Chapter 86

Chapter 86. Closer to Body and Mind (10)

Its not perfect.

Ian said while wiping his sword without a break.

After the training, I want to relax my muscles, but I dont do that.

Why not?

Annabelle.

He sighed in response to my innocent question and said pathetically.

It seems like you keep forgetting, but we are of the opposite sex. (pr/n: Lmao what? does he wanna take his shirt off or something???) (tl/n: hahdjf I guess?)

Then he added softly.

You might be okay, but Im not.

Well, anyway Then why are you being so serious about it being perfect?

Well.

Ian asked slowly.

What would you say if I offered to do your duel for you, and if I killed him for going after your neck?

I answered immediately without hesitation.

I would ask if you were crazy.

I spoke in a determined voice.

Even though I have lived mediocrely, I am proud of myself as a sword-bearer. I dont know if theyll challenge me to a duel, but at least I wont leave it to anyone else.

Actually I knew.

Duels could easily be passed on to others.

So, it might be the easiest way to pass it on to Ian and watch it from behind.

If I had to use something other than a sword, I would have skipped it.

But if it was a sword, it was a different story.

It is true that I did my best in the swordsmanship competition because of the title. But if that were the case, I wouldnt have been able to get here in the first place.

My words kept getting longer because I was afraid that Ian would really do the duel instead.

Its true that Im less than you, so I might use some cowardice, but Ill never hide behind you.

Ian looked at me intently.

Then he answered slowly.

This is all I can do because I know youll do that.

At Ians words, I questioned like a fool.

What?

But Im anxious to let go of it, so I want to help you somehow.

I ended up at a loss for words.

Every time he said something like this, something came to mind.

Even though I fell for you at first sight.

I didnt want my heartbeat to rise, so I quickly avoided his gaze.

And again, I was embarrassed.

I Well, its a bit of a bummer to say this, but Im not good enough for your help. Think back to the past.

No one knows that better than me.

That was it.

I wanted to do something, but honestly, there was very little I could do for him who was born with everything.

Hey, Ill try for real world peace.

And I added, holding on to the unfamiliarity.

Its what you want, so Ill also do my best.

After I finished my words, Ian, who had been quiet for a while, abruptly got up.

Then he sighed and looked down at me.

I told you not to say that.

Why?

I replied bluntly.

It is rare to find an overly common sense model student like you. I might want to listen to someone like that, dont you think?

And Ian answered my why question with great sincerity.

I think the more you do, the more terrifying this banquet will be.

Huh? Why?

I was taught, but dancing with other people is annoying.

I quietly rolled my eyes.

Still, I was suspicious that Ian might like me. I was nervous as if I was going to stop breathing for a moment.

Huh Well Isnt that the main thing?

And somehow embarrassed, I quickly changed the topic.

The duel! Duel is the main thing.

Thinking about it, it seemed like a really important story, so I opened my eyes and continued.

Ive never been particularly conscious of anyone but you, but Im secretly nervous at the thought of really winning.

Ians expression did not go away even in my words.

So I added to relieve his mood without knowing why I did it.

Its been a long time since Ive seen a face that I have to grind my teeth into

So the intention of what I meant was that I didnt grind my teeth for Ian anymore.

It emphasized that even if we fought together, we were doing it with a very good feeling.

But even before I finished talking, Ian suddenly spoke.

Its annoying.

Huh?

I dont want you to stare at anyone other than me as if to kill them.

I stared blankly at Ians red eyes.

The curses and grinding teeth with a poisonous expression are only for me

Ian, who had been speaking as if possessed, stopped as it was.

Then he spoke gibberish as if he had come to his senses late.

No, I think that Because its so cool that youre holding your sword and staring at it like youre about to kill No, so thats (tl/n: Ian its too late You cant take that back XD)

I answered with a bewildered face.

Thats why Im only going to curse at you, stare at you, and hit you?

No, it sounds like Im a bit of a strange person when you say that.

Ian added, shaking his head as if embarrassed.

