Ariel.’

The size of each letter was identical, and the lines were straight as if drawn with a ruler. Just looking at the writing put me in a good mood.

[ To Lady Estira, ]

The first line at the top was pressed down hard, as if written with the utmost care, and it was the prettiest handwriting of all.

For some reason, it almost felt like receiving a love letter.

Even though I knew the contents would be nothing of the sort, the fact that this was the first letter I’d ever received since transmigrating into this world made my heart float a little.

Relying on the flickering candlelight, I slowly read the letter.

It was almost as if his gentle voice was playing in my ear.

[ I’m sorry. Forgive me. Dozens, hundreds… no, however many times I say it, it won’t be enough. I am truly ashamed to be apologizing and hiding like this after deceiving and hurting you, Estira.

The warmth and kindness you gave to me, I repaid only with betrayal and mistrust. I am truly sorry. I don’t ask for forgiveness. I am not worthy of forgiveness, nor do I have the right to receive it. Oonly you, Estira, can grant it. ]

The letter was filled, line after line, with apologies and regret.

He sincerely repented, begged my forgiveness, and promised never to do it again. He apologized over and over.

On the second page, the ink seemed fresher, as if written more recently.

[ Knowing it would be shameless to keep traveling with you, I thought about leaving your side. But… without shame, I ended up coming with you all the way to Dongguk. I suppose there was a part of me that still hoped to be forgiven by Estira. I am ashamed.

Talking with you by the lakeside gave me a lot to think about. I want to do whatever I can—proof or anything else—so you can believe that I truly regret my past mistakes. I know it’s selfish, but I want to regain your trust, Estira. ]

As expected, it was a pure and honest letter, just like Ariel himself.

Feyden, on the other hand, hadn’t even tried to apologize and just brushed things off shamelessly.

Ariel had kept it in his heart and waited for the right moment to apologize all this time.

Even his handwriting made it clear what a good person he was. Any lingering resentment I felt toward him melted away like snow.

In truth, I’d never really been that angry at Ariel.

After all, I’d never completely trusted him either, and it was obvious he’d only passed on my information under someone else’s pressure.

‘For example, that man. Kyte.’

I shivered, recalling the chilling look in Kyte’s eyes.

“Ariel gave me a letter.”

“What? A letter?”

“Yeah. He said he’s sorry.”

“Huh.”

“Feyden, aren’t you going to apologize to me?”

“…W-What?”

“I guess you’re not planning to apologize.”

“I-If you think about it, you didn’t trust me either! You double-checked everything through a second request! The information I reported just ended up with you anyway! So neither of us really lost out. You and I are the same.”

“So you’re not going to apologize?”

Well, you can’t expect what you can’t get.