You Had a Fiancée?! (1)
‘Should I not go?’
Ruman already has an inkling of the reason he came this far.
But that’s not like him. Ruman decided to forget the reason. He can’t abandon his lifelong goal, can he? Especially a goal he’s sworn to achieve immortality for, pledged in front of his comrades.
‘Even delaying it a little…’
Ah, the Crystal Orb. It broke… so he can’t even contact them. There’s no way to delay it either.
No, there’s no reason to delay it.
Was he really such a pathetic person?
Ruman’s face changed moment by moment. Temarr, who had been looking down at him, finally turned his back. The indifferent apology and gratitude mixed faintly into the face that had been tinged with displeasure. The sound of a self-deprecating sigh tapped Temarr’s back.
“Ruman.”
“…What.”
A voice that sank heavily like an anchor pulled Ruman, who had been lost in thought, back up.
Temarr, showing his solid, broad back, spoke.
“For saving Ren… thank you.”
“……”
He couldn’t brazenly deflect it by saying it was only natural. Ruman had been desperate enough to sell his soul, and had risked even his own life to save Ren. Temarr must have vaguely noticed that too.
“But I’m that kid’s hyung. I’ll take care of it myself, so go take care of your business. You have a goal too, don’t you?”
Words that sounded both warm and cold.
A goal…
Right, Ruman had to leave for his promise. For a comfortable old age, for a golden opportunity.
There was no reason or need to stay here any longer.
***
I’m anxious.
What are Hyung and Ruman talking about? Are they discussing whether to leave me behind or take me along? I kept glancing at the door. Coco, who had been looking at me disapprovingly, grabbed Kirki for no reason.
“Kirki.”
“Yes! Princess-nim!”
“You’re noisy, so get out.”
“What? I just answered with one word… Ah, got it!”
When Coco glared at him, Kirki jumped up and left as if fleeing. The maids also all left at Coco’s gesture, and only Coco and I remained in the spacious guest room that had been set up like a sickroom.
What does she want to talk about that she sent everyone out? This is kind of scary.
“You… are you really not going to talk?”
“About what?”
Ugh. I knew you’d ask that. I collected my heart that had sunk for a moment and answered nonchalantly. I even tilted my head! Coco! Even if you ask like that, I don’t know, I have no idea what you’re talking about!
“Hey. Ren.”
“What.”
“I’m asking if you’re not going to talk.”
Coco scrunched up her face.
Why is she making such an ugly face with that pretty face?
“Your cheek healed completely.”
“Yeah. Kirki did… Why do you keep deflecting?”
Coco, who had been about to get angry, swallowed a sigh and spoke in a slightly softer tone.
Can’t you just pretend not to know? And I didn’t only say it to deflect! I was worried, what do you take me for! Though I wasn’t *that* worried! Just a tiny bit. Instead of saying that, I grumbled.
“I’ll handle it myself.”
“How are you going to handle it?”
Of course I’m going to keep it a secret.
“You have no intention of talking about it anyway. Will the illness get better that way? Just tell me, won’t you? What kind of big deal illness are you hiding?”
“I said I’ll handle it myself! Who are you to keep telling me what to do?”
Ugh! I ended up getting irritated.
I know you’re saying it out of concern, but it’s uncomfortable. I don’t like it!
It’s an incurable illness!
Of course I couldn’t say that. Coco would hide a chronic illness, but she wouldn’t hide a terminal illness!
I scowled fiercely and glared at Coco.
“Are we ‘friends’ or something? Don’t cross the line.”
“Ha! What? Sorry, but I’ve never thought of you and me as ‘friends’ either, you know?”
Coco lifted her chin. What a supremely arrogant expression! Those eyes looking down at people weren’t the work of a day or two!
I can’t lose either!
I equipped the eyes I use when glaring at the baker’s son and had an intense staring contest with Coco.
We glared at each other until our eyes welled up with tears from anger, when a somewhat relaxed, deflated voice split between us.
“Phew. I really don’t understand kids these days. Why are you fighting again? What line are you crossing?”
Whoosh! We both turned to look at the door simultaneously.
What, is Ruman a cat or something?! When did he come in! Why did he come in so quietly!
“Uh, why are you both crying?”
“Ruman! I was about to win but because of you!”
“Ha! The one who won wasn’t you, it was me!”
Coco and I looked at each other, then turned our heads away sharply.
Ow! It stings!
Coco’s hair whipped my cheek! Ugh. But if it hurts, I lose. I kept my mouth firmly shut, pretending I wasn’t hit.
Ruman, who had been looking back and forth between Coco and me, burst out laughing while looking at me, then quickly composed himself.
What, why did you laugh and then stop?
