Secret Love Affair between a Former Saint and a Dark Hero - Chapter 82 - Choose Your Contracts Carefully

“…”

Sometimes it crossed Iora’s mind. Would it be dramatic if they met again during the time they had met in the past? Would there be an occurrence where the mysterious mage who promised to grant wishes would be met again somewhere, offering an apology? How disappointing it would be if they didn’t meet.

But at the same time, a sense of regret filled her heart. Even if they were to meet again, it wouldn’t be the same as before. Only Iora would remember what happened before the regression. So, that promise held no meaning anymore.

However, in a moment, Iora’s eyes trembled slightly. She wondered if she was dreaming. Everything seemed hazy as she looked at his beautiful face, picture-perfect yet blank like an empty canvas.

‘Vigros?’

Her heart raced at the sight of the familiar face. She really wanted to see him—why didn’t he show his face even once until the very end? Didn’t he promise to grant her wish? Words that wanted to burst out of her remained stuck inside, unable to escape.

Iora smiled faintly and said nonchalantly, “This is our home garden.”

“And?”

Looking at Vigros, who seemed taken aback by his own response, Iora brushed aside her hair.

“I’m the daughter of this house, you see. I’ve memorized the faces of all the mansion’s staff. But your face isn’t one of them.”

Suddenly, mischievousness sparked in her. Even though it wasn’t intentional, her lips moved on their own. Smiling a bit brighter, she looked at Vigros as if they were old friends, making the conversation flow effortlessly.

“So, are you going to scream and summon every human in the manor right now?”

“Should I?”

“You’re more vicious than I thought. Are you going to chop off this poor uninvited guest’s head?”

“Isn’t it better than mine being chopped off? If you’re an intruder, you should be prepared for such inconvenience.”

“…Is that your way?”

“Absolutely.”

She knew he would find it puzzling, but she didn’t want to feign surprise intentionally. Nor did she want to spend time pretending with different acting. She felt anxious that he might suddenly disappear. As he was someone who could teleport in the blink of an eye, such disappearance was entirely possible.

As she did when they last met, Iora delicately picked up a rose scattered like dew on her skirt. Then, she extended the flower to him as he approached.

“Hmm? What’s this? Are you giving it to me?”

“Yes. In lieu of an apology.”

The bewildered look on his face almost made her burst out laughing. He raised his eyebrows in confusion and asked.

“An apology? When have we ever met? My excellent memory doesn’t recall us ever meeting and having a conversation.”

“We must have met in a previous life, because I really enjoy talking to you.”

“You’re not scared?”

“No. You seem like a very friendly fellow — or at least you’re confident that you exude that kind of air.”

“That’s a first.”

She hadn’t forgotten how it was like with him. In times when uttering a single word felt heavy, and she was weeping so much that she had to gasp for breath, conversations with him were still enjoyable and comfortable.

It was the same now. The man, who had been observing her like she was some oddball, finally moved.

‘You’re the real oddball.’

She had recognized him since he was barefoot swaying on the tree, but as he sat down on the grass without hesitation, he reached out his hand calmly and took the flower. His smile as he sniffed its fragrance with his nose was so lovely.

‘Who would think that’s Vigros from seeing him like that?’

Vigros in “The Saint’s Flower” was a very fearsome and terrifying figure. He acted as such even when he met his original love interest, Arcanda.

「The people of the Empire used to speak of fear and jest to crying children. If you keep crying, the Duke Elrah will come for you! Then, the children, sobbing, would hide their necks and stifle their tears with terrified voices.

Vigros von Elrah was frightening, feared, and dreadful. The masses feared him without knowing exactly why. The nobles, however, had very specific reasons. They feared how powerful the monster he slew with just one spell on the battlefield under the Emperor’s orders was, how thick the sea of blood he created was.

However, Arcanda von Illanys was not someone who cared about such things. Judging people based on rumors was simply unreasonable. The same was true when she finally encountered him at the tavern.

“I’m Vigros, that’s my name.”

Even upon hearing his name for the first time, she felt dazed. The man smiled languidly, then flashed her a dangerous glare.

“Arcanda. Now, are you going to run away from me?”

“I don’t understand. Why should I run away from you?”

“Because I’m the Duke Elrah who supposedly eats children. If you don’t want to be eaten, you should run away.”

“Even though you haven’t done anything wrong to me, and I haven’t done anything wrong to you?”

“Still…”

Arcanda chuckled. Though he exuded a slightly chilly and yet sensual aura, that was all there was to it. He couldn’t possibly be someone who ate young children, and indeed, the rumors were clearly exaggerated.