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nAs I walked into the hallway, I was silent. It just suits Francia’s babbling talk.

nThe fresh sunlight warms the walls of the hallway. The corridor with open sides created a gentle atmosphere with the side exposed to the sun.

nAt the end of it, I looked down for a long time, not knowing that there was an unexpected person.

nAs I walked a little further, Francia pulled the hem of my robe, who was next to her.

n“…sister.”

nIt was only when I heard the call from Francia, who was very wary, that I could see right in front of me.

n“Miss Iana.”

nI slowly lifted my head.

nThere stood a man with a cold and sharp impression that was very foreign to the warm sunlight.

nThe cold eyes that seemed to freeze the surroundings just by standing still, and the transparent glasses that could not alleviate them. And a slim and large physique that doesn’t go well with the glasses.

nIt was Lenag.

n“Long time no see.”

nHis brown hair hung in the wind slowly swaying.

nThere was still an atmosphere standing on the edge on the day when it seemed like he would pull out the sword if I was wrong, and his faint smile was still there.

nHowever, his face, which he had struggled to soften, gradually hardened.

nCrinkle-

nAs I walked, the chain made a blunt sound and hit the floor.

nClink-

nWhen it hit the floor one more time, a horizontal line appeared on Lenag’s face. Immediately, his face contorted in an awkward way.

n“…Excuse me, Miss Iana, is that okay?”

nWhy? He had an unbelievable face. I couldn’t understand why the world looked like it had collapsed.

n“The chain?”

nI patted Francia, who was wary of him, and responded indifferently. Lenag covered his lips with the back of his hand at my soft voice.

nThen his eyes went wide.

n“I, I.”

nThe fierce eyes that seemed like a needle wouldn’t hit, and the bottom of the eyes were red. There, a single teardrop as thick as a pearl was dripping from there. It makes for a really pitiful look.

nI’m at a loss for words.

nWhy are you crying?

nFrancia next to me is pulling the hem of my clothes and whispering, is he crying?

nI put my index finger to my lips. However, I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t even think of a word.

nI didn’t know about anyone else, but I didn’t know that this man would cry so badly.

nTears dripped down to the floor, drawing black circles. It had been a long time since my head stopped thinking in the middle of the day because it was painful and mournful.

n“…what did your brother do?”

nWhy does his voice match so wonderfully? I felt like I was going to be drenched in tears for nothing.

nIt is said that it is a superb view when a handsome man cries. I wanted to wipe my face.

nNo, is it the hobby of the men around me to cry? Why… do you cry when you see me?

nHe bit his lip softly and then let it go.

n“My God, I didn’t send you out to see this…”

nAlthough his face was sharp, he always had a soft voice, but his soft voice felt cold and hard.

nNo, it felt like a rigid person. He touched his cheek with a large, thick hand. Like someone who doesn’t know what to do.

nThen I opened my mouth slowly.

n“No, uh… this isn’t Lenag’s fault either.”

nI called his name naturally, but he was startled. Lenag, right? Because I called his name at the end….

n“Uh, then, Marquis.”

n“I like the name.”

n“Yes, Lenag….”

n…You are still asserting yourself while crying.

n“I’m fine.”

nIf I had listened to that sound as soon as I was handcuffed or chained, it would have touched me no matter how much, but now that I’ve gotten used to it, I didn’t really care.

nBecause I didn’t feel anything.

n“I don’t care.”

nI just kicked my feet and laughed.

n“I think so.”

nI scratched my cheek and held out my hand. A hesitant hand brushed past his arm.

nAt that moment, Lenag’s expression seemed to have gotten more blurred.

n“And it’s not Lenag’s fault.”

nI couldn’t see him for a while as he covered his eyes with his hands. The tears hanging from the tip of his chin were the only evidence he couldn’t stop crying.

nHis white shirt was pulled taut.

n“You’re not to blame? So don’t think so.”

nIt’s not really. He also saved my life.

n“… Because of my negligence.”

nHis red eyes appeared as he gently lifted his hand. I was startled by the sharp eyes under the glasses, but rather…..

nThe falling tears robbed my eyes.

nI need a handkerchief at times like this, but I didn’t have that kind of attention to detail. I don’t think Francia does.

nFrancia was rolling her eyes. It was a face full of awkwardness, but it was also full of curiosity.

nMaybe it was because I saw her guardian deity a while ago, but the way she hides behind me and sticks her head out looks similar to this. A baby bear.

n“I think we should talk about something else…”

nTo refresh the atmosphere, I comforted him, patted his arm and turned around.

n“Why are you here, I’m surprised.”

