Episode 71. Obsession (2)

She comforted him in a way that only Beth could.

“It’s okay. No one is pushing you. Take your time to recover your health.”

“Thank you.”

The focus in Daniel’s eyes disappeared. He responded mechanically.

“Thanks to you, I feel stronger.”

“Of course, it’s nothing.”

Beth also spoke the expected words as she tightly held Daniel’s hand. Since her true feelings were entirely different, it was natural that an awkward smile spread across her face.

‘Instead of saying such things, hurry up and leave. I want to go shopping and have a date.’

Daniel wasn’t the type to obstruct her if she directly demanded it. At worst, he would give her money and tell her to enjoy herself alone.

But even when she wanted to say something like this:

▶ Being with you makes me happy.
▶ (Tearing up) Get well soon, Daniel.

Only options like these came to mind.

Beth sighed heavily.

‘Oh, what a frustrating heroine. It feels like force-feeding a sweet potato.’

How can someone always say nice things? Even though Beth was portrayed as a bit stupid, she always spouted vague hope instead of speaking rationally and cutting to the chase. For someone in her position, it was infuriating.

As usual, with tears welling up, Beth focused on increasing her favorability with Daniel while subtly expressing her desire to leave.

“Um, Daniel. If you’re okay, wouldn’t getting some fresh air help your health?”

“Ah.”

Preferably not just a walk. No, even a walk would be fine. In the game, there was a scene where they took shelter in a pavilion from the rain and shared a romantic moment.

Beth watched Daniel, hoping to do anything that would take them out of the room.

Daniel gave a weak smile, like a candle about to go out, and muttered.

“Do I really seem like a pathetic man just sitting here?”

‘Yes, you idiot. You know it, so why ask?’

She wanted to answer like that. But Beth forcibly suppressed her feelings and shook her head vigorously.

“No. You are always amazing! I’m just worried about you…”

“I know. I understand that you don’t feel that way.”

The two held each other’s hands. Beth felt a bit uneasy at the touch of his hands, which had become so dry in just a few days. However, looking at Daniel’s face, which was still the man she knew, her mind calmed down again.

Despite his apologetic smile, Daniel did not budge on his opinion.

“But I still find it difficult to go out. Even at my father’s funeral, it was hard to endure.”

“…”

Beth could not even bring herself to say the usual comforting words. She bit her lip internally.

‘What kind of male protagonist is this? I’m right here. If you have a woman who loves you, shouldn’t you muster the strength to return to your daily life? In other stories, even the best friends forget immediately in the next scene.’

Isn’t the game supposed to be about making the dead the only ones who suffer? People naturally forget and move on with the story.

While Beth was fuming,

“Beth.”

Daniel, perhaps thinking she was hurt, pulled her into an embrace. Despite being thin, his broad shoulders and wide chest welcomed her. Beth sighed internally.

‘…Well, I guess I should understand. Even now, he’s incredibly handsome, despite being a shadow of his former self. And his body…’

What she ultimately desired was the passionate love that would unfold as the game progressed. The opportunity was now within reach; there was no need to rush.

‘Yes. Just endure a little longer. I’ve already invested so much time in this. I need to soothe him and make him better. How long could it take to recover in a game?’

Though he wasn’t leaving the room now, once he started, he would probably recover quickly.

With that thought, Beth gently patted Daniel’s head.

“Daniel, get well soon.”

“Thank you.”

‘Huh?’

Even though she had initiated the gesture, Beth stiffened.
‘His reaction is strange.’

Whenever Beth patted Daniel’s head in the game, he would always say this line.

– Is this a pat? It feels like a mother’s touch.

As Beth recalled that scene, another disquieting thought occurred to her.

‘Why is Daniel using formal language with me?’

Their relationship was that of a count’s heir and a humble tutor.

When Daniel fell in love with Beth and became increasingly obsessed with her, he began to use informal speech.

‘This is strange.’

Beth couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong, but she felt uneasy. While she was contemplating this, Daniel pressed his forehead with his palm and spoke.

“My head hurts again. Please leave.”

