Chapter 305: What If...

’...I really hope she fulfills her promise,’ Soren thought as he walked away. ’However, the princess herself might end up spilling it... I hope Ethea can talk her into keeping quiet.’

’...’

The moment Ethea crossed his mind, the image of their faces so close together followed right after. His steps slowed, and a strange warmth rose to his cheeks before he could stop it. His heart gave a sudden, traitorous thump.

’W-What am I even thinking about right now...’ He rubbed the back of his neck and forced his legs to keep moving. ’Focus, Soren. There’s still work to do.’

’...But... What if... What if the princess didn’t interrupt us?’ His face burned even hotter, and he quickened his pace as if he could outrun the thought. ’Would I have actually... kissed her...?’

An image of Ethea’s face, her lips slightly parted and her eyes half-closed, surfaced in his mind before he could block it.

’Urgh!’ He quickly shook his head, trying to scatter it before it could take root. But it clung stubbornly, replaying over and over like a scene he couldn’t escape.

’...But... I haven’t even confessed to her yet...’ he reminded himself, his fingers twitching at his side. ’If I... If I had actually gone through with it... wouldn’t that have been too sudden?’

Another thought followed quickly.

’But... We have been married for three months now... and... at that moment, it felt... natural.’ His steps slowed as he recalled her warmth, her closeness, and the way she leaned in closer, as if drawn by the same pull he had felt. ’...W-Wait.’

’Does that mean... she... she loves me too?’

The thought sent a jolt through him, and his heart responded with a wild rhythm. He stopped walking altogether and pressed a hand against his chest, as if that would calm it down.

’No, no... I’m getting ahead of myself.’ He shook his head and started moving again, faster this time. ’Maybe she was just caught up in the moment. We both were. It doesn’t have to mean anything... right?’

But even as he tried to convince himself, the memory of her expression refused to fade. Her eyes, her smile, the way she had looked at him like he was the only one in the world.

’...Or maybe it does.’

He stopped again.

’...Maybe I’m just making excuses because I’m scared to admit it...’

The silence of the corridor pressed in around him, and for once, he didn’t try to escape it. He simply stood there, staring at the floor, while his heart continued its restless pounding.

’...If she... If she really does feel the same way about me... then what?’

The answer came on its own.

’Wait... What am I even worried about? If she likes me too... isn’t that a good thing?’

He laughed at his own foolishness. However, realizing that the woman he had married, the woman he had spent months protecting and growing closer to, and had slowly come to love, might actually feel the same way about him certainly made him feel like he had won something far greater than any battle.

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

’...I should tell her soon.’ He decided, his fingers curling into a loose fist at his side.

He had spent too long holding back, convincing himself that he needed to be certain, that the timing wasn’t right. But after everything they had been through, after nearly losing her more than once, he didn’t want to keep waiting. If there was one thing today had made painfully clear, it was that tomorrow was never promised.

’No... I will confess to her. I will tell her how I really feel...’

Soren relaxed his fingers, straightened his posture, and started walking again, his steps lighter than before. There was still much to do, but now he had another reason to look forward to the end of this long day.

───────

"Lord Asad," Soren called out.

"Hmm?" Lord Asad turned around, and for a second, his eyes narrowed as if trying to place the face. Then recognition settled in. "Oh, it’s you."

Soren nodded. "I was wondering if we could talk privately for a moment."

Lord Asad studied him for a brief second, then gave a short nod. "Follow me."

He turned and ordered the nearby officials to continue without him, then led Soren toward a secluded place. He also set up an invisibility and sound-blocking barrier around them.

"Mr. Everly, are you alright?" He asked as he gave Soren a quick once-over, his gaze lingering on the traces of the battle. "We were really worried since you suddenly disappeared. I sent my men to search for you, but none of them could find a trace. Can you tell me what happened? Did you leave by yourself? Or did someone take you against your will?"

"Sir, please calm down." Soren raised a hand to ease the man’s worry. "I am fine, and I left on my own. And I’m sorry for not noticing you beforehand; it was important that I moved quickly." He paused, meeting Lord Asad’s gaze. "I went after the Puppeteer, the one pulling the strings. And... It’s over now. He won’t be hurting anyone else."

Lord Asad stared at him, processing the words. His expression shifted from worry to something more serious.

"You mean... you killed him?"

"...No. I mean I didn’t do it alone." Soren shook his head. "It was my bond who did most of the work. I only lent him a hand where it was needed. Besides..." Soren paused. "I was already at my limit after the fight in the arena. If I had gone after him alone, I wouldn’t be standing here right now."

"I see..." Lord Asad nodded in understanding. "But... Are you certain he’s really dead? And do you have any proof? But please don’t misunderstand; it’s not that I doubt you. It’s just that fellow was far too slippery. I wouldn’t put it past him to fake his death and crawl out of some hole later."

’I guess I can’t blame him for being cautious,’ Soren thought. After everything Sevihan had done, it was only natural for the City Lord to want confirmation.

"I understand, Sir." He gave a small nod. "But you can rest assured. I saw him die with my own eyes. However..."