“Yes……?”
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“I said I want to take responsibility for you.”
Caleb didn’t even give me a chance to think about what was going on.
The response that came back without hesitation astounded me greatly.
“Is what you mean by the responsibility the same as what I’m thinking, Lord?”
“I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but what I’m talking about is marriage.”
I mean, is Caleb proposing to me right now?
I couldn’t believe the current situation as I’d never even imagined hearing this.
My heart skipped a beat as if it had been flushed.
My reasoning, on the other hand, was cold.
‘He didn’t propose to me because he liked me.’
It’s because Caleb just touched my body yesterday and put his mouth on it…… No, that does sound weird.
Anyway, he just proposed to me since he felt responsible for touching my body for treatment.
It wasn’t anything else, but I was embarrassed to imply that he would be responsible for me because of that.
“Uhm, Lord Egon? Doesn’t this seem a little odd?”
“…….I’m sorry.”
Huh? What was he apologizing for? I’m the one who turned him down.…?s” I knew it wasn’t polite, but I was in a hurry, so I asked for your permission first. Please accept my apologies if you were offended by my shortness.”
“No, it’s fine……”
“As soon as I return to the capital, I will give Count Van Der a proposal and a formal marriage request with a gift.”
Later, I knew what Caleb had misunderstood.
Was he under the impression that I had criticized him for being overly blunt?
“I’m sorry, no matter how urgent I was, I had to keep the basics. When I get back, I’ll definitely make a request.”
“Wait! That was not my intention. So there’s no need to ask for it again!”
“No, I was mistaken. It is proper to make a formal proposal once more.”
“No, you really don’t have to do it.”
“Can I then visit Count Van Der as soon as I get in the capital to start preparing for the wedding? If there’s a date you’ve always wanted or a way you’ve always imagined……”
“I, I have no intention of accepting your proposal!”
My voice came out as if I were screaming without realizing it.
I was surprised when I was the one who shouted, but Caleb seemed surprised as well.
When I looked at his eyes that were wider than usual, I hurriedly corrected my words.
“Oh, no, that’s… I’m sorry. I think you misunderstood what I said, so without me realizing……”
“It’s all right. I’m sorry I didn’t realize what you were getting at. I should have considered that you might think I’m not good enough as your companion, but I guess I was arrogant. It’s all my fault.”
“What? What do you mean, Lord, that you’re not good enough? That’s not true.”
I quickly shook my head.
Caleb is not good enough? That is ludicrous.
“I said that because I think the only reason why you proposed to me is because of a sense of responsibility.”
“But I have touched you, Elena.”
“It was for the treatment.”
I was lamenting Caleb’s choice of words as I talked.
Because I felt like I was going insane every time I heard it.
How can he say that in such a casual manner?
“Do you remember what happened yesterday?”
“Not everything, but I recall you telling me that you should remove the poison yourself.”
And his trembling voice saying he’ll do something disrespectful to me.
“You did it because you couldn’t find a therapist, right?”
“No, there was.”
I was totally taken aback. But soon I regained my composure.
Due to Caleb’s personality, he couldn’t have voluntarily treated me required him to touch my body when the therapist was intact.
“Can I hear about yesterday’s situation?”
“The therapist said that we should remove the poison with the mouth, but the therapist couldn’t do it because he got a wound in his mouth.”
“……”
“I was running out of time to bring in another therapist… so I did it.”
As expected, my prediction was right. How can a person not deviate even an inch?
“But even if the situation was like that, the fact that I touched you doesn’t disappear. Please let me take responsibility for you.”
I was speechless again at the proposal that came back even though I refused.
I thought I’d really get married if I kept going like this.
To be honest, I was already tempted.
Should I just close my eyes and accept it?
That’s exactly what I needed to do.
My heart was shaken as I had always liked him.
However, because of my circumstances, I find it difficult to open my mouth.
As a result of accepting the Crown Prince’s offer, I got ‘intentionally’ involved with Caleb.
Even if that was because I wanted to live, the essence was the same.
Because our connection wasn’t purely coincidental.
‘I’m sure Caleb will never forgive me if he finds out about this, right?’
And there was something else that disturbed me.
It’s the existence of Vivian.
According to the original book, <Flower of Elphida>, the two fell in love.
Since they were the main characters.
Except for the period when Vivian’s fallout occurred, everything has been as it has been.
So, even if I get Caleb now, he’ll eventually fall in love with Vivian.
Caleb, I know, isn’t the type to look for an affair.
He might just be going to wipe out his feelings inside.
So I’m not aware of it.
If I didn’t know the original, I might not know all of it and just live happily, but I knew the original and how Caleb’s feelings would change.
