Episode 108

The hand that held mine was burning hot.

‘This is dangerous.’

Looking into those golden, beast-like eyes, I felt as if I were about to be devoured.

His gaze was that of someone longing for their Imprinted One.

The line he had carefully stayed behind until now—Ludwig was crossing it all at once.

“……”

I still wasn’t sure of my own feelings, but at the very least, I knew this wasn’t right.

And it wasn’t just because he was the male lead of the original story.

‘One day, these eyes will change… into the eyes of someone who has been hurt.’

By now, I understood that I had become an important presence to Ludwig.

Perhaps, since he hadn’t yet grown close to Jenna, I was the only one by his side.

If someone like that were to suddenly disappear without a word…

‘Even I would feel betrayed.’

But if this was the only way to save him, then I was willing to be that ungrateful, heartless person in his life.

Which meant… I couldn’t let myself get any closer than this.

We had to be close enough to let go of each other easily when the time came.

As Ludwig leaned in, closing the dangerously narrow gap between us, I raised my free hand and placed it firmly on his broad shoulder.

“If you come any closer, people might misunderstand.”

“I don’t mind being misunderstood.”

“Well, I do.”

In the end, Ludwig let himself be pushed back, though his faintly regretful smile remained.

“At least now you understand what the imprint feels like.”

When he had taken my hand and guided it to his imprint, I had been surprised at how intensely warm it was.

And knowing that I was the reason it had been engraved onto him left me with an odd, indescribable feeling.

“Doesn’t it feel too hot?”

“The heat won’t fade for the first few years. But I’ve gotten used to it—it’s bearable.”

“It must have been painful when it was first engraved.”

“Of course. It was the first time I ever felt pain like that. But the Hiltens are born with a dull sense of pain, so….”

If Ludwig was saying that, then it must have been agony beyond what an ordinary person could endure.

“But I didn’t mind.”

His voice was calm, sincere.

“It was like throwing a stone into a still lake—
for the first time, I could feel my heart beating properly.”

“……”

There was no deceit in his words.

Simply and plainly, he was telling me exactly what he had felt that day.

I could vaguely imagine what he must have been thinking under that tree—the tree I had run away from, where he had endured the pain of the imprint alone.

“Sierra, I should tell you this now… my Imprinted One was never Rachel.”

At that moment, my heart pounded loudly in my chest.

‘Is he… planning to tell me here and now?’

“The owner of this imprint is…”

Ludwig reached out and lightly tapped my clenched fist, which I hadn’t even realized I was gripping so tightly.

“I’ll tell you when you’re ready to know.”

I blinked at him in surprise.

Then, he let out a soft laugh and met my gaze directly.

As if amused, he gently ran his fingers through my hair.

“I was rather mischievous today. But it’s your fault, Sierra—you’re especially adorable today, so I hope you’ll forgive me.”

What kind of person says things like that with a face like his?!

He no longer had me cornered on the sofa, but his words alone nearly made my heart leap out of my chest.

Feeling the heat rising in my ears, I hurriedly changed the subject.

“A-Anyway, I’m ready now. I can leave for Mount Deoisa at any time.”

At my words, Ludwig’s face brightened.

“Truly?”

“Yes. I don’t want to delay any longer. The goal is right in front of me.”

There was no guarantee we’d find the Fruit of Betrayal quickly. The sooner we started, the better.

‘That way, I can cure my illness before I leave the empire.’

“If that’s what you want, then I have no problem leaving today. You mentioned keeping the first expedition to a minimum.”

Ludwig was enthusiastic, but I quickly shook my head.

“If we’re traveling all the way to the South, we’ll have to stay at least one night there. You still have your duties to attend to, Ludwig. You don’t have to overextend yourself to come with me.”

“I was already planning to visit the South for a matter concerning the East District. I’ll simply move my schedule forward—so don’t worry about it.”

“…Really?”

“Really.”

The investigation into the explosion incident still hadn’t been concluded, so it made sense that he had to go South eventually.

But was he rearranging his entire schedule for my sake?

While I hesitated, Ludwig lowered his gaze, looking at me with softened eyes.

“…Unless, of course, my presence is unwelcome.”

For a brief moment, I saw the image of a dejected, abandoned puppy overlaying his expression.

“T-That’s not it! I’d love for you to come! There’s nothing more reassuring than having you by my side.”

At my flustered, firm denial, Ludwig’s lips curved into a bright smile.

“Then let’s leave as soon as you’re ready.”

…Why did it feel like I had been tricked again?

* * *

Preparations were swift.
Since the first expedition was only a preliminary exploration, it would last one or two days at most. There wasn’t much to pack.

All I had to do was load a single Boston bag onto Ludwig’s Karsian carriage.

Dressed in a light white dress suited for the warm southern climate, I stood by the carriage, holding my hat in place against the wind.

That was when I heard a familiar voice behind me.

“Sierra.”

At the sound of it, I instinctively turned around.

“Grandfather… and Father.”

With an awkward smile, I greeted the two men who had come to see me off.

I had told them that my previous trip to the South had done wonders for my health, so I would be taking another short trip.

Of course, I had sent a servant ahead to deliver the message, planning to leave quickly before they could object.

‘It hasn’t even been a few minutes since I sent the servant, though…?’

“Are you sure you should be moving so quickly?”

“Of course. The physician said I’m well enough to move around now.”

“Then why are you traveling with the Grand Duke?”

“He happens to have business in the South, so we decided to travel together for a bit.”

“…It feels like he made up that excuse just to accompany you.”

At those words, I quickly stepped in front of Ludwig, blocking my father and grandfather’s sharp gazes.

They were looking at him like they wanted to kill him.

I forced a smile and spoke lightly.

“Besides, you both know how much better I felt after my last trip to the South.”

“…That’s true, but….”

“I’ll be back soon, so don’t worry too much! I’ll see you when I return!”

Not wanting to get delayed any longer, I quickly waved my hand and climbed into the carriage before they could stop me.

As the carriage door closed, I faintly heard my grandfather mumbling under his breath.

“Hmph. We should assign a guard to make sure the Grand Duke doesn’t try anything.”

Then, he raised his voice and called out to me through the carriage window.

“Now that I think about it, Desar is already stationed in the South on an errand for me. I’ll have him act as your escort.”

“…Desar?”

Desar had disappeared from the Drenihan estate while I was away in the South last time.

I hadn’t seen him in a long time, and with my father officially taking the head position of the family, I had assumed there would be no more reason for us to meet again.

But now… a sudden reunion?

“Yes, having a proper guard will ease this old man’s mind.”

His glare at Ludwig made it clear who he was really worried about.

At this rate, if I refused, I’d never make it to the South today.

In the end, I reluctantly agreed—I would take Desar along as my escort.

As the carriage pulled away, my father and grandfather didn’t move.
They stood watching us until we were completely out of sight.

“They seem to care for you deeply, Sierra.”

“…Haha. Sometimes a little too much.”

I forced a smile and sighed quietly.

Our first stop was Robert’s laboratory.
We needed to pick up Sharon, who had discovered the Fruit of Betrayal a few years ago at Mount Deoisa.

As the carriage arrived in front of the wooden building, the door swung open as if someone had been waiting.

“Sierra! Sister!”

“Sharon, how have you been?”

Sharon greeted me enthusiastically, already wearing a small travel bag on her back.

Behind her, Robert stepped out, smiling as he spoke.

“Sharon has been carrying that bag every day, waiting for this trip. Looks like you’re finally going.”

“Yes. I’ll make sure to find it.”

“May fortune be with you, my lady. The goal is right before you.”

At Robert’s words, I smiled and nodded.