After this, I ruled over my territory as leader .

That being said, honestly my duties werent much different from beforehand .

Each day I was pursued by my work, and hunched over a desk making my best effort .

Althoughthere were a lot fewer people charging into my room with dramatic announcements, so I had a lot more spare time .

I learned from Lady Letticia that she was officially succeeding to the throne .

Seems like after a year of mourning for Dean she was going to hold her coronation .

I would attend the ceremony as well as leader of my territory .

This would be the first ceremony I attended as leaderbasically the first time I would appear in public as a territory leader .

A year, huh .

I couldnt help but sigh .

After he was gone, several weeks felt like a long, long time .

Like Mother said, occasionally I would feel a streak of pain in my chest .

But now I even enjoyed this pain .

Where are you heading, milady?

When I walked out the room, I encountered Tanya who was walking over with files in her hands .

Im going to take a walk . I need to move around .

Then let me come

No, thats fine . Ill just walk around in the yard .

I left her behind and walked out .

The spring air enveloped me with warmth .

When I stretched, my bones made a cracking sound .

Sitting at my desk every day was making my body stiff . Thinking this, I gazed out at my beautiful garden to relax .

The weather is great

Looking up, I saw the clear blue sky .

Is Dean somewhere in that sky?

I couldnt help but say this to myself, clasping my pocket watch .

He was protecting me from aboveit was a fairytale belief that I clung to .

No, I forced myself to .

No . Not in the sky .

My murmurs were greeted by someone responding behind me .

The familiar voice made me freeze where I stood .

Unbelievable .

It cant be

I was already hallucinating voices, huh, I attempted to calm my shaking body .

But as if to mock me, the voice continued to ring out .

Im so sorry, milady . I always lie to you .

My tears began to fall slowly .

It wasnt a mishearing or a hallucination .

What kind of lie is it?

The voice shuddered .

So many . An identity as the son of a merchant from the merchants guild . Pretending to be calm when I heard about your engagement . And my death .

None of it matters!

Turning around, I rammed into his chest .

It was him .

It was himAlfred Dean Tasmeria .

His warmth, the heartbeat I heard in his chest, was enough for me to burst into tears .

He was alivealive!

As long as youre still alive, I dont need anything else

His hands wrapped around my back .

The shuddering in his hands couldnt be a hallucination .

Engulfed in emotions, I hugged him harder .

I wanted the concreteness of him being right here, right now .

We hugged each other, enjoying the warmth of our bodies .

I wanted to see youwanted to see you!

And yet I was powerless to do so .

Even if I knew I couldnt see him again, I still hungered for him, chased after him .

Lightly, our bodies separated . I raised my hands to his cheeks .

But why?

I was indeed injured by arrows, and was in fatal dangerbut thanks to the doctors hard work, I survived . But by that point the news that I had passed away had already made it back to the palace .

Ahso youre fine? Not in pain anymore?

Im completely recovered, without any after effects .

He said with a smile . I sighed in relief .

Is that sothats good .

Only the doctor who saved me knows I survived . I asked him not to spread the news .

Why is that?

Letty said I wasnt suitable for the role of king . She wanted to be king, so I should just back down . I think that in some ways this was the right thing for her to dosince she was already handling everything in the palace anyways . If I went back it would just be more chaotic .

Dean chuckled .

My sister told me to do something I wanted to do . What I want to do is work here .

Dean clasped my hands on his face .

In the past I thought my only two paths were becoming king or dying . Id never thought of any other possibility . Everything I did was to become kingand I only connected with the people around me for this purpose .

I listened quietly to his confession .

But when I was here, it was different . My imagined future disappeared from my mind . I enjoyed my work here

Dean

These words sounded like a declaration of love .

My heart kept leaping at his words .

I couldnt help but wish . I couldnt help but wonder . At another future . I wanted to build a future I had never seen and never imagined with you .

His hands tightened .

Although in the past you only hired me on a temporary basis, I want to work here forever . I am a ghost now . May I have this privilege?

Of course!

Indeed, since he was dead he had no status .

But what did that matter?

After tasting despair once, I was willing to labor at any cost . No, this wasnt even hard work for me .

Clasping my hand, Dean knelt down on one knee .

It was like a fairytale, a knight to a princess .

Hold onDean!

His sudden movement made me shout, my eyes wide .

But he just smiled and shook his head .

His determined eyes fixed upon me . They stole my consciousness away .

I love you .

And then his words stunned me .

No disguising, simple words .

But the emotion behind them was enough for my tears to start flowing .

Ive always been lying to you, this whole time . Now Im a phantom with no real identity who can never step onto the stage of this world . Ill create a lot of work for you, Im sure . But I dont want to lie to you anymore . I love you, from the bottom of my heart . Even if I know the toll it might take on you, I cant give up . I want to walk into the future with you . Please, may I accompany you in the journey of your life?

My face was hot .

Joy, happiness . My chest felt full .

You care about these things . I took his hand .

These thingsIts odd for me to say this, but they really are a lot of trouble . A man without an identity cannot be husband to a territorys ruler . Plus, this man has royal blood, the rights to the throneso he can never walk onto the political scene .

None of this matters to me . Because this way I can be with you . I thought you were dead . Faced with a miracle like this, these things are nothing important .

He was wide-eyed at my response .

I pulled him to his feet, and buried my face in his chest .

Everything I should say and do as a lady, as the daughter of a duke, disappeared in my mind .

That being said, this also means youre giving up the crown for me? Even if you come back as king, Im already the ruler of this territory . I have no intentions of giving up this position, no matter how much I love you .

Iris

Im a troublesome woman too, Dean . Even if I love you, I have my own wants and refuse to stray from my path . Because I love this land, and I love the people who live here .

I couldnt back down on this point, no matter how much I loved him .

Thats exactly the Iris that I love . He laughed .

Dean

We were gazing at each other, with only the other person in our universe .

But you have to promise me this .

His earnest eyes sought elaboration .

Ive had enough suffering . Dont tell lies that will make me shed tears anymore .

The pain, the suffering, the tragedy .

Feeling like my chest was about to be rent apartI couldnt handle those emotions any longer .

Of course . Ive had enough of the lies too .

His hands caressed my face .

I let his hands take me, looking up to him .

I want to be with you . Closer than anyone elseI love you too .

Finally, I could say the words . I love you .

My true feelings, my intense longing .

A deep satisfaction overcame me and I sighed in relief .

His face approached mine gently . I closed my eyes .

And so our lips pressed together .

So touching and loving .

Grateful that he still lived, grateful for everything I had .

At the same time, my heart filled with a rash impulse .

I wanted to erupt, to scream .

I wanted him to be completely mine, to the point where I couldnt think about anything else .

Hopefully he was satisfied as me . Perhaps we were thinking the same thought .

And then we separated

Well then, lets go back first .

If we continued wed be far too immersed . My embarrassment didnt stop me from making this suggestion .

Yes .

He was blushing too .

It was an adorable sight that made me smile .

Everyone will welcome you back . We were all so sad to hear youd passed .

How should I say thisIm sure everyone in the financial offices will be a little more reserved .

Indeed

We held hands .

The warmth at our fingertips made us shudder .

Was it possible to keep walking like this from now on?

All right, lets go then! Dean .

All right .