I Thought I Didn't Have Long To Live!

Chapter 53 (Shall we take a bath together?)

<Things to do before you leave>

The quill pen creaked and drew elegant letters. However, even for a moment, the last dot was smeared due to hesitating hand gestures.

Lariette fiddled with the quill and looked at the writing in the notebook. It was strangely difficult to write one letter after another.

She consciously strengthened her hand and continued to write the list.

1. Finish the purification of Asrazan’s body

It was the most important thing. In order to fulfill the contract with Asrazan, the curse on his body had to be completely cleansed. Apart from the contract, it was also something she had to do for his happiness, the person she liked.

Judging from the roadway so far, just one or two more times will complete the purification of the lower body.

Asrazan’s face was pleasant to see when the curse had completely disappeared from his body. A faint smile appeared on the corner of Lariette’s lips, imagining it.

2. Peace of mind too! Delete Trauma!

This goal, which was set recently, has also progressed considerably.

Unlike before, when he never went out without covering his face, these days Asrazan walked around without a bandage. He often wore a thin coat as usual, but it didn’t seem like it was because of trauma.

At the festival of Isis, he was the one who danced in the midst of the crowd with a bare face. He looked very different from when he was reluctant to go out into the city.

In particular, considering the fact that he exchanged greetings without any difficulty when he faced the group of princesses a few days ago, I thought that his heart had become quite peaceful now.

Enough for Lariette to leave.

“Whew….”

Lariette suddenly exhaled as her chest tightened. She took a few deep breaths and pounded her chest, but nothing improved.

She moaned and set the quill down on the table. Then, unconsciously, she fiddled with the bracelet that Doha had given her. It was as if she was expecting her dead body to be healed by frequently touching it, which had a healing effect.

If only I had a little more time. Lariette muttered bitterly.

Then she picked up the quill again and started writing the next list.

3. Travel with Asrazan

I just wanted to do this before I left.

Even a short trip was good. It didn’t matter where it was. I thought it would be nice to travel in the sea, but even if it is not the sea, I will be very happy just to travel with him for the first time.

However, Asrazan seems very busy these days, so I was embarrassed to suggest that we go on a trip. He was still busy, but I didn’t want to do something inconsiderate that took his time.

“Lady, it’s time to leave.”

“Ah, yes. I’ll go.”

The maid knocked on the door announcing that the carriage was ready. Lariette closed the notebook and hid it deep in the closet. It was a notebook containing all her secrets, so it was difficult to find out.

Lariette, who had completely hidden the notebook, left the mansion after adjusting her outfit one last time.

* * *

Today’s appointment was to have a tea party with the princess’s group. The location was Juana’s mansion, just like last time.

It’s only been a few days since we’ve met, but the reason we’re seeing each other so early is because Jenvier was making a fuss about something to share.

When everyone arrived, she took out a present with an excited look on her face. It was a nice little box. The small size of the box seemed to contain ornaments.

Juana, the first to open the package, opened her eyes and admired it.

“Oh my, it’s so beautiful. Is it a hair tie? That’s unusual.”

“Isn’t it pretty? It was just imported from the eastern continent to the Empire for the first time yesterday. The design was so special that as soon as I saw it, I kept it for you.”

As Jenvier said, it was a really unique and attractive design of the headband. It was made of fluttering silk, and it was elegant and splendid, with sparkling jewels hanging from it for a long time.

“The colors are all different.”

Lariette said, comparing her braid to someone else’s.

Hers was pink in color, Erze was gold, Juana was red, and Sheria was silver. It was cute and seemed to have been prepared according to the hair color.

“You gave me a hair tie. Are you teasing me? Jenvier?”

“I want to make fun of my princess, but unfortunately, it can be used as a hair ornament.”

At Jenvier mischievous response, Erze laughed out loud. It was a joke because the thoughtful Jenvier knew she couldn’t just gift the short-haired girl with a braid.

“It’s really pretty. I’ll use it well, Jenvier. Thanks.”

“After all, Lariette is the only one to say thank you. I’m so grateful.”

Jenvier answered, pretending to shed tears for some reason. Erze and Juana, who had been with her for a long time, burst into laughter at the exaggerated behavior.

