I Will Not Fall For the Villain’s Flirtations - Chapter 83

“Dad?”

In the study, illuminated only by a gentle lamp, Dad was gazing at the moon outside the window, lost in thought. Even though I had arrived, he didn’t turn around. Mom also looked much more subdued than usual.

Did Peidos upset my parents? He isn’t the type of person to do that. I was closing the door, still puzzled, when it happened.

“Are you really going to get married?”

Before coming to Liche, I had naturally thought my family would be happy. Like Lindsay, I vaguely expected they’d clap like seals, saying I had caught an unbelievable catch.

I couldn’t help but be taken aback. The question they just asked was evidence that my parents were secretly against this marriage.

“Did Sir Peidos make any mistakes?”

“It’s not that. It’s just that he’s such a remarkable man. Even your Dad acknowledges that.”

“Then why? You always told me to bring home a groom like him.”

Perhaps because I was surprised, my voice unintentionally rose. How they interpreted this, I don’t know, but Mom stood up from her chair and took my hand. Stroking the back of my hand repeatedly, she looked at me with warmer eyes than ever before.

“We have no intention of opposing it, so calm down. He has a good character, and most importantly, our dear daughter likes him. Why would we stop that?”

“It’s not that…”

I don’t understand. Your reaction is completely unexpected. Following her explanation, Mom nodded as if she understood everything.

“On the contrary, he’s so excellent that it worries us.”

It was Dad, who had been looking out the window all this time, who spoke. Still standing as if nailed to the window, his gaze fixed on the moon, he spoke like he was reciting poetry.

“He is… like the moon. A being that everyone looks up to, standing tall in the night sky.”

“…….”

“But the moon has many places it needs to shine. If the moon doesn’t rise, many places will be covered in darkness.”

Dad finally turned to look at me and gave a faint smile. Lowering his gaze, his eyes, half-covered by his eyelids, had somehow blended with the darkness in the room.

“I hoped that the man who becomes my son-in-law would be like a star, who, even if not as bright as the moon, could share his light entirely with my daughter.”

“……Dad.”

“It’s just my selfishness. While I’m proud that our daughter has grown up and brought home someone to marry, I can’t help but worry.”

He approached Mom and gently stroked my head.

Warm concerns flooded my mind through his warm hand. Seeing my parents, who only worried about their daughter even though I had brought home a perfect man like Peidos Carmel, I once again realized the depth of their love.

My heart swelled with emotion, and tears welled up. Trying not to let them fall, I kept my eyes wide open and sniffled repeatedly, when Mom sighed deeply and stroked my cheek.

“Why did you have to be so pretty, unnecessarily taking after me? I told you to bring home a decent person, and you brought the Shield of the Holy Kingdom.”

“But I take after Dad… Ah!”

“Couldn’t you have brought home someone more ordinary? Even your colleague seemed fine.”

Rubbing my cheek, which Mom had pinched hard, I couldn’t help but gape at the person she mentioned.

“When you say my colleague, don’t tell me you mean Keene?”

“Yes.”

…Mom, that person is not ordinary at all.

Whether she knew how I felt or not, Mom smacked her lips regretfully.

“His face is certainly extraordinary, but at least he isn’t a man burdened with destiny. Besides, it seemed like he had feelings for you.”

“What? How would you know that, Mom!”

“I can tell just by looking. He kept pushing the food you like in front of you the whole time you were eating. You’re so dense, you didn’t even notice that, did you?”

“……Huh?”

All my attention during the meal had been on Peidos. His tension had been transmitted to me, making me feel like I might get indigestion even before eating, so it was somewhat natural.

Keene was changing the position of the dishes. I had no idea.

“Fine. If you don’t like him, there’s nothing I can do.”

“…….”

“We just want you to be happy.”

That was the end of the conversation. My mind was in turmoil due to my parents’ unexpected reaction.

Seeing my rather serious expression, Mom tousled my hair and spoke in a deliberately light tone.

“Why the long face? It’s not like we’re against it. It’s just that choosing a life partner is a serious matter, so we wanted you to be more cautious than ever.”

“…….”

“It’s late. Go upstairs and sleep.”

“Uh… huh?”

I left the room, pushed out by Mom’s hand, and stared at the door that closed with a bang in front of me. I then slowly headed to my room. Although I hadn’t done any strenuous exercise, just thinking about it made my body feel heavy.

After getting ready for bed and lying down, I pulled the blanket up over my head. My mind was a mess, but once I lay down, the tension eased, and I felt sleepy.

Yeah, let’s sleep first. When feeling restless, it’s best to sleep.

I closed my eyes, took a long breath, and tried to sleep. Leaving the complicated thoughts to tomorrow’s me.

* * *

The scenery of the city, which I hadn’t seen in a long time, was endearing. Seeing familiar shops between the small alleys made me feel delighted, and thanks to the good weather, the stalls set up outside made the view colorful everywhere I went.

I walked slowly, glancing sideways at Peidos, who was matching my pace silently. He stayed at an inn last night and came to pick me up early in the morning for a city date.

If Lindsay had been here, she would have insisted on being a chaperone and followed us somehow, but perhaps because of their trust in Peidos or because this wasn’t the capital but Liche, Mom allowed me to go out with him alone.

The sunny weather was perfect for sightseeing. We walked along the streets while I pointed out various places and introduced the neighborhood where I grew up.

“Ah, this is where I stayed last night.”

Peidos stopped and pointed to an inn out of the blue. I turned my head to where his finger was pointing without much thought, and I froze like a stone.

“……Ah.”

