My Will Did Not Mean This

So Vivian came to a conclusion.

 

‘I must escape from this crazy mansion immediately. Right Now!’

 

The cure wasn’t the problem now. Thanks to Aslan’s burning obsession with maintaining confidentiality, this part of the world was dangerous. She never thought Aslan would come out this strong.

 

‘The travel expenses are in a borrowed-name account, so I don’t need to take anything and I can just go out on my own. I’m saying goodbye here, as fresh and clean as the spring breeze!’

 

It was enough to think that the plan had been postponed due to a small accident. All she had to do was change her identity as originally planned and spend the rest of her life leisurely hiding in a high-end resort in the South. A paradise where there was no surveillance, no need to worry about anyone, and no threat to her life! Vivian, who was taking off his dress to move around comfortably, suddenly stopped. An ominous feeling crept up the back of her neck.

 

‘But if I disappear right now, won’t Aslan be more suspicious of me? I found out his secret and ran away…’

 

A neat and clean bye… She quietly took a back step. Vivian moaned in pain and ruffled his hair.

 

‘But even if I stay by Aslan’s side like this, the ending is the same.’

 

If she escaped, his doubts would turn into convictions and the ending would result in his death. If she stayed by his side, she would be watched, and the ending would result in her being caught by him and dying. No matter which direction she looked, the only ending was death.

 

‘Is this really the end? No, there must be a way.’

 

Vivian recalled the grace period she had been given. She had one year left until they would get married.

 

‘If only I could pretend to die from lung disease and escape before the promised one year expires…’

 

There was no doubt that ‘death’ was the most effective way to escape Aslan’s surveillance network. But since she couldn’t actually die, the gist of the plan was to at least make it look like it. The story was that after escaping from the mansion, she received the completed cure from Aslan’s colleague whom she had persuaded in advance, and set off on her way in a fresh and clean manner.

 

‘That’s it, that’s enough!’

 

Vivian, who was jumping excitedly, suddenly found herself in the mirror. She was a truly crazy person who throws off all his dresses and runs wild wearing only a thin negligee…

 

“Hmm.”

 

It was at that moment when Vivian was shyly touching the back of her neck.

 

“Vivian, because there is no answer…”

 

“Ouch!”

 

Suddenly, the door opened. Aslan, who was striding inside, turned around quickly, making a blush face. It was faster than Vivian could scream.

 

“What, what, what! Why suddenly!”

 

“I’m sorry, I thought you passed out.”

 

“Where is that word?”

 

“Why don’t you put on some clothes first?”

 

Aslan’s voice cracked slightly as he turned around. Vivian, who only then checked her outfit, quickly hid behind the full-length mirror. Then she thought, ‘oh no’. Aslan reached the highest level of a magic swordsman and possessed quick visual acuity. No matter how quickly he turned his head, he would have seen the bedroom in complete disarray. Sure enough, the atmosphere Aslan was giving off was not very good.

 

“Anyway, why is the bedroom like this?”

 

“…”

 

“You look like someone trying to run away.”

 

Cold sweat ran down Vivian’s back. She should have refuted it right away, but it hit her so hard that her weak brain went on strike again. She needed to clear his doubts right away. Vivian muttered incoherently.

 

“The weather was nice, so I wanted to take a walk with Your Highness…”

 

Oh, no. She was supposed to answer firmly and maturely, but because her tongue was twisted, her voice stretched out as if she was trying to be cute. Vivian continued as she wiped her sweaty palms on her negligee.

 

“It was so ugly and scrawny that I wanted to look pretty…”

 

“…”

 

“So, so…”

 

To make matters worse, even her breathing became troubled. Her voice trembled, as if she was holding back tears. She was just screwed. It was all ruined.

 

‘Please say something.’

 

She banged her head against the wall and waited, but there was no answer from Aslan. There was only heavy silence that continues endlessly. Vivian, who had been fidgeting with her hand, eventually couldn’t hold back her curiosity and peeked out from behind the full-length mirror.

 

‘What?’

 

Aslan was wandering aimlessly around the messed up bedroom. He washed his face, brushed his hair, and occasionally chewed his lips. Then, behind the mirror, he suddenly raised his head as if he felt Vivian’s gaze.

 

“Vivian, you are not unsightly.”

 

“Yes…?”

 

“So don’t think such nonsense in the future. Needless worries are not good for your health.”

 

He was clenching his fists in the air and came closer as if he couldn’t stand it anymore. His long, thick fingers roughly brushed Vivian’s bangs.

 

“Of course you are very beautiful. You’re unbearably beautiful. The thought of other men seeing you like this makes my head spin.”

 

“…”

 

“But whether you dress up or not, it is the same to me. I want you to feel comfortable around me.”

 

Aslan carefully wrapped the linen robe that was hanging on a nearby chair around Vivian’s shoulders. In his hand, the item that seemed small, like doll clothes, left Vivian with a little more space. A warm glow appeared in Aslan’s eyes as he looked at his fiancee.

 

“Tell me anything you want. Don’t be difficult.”

 

“Then…”

 

Aslan’s expression was warm and kind, as if he would listen to anything. So Vivian almost muttered without even realizing it. ‘Could you break off the engagement with me?’ But Aslan spoke faster.

