Episode 122
“I’m… cold…”
Despite being under a warm blanket, the wind blowing in through the open window made me shiver, seeking warmth.
My hand touched a firm chest. I looked up and saw Cesar’s sleeping face.
‘He’s still asleep.’
I thought about snuggling closer and going back to sleep but shook my head. I suddenly wanted to watch him sleep.
‘His eyelashes are fluttering.’
As I quietly watched him, I saw his lips and eyelashes twitching slightly. I unconsciously ran my fingers through his soft hair, and his long eyelashes fluttered.
“Lily.”
Cesar, seemingly awake, called my name.
I hadn’t meant to wake him, so I quickly covered his eyes with my hand.
“Sorry. I woke you up. Go back to sleep.”
“It’s fine. Show me your face, Lily.”
I moved my hand slightly, and I saw his perfect, unblemished face.
‘He’s unreal. He’s definitely a romance fantasy novel male lead.’
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“You were doing the same, Cesar.”
He chuckled. His low, morning voice was too seductive.
I continued playing with his hair, feeling like I was the only one being seduced every day, and he took my hand and intertwined our fingers.
I noticed a ring on his finger that I hadn’t seen before. It was similar to mine, with a pink diamond in the center.
“When did you put on a ring? I didn’t see it before we went to sleep.”
“When you were fidgeting and leaning against me?”
“Oh, you were already awake? You should have told me… you’re mean.”
I should have known. He must have been pretending to be asleep, waiting to see what I would do.
And I, clueless, had poked him, thinking he was asleep.
“Why is your ring a pink diamond, Cesar? We could have matched.”
I knew they were a pair because of the similar design, but the pink jewel, different from mine, kept catching my eye. I asked him curiously, and a smooth reply followed.
“This jewel reminds me of you.”
His words made my heart race. I tried to sound nonchalant as I asked,
“…Only when you look at it?”
“That’s not true. But since it’s a ring I’ll be wearing every day, I wanted it to remind me of you.”
I hugged him tightly, unable to resist his words.
“I barely managed to get your permission to go to the Holy Kingdom, and now you’re saying such sweet things; it’s making me waver.”
Was he doing this on purpose? Was he trying to melt my resolve, like the sun stripping a traveler of their clothes, so I wouldn’t leave?
“Lily. You do cause a lot of trouble, but I don’t think your actions are without reason. You’re not the type to hurt someone you care about without a good reason.”
He had been so displeased and jealous, seeing me with Heron… and yet, he was putting aside all those emotions and comforting me, and it made me tear up.
“Thank you, Cesar.”
I desperately tried to hold back my tears, not wanting to cry in his arms. Cesar, seeing my efforts, gently kissed my eyes and said,
“You’re crying again.”
“I’m not.”
“Your eyes are red, Lily.”
“J-just pretend you don’t know!”
I exclaimed, flustered, and turned away, and he hugged me from behind. He intertwined our fingers again and nuzzled his face against my neck.
His warm breath on my skin made my face burn.
“That tickles…”
He ignored my words.
I sighed and then turned my head to look at him. As if waiting, his eyes crinkled at the corners.
“We still have things to discuss. Where did you learn this bad habit of turning away from me when you’re embarrassed?”
His tone was like that of a parent soothing a child. He knew I hated being treated like a child, and yet, he was teasing me.
“Perhaps I learned it from a bad owner who only threatened me when I was a bird?”
He chuckled, as if admitting defeat at my nonchalant reply.
“Lily.”
Cesar brushed my hair aside and finally brought up the main topic.
“I’m planning to tell the delegation from the Holy Kingdom to take you back.”
I had thought he would wait a few days before mentioning this. We had just talked about it yesterday.
“Already…?”
“I’m glad you’re so disappointed.”
“Of course, I am. I don’t want to go.”
I wanted to stay here and laze around with him. I wanted to enjoy this peaceful life, feeling his gentle touch.
But I still had things to do.
I couldn’t complain any further, so I hugged him and asked,
“But won’t they be suspicious? I was so vehemently against going back. It would be strange for me to suddenly change my mind.”
“I’ve thought about that.”
“What did you think of?”