The building, except for the café on the first floor, was entirely an inn. It was the place where I drank until I was completely drunk before entering the temple.

Coincidentally, it was also where I had first met Keene.

[I’d like to kiss you.]

[You don’t have a lover or a wife, right?]

[Don’t move. I’ll undress you myself.]

Recalling the crazy things I said in the past, my cheeks burned. Flustered, I began explaining things he hadn’t asked about.

“The sandwiches here are quite good. They also serve alcohol at night, and the fruit wine is particularly nice.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I visit this place whenever I go out.”

I should have just stopped at the sandwiches. If only I hadn’t indulged in the sentiment and drunk so much, I would have had half the headache I have now.

“I should have tried it yesterday.”

“Yesterday… You could have stayed at my house…”

I mumbled softly, feeling embarrassed. It bothered me that he had to stay at an inn after coming all the way to Liche.

But Peidos returned a refreshing smile and shook his head slightly.

“Even though we are talking about marriage, it’s not proper.”

“If you put it that way, Keene, I mean, the Master of the Magic Tower…”

Come to think of it, he stayed when I wasn’t there.

But even if I had been there, the result wouldn’t have changed. He wasn’t a man who would adhere strictly to etiquette like Peidos.

Mentioning Keene made Peidos’s face stiffen. I regretted bringing him up and was about to apologize when Peidos started walking again and slowly opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry.”

“What? For what?”

“For getting you involved with the Master of the Magic Tower.”

“……What?”

What is he talking about? Because of him?

As I stared at him, unable to understand, Peidos continued with a darkened expression.

“It was my fault for letting him notice that I was overly concerned about you during the expedition.”

“…….”

“He must have taken an interest because he realized you were special to me. It’s all my fault.”

“Oh…”

My connection with Keene started much earlier than he thought, so this was a huge misunderstanding. But I couldn’t say anything hastily, fearing it might raise suspicion of being a spy.

“But I am grateful for what happened yesterday. Thanks to him, I was able to recall important things I had forgotten.”

“Important things?”

“Small but important things. Things I need to pay attention to if I want to protect you completely.”

He must have been referring to the questions Keene had asked him. I wanted to tell him not to worry about such things, but he was quicker than me.

“Once I become the Guardian, there will be times when I have to prioritize other things over my own happiness and safety.”

“…….”

“Still, you are the most precious person to me. That will never change, no matter what happens. So, I hope you trust me.”

His words suddenly reminded me of the conversation I had with my parents yesterday.

They seemed worried because Peidos Carmel was a man with so many responsibilities, but they still wished for my happiness and approved of the marriage.

Peidos’s parents also said they wouldn’t interfere with his marriage once he was established as the next Guardian. They said they would be happy just knowing their son wouldn’t remain single.

“Duna?”

“Yes? Oh…”

So, there really was nothing standing in the way of this marriage anymore. Duna Carmel, that was my destined future.

A sudden headache made me hold my forehead. I couldn’t breathe well, and the thoughts I had gone over many times suddenly felt unfamiliar.

Becoming the wife of the male lead?

Not Prim, but me?

“Duna? Are you feeling unwell?”

“……Ah!”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

As soon as I took my hand off my head, he reached out to me, and our hands briefly touched. Startled by the brief contact, Peidos quickly distanced himself from me.

I clenched my empty hand, feeling the warmth that had left in an instant. It seemed like he was finding it much more difficult now than when I was a novitiate priest.

“Duna!”

At that moment, a high-pitched voice rang out. The girl running towards me with a bright smile was none other than Josh’s younger sibling, Hemosi.

Seeing my cute neighbor after a long time, I also called out her name happily.

“Hemosi!”

“Duna, when did you come here?”

The girl who run into my arms asked with a bright smile. But her interest soon shifted to the tall man standing next to me.

“Who is this?”

There was a slight hesitation before I answered. With an awkward smile, I replied in a nearly whispering voice.

“My… fiancé.”

“Really?”

I nodded in response, then introduced her to Peidos, explaining that she was a close neighbor.

When introducing Peidos to Hemosi, I only mentioned that he was a holy knight, avoiding the burden of adding titles like Commander of Holy Gabriel Knights. Since she didn’t hear the surname ‘Carmel,’ Hemosi didn’t seem to realize that he was the famous Shield of the Holy Kingdom, Peidos Carmel.

However, just knowing he was my fiancé was enough to ignite the passion of the teenage girl. She looked at the man beside me with an even more enthusiastic gaze than before.

“Sir Peidos, Duna is my favorite person in Liche. Since you’re taking her away, you must answer my questions.”

“Haha, alright.”

Peidos couldn’t help but laugh at the girl who puffed up her chubby cheeks even more. The still cute girl from before raised her index finger and shouted vigorously.

“Okay, first question! Sir Peidos, if you cheat, will you give your entire fortune to your wife?”

“…Hemosi!”

Surprised by the unexpected question, I couldn’t help but shout. Where did she read such things to ask such a question?

“Of course. Although such a thing would never happen.”

“Good! Then the next question.”

The first question already had a dramatic feel, so it made me more anxious than excited. As expected, the second question wasn’t kind either.

“If your wife is in danger, will you risk your life to protect her?”

“Of course.”

Why are these questions so extreme? And why is Peidos answering them so accurately?

When I shook my head, feeling exasperated, Hemosi’s expression became even more serious than before. Anxiety crept up my spine as she posed the third question in a clear voice.

“Then, if both the Pope and my sister fall into the water at the same time, who will you save first?”

“……”

“……”