I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration

“My heart…?”

 

“Yes…”

 

There was silence between the two for a while. Killian also guessed that Lise knew how he felt. But saying it out loud was a completely different matter. Lise had a calm yet somewhat sad face.

 

“I couldn’t pretend to know. I am an illegitimate child… Because I had nothing to give to Killian.”

 

Killian was dazed.

 

‘Lise… is she saying she likes me…?’

 

If this was true, Killian has entered into a very unfair marriage.

 

“But you… Cliff and…”

 

“I am grateful that Cliff treats me well. It’s a bit scary sometimes, but…”

 

“Haa…”

 

Killian felt like his mind was spinning and he cupped his forehead with his hand. Numerous moments that might have been signs from Lise passed before his eyes.

 

“If I wasn’t an illegitimate child… Could something have been different?”

 

Killian didn’t know what to do at the question that seemed to be drenched in sadness, so he just stiffened his body. Really, if Lise wasn’t an illegitimate child and didn’t have her sense of entitlement, if she had been able to accept his love more honestly, would anything have changed about her?

 

“I’m worried that you’ll get hurt in the territory.”

 

“It’s not something big enough to be called a war, don’t worry.”

 

“But if you get hurt at all… I am…”

 

The eyes that were glimmering with tears were heartbreaking. But at that moment, Edith appeared in Killian’s mind.

 

“I don’t want to be a widow already at this age.”

 

Edith said she was worried about her, but gave mischievous reasons. However, Killian thought that Edith’s playful expression was more touching than Lise’s tearful concern. And at the same time, memories of his past replayed in his head. There were many moments when he mistakenly wondered if Lise loved him, but there were even more moments when he realized that he was mistaken. The smile she gave Cliff was brighter than the one he gave him, the two of them were much closer when he wasn’t around, and even when the three of them were together, he sometimes felt left out.

 

‘But you loved me? That’s a bit strange…’

 

Then Killian realized a very important fact. Lise never told him that she loved him. She simply said, ‘I knew your heart.’

 

‘I almost made a stupid mistake again. No, did Lise intend this illusion…?’

 

Killian frowned slightly at her and shook his head. However, the moment Lise came to his side, even the cool-headed Killian could not help but panic.

 

“Lise…?”

 

“Before you leave, can’t I just kiss you once?”

 

It was a temptation that could no longer be denied. The moist eyes, the exposed shoulders, the hand placed on Killian’s forearm, everything about Lise was tempting Killian. The fragments of sunlight he had longed for for the past five years were shining fully on him for the first time. She wanted him.

 

“Lise…”

 

If Lise had come to him even half a year earlier, Killian would have kissed her without thinking twice. However, the Killian of today was not the Killian of the past. He chuckled and tapped Lise’s forehead with his fingertip.

 

“Killian…?”

 

“You don’t have to act like you’re sending someone off like that, you idiot.”

 

With that alone, the strange atmosphere that had formed between them was instantly dissipated.

 

“I assure you. It will take less than a month for the territory war to be won or lost. The reason this territory war took place in the first place was because my father completely hid our military power. I was waiting for them to provoke me like this first.”

 

“Ah…”

 

“You and Edith both seem so nervous because we’re talking about war.”

 

Killian’s expression showed no trace of regret and disappointment appeared on Lise’s face at the name ‘Edith’. Killian noticed it but pretended not to notice.

 

“Don’t worry, just sleep well. Let’s go, I’ll take you to you room.”

 

“Oh, no. I’ll go back alone.”

 

Normally, Killian would have suggested it one or two more times even if Lise refused, but he thought that Lise might be embarrassed that her request to kiss him was rejected, so he told her to do so.

 

“Good night, Killian.”

 

“You sleep well too.”

 

Unlike usual, after saying goodbye without even a kiss on the forehead, Killian was lost in thought as he looked at the door that Lise had closed as she left.

 

‘Why is Lise acting like that all of a sudden?’

 

He had been thinking for a while that Lise was making a subtle seduction. But today was a pretty bold provocation. It was too bold for the kind and innocent Lise Sinclair to do… 

 

‘No matter how much I think about it, Lise clearly had feelings for Cliff. Why did you say that as if it was Cliff’s one-sided feelings?’

 

Immediately after hearing the words, ‘I knew how you felt’ or ‘Would it have been different if I wasn’t an illegitimate child?’He almost mistakenly thought he was shocked and embarrassed for a moment, but when he calmly reflect on the memory, it was clear that Lise was Cliff’s. It was close to loving. That’s why he accepted the marriage with Edith, and until then, Lise was close to supporting the relationship between him and Edith.

 

‘Why are you trying to break my heart now?’