However, Sheria, who was not yet accustomed to such jokes, responded in surprise.

“Thank you too! Sorry for the late thank you, Jenvier. I’m just sad because I like pink….”

Sheria continued with a glance at the gift Lariette had received.

“As you can see, my eyes are pretty pink.”

Lariette looked at her in a panic at the direct content. There was still no expression on Sheria’s face.

For a moment, Juana’s words ran through her head.

-Did you say ‘Snow Bird’ these days?

Well, Juana is good at people. Lariette thought blankly. I felt like I could understand why her debut was so tough.

“Uh… If you don’t mind, why don’t we switch it?”

“Lady Mirchen.”

Juana frowned her eyebrows and called out Sheria’s last name in a low voice. She used to call her like this publicly when she stopped Sheria.

But before she could move on, Lariette quickly took the initiative. Because she didn’t want to make the atmosphere awkward again.

“I am fine though. However, since Jenvier thought of us and carefully selected each one, I think getting her permission should come first.”

“… As long as it’s okay with Lariette, I don’t care.”

Jenvier responded with a soft eyebrow. With that, she gave Lariette a subtle gaze. It was a look to see if it was really good or not.

But Lariette was really okay. Since she was a child, she had things taken away by Raon as a habit, so she did not have a great desire for anything. It was going to be taken away anyway, so she felt fine.

“Thank you, Lariette!”

Sheria smiled brightly and said thanks again and again. Her smile was so pretty that the awkwardness she had felt for her seemed to fly away in an instant.

After that, a pleasant conversation ensued. Juana said that a new tea leaf had arrived and gave them a great cup of tea, and Erze said that she had bought it from a famous dessert restaurant and brought out a variety of desserts.

Unlike other aristocratic tea parties, it was a comfortable place without formality. Satisfied with the natural atmosphere, Lariette ate the cake happily.

However, that pleasant relaxedness was broken by Sheria’s sudden question.

“Uh… But Lariette. What kind of relationship do you have with Duke Kandel by any chance?”

Lariette almost spit out the tea she was drinking. I knew what she was curious about, but I didn’t know she would ask such an open question.

For example, the other three have been curious about their relationship with Asrazan since they met, but they did not say a word about it. They kept their manners because they didn’t think the relationship was deep enough to ask such a question yet.

Sheria also knew that this was not an easy question to ask, so she endured it until now, but her patience ended there.

“Are you dating?”

The question continued before she could even hear the answer, whether she was in a hurry. Sheria’s pink eyes twinkled in a burdensome way toward Lariette.

Lariette hesitated to answer, not knowing what to say.

Yes, Asrazan and I are dating. She stopped trying to nod her head. They were dating, but it was nothing more than a contractual relationship.

I couldn’t tell them about my contract relationship.

Since she was the one to leave anyway, the honor of Asrazan was at stake. If Asrazan was left with any disgrace because of her contractual relationship with him, she felt really sorry and wanted to die.

So Lariette just smiled softly instead of answering. It was like an indirect expression that it was right to be dating, but it was better than admitting it verbally.

“Wow, really? Awesome, Lariette!”

Sheria roared and cheered. It was very cute to see her clap her hands with an excited face. In fact, she had a pretty face no matter what she did.

As if waiting for others to see if they were nervous inside, they added.

“I have never seen the Duke smile so sweetly in my life. No, I think it’s the first time I’ve seen him smile.”

“I can’t tell you how surprised I was when he first greeted me when he was visiting. Especially when you said that he was here to pick up a lady, I thought I heard it wrong, so I double-checked it.”

“I applaud your professionalism. If I were you, I would have tickled my mouth to speak elsewhere.”

Jenvier smiled and said, ‘You probably wouldn’t.’ He was a person who couldn’t stand his own rumors, so there was no way he could carry others’ rumors.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever met someone so handsome. But why did the rumors spread like that?”

I don’t know if it’s that popular. Sheria tilted her head and added. It was the first time she had seen Asrazan, so she could say that.