Just by looking at Vivian, Caleb will feel anxious, swallow jealousy and guilt.
‘I don’t like that……’
It’s still painful, but I can’t keep going like this for the rest of my life.
I forced a laugh from my lips.
“According to your logic, Lord, the therapist would do the treatment if he did not have a wound in his mouth. Shouldn’t I have married him?”
Caleb’s face hardened at that point.
“Elena, this is a different situation. He serves as a therapist……”
“Lord, it’s the same for you. It was only a treatment, after all. While you were treating me yesterday, I don’t believe you had any other thoughts.”
Caleb, contrary to what had previously been refuted, remained silent.
He appeared to know now that what he stated was contradictory.
“Thank you for your consideration. But you don’t have to take responsibility for me for this.”
I went on to say.
“I don’t know if this similar thing will happen in the future, but don’t try to take responsibility for it if it happens.”
I forced a big smile on my face. I don’t want the chaos that is currently engulfing me to be exposed.
“Marriage is something you have to be careful about.”
“I said it after giving it some thought. Because it’s you.”
Caleb responded as soon as I finished speaking.
I looked at him, a little taken aback.
Because I had no idea he would respond so immediately, or that he would think of me in such a way.
“I figured it would be fine if it is you.”
But I wasn’t happy.
Because it doesn’t mean that he likes me.
‘This guy doesn’t like me.’
Rather, knowing Caleb’s feelings like this made my head cold and calm.
“Thank you for saying that. But…… ”
“……”
“I believe it is appropriate to marry someone you like. So, it would be better if you marry someone you like, not just because of your sense of responsibility as you do now.”
I pretended to be fine, but I felt bitter inside.
I lowered my gaze on purpose.
So Caleb didn’t notice the melancholy that surfaced without my permission.
‘More than that, I have the impression that I have forgotten something. Oh, the others!’
After realizing it, I took a deep breath.
Even if something shocking happened the moment I opened my eyes, how could I have forgotten about them?
“Do you have any idea what happened to the other people who came with me? Is there someone who has died……?”
I remembered what happened last night as I asked the question.
Screams erupted from all places and then stopped as if they had been shut off.
I kept my quivering hands hidden and waited for Caleb’s response.
“No one has died.”
Oh, that’s a relief.
“I’ve heard that some people have suffered serious injuries, but that they have managed to overcome the crisis. As far as I’m aware, the therapist and attendants in this castle are looking after them well.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
I felt so relieved.
I would have been devastated if someone had died because the group was formed because of me.
Because of it, I may spend the rest of my life feeling deeply guilty.
“Is there anything else you want to know?”
“Yes. There’s one more, oh no, there’s one more. Is the carriage in which I rode in good condition?”
“It is currently being repaired. However, I’ve heard that the damage is little, so if it’s fixed, it should be able to ride normally again.”
“Then the carriage’s luggage must be fine.”
“I believe that is most likely the case.”
I turned around after hearing Caleb’s response.
This is because I was wondering if my luggage had been moved to this room.
‘I couldn’t find it here.’
Caleb wouldn’t know if I asked him, would he?
I should either go find the carriage or ask the maid afterwards.
“I’d want to ask you a question, Elena.”
“Please speak.”
“You know you’re supposed to be in the capital. But I’d like to know why you and the other knights came here.”
“Ah… Lord, I have a document that needs your approval.”
In truth, the Count had sent me to inquire about being his partner for the birthday banquet, but the purpose was this in the first place.
“It’s a budget document, but the Imperial administration claimed it’s been lost, so I’m supposed to recreate it and seek your approval, Lord.”
“Is that why the Imperial Knights and Dame Seria have arrived here?”
“Yes. After that, as you are aware, things progressed in this way.”
“If it was just paperwork that needed my approval, Dame Seria or other members would have been sent here.”
“That… I believed I wouldn’t be able to fulfil the deadline if I asked another knight here after filling out the new paperwork because the time was so tight.”
“I assume you finished the paperwork on the way here?”
“Yes, Lord, it was just as you said.”
“Even so, you should return to the capital and hand over the documents to Dame Seria, shouldn’t you?”
Wow, the commander and the subordinate both said the same thing.
It was time to respond to Caleb’s query, in the same way, I had responded to Natalie’s.
Suddenly, I remembered what the Count had said to me.
She told me that before heading down to the province, I should spend a lot of time practising saying the magic sentences.
‘What a load of nonsense.’
It was evident what the vibe would be like if I had spoken that magical sentence here.
I giggled at the Count’s remarks and opened my mouth.
“I missed you.”
