Obsession Beyond the Wall of Courtesy - Chapter 96

He didn’t take his eyes off me and slowly said,
“I have some things to take care of in the estate for a while.”
“……”
“I’ll probably stay there for about a month.”

When Cedric said he would be gone from this mansion for a month, I strangely felt uneasy. Even though I tried not to keep him in my mind during that time, I couldn’t help but feel worried. I hesitated for a moment and asked,
“Do I have to go with you?”

Cedric stared at me intently. His eyes didn’t leave me for a while. Feeling awkward, I looked away. At the same time, Cedric answered,
“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to go. That place was where my mother lived, and you only have bad memories there.”

Without realizing it, I lowered my head. When I didn’t answer, Cedric continued,
“Forget what my mother did. She wasn’t in her right mind anyway.”
“……”
“Even now, when I think about it, I want to dig up my mother’s grave…”

Suddenly, I raised my head.
“Don’t do that. It’s still your mother’s grave.”
“She was the one who gave you such shame.”

But now Cedric’s mother was no longer here. Without looking at him, I said,
“Anyway, she’s gone. She’s not coming back.”
“……”
“There’s no use in thinking about it more.”

Cedric was silent for a while. His deep blue eyes looked complicated, filled with many emotions.
“I regret not protecting you properly, over and over.”

But at that time, Cedric did his best for me. Having him by my side was what helped me endure. Thinking of him then made a lump rise in my throat. It felt like everything was a complete mess, and I sighed.

I wondered if things would have been better if I hadn’t gone to the estate in the territory when Cedric told me not to. Lost in thought, Cedric’s voice echoed.
“Don’t think about that crazy person who hurt you. She’s dead anyway.”

His voice was unusually low. How did he know I was thinking that? Slowly, I lifted my head, and Cedric stepped closer.
“So don’t think about anything else. Just think of me.”
“……”
“I’m sincere with you.”

Cedric’s deep blue eyes looked like looking into the abyss. His words, saying he was sincere, were almost desperate.

I always thought he didn’t show sincerity to me.

Honestly, I couldn’t believe someone like Cedric was interested in me. My family wasn’t well recognized in high society. Plus, my father’s honor wasn’t much either.

“What am I to you, really…”

Before I could finish, Cedric wrapped his arms around me completely. Suddenly, I was trapped in his embrace. I felt the strength in the arms around my shoulders and back. His body holding me was warm. Especially, his hands felt strangely hot through my thin dress.

Also, his clean wood scent smelled even better than usual today. I didn’t hate Cedric’s scent from before. The heavy yet fresh scent he wore always made me feel his presence—that was how I pictured him.

Strangely, smelling Cedric’s scent today made me want to lean on him and depend on him. I let out a small breath. Cedric hugged me tighter. He lowered his head near my ear and said,
“Now, you’re the only family I have. My mother is gone, and Batis is forever banished from this empire.”

It felt desperate, as if I were the only one in the world. Suddenly, a thought I hadn’t admitted came up.
“There is Vincent, you know.”

Cedric sighed for a moment. When his breath touched my ear, my heart twitched. He pulled away slightly. Cedric looked at me with a strong, intense gaze. When I didn’t avoid his eyes, he smiled.
“That’s right. Our child.”

His smile looked especially happy.

A few days later, a letter came from a village I didn’t know. The sender was Herder. It came with dried flower decorations. He said he was growing flowers there and quietly making and selling small items. I wondered how easy it was for a noble daughter to live simply, but he seemed to have adapted to the situation.

The letter also had unexpected news. It was about Selena. After her exile, more crimes related to black magic involving the crown prince were uncovered, and she was executed immediately even in the exile empire. I had no real interest in that news.

At least Herder hadn’t forgotten his kindness. The letter’s tone was mostly warm. Before, I could never have imagined getting such a letter from Herder. I stared at the letter for a long time and then lay back on the bed.

Lately, I strangely felt chills. I wondered if I would feel better after sleeping more, so I closed my eyes again.

How long had I slept? When I woke up, it was before dawn. Slowly opening my eyes, I noticed Cedric’s scent was especially strong. Then his lips touched my forehead. When our eyes met, Cedric smiled and said,
“Your fever has gone down a lot.”

Now that I noticed, white cloths were spread in front of Cedric. When I looked closely, Cedric said,
“You had a fever all night.”
“A fever?”

Cedric nodded and moved the white cloth in front of me. His strong arms rolled up his sleeves and stood out. Looking at his face, he looked a bit rough, maybe from staying up all night. Noticing my gaze, he chuckled.
“It’s okay now, so don’t worry.”

Strangely, I was more worried about Cedric than myself.
“Were you here all night?”
“Of course, I was worried about you and couldn’t sleep.”

Cedric spoke calmly, but his eyes stayed on me. He must have cared a lot because there were medicine bags and white cloths stacked on the nightstand. I suddenly remembered when I cared about Vincent.

“You said the fever goes down once I take medicine. And you don’t have to take care of me like this…”
“You can’t not take care of me.”
“……”
“When you’re sick, I only think about what I couldn’t do for you. About how your mother tormented you, or the hardships Selena caused you.”

A lump rose in my throat. Cedric was the only one who understood me before. I relied on him that much. I didn’t want to show tears to Cedric, so I lowered my head. Feeling sick made my heart flutter strangely.

Trying to seem fine, I asked,
“Why did I get a fever?”
“Sometimes, even after the anti-fever medicine works, a fever comes back. The doctor said it’s part of the full healing process now.”

That was a relief. I quietly sighed inside, and Cedric held my hand. He looked at the wedding ring on my finger. His eyes stayed on the ring for a moment, then turned to me.
“Now, you wear the ring well.”

There was a smile in his voice. When our eyes met, he smiled happily.
“I love you, Revril.”

Once in a dream, once when we were at the temple before coming here, he said he loved me. Especially in the previous dream, I was the one who asked him first if he loved me. But now, I didn’t have to ask. He said it first—he loved me.

Then Cedric’s lips touched mine. His strong breath spread hotly. As his breath grew faster, he parted his lips slightly. I just breathed out and stared at him. He whispered softly,
“I hope you love me too.”

His low voice echoed clearly in my ear. I looked at his deep blue eyes for a moment. His gaze was more desperate than ever. It was like looking at my old self. I stared back deeply. His blue eyes showed the affection I always wanted.

Then Cedric held my hand tightly.
“I will stay by your side now. No matter what happens.”

My heart fluttered. Thinking about it, Cedric was always there—when I opened my eyes, when I needed help, when he was desperate, when we misunderstood each other, even when I felt empty. Tears welled up, but I held back and said,
“Now, I think I won’t feel anything when I see pink roses.”

Before, pink roses were painful to see. I wanted Cedric’s love but didn’t get what I expected.

Tears fell then. Cedric gently wiped the tears from my cheeks. His eyes were more vivid than ever.
“I’ll buy pink roses tomorrow. Like at our wedding.”

I nodded. Maybe now, I really could happily decorate the mansion with pink roses.

Cedric smiled brightly and kissed my cheek. It was very warm—just like his love always was.

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