“We’ll deceive them, making it seem like I decided to send you back for your own good. You just have to act like you didn’t know.”
“Act?”
“You managed to deceive me and run away, so they’ll surely believe you.”
I wasn’t bad at acting. I didn’t think it would be difficult to fool the people from the Holy Kingdom.
But something else bothered me, and I hesitantly said,
“I might get too into character and actually feel sad.”
If Cesar really had made that decision for me, I would have been heartbroken. I liked it here, and to think he would send me back to that hellhole, saying it was for my own good…
“So before I go, please tell me you love me. Tell me you would have kept me by your side, no matter what.”
“Gladly.”
Relieved, I smiled.
The more time I spent with him, the more attached I became. It must have seemed like I was clumsily imitating his possessiveness.
Several days passed since Cesar sent a letter to the Holy Kingdom through the Crown Prince.
We were strolling peacefully in the garden.
“It’s been a few days since we sent the letter. Haven’t they replied?”
“No. They’re probably deliberating. Suspicious of my sudden change of heart.”
“They’re cautious.”
Was that how they had been so thorough from the beginning, preventing me from even thinking of escaping? The memories of the original bird, returning as its soul merged with mine, came flooding back.
A bitter taste filled my mouth, and I smiled faintly. Just then, I saw one of the maids from the Dukedom rushing towards us.
“What is it?”
“Your Grace, we have visitors.”
“I wasn’t expecting any guests today…”
Then it must be an uninvited, and therefore, rude guest. Cesar seemed to have the same thought, as he said,
“Guide them in.”
I quietly followed Cesar, preparing myself mentally.
‘I have to act convincingly from now on. I have to.’
I chanted that inwardly and imagined the people waiting for me at the Dukedom, their faces smug.
‘At least there’s one thing I can act perfectly.’
A look of utter disgust.
And my prediction was spot on.
The moment I saw the High Priest and the other priests from the Holy Kingdom, waiting for me at the main gate, not the reception room, my face instinctively crumpled in disgust.
And the words tumbled out,
“Cesar… why are they here? Get rid of them!”
I pleaded with him, hiding behind him. Cesar left me and walked towards them, exchanging greetings.
I stared at his back with a shocked expression.
‘Even though it’s just acting, this is a little heartbreaking.’
My chest ached, but I had to focus on my acting and return safely without arousing their suspicion.
“Cesar?”
As I called his name and let go of his hand, a smile spread across the High Priest’s face, who had been watching everything.
“You’ve made a wise decision. It must be painful, but you’ve helped her walk the path to true happiness.”
“W-what are you talking about? Did you… did you agree to send me back to them? Why… why?! Do you not like me anymore?”
Even I was impressed by my dramatic, heartbroken heroine performance. It was as if I had been honing my acting skills for this very moment.
“It’s not that I don’t like you anymore. It’s just… if you stay by my side, your light will fade. I couldn’t bear to watch that, Lily…”
Just like me, he was smoothly delivering well-practiced lies, his expression unchanging.
That’s why I always fell for his tricks.
“I told you I’m happy by your side, Cesar! Why are you deciding this on your own? What… what am I to you?”
“I’m sorry.”
“I don’t want to hear your apology! You shouldn’t have confessed if you were going to do this. You shouldn’t have tricked me with sweet words, saying this was my home…”
My voice cracked as emotions welled up. My vision blurred. Tears, unexpectedly, filled my eyes and trickled down my cheeks.
Cesar, seeing my tears, looked flustered and started to approach me.
‘Don’t come near me! I’m not really crying!’
“Don’t come any closer!”
‘Act well.’
“Don’t pretend to be kind after already deciding to send me away.”
‘Don’t do anything suspicious, knowing we’re both acting.’
The words I spoke and the message I wanted to convey were different, but Cesar seemed to understand, looking at my eyes.
I breathed a sigh of relief and wiped away my tears, walking towards the delegation from the Holy Kingdom who had come for me.
“Alright. I’ll go back. Please just let me leave quickly; I won’t resist anymore.”
A bright smile finally appeared on the High Priest’s suspicious face. I really didn’t like this man, not one bit.