“Yes……?”
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“I said I want to take responsibility for you.”
Caleb didn’t even give me a chance to think about what was going on.
The response that came back without hesitation astounded me greatly.
“Is what you mean by the responsibility the same as what I’m thinking, Lord?”
“I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but what I’m talking about is marriage.”
I mean, is Caleb proposing to me right now?
I couldn’t believe the current situation as I’d never even imagined hearing this.
My heart skipped a beat as if it had been flushed.
My reasoning, on the other hand, was cold.
‘He didn’t propose to me because he liked me.’
It’s because Caleb just touched my body yesterday and put his mouth on it…… No, that does sound weird.
Anyway, he just proposed to me since he felt responsible for touching my body for treatment.
It wasn’t anything else, but I was embarrassed to imply that he would be responsible for me because of that.
“Uhm, Lord Egon? Doesn’t this seem a little odd?”
“…….I’m sorry.”
Huh? What was he apologizing for? I’m the one who turned him down.…?s” I knew it wasn’t polite, but I was in a hurry, so I asked for your permission first. Please accept my apologies if you were offended by my shortness.”
“No, it’s fine……”
“As soon as I return to the capital, I will give Count Van Der a proposal and a formal marriage request with a gift.”
Later, I knew what Caleb had misunderstood.
Was he under the impression that I had criticized him for being overly blunt?
“I’m sorry, no matter how urgent I was, I had to keep the basics. When I get back, I’ll definitely make a request.”
“Wait! That was not my intention. So there’s no need to ask for it again!”
“No, I was mistaken. It is proper to make a formal proposal once more.”
“No, you really don’t have to do it.”
“Can I then visit Count Van Der as soon as I get in the capital to start preparing for the wedding? If there’s a date you’ve always wanted or a way you’ve always imagined……”
“I, I have no intention of accepting your proposal!”
My voice came out as if I were screaming without realizing it.
I was surprised when I was the one who shouted, but Caleb seemed surprised as well.
When I looked at his eyes that were wider than usual, I hurriedly corrected my words.
“Oh, no, that’s… I’m sorry. I think you misunderstood what I said, so without me realizing……”
“It’s all right. I’m sorry I didn’t realize what you were getting at. I should have considered that you might think I’m not good enough as your companion, but I guess I was arrogant. It’s all my fault.”
“What? What do you mean, Lord, that you’re not good enough? That’s not true.”
I quickly shook my head.
Caleb is not good enough? That is ludicrous.
“I said that because I think the only reason why you proposed to me is because of a sense of responsibility.”
“But I have touched you, Elena.”
“It was for the treatment.”
I was lamenting Caleb’s choice of words as I talked.
Because I felt like I was going insane every time I heard it.
How can he say that in such a casual manner?
“Do you remember what happened yesterday?”
“Not everything, but I recall you telling me that you should remove the poison yourself.”
And his trembling voice saying he’ll do something disrespectful to me.
“You did it because you couldn’t find a therapist, right?”
“No, there was.”
I was totally taken aback. But soon I regained my composure.
Due to Caleb’s personality, he couldn’t have voluntarily treated me required him to touch my body when the therapist was intact.
“Can I hear about yesterday’s situation?”
“The therapist said that we should remove the poison with the mouth, but the therapist couldn’t do it because he got a wound in his mouth.”
“……”
“I was running out of time to bring in another therapist… so I did it.”
As expected, my prediction was right. How can a person not deviate even an inch?
“But even if the situation was like that, the fact that I touched you doesn’t disappear. Please let me take responsibility for you.”
I was speechless again at the proposal that came back even though I refused.
I thought I’d really get married if I kept going like this.
To be honest, I was already tempted.
Should I just close my eyes and accept it?
That’s exactly what I needed to do.
My heart was shaken as I had always liked him.
However, because of my circumstances, I find it difficult to open my mouth.
As a result of accepting the Crown Prince’s offer, I got ‘intentionally’ involved with Caleb.
Even if that was because I wanted to live, the essence was the same.
Because our connection wasn’t purely coincidental.
‘I’m sure Caleb will never forgive me if he finds out about this, right?’
And there was something else that disturbed me.
It’s the existence of Vivian.
According to the original book, <Flower of Elphida>, the two fell in love.
Since they were the main characters.
Except for the period when Vivian’s fallout occurred, everything has been as it has been.
So, even if I get Caleb now, he’ll eventually fall in love with Vivian.
Caleb, I know, isn’t the type to look for an affair.
He might just be going to wipe out his feelings inside.
So I’m not aware of it.
If I didn’t know the original, I might not know all of it and just live happily, but I knew the original and how Caleb’s feelings would change.
