Chapter 2.4

C H A P T E R _ 2

Episode 6

????

“…You.”

Ian didn’t seem very impressed with Elsia’s belated excuses. Instead, he was staring at Elsia’s innocent face with a disgruntled expression.

It was a relief that she untied her hair today. She had been struggling for more than an hour to find her hair tie because she couldn’t see if the string that tied her hair fell into the bed sheet. So, if she was able to tie it when Ian looked at her so explicitly, she could not cover her bright red ears with cream-colored hair.

He was a really attractive man even in this difficult situation.

Elsia thought she was crazy for not being able to calm herself.

“Are you closely acquainted with his highness? It is surprising to know that this walnut harvested from land owned by the imperial family and not distributed publicly, is actually being delivered here for you.”

Two thick walnuts held in Ian’s hand collided with each other and made a crackling sound. Elsia, who was nervous and somewhat relieved, nodded quickly.

“A little acquainted. When I only had Woody, he supported me with my special research. Thanks to that, I developed a new doll, White Bunny. I got help about half a year ago and went up to the capital.”

“Hmm.”

When Ian’s face showed signs of interest she had never seen before, Elsia quickly pushed through, thinking this was the time.

“If you have any questions for me, you can ask anything.”

“How cunning. Are you trying to get the right to stay here with just a few words?”

Despite the harsh evaluation, Elsia smiled gently without being discouraged.

“I believe I can do it. Isn’t that why his highness chose me?”

“As expected, I don’t like you.”

His words were cold, but Elsia clearly saw it. As Ian’s arm, which had stood crooked, went down, a small smile spread from the side of his mouth covered by his sleeve. Seeing Ian’s change, she felt ecstatic and couldn’t move as her cheeks reddened.

Ian quit the entertainment of rattling walnuts and glanced at this interesting woman. Was Elsia Bennett her name? Among the people the crown prince has chosen so far, she has the most colorful facial expressions.

Ian made his way to Eusley Castle because he was tired of people. However, he really wanted to see what expression she would make the moment he says what she wanted to hear from him the most. It’s just that’s like that. He never thought that he would eventually decide to treat a woman because of interest.

‘I guess It’s time for me to break my stubbornness.’

He glanced at his broken hand. Ian Cypris’s heart is stronger and uglier than the hideously hardened and distorted hand.

The day of the knight ceremony, pledging to live upright for the rest of his life.

When Ian became the head of the Holy Knights of the Tyr Church and prayed in front of the statue with heavy responsibility resting on his shoulders.

Not to mention, the day when he did nothing but make mistakes, he abandoned everyone’s expectations and ran away from the world.

It seems that it was finally time to unravel the knots he had been entangled himself with and properly beg for forgiveness.

“Count?”

Elsia called Ian, who was in deep thought. When he heard her voice similar to a sweet bird, he smirked and began speaking somewhat cheerfully..

“We took the walnuts that came in thanks to you and prepared a simple dessert. Would you like to eat together?”

She showed a broader smile than he expected.

“Yes, I’d love to!”

After a small victory, Elsia had refreshments with Ian with walnut pie as the main snack. Talking to him, she realized that her regular regards at 3 p.m. were never in vain. Contrary to Haden’s words, Ian knew a few things about Elsia’s chatter at the door.

He asked her to stay at Eusley Castle until November and she could start treating him as soon as possible. However, he threatened her to give up early because he would not return to the capital and accept the duties he let go of.

It’s already the end of September. Elsia carefully asked as she worried about being kicked out again after October.

“Can’t I stay until White Bunny treats the Count’s hand completely?”

“How long do you think it will be? Do you really think I’d allow it? More than that, puppet master. Wait… Was it Elsia? The winter here is harsh, and Eusley Castle has been neglected for a long time, lots of work needs to be done.” Then, he added,

“You have a weak body, if you spend the winter in a place like this, you will suffer from a serious disease. If treatment is not finished within autumn, return to the capital and come back in spring.”

When she first came here, Elsia was well aware of the fact that there were problems throughout the territory, Seiran and other soldiers also informed her.

“I can help with the castle repairs, can’t I?”

Elsia had a confident expression, but Ian shrugged in response.

“Are you going to use your dolls?”

“Yes. Woody is enough!”

She spoke proudly, but Ian refuted without lifting any eyebrows.

“This place was originally built for military purposes, so much stronger objects were used as materials instead of ordinary bricks. It’ll be a headache if the wooden doll gets stamped on a stone and breaks down. I don’t think the squeaky doll would be good at carrying stones, so let it go.”

He pretended not to watch, but seemed to knew what Elsia did.

“Ah… But……!”

“Stop being stubborn. Don’t even ask for concessions anymore. It’s originally none of your business.”

Ian, who drew the line coldly, finished his speech and put the tea cup he held on the table. Just like the first day they met, Elsia quickly put down her fork that pierced a large piece of pie. Looking at the half-eaten walnut pie of the dessert plate, Ian spoke curiously.

“You should eat more. Why did you stop?”

