Ian smiled softly as if he knew how I felt and hugged me tightly in his arms. It felt good whenever I was held in his warm embrace. I was able to feel the same emotions when he held me to protect me from the giant alchemist, when he held me warmly in the flames, and when he held me as if taking me away from the crown prince. That they care for me and treat me with respect. It was a blessing and happiness to be able to lean on someone’s arms. I didn’t mind throwing myself at Ian, who gave me such happiness.
“I know that?”
He moved his head. Ian smiled softly and whispered to Gotga.
“It’s the first time Laurencia has asked that question.”
“…that.”
He lightly moved his lips and placed them on my cheek. After taking it off, he whispered softly.
“So many things come to mind and come to mind, but they are all unimportant.”
His faint laughter tickled my ears. I closed my eyes to that pleasant whisper.
“It’s amazing that so many words can answer that question of yours. And I think that’s amazing.”
“What words come to mind?”
“Thank you, I will protect you, I will hug you, trust me, I will only look at you for the rest of my life… So many things come to mind, but none are more appropriate than this one word.”
After pushing me away slightly, I quietly stared at Ian’s gaze looking down into my eyes. He opened his mouth.
“I love you.”
“I think this is the most beautiful expression in the world, Lawence.”
I had no ability to distinguish between lies. Just guessing. We figured out whether the other person was lying by using things we derived within a range that could be distinguished. But it wasn’t an emotion. I couldn’t tell whether what he said was a lie or the truth. Still, I could feel it. At least the current confession contained his true feelings,
“I love you.”
His lips did not separate. I thought I should give an answer, but I just did it in my head. Many answers came to mind for me too. However, saying a word took more courage than I thought. The answer was only possible if Bae was braver than asking the question.
“…”
I had to say something quickly so he wouldn’t misunderstand, but I closed my eyes tightly, blaming my lips for not being able to answer even one thing properly.
“Sorry…!”
The apology came out faster and simpler than a thank you. And it was an instant before I realized what the answer I had given was. I was startled and raised my head to see Ian looking at me with a stern face. Holy crazy, Lawrence! What did you say!
“Oh, no!”
I was embarrassed and waved my hands around.
“Well, I can’t answer what you said… That’s why I can’t answer as quickly as Ian… No, that’s not it, I guess… I have to answer too. I couldn’t stop talking, and that’s why… I answered so slowly… Oh no… Ah… Really.”
After talking gibberish, he eventually lowered his head and buried his face in his palms. The creeping voice flowed helplessly through my palm.
“…I love you too.”
It felt like every cell in my body was burning with just those words. I was embarrassed and unfamiliar, and I really felt like I was going to hide somewhere. Once I took it out, I could feel how courageous Ian was when he looked at my face and said he loved me.
“Look at me, Lawrence.”
“Ah…”
I couldn’t bear to raise my head. I’m probably making a very ugly expression right now, but isn’t my face red and my eyes strangely open? You can never lift it! But I was worried that if I didn’t see Ian, my feelings would be misunderstood, so I raised my head slightly. I glanced at his face and rolled my eyes. Ian, with a softer and brighter smile than before, caught my eye.
Crazy, crazy! I quickly lowered my eyes. It was a face I saw all the time, but I closed my eyes out of unfamiliarity, feeling like I would never see it again. Contrary to my feelings, Ian’s hands were honest. His wide, large hands lifted my chin slightly. As I left him alone without resisting, I was able to look up at him diagonally. His gaze seemed to catch his breath, so he quickly lowered his gaze. However, as if he would not forgive me for that, Ian lowered his upper body to follow my gaze and smiled. Oh, don’t keep smiling! It’s like you’re laughing at me!
“Actually, I’ve had a lot of misunderstandings. I wonder if I’m the only one who feels this way. Or if I’m pushing my feelings too far without giving Laurencia time. I was wondering if I should distance myself a little more. But now. I feel fortunate. I never imagined that the day would come when I would be able to receive Laurencia’s confession like this.”
“I didn’t have that feeling at all.”
“Really? Still, I should consider myself lucky to be able to stay with Lawrence like this thanks to that…”
Ian let out a low laugh and kissed me on both cheeks once, grinning.
“I wish the wedding would happen quickly.”
His smile melted into my heart.