 

“Let’s go for a walk as you wish. The weather is warm today, so I think it would be a good idea to go down to the city.”

 

“Uh, um, yeah?”

 

“But just in case, dress warmly and come out, Vivian.”

 

Aslan nodded his head in satisfaction, kissed the back of Vivian’s hand as if branding her, and then left the bedroom. Vivian, left alone, thought.

 

‘Oh, it’s ruined.’

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

“Wow, look over there!”

 

When she left the mansion, Vivian’s face, which had looked like she was being dragged to a pig slaughterhouse, suddenly opened up. Everything he saw was amazing. As Vivian walked around excitedly, Aslan followed her, smiling as if he liked it even more. Still, he did not forget to worry about Vivian’s physical condition.

 

“There are a lot of people, so be careful not to get swept away.”

 

“Then you will protect me, right?”

 

“That’s right. I am your fiancé, just do whatever you want.”

 

The guide gave permission. She became more excited and looked around her. In fact, when Vivian was staying at Duke Eleonora’s residence, she was quarantined in the separate house, perhaps out of concern that he might contract lung disease. He was a little puzzled because lung disease was not contagious in this world, but Vivian was convinced.

 

‘Is there anyone in the world who would enjoy getting an incurable disease? Moreover, even the outbuildings were large and luxurious like a hotel, and even came with a large garden, so no complaints.’

 

Moreover, after she wrote her will and ran away from home, she literally went through all the hardships. She was so scared that her pursuers might come after her that she even disguised herself as a commoner and wandered around the side streets. So, this was almost the first time Vivian had properly encountered the outside of this world.

 

“Wow, what is this?”

 

Vivian picked up a stone the size of his fist. Her shape was rough, but her center glowed faintly.

 

“It’s a magic stone. The higher the quality of the magic stone, the stronger the light it emits.”

 

“Ah, this is the magic stone.”

 

Vivian recalled what she had seen in the original work. Because magic stones were so hard, they could not be crafted and used as jewelry or accessories. Moreover, since it could not be handled by anyone but a wizard, it was an extremely unfamiliar item to the general public. At that time, a merchant who had been listening to their conversation intervened.

 

“Wow, you have a truly discerning husband!”

 

“Yes? My husband?”

 

“Yes yes! I’ve never seen a pair that looks so good together! There is a good man for a good woman!”

 

The merchant raised his thumb and flattered as skillfully as a fly. Aslan’s eyes softened slightly, but Vivian, who didn’t know it, poured out a compliment and tried to manipulate the magic stone. It looked like an ordinary stone on the outside, but it glowed in the center. It felt amazing, even though she didn’t know the principle.

 

“Is there a way for ordinary people like me to use this usefully?”

 

“Anyway, that’s difficult. Because magic stones are a tool that amplifies a wizard’s power.”

 

“I see. Then I have no choice…”

 

“I’ll buy everything.”

 

It was at that moment that Vivian dropped his gaze. Aslan gave dozens of gold coins to the merchant. The merchant, his eyes wide, bowed his head several times towards the two people. Aslan, who paid the price, gently wrapped Vivian’s hand holding the magic stone. The light of the magic stone blinked brightly as if responding to his magic power.

 

“It’s yours from now on.”

 

“Is it alright? They say ordinary people can’t handle it. But the quality is too low for you to handle…”

 

Aslan was an outstanding magic swordsman. It would be inconvenient because most magic stones would not be able to withstand the magic power that was touched and would break. Above all, he was the owner of only two magic stone mines on the continent. He could obtain the highest quality magic stone whenever he wanted. Although it was not yet known that he owned a mine. However, despite Vivian’s concerns, Aslan shrugged his shoulders as if it was no big deal.

 

“Just making you happy is worth it. More than anything, we promised to get married.”

 

Aslan, who emphasized ‘marriage’ very strongly, picked up a few magic stones and ordered the rest to be sent to the mansion. Vivian wondered why he was spending so much money, but he decided not to think too much.

 

‘Well, it’s not my money.’

 

After that, the two walked around the city. The next place Vivian was interested in was the blacksmith shop. This was because he lost both the long sword and two daggers he had originally used in the forest. However, it was not suitable for his size to borrow Aslan’s. The length of the great sword he used was almost as long as Vivian’s height, and its weight was also similar to her weight.

 

‘Buy a good knife and use it for a long time.’

 

It happened to be a shop run by the most skilled blacksmith in the South. Even to Vivian, the shine on the blade looked distinctly different. It was then that she was recommended by her clerk to look at her long, sleek long sword in the sunlight.

 

“Aaaah, it’s a thief! Help!”

 

A woman’s piercing screams were heard nearby. In the blink of an eye, Aslan, who had trapped Vivian in his arms, made eye contact with her as if checking her safety.

 

“Is that alright?!”

 

“It’s just a little noisy. It’s fine.”

 

Vivian didn’t really care. This was because they were moving around with their identities hidden anyway, and they thought that the security forces would soon be involved in the thief incident. But… 

 

“He has my mother’s mementos! Please help me!”

 

‘Oh, I can’t stand her mother’s mementos.’

 

Vivian instantly turned around. Then she struck down the running thief in one fell swoop.

 

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