I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 68

“Sarubia!”

Driven by longing, Rufus rushed towards her.

“L, Lord Rufus? Oh, what’s happening? Did I pray too earnestly again?”

Confusion swept over Sarubia’s face.

Sarubia, who appeared before Rufus, looked just as she had a few weeks ago. Barely containing his trembling emotions, Rufus gazed at her.

He had so much he wanted to say upon meeting Sarubia again.

I missed you.

I yearned to see your tender eyes.

I longed to hear your gentle voice.

I craved to feel your sweet scent once more.

But what actually came out was…

“Good to… see you.”

Again, such a foolish remark slipped out.

Sarubia stared blankly at Rufus.

“Why are you here, Lord Rufus? H-has the war ended while I was asleep?”

“No, it hasn’t ended yet.”

“Then why are you in the palace?”

“Palace…?”

Rufus lifted his head.

Behind Sarubia, a resplendent palace loomed into view. A building of sheer luxury, adorned with precious gems and minerals.

It was Princess Sordid’s palace.

Rufus then understood the witch Odr’s words.

‘If it’s a beloved in dreams, meeting in dreams is more romantic, right? I’ll connect your dreams with my magic.’

This place was a space connected by the witch Odr’s magic. A fantasy created by the merging of Rufus’s and Sarubia’s dreams.

It was a place woven together from parts of Rufus’s dream and parts of Sarubia’s.

“…It’s a dream.”

As Rufus murmured, Sarubia too mumbled.

“Yes… it must be a dream.”

Caught in bewilderment, Sarubia soon flashed a bright smile.

“Well, since it’s a dream anyway, it doesn’t matter!”

Since it’s a dream. At Sarubia’s words, Rufus smirked.

Yes, Sarubia would think all of this was a dream.

This is a dream. But not just any dream. The Sarubia standing before Rufus was real.

Of course, he had no intention of revealing this to Sarubia. He could never tell her. He could never say that he met her with the help of the demons, humanity’s enemy.

Rufus was sorting out his thoughts when suddenly…

“Well, since it’s a dream, I should make good use of you, Lord Rufus!”

Sarubia declared abruptly, causing Rufus to flinch.

“Making use of me, what does that mean?”

Rufus was tensely puzzled by Sarubia’s unexpected declaration when she suddenly stretched out both arms towards him.

“Lord Rufus, carry me!”

“Why all of a sudden?”

Rufus was taken aback by Sarubia’s boldness, which seemed twice as strong as usual.

“Hurry up. I’ve been mopping all day and my whole body aches.”

“Why were you mopping all day?”

“Why? Because the Imperial Prince, who’s to marry Princess Sordid, was visiting, so we did a thorough cleaning. But that’s not important, hurry up!”

Sarubia urged Rufus again. Rufus, with no other choice, turned his back to her and knelt down. Sarubia, with a cheer, pressed her body against him.

“Run, Lord Rufus! Hahaha!”

“Don’t move. You’ll get hurt.”

After ensuring Sarubia was safely leaning on him, Rufus carefully stood up.

“I’m not heavy, am I?”

Sarubia, perched on Rufus’s back, asked slyly.

“How could you be?”

“That’s a relief. I’ve been eating a lot lately and was worried.”

“You’re light. Eat more.”

Rufus, holding Sarubia’s legs tightly, replied.

Sarubia was so thin her bones felt distinct.

Bruises, large and small, were visible on Sarubia’s knees. They looked like wounds from working.

He felt pained. Regret started to flood in.

He shouldn’t have left her in Princess Sordid’s castle and gone to the battlefield…

But what could he, merely an heir to a barony, do? What authority did he have to take a princess’s servant from the royal palace?

This was the best choice, he consoled himself.

Meanwhile, Sarubia chattered on as if nothing was wrong.

“Rufus, there’s a garden ahead I’ve never seen before. Let’s go there.”

Sarubia pointed to the garden of the Inferna baronial mansion. The very space created by Rufus’s dream.

Following Sarubia’s direction, Rufus started to walk along the winding path.

It was a good day.

Warm sunlight poured down. The chirping of birds was a pleasant sound to the ears, and the fresh scent of grass led their steps. Like an untouched serene surface of water, everything was too perfect.