Killing the Possessor - Chapter 75

“…Pardon?”

I asked foolishly, not quite grasping the question.

In truth, it wasn’t that I didn’t understand. It was that I didn’t want to. I half hoped he’d just withdraw the request after seeing my reaction.

“I would be honored if you would grant me a dance.”

“……”

But he was persistent. Of course, he was a Public Security investigator who relentlessly hunted down possessors to hell and back.

No, after hearing Bali’s words, why on earth was he asking me to dance?!

“Uh…”

I desperately scanned around for a reason to refuse, but there was none to be found. Besides, it was my first dance request since arriving at the party, so no excuse for being tired after too many dances.

Bali’s burning hot gaze accidentally met mine. It felt less like a gaze and more like a laser piercing straight through me, making me sweat nervously.

Why was she staring at me like that when it wasn’t me who asked for the dance?

“…Very well.”

Unable to find a decent excuse, I reluctantly took his hand. Ren smiled broadly and led me onto the floor.

Since the dress belonged to Bali, who was much taller than me, even with high heels the hem just barely brushed the floor. I carefully gathered the fabric with one hand, making sure not to step on the dress’s train as we walked.

Passing over the neatly manicured lawn, I glanced back at the two left behind. One was a cold northern wind; the other was stomping their feet, blushing with admiration.

Sighing, I turned my attention back to the man perfectly escorting me in a posture worthy of a gentleman.

Unlike at the palace ball, tonight he wore a midnight-blue tailcoat that blended beautifully with the night’s scenery, exuding a strangely noble aura.

He wasn’t a frivolous type to begin with, but with no smile and a chilly appearance tinted by the blue hue, it was almost unbelievable that he was out on the dance floor for such a worldly pastime.

He seemed utterly detached from everyday affairs.

Though I had regretted not reading the original story properly from the day I arrived in this world, now I was freshly disappointed.

Why was this man, someone capable of such a face, so obsessed with possessors? What great mission drove a noble like him to work on the scene?

Lost in these questions, barely watching where I stepped, he suddenly stopped and turned toward me. As if he had been aware of my gaze from the start, his smile was utterly relaxed.

“So, does it suit your taste?”

“Excuse me?”

I frowned at the sudden mention of taste. What was supposed to suit my taste? His face, perhaps?

“Haha, I may have stared a bit too much just now, but still…”

“I’m talking about the new chocolate from Resjul—rum and cherry inside.”

“……”

That was definitely the wrong guess.

I pressed my lips tightly shut, trying not to show my embarrassment.

If he meant the new chocolates from Resjul—the ones mentioned in the investigation room—why did he have to omit the subject?

I withdrew my hand from his arm and fanned my flushed cheeks vigorously.

“Ahem, I’ve been a bit busy lately, so I hadn’t thought to visit.”

“I sent some to your residence a few days ago. Didn’t you receive them?”

I blinked wide in surprise and asked back,

“Chocolates? For me? Why?”

Of course, when Resjul was first mentioned in the investigation room, there had been some casual talk about sending a box. But I’d thought it was just polite small talk.

It wasn’t something important enough to keep, and besides, we weren’t exactly close enough to exchange such things.

Before I could answer, music began, accompanied by string instruments. Instead of replying, Ren smiled gently and closed the distance between us.

“Well…”

Grasping my hand, he naturally pulled me close by the waist and whispered in my ear,

“I thought you’d like them.”

“……”

Since the chocolates had been mentioned during the investigation, I could easily tell myself it was just a polite gesture honoring a promise. He was a man who always cloaked himself in courteous kindness; such a token of sincerity wasn’t particularly unusual.

But nonverbal communication exists in this world—sometimes stronger and clearer than words.