A moment of silence passed. Although people consider it rude to spread rumors in front of the rumored party’s lover, they unconsciously recalled the former ‘he’ Duke of Kandel.

Everyone knew that he was handsome even when he was covering his face. But there was no one who dared to think about it.

It was because the moment they got closer to Asrazan, an instinctive fear came over them. A cold darkness always enveloped him. The same was true of the terrible smell of rotting flesh.

Clearly, his eyes were blue, and whenever they met, he seemed to have the blood that filled the battlefield. He was truly a man worthy of the title of a war demon.

“Anyway, it makes me feel better to see he is so good to Lariette. When was the last time you met such kindness, huhu.”

Jeniver blamed her pitiful condition and spoke naturally. However, Sheria did not know the end and asked another question.

“Then you two, how do you two get married…?”

The end of her voice had a subtle tone. The difference was so subtle that Lariette didn’t even notice what it meant.

In any case, Lariette kept a smile on her face and said firmly.

“I don’t want to answer that question.”

No matter how ignorant you are, there is no need to accept such a rude question. She thought so.

“Don’t talk about anything else. Sheria, how is the business you talked about last time going?”

“Ah, that’s it. On the seller’s side….”

Erze and Jenvier quickly changed the subject. Juana shook her head slightly as if she was tired of Sheria’s actions.

On the other hand, Sheria secretly stared at Lariette with a strange look. It was as if the corners of her lips had risen slightly.

“As expected….”

Sheria’s pretty lips moved silently.

* * *

Lariette returned to Kandel’s mansion as soon as the meeting of the ladies was over.

Originally, I was going to meet Doha and ask him to teach me more about hiding, but I couldn’t get in touch with him.

‘It’s strange.’

Lariette thought as she changed into her comfortable dress. He was always the one who answered quickly, so I was just wondering.

Are you busy with anything? For that reason, the usual Doha always seemed relaxed. And sometimes, he was the one who would let me know in advance when he had a busy job.

Since not much time has passed yet, Lariette finished her transformation, thinking that she should wait a little longer.

Even after washing my body and changing my clothes to something soft, I felt strangely uncomfortable.

It wasn’t because I couldn’t get in touch with Doha. Rather than the words shared at the tea party earlier, Sheria’s voice referring to Asrazan was strangely annoying.

It was the woman whose face was red even when she first met him. At that time, Asrazan’s face was so good-looking, it was considered a possible reaction.

In fact, today, Sheria didn’t do anything particularly suspicious. Rather, she even cheered on the relationship between Lariette and Asrazan.

‘Am I overreacting?’

Lariette shook her head and let out a short sigh.

Even if Sheria was really interested in Asrazan, there was no reason for Lariette to stop her unless she did something special.

After all, the contract will end in a month, and Asrazan at that time will meet someone new. On what topic would I stop this?

“Whew….”

This time a longer, deeper sigh broke out. My heart felt foggy. 

Shortly thereafter, Lariette slapped her  cheek with both hands. Slap! And come to her senses.

‘If I think like this, I’m the only one offended. Let’s go see Asrazan or something to change my mind!’

She got up, trying to erase the thoughts of a month later from her head.

Asrazan said that he was in the gymnasium to warm up and return early. Lariette deliberately did not announce the fact that she was returning home to avoid disturbing him.

‘Let’s take a look.”

Thinking of him working hard and sweating, an insidious plan came to mind.

In a happy mood, my steps got faster and faster. Lariette, who almost jumped, arrived at the training ground in an instant.

“Asrazan!”

“Lariette. What brings you here….”

Illustration 

As if he had just finished training, Asrazan was leaning alone in the corner of the training ground. He opened his eyes at the sudden appearance of Lariette and approached him.

Larriette quickly scanned him. Sweat streamed down his strong neck. He wasn’t as sweaty as she expected, but this seemed enough.

To carry out her sinister plan.

“Are you tired from working out?”

“Not that tired…”

Lariette hung up quickly, as if not expecting his answer.

“I’ll wash you!”

Because all good people have to repay what they have been given. She playfully closed one eye.

When Asrazan, embarrassed by the provocative remarks, did not respond, more provocative words followed.

“Or shall we take a bath together?”