Just by looking at Vivian, Caleb will feel anxious, swallow jealousy and guilt.
‘I don’t like that……’
It’s still painful, but I can’t keep going like this for the rest of my life.
I forced a laugh from my lips.
“According to your logic, Lord, the therapist would do the treatment if he did not have a wound in his mouth. Shouldn’t I have married him?”
Caleb’s face hardened at that point.
“Elena, this is a different situation. He serves as a therapist……”
“Lord, it’s the same for you. It was only a treatment, after all. While you were treating me yesterday, I don’t believe you had any other thoughts.”
Caleb, contrary to what had previously been refuted, remained silent.
He appeared to know now that what he stated was contradictory.
“Thank you for your consideration. But you don’t have to take responsibility for me for this.”
I went on to say.
“I don’t know if this similar thing will happen in the future, but don’t try to take responsibility for it if it happens.”
I forced a big smile on my face. I don’t want the chaos that is currently engulfing me to be exposed.
“Marriage is something you have to be careful about.”
“I said it after giving it some thought. Because it’s you.”
Caleb responded as soon as I finished speaking.
I looked at him, a little taken aback.
Because I had no idea he would respond so immediately, or that he would think of me in such a way.
“I figured it would be fine if it is you.”
But I wasn’t happy.
Because it doesn’t mean that he likes me.
‘This guy doesn’t like me.’
Rather, knowing Caleb’s feelings like this made my head cold and calm.
“Thank you for saying that. But…… ”
“……”
“I believe it is appropriate to marry someone you like. So, it would be better if you marry someone you like, not just because of your sense of responsibility as you do now.”
I pretended to be fine, but I felt bitter inside.
I lowered my gaze on purpose.
So Caleb didn’t notice the melancholy that surfaced without my permission.
‘More than that, I have the impression that I have forgotten something. Oh, the others!’
After realizing it, I took a deep breath.
Even if something shocking happened the moment I opened my eyes, how could I have forgotten about them?
“Do you have any idea what happened to the other people who came with me? Is there someone who has died……?”
I remembered what happened last night as I asked the question.
Screams erupted from all places and then stopped as if they had been shut off.
I kept my quivering hands hidden and waited for Caleb’s response.
“No one has died.”
Oh, that’s a relief.
“I’ve heard that some people have suffered serious injuries, but that they have managed to overcome the crisis. As far as I’m aware, the therapist and attendants in this castle are looking after them well.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
I felt so relieved.
I would have been devastated if someone had died because the group was formed because of me.
Because of it, I may spend the rest of my life feeling deeply guilty.
“Is there anything else you want to know?”
“Yes. There’s one more, oh no, there’s one more. Is the carriage in which I rode in good condition?”
“It is currently being repaired. However, I’ve heard that the damage is little, so if it’s fixed, it should be able to ride normally again.”
“Then the carriage’s luggage must be fine.”
“I believe that is most likely the case.”
I turned around after hearing Caleb’s response.
This is because I was wondering if my luggage had been moved to this room.
‘I couldn’t find it here.’
Caleb wouldn’t know if I asked him, would he?
I should either go find the carriage or ask the maid afterwards.
“I’d want to ask you a question, Elena.”
“Please speak.”
“You know you’re supposed to be in the capital. But I’d like to know why you and the other knights came here.”
“Ah… Lord, I have a document that needs your approval.”
In truth, the Count had sent me to inquire about being his partner for the birthday banquet, but the purpose was this in the first place.
“It’s a budget document, but the Imperial administration claimed it’s been lost, so I’m supposed to recreate it and seek your approval, Lord.”
“Is that why the Imperial Knights and Dame Seria have arrived here?”
“Yes. After that, as you are aware, things progressed in this way.”
“If it was just paperwork that needed my approval, Dame Seria or other members would have been sent here.”
“That… I believed I wouldn’t be able to fulfil the deadline if I asked another knight here after filling out the new paperwork because the time was so tight.”
“I assume you finished the paperwork on the way here?”
“Yes, Lord, it was just as you said.”
“Even so, you should return to the capital and hand over the documents to Dame Seria, shouldn’t you?”
Wow, the commander and the subordinate both said the same thing.
It was time to respond to Caleb’s query, in the same way, I had responded to Natalie’s.
Suddenly, I remembered what the Count had said to me.
She told me that before heading down to the province, I should spend a lot of time practising saying the magic sentences.
‘What a load of nonsense.’
It was evident what the vibe would be like if I had spoken that magical sentence here.
I giggled at the Count’s remarks and opened my mouth.
“I missed you.”
