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nChapter 54

n‘My voice?’

nAria belatedly covered her mouth and looked into Lloyd’s eyes.

nShe had done it without thinking at all, but when she was about to wait for his reaction, she was terrified.

n‘You deserve to be angry.’

nAria was determined not to be hurt no matter what kind of abusive language she heard.

nAlthough it didn’t have much of an effect.

n“You.”

nAria closed her eyes tightly at Lloyd’s call.

n“What is it?”

nThe boy wrapped his hand around her cheek and pulled her closer. To keep her from turning away and avoiding his gaze.

nLloyd’s face was right in front of her. Until his breath touches her.

n“… Siren?”

nA minority race that puts magic into songs, Siren. At one time, it was treated as a legendary ghost, but known outside the world as the Cortez family.

n“It’s you…”

nLloyd covered his mouth and muttered again.

n“It was you.”

nThe one who cured his mother’s disease.

n“But, how have you been able to hide your voice until now?”

n“…..”

n“Count Cortez doesn’t know anything. Otherwise, he won’t sell you to Valentine.”

nAria knew that he, of course, would blame herself.

n‘Have you lied to me all this time? How could you deceive me like that?’

nShe thought he would say so.

nBut, far from expelling her out of the Grand Duke’s castle for deceiving him, Lloyd was saying a completely different thing.

n‘I …….I think you’re worried for me.’

nAria blankly blinked her eyes.

n“If the Count has a daughter who has inherited the Siren’s powers, there’s no way he can let you go. It’s obvious that they’ll pursue you to the ends of the world and try to arrest you.”

nBecause he asked what had happened without rebuking Aria. She had no choice but to explain her circumstances in a slow voice.

n“Since I was born, I’ve been drinking the potion my mother gave me. When I drink it, I can’t make a sound…”

nAria’s mother hid her daughter’s Siren abilities in order to protect her daughter, and the Count, who felt ashamed of it, hid her existence.

nSo she’s been living as a ghost.

n“It’s the first time I’ve heard of such a potion. Is there any left?”

nAria shook her head.

n“Any potion is bound to have side effects. If you thought of anything, tell me.”

n“I don’t know. I just drank steadily what my mother gave me.”

nShe actually knew what ingredients went into potions.

nSophia was knowledgeable about the miscellaneous medicinal herbs and gave Aria her knowledge, albeit briefly.

n‘But if I reveal it in detail, it will only come out that my current condition is nothing more than time-limited.’

nAria pretended she didn’t know anything, and he narrowed the gap between his brows dissatisfied.

nBut he didn’t ask any more. Aria hesitated for a moment, then she opened her mouth.

n“Aren’t you mad?”

nThen Lloyd responded with frustration.

n“For what. Your desperate efforts to survive?”

n“…..”

n“The one who didn’t notice it sooner is the idiot. You didn’t do anything wrong. Nothing.”

nHis rough thumb wiped away the tears from her eyes.

n“So, don’t be intimidated.”

nShe never dreamed that he would say that. She couldn’t even fathom how deep this boy’s understanding was.

nIt seemed that he would understand even if Aria was openly revealing all the sins and shame she had committed in her past life. He seemed to embrace her to the bottom.

n‘Even though we met again, you saved me.’

nAria’s throat was choked and she couldn’t say anything, and her mouth couldn’t even move.

n‘Everything you say and do always comes with a deep meaning.’

nShe was saved by him today, and she can really do anything for him.

nRaw, unorganized words were floating around in her head.

n“…..”

nBut after a long time passed, the words she brought out were,

n“We’ve learned each other’s secrets one by one.”

nIt was something completely different from what she was thinking. Lloyd let go of her cheek and stepped back.

n“Yes, we’ll find out more.”

nIt was a meaningful word. It seemed to imply that Valentine’s secret didn’t end there.

nShe knew. So, Aria answered without hesitation.

n“Then it’s my turn to tell you. Lloyd didn’t do anything wrong.”

n“…..”

n“Nothing.”

nLloyd’s face shook like a ripple on a stone thrown into the lake. The shaky eyes were revealed between the trembling eyelids.

n‘A look I’ve never seen before.’

nIt was as if she had secretly looked at his real face, which was hidden between the hard shells that were layered on top of each other.

nThe shimmering black eyes grew darker and watery. But he never shed any tears.

