Chapter 170
“Look at this! I picked this dress myself!”
Sarubia grasped the hem of her dress with both hands.
It was a pure white dress, like the feathers of a swan.
The voluminous skirt, flowing down to her ankles, resembled a snow-covered winter landscape. The soft silk enhanced its sacred appearance, and the small crystals densely sewn along the edges reflected the light, creating an illusion like moonlight.
It was a unique dress, crafted specifically for the banquet she would attend as a Saintess.
She was dazzlingly beautiful.
Sarubia was.
“I chose a white dress on purpose! Don’t I look just like a bride?”
Sarubia twirled in place, chattering excitedly.
The dress fluttered like wings before gracefully settling back down. At the same time, her sparkling eyes curved into a soft smile, once again drawing a tender gaze.
His heart pounded.
“…Beautiful.”
After carefully choosing his words, Rufus muttered.
“Right? The dress is really pretty, isn’t it?”
“Not the dress, you.”
Sarubia smiled, tucking her ivory hair behind her ear. The red magic stone ring on her finger glinted.
“But doesn’t the skirt seem a little too long?”
The dress, which covered her ankles, seemed comfortable enough to walk in, though it looked a bit cumbersome.
“There’s a reason for that.”
“What reason?”
“That’s a secret.”
Sarubia whispered, then stood on her tiptoes and gently kissed Rufus’s cheek.
And then she said something that made his heart flutter.
“I’m going to marry you in this dress.”
The moment he heard those words.
Ah.
He felt his breath catch. A shiver began to course through his entire body.
Rufus turned his head away. At the same time, his breath grew heavier, and every part of his body heated up. It felt like something was about to overflow.
Suddenly, an uncontrollable emotion.
“Rufus? What’s wrong?”
Sarubia, not understanding, tilted her head in confusion.
Sarubia was quite satisfied with her appearance tonight.
It was the result of the maids’ meticulous efforts. The reflection in the mirror showed Sarubia looking as beautiful as any noble lady.
She had secretly hoped that Rufus would be so taken with her that he wouldn’t know what to do. But his reaction was entirely different from what she had expected.
Rufus’s lips, which had been frozen in place like stone, slowly, heavily parted after a long pause.
“Really…”
“Really?”
“…”
“Rufus? Why did you stop speaking?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Looking out at the setting sun in the distance, Rufus covered his face with one hand.
He couldn’t show her.
He couldn’t show Sarubia his reddened eyes.
Really…
Really… to think this day would come.
To think that a day would come when I would see you, in a pure white dress, with my own two eyes.
He could hardly believe that what he was witnessing was reality, so much so that he couldn’t say anything.
“…”
Seeing Rufus suddenly fall silent, Sarubia dismissed the maids from the room.
After closing the door, Sarubia walked over to stand beside Rufus, who was facing the window.
“…”
Rufus didn’t turn around. Sarubia reached out and gently took hold of his coat.
“Rufus, are you crying?”
“…No.”
Still turning his back to her, Rufus replied in a low voice.
Sarubia smiled softly and wrapped her arm around Rufus’s. His warmth was transmitted directly to her. It was so comforting that Rufus couldn’t bring himself to say anything.
The slowly setting sun dyed the sky in shades of crimson. The mingling hues of the purple horizon glowed beyond the clouds. Sarubia’s soft blonde hair, reflected in the sunset, was tinged with red.
“From now on, I’ll be able to watch the sunset with you every day.”
Sarubia rested her head on Rufus’s shoulder.
“…Yeah.”
Rufus responded without realizing it, overcome by the gentle atmosphere.
A soft chuckle came from beside him.
“Did you know? While you’re looking at the sunset, I’m looking at you.”
Without thinking, Rufus turned his head.
“Ah, I saw it.”
There, beneath her shoulder, was Sarubia’s clear smile. Her bright golden eyes gazed at Rufus with tenderness.
That smile, like a blooming flower.
“…Sarubia.”
Rufus slowly turned and took Sarubia’s hand.
“Kiss me.”
Sarubia’s lips met his with a gentle laugh. Rufus closed his eyes and savored the feel of her breath.
—Sarubia.
I’m the man who has everything in this world.
And.
You alone deserve to have all of me.
Just wait a little longer.
If we can get through this night safely…
“…”
As she felt the man holding her tightly, Sarubia closed her eyes as well. The cold sensation of the dagger hidden under the long hem of her dress refused to fade.
It was a dagger she had obtained through a maid long ago.
The day had finally come. The day she had seen in countless visions, the day to complete one of those deaths.
Will it hurt if I get cut?
Will it hurt him if I stab him?
Sarubia quietly felt the dagger hidden under her skirt. Her heart sank like a stone in deep water. To forget its presence, even for a moment, she clung to Rufus all the more desperately.
—Rufus.
You are the man who shattered my small, insignificant world.
So.
I’ll do anything to protect you.
Just wait a little longer.
Tonight, for you…
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.