Im a common sense person. Its well socialized.

There was no one with common sense who explained like that.

Just a few minutes ago, I said Ian was an excessively common sense model student and I felt strangely regretful.

Ian.

I asked after swallowing a little dry saliva.

No way Is it a hobby to be beaten or cursed? I dont think it was like that before

Could it be that he had a strange taste because he couldnt connect with the female lead?

Hey, what are you talking about?!

Ian squealed, rarely losing his composure, and added sternly.

I am really fine and normal

With a very common and ordinary taste

In the end, the more he spoke, the more he knew he was hurting himself, so he sighed and exhaled.

Lets do some training.

Okay

Dont say anything vaguely for nothing.

I am a normal person, a normal person.

I picked up my sword and nodded as if in disappointment.

For the first time in my life, I was worried about Ian.

~*~

(3rd person pov)

Of course, Ian was also worried about himself.

Because the emotions he had once awakened were snowballing out of control.

When Annabelle in Caronda said he was the lover she had promised her marriage to, he was thrilled with the moment.

He hated how her and Robert are connected through a communication ring.

He wanted to drag her into his own realm when she asked for his help because he wanted it all at this time.

He admitted to himself that he was too easy for Annabelle.

Even though he thought it was absurd, he was suddenly swept away in a frenzy.

Ill only fight with you.

There was a time when Annabelle said so.

At that time, the words Lets do other things only with me almost came out impulsively.

Although it was no different from the ghastly protagonist in the opera , his heart was already

But what a complicated situation

Ian sighed awkwardly.

Annabelle once said that his common-sense attitude that she hated, was her ideal.

The moment he said he liked her even if she cursed and beat him, she had a serious dilemma of him deviating from her ideal.

Youre fine. If I dont trust you, who can I trust?

Fortunately, Annabelle seemed to be looking at Ian in a good way.

In the meantime, he seemed to be like something that others evaluated as unfun.

But if he wanted to continue the uninteresting and common sense attitude, he shouldnt like her, and he had to smooth this out

The curses and grinding teeth with a poisonous expression are only for me

Wasnt that just like a madman who liked to be cursed?

He had said something similar in the past.

You can curse. Instead, do it only for me in the future.

But it was also true, so he couldnt help it.

At the age of 14, he couldnt forget Annabelles cool eyes when he first met her in the final of the swordsmanship competition.

A clear determination as if it would swallow a person, a gesture rushing with energy, and burning eyes

It was certainly an embarrassing enemy, but it left a strong impression.

Of course, the interest quickly disappeared due to the terrible harassment and vulgar swear words that have been poured out since.

He hated her showingthe wonderful appearance that seemed to be only for others.

I must be really crazy too.

He hated people who flirted with her, and he hated people who did something that could be criticized by her.

Why am I so sincere when it comes to jealousy?

So, ordinary people only get jealous of good relationships, but he gets jealous of bad relationships.

He could see himself having a hard time at this banquet.

~*~

It was two days before Roberts birthday banquet.

Crown Prince Carlon returned from the Duchy of Edison to the imperial palace.

He casted a bunch of acceleration magic and arrived much sooner than expected.

As soon as Carlon entered the palace, he called in Richard first.

Since Annabelle was his next target, he decided to devise a strategy with Richard, who was even a little closer to Annabelle.

In fact, they were entangled in black magic and were quite close to each other.

Lanella and Rayburn, who ran a trafficking group in Caronda, are now in custody.

Richard reported the most urgent.

It is said that the Imperial Palace Knights escorted them directly across the continent.

Robert is being like a rat again.

Carlon muttered, grinding his teeth.

He wanted to advertise his name and his achievements throughout the empire for a very long time.

Perhaps so.

Richard eagerly agreed with his hopes that he would become Carlons closest confidant.

Carlon said, shaking his head.

But at the same time, it means we have some time, so we can think about it slowly

Carlons gaze at Richard shone sharply.

I heard that his partner at his birthday banquet this time is Annabelle Rainfield. That is the most important thing for us right now.