n“Who do you think you are to say that.”

nRather, the boy was angry. Lloyd revealed this in a voice that seemed to tighten his chest severely.

n“What are you… what do you know?”

nAs if he could never forgive himself. Aria wanted to tell him that if he wants to cry, he can cry.

n‘I want to hug you.’

nBut Lloyd turned his back on his pride because he thought he should never cry.

n“I had a nightmare. A very scary dream.”

n“…..”

n“Hold my hand and let’s sleep.”

nShe lowered her eyebrows as if in fear. Then, reaching out as if asking for his hand, she looked up carefully at Lloyd.

n“I won’t try to sneak up on you again.”

nLloyd noticed her intentions and pointed it out at short notice.

nBut Aria pretended she didn’t hear anything, she ignored it lightly, and she stared at him. She opened her eyes as wide as she could, and she looked at him with twinkling eagerness.

n“A very scary looking monster ate me.”

nThen Lloyd sighed as he couldn’t win, and grabbed her hand. Aria’s hand was covered with one of his.

n“I’ll just hold your hand and sleep.”

n“Yes.”

nEventually, they happened to be lying side by side on the bed.

n‘Anyway, would it have been a relief for him?’

nWhen one is in a bad mood and depressed, a person’s warmth helps.

n‘Just being next to each other without saying anything.’

nAria closed her eyes and wiggled her fingers as she couldn’t sleep. The rings on their left hands made a sound from each other’s touching hands.

nAria said, as if she had suddenly remembered.

n“You made the wedding ring an artifact for nothing.”

n“It doesn’t matter. You can call me whenever you need my help.”

n“Yes, then call me anytime too. I’ll run to you.”

nLloyd responded when he had heard something he hadn’t thought of. She understood.

n‘You must have thought of me as something to be protected.’

nBecause she can’t speak and her body is weak.

nThe boy burst into laughter and was speechless, but he answered meekly.

n“Yes.”

n***

nLloyd caught her. To be precise, she openly revealed her abilities.

n‘I’m doomed.’

nShe thought so.

n‘Lloyd found out that I had cured Sabina’s disease.’

nHer plans to keep Lloyd from feeling indebted were completely thwarted. Aria decided that she would be shameless now that it has already happened.

n‘Let’s stop the Valentine’s incident openly.’

nNow there was nothing to fuss about.

n‘As long as I don’t get caught.’

nIt couldn’t be helped that he had caught her ability. Because she had to treat Lloyd.

nIn fact, in order to prevent the future Valentine’s incident, it was only a matter of time before her powers were discovered.

nBut she couldn’t have any unavoidable circumstances to reveal her personal feelings.

n‘That’s the Maginot Line*.’

nAria made up her mind. She should never get caught liking Lloyd.

nThe next morning, as soon as Aria opened her eyes, she held out a box to Lloyd.

n“What is this?”

n“Tears of Mermaids.”

nHe opened the box without a word. It contained a pair of tiny pearl earrings that were barely noticeable.

n“It’s a wedding present.”

nTears of Mermaids.

nAn artifact that reflects the effect of the Siren’s song.

nIn fact, to her surprise, one of the Sirens made it themselves. In other words, the Siren made her own shackles to control her own power. If asked why she did that, it was in order to sincerely confess to her lover.

nFor you, I would even give up my life.

n“A token of love.”

n“Lo…..”

nLloyd blushed in embarrassment.

nIt was the first reaction for the first time he had ever heard of such an unfamiliar sound.

n“I’m not saying I love Lloyd.”

n“…..”

n“It’s a sign that I’ll never do anything that would harm Lloyd and I’ll be absolutely on Lloyd’s side.”

n“…..”

n“I’m afraid you’ll find me suspicious.”

nLloyd answered, wiping his disheveled bangs, seemingly regaining his composure.

n“I know even without this. You must repay your benefactor for the favor.”

nIt was a bit sarcastic.

n“Still, accept it. It’s a token.”

nThe boy looked down at the pearl earrings without a word.

n“I didn’t have my ears pierced…”

nBut he meekly packed the box into his chest. It meant accepting the gift.

nAria wondered if the Tears of Mermaids had finally found their place.

n‘He will never abuse it.’

nShe was sure.

nLloyd would never, ever do that.

n*) Maginot Line: A line that can’t be crossed.

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