That Lady’s Stalker - Chapter 35

“I like the color of your hair. It looks beautiful and soft.”

Her small voice carried on the night breeze, and for a moment, it felt like time had stopped. She liked my hair color? Could that really be true? Was she lying? But she wouldn’t lie to me. Did she really think my hair color was beautiful? My face grew wet with something like tears.

My mother and my brother had never said anything like that to me. They always said black hair was just a superstition, but even they had never spoken to me like this. Something heavy clawed at my insides, rising up to choke me, blocking my throat.

I couldn’t breathe, gasping for air.

Something fell onto my shoes. It wasn’t even raining, and yet it felt like the rain was falling only on me. The rain kept pouring down for a long while.

997th Year of the Empire, June 17th

I was ashamed to look at Olivia. I didn’t know what kind of expression I should have when I saw her. Joy? Gratitude? Happiness? All these emotions swirled together inside me. If I looked at her now, I was sure I would lose control and approach her, pouring all my feelings out.

I stayed in my room, hiding away from the world, until I could calm myself. If I went outside, I knew I would head straight for her. I kept myself locked away. I had to protect Olivia from myself.

997th Year of the Empire, June 21st

I hadn’t gone to see her in days. The emotions I was feeling hadn’t faded with time; instead, they were burning more fiercely than ever.

Sitting with my back to the door, I stared blankly at the ceiling. If I just turned the doorknob above me, I could go see Olivia.

I jumped to my feet, only to sit back down again. No, not yet. It wasn’t time.

I leaned my head against the door and closed my eyes. I fought with myself, struggling to keep my emotions in check. How many hours had passed like that? Then, I received a letter.

“This… this can’t be…”

I jumped up in shock, my body straightening as I saw who it was from. It was from Olivia! I couldn’t believe it. I rubbed my eyes in disbelief. She was the one who had sent me a letter. I was so happy, I could hardly contain myself.

With trembling hands, I opened the envelope. I was so careful, I barely used any force, afraid the paper would bend. Slowly, I pulled out the letter and unfolded it.

[Please save me.
Olivia Flonari.]

My hands lost their grip, and the letter fell to the floor. I kicked open the door I had hesitated to approach thousands of times before.

There was no time to think. I had to save Olivia! My mind was consumed by that thought alone.

I rushed to Duke Flonari’s residence, my heart racing with confusion. I had thought Olivia had been kidnapped, but now I found myself completely bewildered. Calming myself slightly, I turned to Oliver, who happened to be outside, and asked him.

“Olivia?”

He was dazed, his mind clearly elsewhere. A wave of anxiety washed over me again. Has something happened to her? Was her life in danger? I couldn’t keep myself together as I pressed Oliver.

“Oliver!”

At my frantic tone, his finger slowly pointed toward the back hill.

“……”

I instinctively felt it. It was a joke. But there was no turning back now. She was waiting for me.

What had she been thinking in the days I hadn’t come? What had been going through her mind to summon me like this? I was curious. I wanted to know her thoughts.

But, at the same time, part of me wanted to turn away. I didn’t want to see her. I couldn’t trust myself not to lose control.

I slowly urged the horse forward. There was only one path leading up the back hills. As I followed the well-maintained trail, a small cabin appeared, bathed in the glow of the setting sun.

So, Olivia was here… I got off the horse and stood before the door. I hastily ran my fingers through my disheveled hair and brushed my lips.

I had been taking care of my lips every day, ever since they almost brushed against hers. I thought it was necessary, in case of any accidental contact. I had to be prepared, though I knew I shouldn’t be thinking this way. This was why I hadn’t visited her sooner. I feared making a mistake.

“Olivia?”

Please, let her not be here. Maybe Oliver had been mistaken. No, I hoped she was here. I missed her. No, she shouldn’t be here. My thoughts were a tangled mess. My mouth was dry. I felt nervous.

“Asher, come in.”

Damn it! My face turned red. My body instantly heated up. Just hearing her voice was enough to send my mind and body into a frenzy. I wanted to tear down this flimsy door and devour her in an instant.

I grabbed the doorknob roughly, but I couldn’t bring myself to open the door. The thought of treating her carelessly stopped me in my tracks.

Inside, I heard the sound of the doorknob turning. Olivia, unable to wait any longer, was trying to open the door. Without realizing it, I tightened my grip.

“Asher? The door won’t open!”

“Wait a moment. Olivia, just a second.”

My voice trembled.

“I’m sorry. I don’t think I should look at you.”

“Open it. I need to see your face right now.”

But, of course, Olivia was Olivia. She was a warrior who didn’t know how to retreat. I was just a helpless soldier, powerless against her.

The pressure in my hands loosened. The door opened. Her face appeared. The blush that spread across my face made me hurriedly cover it with my hands. She didn’t care about my discomfort and pulled me inside.