“If you’re going back to your bedroom, I’m going to accompany you and leave….”

“I’ll wait until you finish eating, so don’t look at me and eat slowly.”

Elsia was somehow embarrassed at his careless words.

She was cheerful by nature and patient. However, because of the fact that she was from the countryside, she had a weakness of liking too much delicious food that melted in her tongue like a child. After coming to Eusley Castle, it was her habit to check what today’s dessert is every morning. The chef’s cooking skills were too good for her, really.

Sure enough, Ian smiled when he saw Elsia’s fingers wiggling toward the fork.

“When you came to meet me, didn’t you just say that you like cherries and that you want to eat one lollipop every day? If you leave without eating the walnut pie to see me off, I won’t be able to sleep at night.”

“No, it’s not! It’s not to that extent!”

“Hahaha, that’s enough. I won’t tease you any more so eat with confidence.”

Seeing Elsia’s fierce injustice, Ian laughed loudly and brought a book stuck in a small bookshelf. It was a relief that Elsia could eat all the remaining pie without making eye contact with him. Now that his gaze has disappeared, she only had to enjoy the pie, however, Elsia kept glancing at Ian.

It was such a strange thing.

She had a taste of the pie that melts in her tongue properly.…. Ian’s pleasant laughter lingered in her ears too. She couldn’t tell whether what she was chewing was crispy tartzie, savory walnuts, or sweet caramel syrup.

It was so unlike her, who is a gourmet.

‘What’s wrong with me?’

It’s hard to feel the taste of this great walnut pie even when she pushed it all down her throat. Thinking like that, Elsia stood up while looking at Ian’s face, who was focusing on the book.

“Just one slice? You can eat more.”

“It’s fine.”

“Hmm, shall we go back?”

Ian smiled and stood up while being somewhat coy. Seeing his unpretentious smile, Elsia’s heart fluttered again without hesitation.

‘Why… Why is this happening?’

His affection was reserved for that one special person.

It’s no use having a good feeling.

Elsia bowed her head deeply, calmed her running chest, and tried to follow him. However, Ian reached out his arm and brought up a surprising statement.

“I’ll take you to your living quarters. Was it on the second floor? “

“Yes? But I’m alright. Rather, shouldn’t I take the count to his bedroom?”

When Elsia asked the question in surprise, Ian shrugged as if to grab her arm quickly.

“Elsia, you are not my maid, you are a guest of this castle. And…In your eyes I might look like a pathetic drunkard, but I’m not that fragile. Do not worry.”

“Oh ….”

She was worried that she may have hurt his pride, but was really nice that she didn’t. Elsia almost flinched when held by her arm. Elsia’s fingers felt a strange temperature, enough to think that his coat was hot. The man walked slowly towards the door of the parlor, adding a word.

“Treatment begins tomorrow. How about 10 a.m.?”

“Sure, but can I really start the treatment tomorrow?”

Even though he told her to do it earlier, Elsia was asked to check about his treatment again. Ian didn’t mean to make fun of her, but he raised the corners of his mouth because it was cute when her eyes were wide open. It was like a rabbit’s.

“Why? Is 10 o’clock too early?”

“No way! In fact, I’m so happy that the count allowed me to treat your hand.”

“Why?”

When Ian asked standing up, Elsia said, trying not to look at his ugly hands.

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s a great pleasure if you can heal a person’s pain.”

“Then, I ask for your kind cooperation.”

When Ian gave another definite answer, Elsia smiled and nodded, the brightest he had ever seen.

“Yes! I look forward to your kind cooperation. I’ll do my best.”

“Will do.”

It wasn’t a big deal, but when Ian answered back, Elsia’s cheeks heated up. He was wondering if Elsia was usually shy. Nevertheless, Ian dropped her off without pointing out such trivial things.

Returning to the bedroom under Ian’s escort, Elsia threw herself on the bed. Without even thinking of putting down the insignia, she buried her face in a cozy pillow and sobbed softly.

‘Why? Why is it?….’

The emotion came belatedly when Ian’s smiling face had a pleasant laughter that seemed to wake up her ears. And the blue eyes, that she thought were only cool, were gently relieved. Elsia was well aware of this fragile and soft feeling , like a rising sprout pushing up the soil.

‘That is…’

A faint and vain dream that is the driving force behind a person’s life, a product of beautiful and brilliant emotions, and that the other person will answer with the same words when a trembling confession is made.

She groaned, grabbing the corner of the pillowcase with a small hand.

“No…Not this one, Elsia. You already know what’s going to happen in the end.”

You can’t like him, you shouldn’t fall for him, and you shouldn’t start a difficult crush that’s going to be terribly painful for you. She soothed herself, begging and begging not to see Ian as a man until the promised time came.

‘You know who he loves, but you want to be greedy, Elsia Bennett?’

‘Can you take the saint’s place in his heart?’

‘You can’t.’

‘Wake up, idiot!’

She repeatedly complained of her wicked conscience, but it was not known whether it worked.

END OF EPISODE 6