Contract Marriage Interrupted

Episode 101. Happiness (2)

 

Walter’s eyelids rose and fell slowly. As death drew near, he found himself increasingly trapped in the labyrinth of the past. When he closed his eyes, he saw Odette, and when he opened them, he pictured her. That made it all the more certain.

This was real. In Walter’s memories, or at least in his mind, he never received such love from Odette.

But he must have chosen death by drinking the poisoned tea himself. He could vividly recall the moment when death came upon him like a beast.

But this was reality?

“How could I…….”

His voice was smooth, as if spoken by someone who had just woken from sleep.

But the voice didn’t continue. First, because of Walter’s astonishment at the smoothness of his own voice, which left him speechless. Second, because in that instant, Odette wrapped her arms tightly around Walter.

“……!”

Odette’s shoulders trembled as she embraced Walter. A faint sob, barely audible except to Walter’s ears as they held each other. Odette was crying.

Odette crying for him.

‘I could almost die for her.’

No, would it be accurate to say he had died twice now?

Thinking thoughts that would have been considered insane if anyone had heard them. Walter gently patted Odette’s back. As he did, he heard the sobbing from over her shoulder.

 

“Why- why did you do that…….”

“…… I didn’t know the tea was poisoned.”

“You’re lying! hic- You said…… sniffle you wanted to live happily……”

The hand that was patting Odette’s back slowly stiffened.

He could feel what she meant by her words.

– I want you to be happy, Duke Ertmann.

Odette had never said such words in this lifetime.

“I- I was so selfish towards you sniffle but yet- you- why…….”

Odette had never been so selfish in this lifetime.

All of that was now part of the vanished past.

With just a few words, it was clear that Odette had regained all her memories.

“…….”

Walter had anticipated that Louis would regain his memories eventually, and he had thought that the same would happen to Odette someday, but he had never imagined it would be tied to his own death.

He almost wished it wouldn’t happen. The Odette of his past life would love Louis.

But on the other hand, it seems like he hoped for this situation.

The situation where Odette knew everything and embraced him.

“A happy life like that won’t happen to me. Odette…… because you died.”

He could feel their hearts beating against each other. It was clearly the rhythm of two hearts.

A sensation of life that he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

The meaning was clear. The deal with ‘him’ was over.

Perhaps by drinking the poison and dying, Walter had completed the transaction, and Odette had somehow brought him back to life afterward.

‘If this bondage was lifted…… Am I able to speak now?’

Thump, thump. His heart pounded. The warmth pressing against him and the faint fragrance beneath the pulse were all vivid.

Since gaining this life, he had never once expressed…….

“……I love you, Odette.”

Instead of answering, Odette kissed Walter on the lips.

And with that, Walter returned to his second life.

* * *

 

Walter and Odette explained to each other what had happened. Walter explained that after Odette’s death, he had been dragged by Arnold to the battlefield, where he had been beaten to death.

“I was lucky. No one would have known there was a relic there, and certainly no one would have known I could use it.”

“So…… the pendant I gave you was helpful?”

“Yes. It was said to be an item made for someone like you.”

Walter told the deal he made with ‘him’ and also about the misfortunes shared by those who rode the power of the gods, like Odette. He mentioned that his deal was to take on Odette’s misfortune for himself.

Upon hearing this, Odette tried to hide her tears again.

“So, in the end, it’s like I killed you…….”

“It’s because I foolishly loved you. It’s not your fault.”

Of course, Walter skillfully brushed it off.

“Well, if you’re sorry, why don’t you stay with me instead of going somewhere else? I died because of you, and I live because of you, so you’re responsible.”

“Uh, I never planned to leave anyway! Don’t call yourself foolish. You-…… you’re someone I love.”

Odette spoke steadily even though her face turned red due to Walter’s teasing, and thanks to this, it was Walter who blushed.

Wiping away his blushing face with a feigned laugh, Walter began to banter with Odette.

“I never expected to hear such words from you…… It feels surprisingly good. Can we do it again?”

“N- no!”

“You said you loved me? Was your love only that much?”

“Today’s quota is done. I-if you want to hear more…… come back tomorrow.”

Walter let out a low laugh at Odette’s comment about saying I love you once a day.

