Chapter 105
At those words, the man showed a slightly surprised expression and lowered his gaze.
She hurriedly added, since the word “kiss” could be somewhat misleading.
“On the forehead.”
“I’m sorry.”
He answered calmly.
If he was apologizing, didn’t that mean he had done it?
Lynette’s lips parted.
‘It was Sillian…?’
She was so happy, thinking it was Euphen. She had been glad at that faint sensation. But to think it was a completely different man.
Realizing that she had felt so happy and delighted from Sillian’s light kiss, her body stiffened slightly. Even if she had been half-asleep, there was no way she could have mistaken Euphen for Sillian.
When she gripped the blanket tightly, he lowered his head as though awaiting punishment.
“If you wish to slap me, then go ahead.”
“…I don’t do such things.”
Lynette had never even imagined that no matter how much this man tried, she could give him the same kind of feelings she held for the Imperial Prince. Her heart had been filled with only one person: Euphen.
But to mistake him for the man she loved… It was a bit of a shock. Was it because they were bound by destiny that she subconsciously treated him specially? Or was her heart wavering at Sillian’s presence?
The silence sank heavily. When she pressed her lips together, perhaps thinking she was angry, Sillian apologized once again.
“Never, ever do something like that again.”
What should she do with these confusing emotions?
Lynette turned away from him. The shock did not fade easily.
There were plenty of reasons for her heart to waver. In truth, this regression was to meet ‘Sillian’, that he was her destiny, that he absolutely needed Lynette’s existence… weren’t there many such reasons?
Despite all those reasons, she had loved Euphen, loved him, and would continue to love him…
She forced herself to erase the thoughts that kept branching out. Then, as though she had forgotten what had just happened, she spoke in a composed tone.
“Thank you for coming to see me while I’m ill.”
Sillian looked quietly at Lynette, then spoke in a slightly angry voice.
“If it had been me, I wouldn’t have hurt you.”
“It wasn’t His Highness the Imperial Prince’s fault.”
“Was it not someone aiming for the Imperial Prince? Then you getting hurt is also his fault.”
When she glared at him, the man let out a small sigh as though he had expected it.
“…Don’t forget that once Eshar awakens, we are to leave.”
“I haven’t forgotten.”
“Haah.. If I’d known it would be like this, I should’ve searched for a way to hasten the awakening.”
“Is there such a way?”
When she asked with a surprised face, Sillian lightly shrugged his shoulders.
“My country has more information about Espers and Guides than anywhere else, so I cannot say with certainty that it doesn’t exist.”
“…”
“It’s a pity I cannot return to my homeland.”
“Is it far?”
“Yes. Very far.”
She had looked at the map, but she couldn’t guess how great the distance was. When Lynette showed a slightly disappointed expression, he thought for a moment, then carefully spoke.
“If Lynette were to go with me, I could return.”
“And what about His Highness the Imperial Prince?”
“…If I found a way in my homeland, wouldn’t that be for his benefit as well?”
“You aren’t even sure such a way exists.”
“Isn’t it better than doing nothing and simply waiting for Eshar’s awakening?”
“She will awaken soon.”
Sillian looked slightly frustrated. Then he spoke the words he had already argued with her about several times before.
“Have you thought about how much of your life will be lost until that day comes?”
“Stop it.”
“I suppose you don’t even care what will happen to the one left behind.”
He muttered through clenched teeth.
“What do you mean?”
“Normally, Guides and Espers die at almost the same time. Provided there are no major accidents, that is. This is proven by countless records kept in the royal family.”
If you think about it, it made sense. Weren’t they bound by destiny? Besides, without a Guide, an Esper had nothing left but pain, living longer had little meaning.
Lynette had never thought about that point. It hadn’t been long since she’d learned she truly had a fated partner. She realized anew that ‘fate’ included such a meaning.
“You and I were probably meant to live until around the same time, but now you’re carelessly throwing away your days of life. And about me, who will be left behind… do you not care at all?”
Sillian clenched his fists tightly.
“Are you saying that in order to lessen the Imperial Prince’s pain even a little right now, you intend to make me suffer?”
“That’s not… what I…”
Lynette’s lips trembled. Whatever she said would only sound like an excuse, because everything he said was the truth.
“I know that compared to the Imperial Prince, I am nothing to you.”
She couldn’t bring herself to look straight into the man’s eyes. She simply clasped her own hands tightly together.
Even saying she was sorry would be meaningless.
“Lynette, I cannot stop you from sacrificing yourself for the Imperial Prince. But I do not want to sacrifice myself for that man as well.”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.