 

No matter how much he thought about it, it was difficult to find the reason. But one more surprising thing was that he was not shaken even after hearing Lise’s words.

 

‘I thought of Edith…’

 

It was not just because of the sense of responsibility that ‘Whether I like it or not, Edith is my wife.’ He suddenly felt more comfortable with Edith and felt more desire for her. Instead of Lise, who was as bright, clear, and kind as the sun, and who was cautious because she felt like she would blame herself and break at any moment if something happens, Edith, who was grumpy, shameless, confident, and never lost a word, had been taking over his heart for some time.

 

‘With the Battle of Territory ahead, Lise was just feeling confused about her emotions. Let’s forget it.’

 

Killian sighed and smiled at the same time, then suddenly stopped fiddling with the document.

 

‘If it would be Edith, I would definitely have thought that she was trying to seduce me to hide something about herself…? Then… Shouldn’t I wonder the same question towards Lise?’

 

Thinking about it like that, he realized how absurd his suspicions had been towards Edith before, and how biased he had been. And finally, he began to question whether Lise was really ‘nice and innocent.’ Still, the truth about the day Edith was almost murdered has not been revealed, and the person he most suspected was Lise. Killian immediately called a servant and told him to fetch Edith’s maid, Anna. And he lowered his voice and secretly ordered Anna, who came running to him.

 

“Don’t take your eyes off Edith while I’m away. Do your best to protect Edith’s safety.”

 

“All right.”

 

“I’m sorry for putting such a big burden on you, but the only person I can trust is you.”

 

“No. That’s basically my job.”

 

Anna answered trustingly and quietly retreated, but Killian’s eyebrows did not straighten.

 

‘Lise… What on earth are you thinking?’

 

His beautiful memories of the past five years spent with Lise seemed to shine through him as he worked hard to protect her, but Killian was afraid that something about her was hidden beneath that light.

 

* * *

 

Ta-bak-ta-bak.

 

The sound of weak footsteps echoed in the deserted hallway. And when the sound of footsteps became more frequent, a low and soft voice was heard from the darkness.

 

“You look like something’s not right.”

 

“Cliff…”

 

Cliff, who was waiting for her in front of her door, grinned and opened his arms towards her. Lise fell into his arms as if she was used to it. His cold shoulders seemed to be warming up with Cliff’s body heat.

 

“It’s late. Where have you been?”

 

“Ah… I couldn’t sleep, so I took a short walk.”

 

“It’s so dark…? Dangerous.”

 

Cliff, who held Lise in his arms, opened Lise’s door and went inside together.

 

“Sorry. When I think about a territory war taking place, I feel uneasy…”

 

“I said there’s nothing to worry about. It’s not as if my father wasn’t ready for this territory war. Everything is prepared.”

 

Cliff gave a similar answer to Killian. Even though this was something that Lise had heard over and over again, her shoulders were shaking like an aspen tree. Cliff hugged Lise tightly again and rubbed her back.

 

“Instead of worrying about me or Killian, please keep an eye on Edith while we’re gone.”

 

“Yes…?”

 

Her trembling shoulders stopped and her puzzled eyes looked at Cliff.

 

“I’m hoping it’s nothing, but you never know. You need to keep an eye on Edith to see if she does anything strange.”

 

“If… What should I do if it looks strange?”

 

“Send the falcon. I’ll tell the guy who manages the birds in advance.”

 

Lise timidly nodded her head. Cliff placed his lips on Lise’s forehead and whispered sweetly.

 

“If it’s for your safety, I’ll come running right away. I swear.”

 

“Thank you, Cliff.”

 

After being rejected by Killian, Lise regained stability and composure in Cliff’s arms.

 

* * *

 

As the days got colder, it became harder to get out of the blanket. But it wasn’t just the cold that made it difficult to get out of the blanket today.

 

“It’s finally morning.”

 

After staying up all night without even a wink of sleep, she muttered to Killian, who had just opened his eyes. Killian, who had hugged her warmly last night, blinked his dark double-lidded eyes, then shook his head and laughed.

 

“Are you so sad that you won’t be able to see me for a few days?”

 

“How do you know whether it will be a few days or a few months?”

 

“I guess it’s unfortunate.”

 

Killian scoffed mischievously. If it were before, she would have sarcastically said that he was overly self-conscious and that his delusions were bad, but she couldn’t do that this morning.

 

“…yes. I think I might want to see you.”

 

She would miss him. Perhaps desperately. It was ironic that the person destined to kill her was the only person she could rely on, but for now, the only person who could protect her was Killian. Who would protect her now, the daughter of Count Rigelhof, who dared to declare a territorial war against the Duke of Ludwig?

 

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