nContrary to the fact that he was Chaser’s right arm in the book, he was a person who I had not been able to see for the past year or so. I thought he was busy.

nHe himself is a Marquis and in charge of the management of the cell, so why don’t he send subordinates instead of coming and going?

nWhether my efforts worked, or whether it was hypothetical, Lenag took his hand away.

nThe slightly reddened skin was impressive. As he took off his glasses to wipe the pool of water, I looked at his half-dropped eyes and took a deep breath.

n… It looks really scary and sharp.

nIt was as if a sword had been made into a human. A masterpiece that is so sharp that no one can touch it.

nThere are tears in the eyes of such a person, so this is….

n“I came here for business with your brother.”

nAs soon as Lenag raised his gaze, I quickly avoided his gaze. I’m afraid he would find out what I was thinking about while watching me even though he can’t hear me.

nHmmm, I’m not unscrupulous.

nI just coughed and vented for nothing. Lenag looked at me like that and said a word.

n“I could send my men, but I wanted to come in person.”

n“Yes? Oh, yes.”

nI nodded. Prison is comfortable, but sometimes frustrating. I understand.

n“But he wasn’t in the mansion.”

nThere I paused. Chaser isn’t in the mansion?

n“He’s not?”

n“Yes, they said he went out, but I was told it would take a few days.”

nSo it seems that it was the butler and the little warlock who greeted Lenag. I could tell by the stories I heard one after another.

n‘Is Chaser going out?’

nI remembered his regular outing. He’s been out around this time for a long time, so this time… it’s faster than other months.

nI pressed my lower lip with my index finger and thumb and then removed it.

nIf Francia was to run away, now was the ‘red flag’.

n‘If you miss this, you have to wait another month.”

nAnd there may be something else next month. The future could not be left unknown.

nthen….

nAs I was about to open my mouth, a hand reached out in front of me.

n“Miss Iana, would you like to go outside with me?”

n…. What? I blinked my eyes at the sudden sound.

n“I’ll help you get out of here.”

nThe man’s face, with the tears stopped, was infinitely serious. Yes, even though he spoke softly, he was a polite and gentle man.

n“You’ve already done it once. Twice is not difficult.”

nThat one time seemed to refer to accepting me in the prison and providing convenience there.

nI was puzzled.

nThe suggestion you made for me thinking about this is really good, and I’m grateful… If the convenience in the prison was my brother’s order or request.

nHow about now?

n“Why?”

nI knew it was not the time to ask such a question. Still, the candid words popped out.

n“Why?”

nLenag was a little perplexed. Soon, a softer voice came back, softer than before the crying.

n“Because I’m your fiance.”

n“Yes?”

nSurprise erupted from the voice.

nWho? Who’s what? Maybe I was too surprised, he made a more surprised face.

n“Since when?”

n“…that’s right, since your brother suggested it. I took the offer at once, but…”

n“Ah.”

n“Is there a problem?”

nIt reminded me. I remembered

nI remembered that I had paid for this book’s side story as well.

nObviously, the supporting actor in the book, Lenag, cooperated with the villain, Chaser. The reason for this doesn’t appear in the main story, but it’s because Lenag loved Chaser’s unnamed younger sibling.

nYes. It was on the side.

n“Did you get engaged?”

nAt the same time as the forgotten facts floated to the surface, my insides became more complicated.

nWhy did I even think of this now? I could no longer see this man’s hand as before.

nI also understood the slightly strange proposal and excessive convenience in the cell.

n“No, it’s not.”

nEven the face that shed tears as he looked at me now.

nWere you engaged? This is because of my memory.

n“…I appreciate the offer, but I’ll turn it down. It’s not because I don’t like you. Lenag doesn’t have to sacrifice.

n“It’s not a sacrifice.”

nI was weak against these daytime tickles. Regardless of the feelings I had for this man, the gaze upon me seemed to tickle the back of my neck. Because he was far from me

n“It’s natural for you to be with me in the future.”

n“Ah, yes…”

nAs soon as I realized this man’s tickling heart, I couldn’t help but feel itchy cheeks.

nBut I quickly changed my expression. As long as I knew that Lenag wasn’t on Chaser’s side, but mine.

nHe felt Francia hiding behind me and sticking her head out.

n“Then please help this child, not me.”

n“Child?”

nHe was the most reliable ally when he was on my side. There is nothing as reassuring as when the bad guy was on my side.

n“Yes, helping this child is helping me. Please take this friend out.”

nHe must have heard my voice resounding again and again. But there was no reaction.

n“Understood.”

n