For Sale: Male Lead, Obsession Included - Chapter 117

Did he have something left to say?

Having finished their farewell, Estira blinked her large eyes and looked up at him.

He, who had grown noticeably gaunt over the past few days, now gave off quite a mature air.

“……Estira.”

As she took in Ariel’s fine, delicate features as if appreciating a work of art, Ariel’s lips softly let out her name.

A voice that seemed to hesitate.

Estira gave a slight shake of her head and met Ariel’s gaze. Ariel gazed at her clear face for a long, long moment.

Sometimes she seemed like an innocent child, and other times she had the presence of a wise sage seasoned by the years. Or perhaps—a woman?

Whenever that freesia-like smile bloomed on her round, bright face, Ariel would also smile in return. Just looking at her made him smile.

Such a pure and warm person.

Someone you want to be by, to speak to, to share thoughts with.

……Someone precious.

As Ariel looked into the clear eyes gazing up at him, he gave a small, regretful smile.

“May I bestow a blessing upon you?”

With a soft whisper, the spring breeze fluttered Ariel’s long silver hair. With gentle affection, Ariel lightly placed his hands on Estira’s cheeks.

So soft and warm.

For some reason, his heart beat rapidly and he grew tense, though it was a blessing he’d given hundreds, no—thousands of times before. Yet before Estira, his mouth grew dry for reasons he could not explain.

“It would be an honor, Priest.”

As Estira lowered her chin and bowed her head, Ariel placed his lips upon her forehead.

Lips that lingered a little longer than usual.

Ariel closed his eyes and, in earnest, blessed her future.

A blessing wishing comfort for a girl who had lived a life far heavier than her age, and wishing for leisure and happiness to fill the adulthood awaiting her. Ariel prayed sincerely.

“Thank you for everything, Estira.”

“It was nothing. I’m grateful to you too.”

With steps that seemed reluctant to part, Ariel turned and disappeared into the distance.

Watching their farewell from afar with a sullen expression, Feyden strode over with his long legs.

“Seemed like there was a bit of personal feelings mixed into that blessing.”

“What do you mean, personal feelings.”

“That punk’s lips lingered a little long, didn’t they?”

“Maybe he wanted to bless me that much more.”

Feyden began to rub Estira’s forehead—the very spot where Ariel’s lips had touched—with his hand.

“Ah! What are you doing!”

“Washing away those personal feelings.”

“Hey, why do you just do as you please!”

Estira struggled to push away Feyden’s forearm, but there was no way she could win against his strength. Only when Estira’s round forehead turned red did Feyden let go, satisfied and grinning.

“Ow, seriously!”

“Want me to blow on it for you?”

“What are you doing!”

As Feyden puckered his lips and leaned toward Estira, she shrieked and fled.

“How disappointing! You gladly accept a kiss from that traitor, but you freak out at mine?”

Estira turned her back on the direction Ariel had disappeared and began walking forward.

Even Ariel’s small retreating figure had vanished by now.

***

With the backing of the priests from the pilgrimage procession, Ariel succeeded in bringing Taolti to trial. Once Taolti’s corruption was exposed, Okhee’s tavern also resumed normal business.

Soon, there were rumors that the village head managing this place would be replaced, and perhaps afraid of our revenge, Soyi came to apologize of her own accord.

We barely managed to stop Okhee from yanking out Soyi’s hair and instead recommended she sell a different type of food.

It was advice in words only—flanked on either side by the tall figures of Jin and Feyden, Soyi probably felt it was more like a threat.

Well, in any case, everything went smoothly.

Seonui Lake became clear again, Okhee’s tavern resumed business, and Ariel, having realized the temple’s corruption, set out on the path of ascetic training. All good things.

Of course, it was a little lonely now that Ariel—whom I’d woken up and gone to bed with every day for over two months—was gone, but it’s not as if I’d ever thought we would continue to live together in Dongguk.

If not for the sudden attack by the dark mage, we would have reached the Holy Kingdom as planned, and I had already predicted that Ariel, once immersed in that place, would not come back to Dongguk with me.

The reason Ariel had traveled with me in the first place was for the Holy Kingdom. Though his goal and mindset were now a bit different as he left. Since I’d already known we couldn’t be together for long, I wasn’t too heartbroken.

That’s why I’d made a habit of not getting too attached, for moments like this.

As I absentmindedly fingered the letter from Ariel that I’d kept beneath my pillow, I sat up at the sound of a knock from outside.

「 Yes? 」

「 It’s me, Estira-nim. 」

「 Oh, Jin. Come in. 」

Jin entered, perhaps just returned from the mountains, and the room instantly filled with the scent of grass. I thought the scent matched his green hair and eyes very well.

As I indulged in the idle thought that he’d make a good herbalist, Jin set a small table with refreshments before me.