“How could I? You’re in pain; I should stay by your side.”

“That’s…”

Daniel’s eyes showed a faint irritation, which made Beth flinch again.

At that moment, a butler suddenly appeared and bowed.

“Sir, you should go outside.”

“What is it?”

The butler held a newspaper identical to the one Sienna had read at breakfast some time ago.

“His Majesty passed away last night, and the state funeral starts today.”

“What?”

This was not a trivial matter. Even Daniel, who had been groaning in pain, sprang up from his seat at that moment, seemingly forgetting his pain.

Beth was equally surprised.

‘The emperor died? This wasn’t in the game.’

She didn’t know much, but the death of an emperor was no small event. Even in Count Bohan’s bad ending route, when the emperor slaughtered them, he was still that old, sick man.

‘But now he’s dead. That shouldn’t be possible.’

The details of the game kept diverging, making Beth uneasy. She shook her head to clear her thoughts.

‘Well, the game hasn’t followed its script perfectly anyway. But it’s always worked out in my favor.’

If she thought about it that way, it wasn’t a big problem.

“I’ll be back.”

Despite claiming he was too ill to go out, Daniel got up this time. Feeling irritated by this, Beth narrowed her eyes. Then she had a brilliant idea.

“Daniel.”

She grabbed the hem of Daniel’s clothes as he tried to follow the butler. The beautiful woman with golden hair looked up at him like a kitten, making her seem adorable.

“I’ll come with you. I’m worried you might collapse.”

Daniel couldn’t refuse and nodded.

* * *

Daniel Bohan had become quite famous in the capital, partly because the reputation of his former fiancée, Sienna Liata, had risen rapidly.

Whenever rumors about her and Percy Stewart swept through the capital, people naturally wondered.

What was Daniel Bohan doing?

Since the day Percy carried Sienna away, Daniel hadn’t even shown up to the knights’ gatherings, making it easy for strange rumors to spread.

But now he had appeared at an official event with a beautiful woman as his partner, capturing everyone’s attention.

‘Who is that woman?’

‘Isn’t she the one who stood out at the late Count Bohan’s funeral?’

Some people remembered Beth standing beside the coffin. Unlike Daniel, not everyone was heavily influenced by the game’s settings, leading some to speculate that Beth might be the culprit with keen interest.

As people watched Beth and Daniel for various reasons, a bold lady initiated a conversation.

“Who is that lovely lady, Sir Daniel?”

“Ah.”

A look of embarrassment crossed Daniel’s face. How should he introduce Beth?

‘Why did I bring a tutor to a state funeral in the first place?’

A perfectly reasonable question nagged at Daniel’s mind. For a moment, clarity returned to his eyes. Beth, sensing this, tightly grasped his hand.

The focus disappeared from Daniel’s eyes again. He pulled Beth close to him and answered gently.

“She is someone dear to my heart.”

The unexpected response made the lady blush and cover her mouth.

“Oh my, spring has come indeed.”

“Going through hard times made me realize the value of those around me.”

Although this wasn’t a conversation suitable for a state funeral, the lady’s lips moved lightly. She had always disliked Sienna Liata.

“That’s fortunate. Compared to that villainess, anyone would be a better person.”

Beth keenly noticed Daniel’s fingers tremble at the word “villainess.” She wanted to silence the woman immediately, but her character didn’t allow such actions.

‘Should I just fall over?’

If she suddenly fell for no reason, she might look crazy. But at least Daniel wouldn’t doubt her. After all, he was the male protagonist.
‘But I wore flat shoes today.’

High heels would have made it look more natural. While she hesitated, the lady continued laughing and spreading unnecessary words.

“I’m only saying this because it’s you, Sir, but I heard Sienna hasn’t come to pay her respects. Isn’t it too much, considering they are her father and siblings?”

“Sienna…”

At the mention of Sienna Liata, Daniel grabbed his head and curled up.

“Ouch.”

“Sir Daniel?!”

His head felt like it was splitting open. Everyone gasped.

Beth was the only one unaffected by the situation.