“Ah, Princess. Could you possibly obtain a Crystal Orb?”
“Hey!”
“Yees, Princess-nim!”
At Coco’s clear call, a maid came running from outside the door.
Wh-what! If she calls “Hey!” they know to come running? How do they know?!
“Bring a few Crystal Orbs.”
“Yes, Princess-nim!”
“What grade are the Crystal Orbs?”
“What do you think the Duke’s family is? ‘Serten.’ The kind that can be used even during war.”
At Coco’s prim words, Ruman nodded. Coco, you really have a bad personality.
‘Serten’ grade? If it can be used even during war, it must be really sturdy, right? Would it hurt if it hit my head?
The maid came running with a basket containing Crystal Orbs.
“Princess-nim! I brought them!”
“Yeah. Good work.”
The maid left with a grin.
“Is this enough?”
“It is. Ren, you keep one.”
“Me? Why? Isn’t it enough if just one person in the party has one??”
“Just in case.”
“Okay.”
Is there something that might happen? Ruman’s eyes looked somehow stern, so I nervously accepted the Crystal Orb. As I rolled and fiddled with the Crystal Orb in my hand, I watched Ruman’s expression.
“What. Do you have questions?”
“This… are you going to give one to Hyung too?”
“Of course. Temarr’s Crystal Orb broke.”
Ruman frowned.
“Then, I can contact Hyung too?”
“…That’s right.”
Yes!
I carefully cradled the Crystal Orb in my arms.
“Phew.”
Even if Hyung leaves me behind, maybe I can endure it.
As long as we can contact each other well, I can wait bravely!
“Ren.”
“Why?”
“Do you think Temarr is going to leave you behind?”
“…Well.”
Isn’t that obvious?
Right now, I’m just holding him back. I didn’t want to meet Ruman’s eyes, so I just fiddled with the Crystal Orb. My face reflected hazily on the opaque orb.
Ren. How rude.
For a moment, it felt like I heard Hyung’s voice. Oh! I quickly raised my head. When you’re talking, you have to look at the other person’s eyes!
“Even waiting until today is, really, *really* something I’m grateful for. I don’t want to be a burden to Hyung.”
Ruman lowered his eyes. His golden eyes looked at me intently. I was reflected in his eyes, then repeatedly hidden by his dense eyelashes.
A mirage-like smile quietly rose and disappeared at the corners of his mouth.
“I see.”
“Ru…”
“Princess, how has the compensation been determined?”
Ruman turned his head away completely.
‘What is this. This uneasy feeling?’
“Is there anything in particular you want? I’ll do pretty much anything. I’m planning to give you the family’s emblem too. If you need help, you can borrow the Ganien Duke’s family name once or twice.”
“Something in particular… I don’t have anything. Gold coins are enough for me. Ah, could you procure two good horses?”
“Got it. For you and Temarr… to ride?”
Coco hesitated for a moment, as if contemplating how to address my hyung’s name.
Of course it’d be for Hyung and Ruman! No way it’s for me, right?
But the answer I heard was different.
“No. Two for me.”
“Two for yourself alone?”
“Is that difficult?”
“Why? It’ll be annoying to lead them.”
Coco said that while calling for a maid, and told the butler to select two good fine horses. The maid was about to leave the room to relay the message when Ruman stopped her.
“What?”
Coco frowned and glared at Ruman, who had grabbed the maid’s arm.
When Ruman smiled with his handsome face and apologized to the maid, the maid’s cheeks reddened. The maid shook her head saying it was fine. Eyes filled with admiration turned toward Ruman.
It’s strange. Do Ruman and Hyung receive such gazes when they go outside?
Suddenly my heart pounded. I want to see him, our wonderful Hyung receiving praise… Then maybe I can think a little less about being alone! If people acknowledge Hyung’s hardships!
Coco’s eyes narrowed.
“One horse isn’t for me, but for a woman to ride. Please get one suitable for someone with a small frame.”
“A woman? Ren?”
Coco turned to look at me. Her face was half worry, half mockery!
“Can Ren even ride a horse?”
“Do I look like a girl to you? Are your eyes crooked?”
‘Can I ride?!’ I swallowed those words.
My pride is hurt! I’ll definitely learn horseback riding before I die. I’ll build muscle too! I ignited my fighting spirit for the first time in a while.
“Hmph!”
“Hey, why aren’t you answering!”
“It’s not Ren?”
“It’s not Ren.”
Ruman, uncharacteristically, drew out his words and smiled with his eyes folded. Whether the smile worked properly, the maid’s cheeks flushed.
“Why the suspense? Are you giving it to a fiancée or something?”
“That’s correct.”
“Really? A fiancée…”
Coco answered nonchalantly, then widened her eyes round.
