My Will Did Not Mean This

“Are you serious? Vivian said she liked a proposal like that?”

 

“Yes, I am impressed by your efforts.”

 

In the late afternoon as the sun was setting, Vivian and Dylan returned to the Grand Duke’s residence after going out. After taking Vivian safely to the bedroom, Dylan quickly turned around and went to find Aslan. It was to convey the results of today’s investigation.

 

“My lord, you can do it with just a few days of practice.”

 

Dylan was dead serious. His own lord had lived his entire life without ever feeling the warmth of a human being. He also wasn’t used to treating someone sincerely. Either die or be killed. There were always only two paths he could choose. Was that why? Aslan didn’t seem to believe Dylan’s report at all. He paced around his seat and washed his complex face.

 

“I can’t believe it. Vivian is really like that…”

 

“It’s your first time, so it’s natural to feel awkward. However, my lord is willing to give his heart to her. What more can there be to be afraid of?”

 

You never knew when an opportunity like this would appear again. A feeling that may only occur once in his master’s life. He wanted to make his lord, who had lived his whole life lonely, feel the happiness of his life.

 

“First, go to the lady and make an appointment to go out. Madam is in a very good mood today. It would be a good idea to make an appointment and have more conversations.”

 

“What did Vivian do today?”

 

“There was nothing special. She just seemed very happy to meet Iris.”

 

“Is it? She is surprisingly useful.”

 

Aslan finished his report, patted Dylan on the shoulder and left. As advised, he seemed to be thinking of talking to Vivian. Dylan, who was left alone, nodded his head proudly as he watched his master disappear. It was a pretty good hunch.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

A few days later, it was the day when Vivian went out with Aslan for the first time. She got into the carriage and received a warm send-off from the guests of the Grand Duke’s residence. They were always very kind to her, but today, they have treated her even more sincerely. Everything was different from usual, and Vivian had a bad feeling.

 

‘Now that I think about it, the way Dylan looked at me was also strange. He strangely had tears in his eyes, and it seemed like he couldn’t control the overwhelming emotions…’

 

Vivian glanced at Aslan, who was sitting next to her in the carriage. It was just a simple outing, but he was dressed in a stiff, pleated uniform and even had a sword at his waist. Even his expression was so stiff that he looked like a commander-in-chief about to face a decisive battle.

 

‘What on earth is going on? I didn’t even say anything about Aslan’s identity!’

 

No matter how much she thought about it, she never did anything that would raise suspicion. 

Although Dylan had a tendency to talk too much and get a bit distracted, he didn’t fall for his tactics and he kept all his answers carefully and ambiguously. It was a time when Vivian was struggling. A gloved hand suddenly appeared in front of her.

 

“We’ve arrived, Vivian.”

 

“…”

 

“Vivian?”

 

The carriage suddenly stopped. Aslan got off first and was waiting to escort her. Vivian quickly looked around. It was an ordinary city street with many people walking around. Even though Aslan was the emperor’s son and the Grand Duke, he seemed unlikely to commit murder in a place like this.

 

‘Maybe.’

 

Of course, she wasn’t sure. Vivian got out of the carriage, being extremely alert to her surroundings. Aslan held her hand and walked leisurely.

 

“I’ve rented out all the places we’re going today. No one will interfere.”

 

Aslan’s face looked quite satisfied as he said that.

 

‘Yes, you will be satisfied. By removing the witnesses, we’ve gotten closer to the perfect crime, so of course you’ll be satisfied!’

 

Aslan’s caution sent shivers down her spine.

 

“Wow, that’s amazing. But was it really necessary to rent a lease?”

 

“Of course. You will soon find out.”

 

But she didn’t want to know?! Danger signals rang in her head. Vivian’s movements, as she was looking around to secure an escape route, suddenly stopped. Although it couldn’t be seen in detail because it was inside an alley, it was exactly the same as the original description.

 

‘A guild run by Jesus.’

 

In the original work, Iris awakens her magical powers. The person who helped her was Jesus, the head of her wizard guild. Since Jesus did not reveal his true identity, it was a miracle that Iris was able to accept him as her teacher. However, that miracle happened to her too.

 

‘Of course, I don’t need a teacher, but I need someone who can confirm the delusion in my heart.’

 

If you were a person with Jesus’ level of skill, it would be more difficult not to know any magic circle.

 

“Vivian, why are you doing this?”

 

It was only a moment that she was silent. But Aslan, who had a good sense of her, sensed that she was thinking differently. The arm wrapped around Vivian’s waist gained strength.

 

“No matter how warm the weather is, you will catch a cold if you stay outside for too long.”

 

Aslan led her to the jewelry shop. At that moment, the employees waiting at the entrance spotted the two people and bowed their heads in deference.

 

Vivian thought quickly.