* * *
It was only after some time had passed and the group had left the capital and entered the highway that the atmosphere had calmed down and they were able to speak normally.
“Don’t laugh so hard.”
However, I couldn’t help but feel burdened by Ian’s face, so I slowly averted my gaze. I was embarrassed, so I sat down on the other side a little away from him, and I could see his face right in front of me. Catastrophe Yes, disaster Saya slowly turned her head to look out the window and slowly opened her mouth.
“…The atmosphere was a bit off, but I felt like we needed to talk about something important, so I asked you to ride with me.”
“What?”
“That’s… Mr. Lee, stop laughing!”
I turned my head to see if conversation was finally possible due to the serious voice, but it still wasn’t possible. Ian, who was smiling all the time, came into view again. Why does he keep smiling?! Am I funny?! When I finally lost my temper, Ian started laughing and looked at me with a straight face, trying to control his expression. The corners of his mouth are still twitching and it really bothers me. Well, let’s skip over that.
“Actually, I have some doubts.”
“Doubts?”
“Yes. Ian, haven’t you ever thought about that? Why did they falsely accuse me? Don’t you think they have almost informed us of their current status?”
“Ohm…”
Ian rubbed his chin and looked thoughtful for a moment.
“Actually, the most important thing right now is whether or not we succeeded in manufacturing the Essence of Fire. We thought Berylt would collude with the Pierrot merchants and the descendants of the Marquis Bepis to ruin the foundation of the empire, right? The Marquis Bepis’ children will take revenge.”
“That’s right. First of all, it seems almost certain that the children of the Marquis Bepis are moving with them.”
“Then isn’t it strange?”
“What?”
Yesterday and today, the question that had been lingering in his mind was finally revealed out loud.
“Why did the crown prince overlook this incident?”
“…”
“The crown prince is the successor to the emperor. He must take care of protecting this country and inheriting it safely. But it makes no sense to suddenly destroy the foundation of the country with his own hands. So did Beralt do it arbitrarily? ? That said, the connection with the crown prince seemed very strong. Beralt can further solidify her political foundation as long as the crown prince safely ascends to the emperor’s throne. In the meantime, she will not think of destroying the country. I mean.”
Ian listened carefully to what I said. He nodded and moved his head a few times as if he agreed with what I said.
“I thought you were dreaming of a rebellion using two tools: counterfeit money to destroy the foundation of society, and bombs to destroy the security of the country. Does this mean that it may not be true?”
“That’s right. Why is Beralt secretly sponsoring and helping this matter? For what?”
Ian narrowed his eyes and looked at me in contemplation.
“What do you think? What do you think made Beralt do this?”
“I don’t know exactly, but I have a feeling that Beralt didn’t start this just for fun. Besides, doesn’t he seem like he’s declaring war by summoning me this time?”
“Declaration of war?”
“Yes. As if they were announcing their intention to attack before starting a war, they threw stones at us to tell us that we will do our job so we can try to stop them.”
“That makes sense.”
“If they have declared war, that means it is just around the corner.”
It was unclear exactly where the complicated story was headed. But it had to be stopped before that situation happened.
“Ian, we need to hit Pierrot’s upper private property.”
Since they had no right to investigate, if physical pressure or action was taken, an arrow could be pointed at the Berdian family. But if the worst things are really happening there, you may be able to get away with it later. If it were to be like a raid on an innocent place, Ian would be in an awkward position.
“It makes no sense in the first place that the knights of the Marquis Alpensia family are directly guarding the upper private property. Even if gold mines are pouring out of there, the family’s knights will not move. So, let’s attack that place and find out what is going on.
“I need to know.”
It was entirely an act of putting pressure on Ian. Of course, the Ajstain family also had a knighthood. It was a knighthood made up of fairly skilled people. However, they were not good enough to raid the place where the knights of the Alpensia family were guarding and quickly resolve the situation. In the end, this meant that the Knights of the Berdian Principality, who had the best military force, had to take action directly. However, because it was a difficult decision for Ian and the Verdian family, they did not press ahead and waited for him to sort things out. He lowered his head and closed his mouth with a thoughtful look on his face for a while, then slowly opened his eyes.
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Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
If you like my work please support me with Ko-fi or Patreon. Next post will be released on February, 26.
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