“Then I’ll do my part. I doubt I’ll ever get tired of hearing it.”

As he spoke, Walter’s hand was adorned with a blue gemstone ring.

[with Ariella’s help]

A blue gem ring with the phrase engraved on the inside.

That was the item that saved Walter’s life.

* * *

 

Odette’s life-giving power was obviously great.

The fact that it was able to get blood flowing again in Walter’s body, which had obviously stopped breathing, was enough to make it effective.

But to bring him back to consciousness, she needed an artifact of the highest healing power, perhaps the Ring of Ariella.

So Odette’s request to Louis was simple.

Bring her the Eye of Ariella, the jewel that is in the Imperial Palace.

If Louis refused, Cedric could use his power to pressure Blake or Katarina to bring it to him, although it was uncertain how they would respond once they discovered the specific item they were after.

Perhaps Odette could have bought time underwater, delaying the exchange of the gem until Walter’s breath was again threatened. Therefore, resolving the issue discreetly was paramount.

Cedric addressed his concern.

“The Eye of Ariella is actually more of a jewelry item than a holy object. To utilize it as a relic, we need the ring’s body, which they are unaware I possess. If Louis Clovis agrees…….”

“It’s possible to acquire the gem without raising too much suspicion.”

“Yes, that seems to be the best case scenario at the moment. But is it feasible? Blake is not someone easily persuaded, even by my people. Even if Louis Clovis wants to assist you, if Blake finds a vulnerability, it could become an impossible task.”

 

Cedric believed that it was unrealistic to expect Louis to help Odette.

There was no way Louis, who was on Blake’s side, would help Odette, and even if he were persuaded to help, Blake was not easily deceived.

But Odette knew that Louis possessed memories of the past and wasn’t foolish enough to leave no escape route for himself.

And that he could never truly turn away from her.

‘No, to be precise, I should say that he cannot ignore my death.’

This was Louis’s most denied truth and his weakness.

A failure of epic proportions, one might say.

Odette exploited his vulnerability, and as expected, he could not resist her request.

He asked Blake for jewelry instead of his original request, which was to keep his aunt chained in the capital.

And Blake readily gave in to Louis whim.

<The Eye of Ariella> was a gem, but not as precious as a diamond.

The Ring of Ariella proved to be more than worthy of its title, for after the ring was placed on and the effect was triggered, Walter woke up less than a day later.

“A friend told me that Ariella isn’t a name, but a modification of an ancient word meaning to deceive time. Maybe it would have taken a long time for me to wake up, but thanks to deceiving time, you were able to awaken quickly.”

“So it’s like I never died at all?”

“Brother Cedric did his best to keep it from happening, but…… apparently it was the Empress’s plan all along, and a little leakage was unavoidable.”

 

Rumors about Walter’s death were already circulating in gossip circles. Although Walter waking up would help diminish these to some extent, it would still be difficult to completely avoid suspicion, especially if Blake continued to press the issue.

“So, I decided to let it be known that I saved you with my abilities. Well…… it’s not entirely untrue.”

“I don’t mind telling the truth.”

“Louis…… I mean, I don’t want to shift all the blame onto Count Clovis like that. It would ease my mind if I didn’t owe anything.”

Walter looked at Odette with an uneasy expression. He had discussed her ability to attract misfortune, but he hadn’t mentioned the intensifying effect her abilities could have once they became known. He wanted to prevent any possible danger.

‘Odette’s misery would end when I died anyway.’

She deserved recognition for her abilities. So, Walter nodded.

“Do as you wish. Since I owe you my life, I won’t interfere in this matter.”

“……Are you saying that I shouldn’t blame you for using the holy relic?”

“When did my princess become so perceptive?”

With a blush on her face in response to Walter’s words, Odette glanced at him. It was as if she wanted to claim, “I’ve always been perceptive!” However, she simply remained silent, not wanting to reveal how little she understood Walter’s intentions.

‘I can see right through your intentions, yet I can’t read the room.’

Well, she have nothing to say about her lack of perception. Walter smiled and hugged Odette tightly. As her silver hair tickled his fingertips and a familiar sensation filled his chest.

It’s a sensation that he have long forgotten.

Perhaps it would be better to say loved.

That’s all he needed to live again, Walter thought as he held Odette in a long, lingering embrace.