 

‘If I miss this opportunity, what are the chances that I will be able to avoid the eyes of those around me and come all the way here?’

 

And she decided so.

 

“Cough!”

 

“Vivian?!”

 

Coincidentally, across from the guild building was the famous restaurant Aslan had mentioned. Since that was also probably the place Aslan had rented out, she didn’t think it would arouse much suspicion if she encouraged him to go to the restaurant first.

 

“Cool, after moving around for a long time, my body got a little cold. I think it would be better to drink warm wine at a restaurant.”

 

“No, I think it would be better to go back like this. There’s another chance next time, so don’t overdo it.”

 

“I was only looking forward to today…”

 

Vivian took out her handkerchief and poked at the corners of her eyes. At a glance, Aslan’s eyes were slightly shaking. It didn’t seem to be effective.

 

“You don’t know how much I expected it from the moment you asked me out.”

 

“Vivian, I didn’t mean that.”

 

“How many more days will I be able to walk around like this? The symptoms are getting worse day by day… Cough!”

 

Of course, the symptoms did not get any worse, but because the situation was urgent, her acting skills, which she had never had before, also improved. Fortunately, Aslan did not seem to be so cold-blooded as to ignore her terminally ill last request. He mumbled to his subordinate that he was changing his plans. She wanted to hear more details, but Aslan sensed Vivian’s gaze and went silent.

 

“Let’s go in.”

 

“Thank you, Aslan.”

 

She didn’t know what it was, but it became clear that today’s outing was not just an outing. Vivian’s eyes lit up as she vowed to run away today, if she had any chance.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

Vivian became more and more confused. She was at a loss for the situation she was in. She absentmindedly scratched her chin as she ate the Mediterranean sea bass dish that Aslan had prepared for her. The manager came by at that moment and looked at the two people with a smile on his face.

 

“Thank you for visiting our restaurant on this important day. Does the dish suit your taste?”

 

“Good. How about you, Vivian?”

 

“Me too…”

 

There was no disagreement about this. The meal was great and the staff was friendly. Even though they were the only guests, a four-piece string orchestra performed a romantic performance. Even if it was a proposal scene, the atmosphere was believable.

 

‘I feel sorry for Dylan’s cousin. This would have done the basics, but such a crazy proposal.’

 

The stream of consciousness naturally moved in that direction. It was because it remained so strongly in her memory.

 

“Vivian?”

 

“Ah.”

 

Aslan, who was putting the scallops on Vivian’s plate, called out to her. It seemed strange that she was blank.

 

“Sorry. I thought about something else for a moment.”

 

“What are you thinking?”

 

“It’s nothing special. I just remembered a sad story I heard a few days ago.”

 

Aslan’s golden eyes were filled with doubts. It seemed like they were ready to be suspicious if there was no explanation. She was a bit reluctant to reveal someone else’s tragedy in this way, but survival came first. Vivian apologized in her heart to the woman who did not know her name.

 

“I heard that Dylan’s younger cousin recently proposed to his fiancé.”

 

“Oh, well.”

 

“Do you know this story?”

 

“No, I don’t know.”

 

Aslan, who had been nodding at her as if he knew, suddenly shook his head with a straight face. Vivian didn’t realize it because she was so focused on eating the scallops.

 

“But the proposal was a little strange.”

 

“In what way?”

 

“It’s rude for me to speak about other people’s business, but…”

 

She told Dylan the truth she had never told him.

 

“If I had received a proposal like that, I would have broken off the engagement immediately because I was embarrassed.”

 

“What?”

 

“What is that in front of everyone? He made his fiancee a complete spectacle.”

 

The knife Aslan was holding was neatly folded in half by hers.

 

“I think Dylan really cares about his cousin. I said it was okay because he was so upset, but you shouldn’t say anything to Dylan either.”

 

The fork in the other hand was charred black and turned to ash. For reference, it was metal. Aslan put down the dishes and lazily wiped his hands. The atmosphere was unusual as his eyes were particularly gloomy. This time Vivian felt it too.

 

“I remembered something I had forgotten. I’ll be right back. Would you mind waiting for a moment?”

 

“Yes, no problem.”

 

“Sorry. I will hurry as much as possible.”

 

Aslan gritted his teeth as he left the restaurant. Only a few people who knew the circumstances prayed for Dylan to rest in peace. Meanwhile, Vivian, who was left alone, looked out the window. The guild sign located in the alley across from me especially caught her attention.

 

‘You have to seize the opportunity when it comes.’

 

Coincidentally, the knights followed Aslan and the only people left indoors were the restaurant staff and the manager. Normally, one or two guards would have been left behind, but since it was such a sudden incident, everyone seemed to be in a state of shock.

 

Vivian naturally got up from her seat.

 

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