Chapter 83

Still, he smiled gently and added,

“Let’s bring her home and keep an eye on her for a while.”

Yes. Let’s do that.

If it’s what you want, I’ll do anything.

Even if it means letting some scruffy pickpocket into our home.

Melissa, unaware of the storm inside him, looked deeply moved.

“Thank you so much.”

“Think nothing of it.”

As Melissa’s bright smile spread, a warm breeze seemed to blow through Demius’s once-cold chest.

Yes. What was one little girl compared to seeing Melissa smile like that?

‘That’s enough.’

The two left the alley and walked toward the carriage.

The setting sun cast a soft golden glow over their backs.

But.

‘Ah.’

By the time Demius returned home at dusk, a horrifying realization struck him.

He hadn’t gotten the ring.

He clutched his thick hair and screamed silently.

Not only had he failed to prepare the ring, but he had also ruined the perfect moment he’d planned, watching the sunset at a fine restaurant and slipping the ring onto Melissa’s small hand himself.

‘No. Absolutely not.’

He bit his lip desperately.

With that leech Shilen (and poor Shilen truly didn’t deserve that name) and Natalianne (who was probably grinding her teeth right now) constantly hovering around Melissa, who knew when he’d ever get another chance to be alone with her again.

‘Maybe I could make a temporary ring?’

He already knew her finger size. Perhaps he could craft a matching pair on short notice?

Bang.

The desk shook, nearly breaking apart.

At the very last second, Demius released his grip, regaining a sliver of reason.

“No.”

Temporary? Roughly made?

How could he even think of offering something like that to Melissa?

How dare he apply such words to her?

“You fool.”

Slap.

Smacking his own cheek, Demius forced himself to think calmly.

Yes. This was only their first date.

There would be other chances.

Even if they only had a year.

No, ten months now.

“Ugh.”

Tears welled up as he faced reality again.

The life of a one-year contract husband was far crueler than he had ever imagined.

But that was the most he could ever hope for.

So then.

So then…

He couldn’t give up on the ring.

A fierce light of determination burned in his eyes.

* * *

But determination and reality were rarely the same.

Melissa hummed cheerfully, saying summer farming season left her no time to rest.

Shilen was busy solving the mountain of puzzle games he had received as gifts.

And Natalianne seemed determined to ruin Demius’s every moment.

For example,

“Miss Lili.”

“Yes?”

Melissa, who had been sitting beside his bed, lifted her gaze from the bowl of porridge she was holding.

“Is it too hot?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Hoo, hoo.”

When Melissa blew gently to cool it and offered the spoon, Demius barely managed to hold back tears.

So this was happiness.

The head chef’s special porridge was, of course, delicious.

But the fact that Melissa was feeding it to him made it the finest meal in the world.

His chest tightened with emotion.

“I feel bad making you go through all this trouble because of me.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. Is your leg still very painful?”

Her worried eyes met his. Demius looked away slightly and murmured,

“…A little.”

He felt a small stab of guilt.

That was a lie.

In truth, his injury had long since healed.

He could not only walk but even run again if he wanted.

‘Remarkable recovery ability, as always!’

His personal physician had exclaimed with admiration.

‘At this rate, you’ll be able to stand by tomorrow.’

‘A week.’

‘…Pardon?’

Demius changed his answer smoothly.

‘No, at least two weeks. Actually, three would be even better.’

‘…Excuse me?’

‘You’ll still need crutches after three weeks, won’t you?’

‘Eh?’

‘And don’t forget the bandages. Make sure I look as pitiful as possible.’

The physician could only stare at him blankly.

But Demius pressured him to keep silent about the truth and instead report that his condition was critical.

Thus, when Linburton questioned him, the poor doctor rolled his eyes and spouted exaggerated medical terms, describing Demius’s “grave state.”

That took care of the report to his mother as well.

‘Perfect.’

Demius silently thanked the doctor while admiring his own quick thinking.

‘I did well cutting my leg.’

Really, he couldn’t have timed it better.

He had fought alone in a narrow alley against over fifty armed thugs, even facing a mage who had taken Smile of the Spirits.

Even Natalianne, though suspicious, hadn’t dared to question him too much.

When he met Melissa’s eyes, Demius suddenly realized something important.

“Do you have something to say?”

Her curious look made his ears burn red.

“I, um.”

He couldn’t organize the words swirling inside his head.

“If you happen to have time, maybe we could go to town, or, uh…”

“Yes?”

“I know you’re busy with the fields, but the weather’s been nice lately, and, well…”

Date.

No, what he meant was,

“…A ring.”

“Master!”

The door burst open at that exact moment, and someone ran inside.

The intruder seized Melissa’s arm, setting the bowl aside as if snatching prey.

“Ah!”

Melissa stumbled, falling straight into the arms of a woman wearing a black veil.

Natalianne hugged her tightly and began to chatter.

“There you are. You promised to help me with my research today!”

“Did I?”

“Of course. You said you’d review my paper.”

“Nonsense.”

Demius quickly swatted Natalianne’s arm away, cutting her off.

“Miss Lili, come with me.”

“Ouch!”

Natalianne yelped, shaking her wrist dramatically.

“My wrist! I think it’s broken!”

That solid-boned monster.

Demius clenched his jaw, glaring at his far-too-healthy sister.

Who in the world waved a “broken” wrist like a fan?

“Master, he hit me. It hurts.”

That insane witch.

Demius swore at her silently, but Natalianne only whimpered softly to Melissa.

“It really hurts. Blow on it for me.”

“You’re insane.”

The curse slipped out before he could stop it.

Startled, Demius covered his mouth, but thankfully Melissa didn’t seem to hear.

Although in hindsight, it might have been better if she had.

Melissa leaned closer, her soft pink lips pursed gently.

“Hoo.”

“?!”

Demius’s eyes widened as Melissa blew on Natalianne’s wrist.

Meeting his bloodshot glare, Natalianne’s lips curled with wicked amusement.

“Ah, much better. You really are the best, Master.”

You damn eel.

Demius’s teeth ground so hard that something cracked, but Natalianne just kept smiling sweetly.

“Come along. You have a pile of papers to help me with.”

“But the nursing—”

“Leave it to the servants. This house is crawling with them. They need work too, you know.”

“But they might be busy with other things—”

“Not at all. Everyone’s dying to serve their esteemed young master.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Oh, that reminds me.”

Natalianne’s eyes gleamed suspiciously, her lips curling into a mischievous smile.

Demius instantly sensed danger and reached to stop her.

But she was faster.

“They say an Alac-Plexus Alphimedes Beetle was just discovered. The specimen’s in my room.”

“My goodness, really?”

Melissa’s eyes lit up.

“The huge one with the shiny shell?”

“That’s the one.”

“How incredible.”

Her mouth fell open in awe.

As Demius stood frozen behind her, speechless, Natalianne whisked Melissa away.

When the two disappeared, Demius sat blankly on the edge of his bed.

Unbelievable.

His dreamlike moment had ended just like that.

Because of a beetle.

No, because of that damned eel.

Thump.

He slammed his fist onto the soft bed, muffling the sound.

Crack.

His knuckles popped as a dark voice escaped his lips.

“This can’t go on.”

Madness flickered in his eyes.

“Maybe I should cut it again.”