To the Man Destined to Kill Me - Chapter 40

“I had something to do.”

“What was it?”

“…Just something.”

“You won’t tell me? Do you not know what happened in class today?”

“Today? Oh, if you mean the test… it’s fine. Missing one time won’t matter.”

“Yeah. You’ve always gotten good grades anyway. …Are you even listening to me? Noah Ashford!”

Scarlett snapped her fingers right in front of Noah’s face. Noah reacted a beat too late.

“Uh, yeah.”

“Hah. Don’t tell me you borrowed money from a loan shark again?”

“No, no. It’s nothing like that. Anyway, I’m going in first.”

“Go in? Wait.”

Scarlett showed Noah her test paper. She had been waiting proudly for his reaction, but her face slowly stiffened.

Noah’s face darkened when he saw the test paper. Anyone could see he was lost in his own thoughts.

He didn’t understand why Scarlett showed him the paper, so the words that slipped from his lips were dry and plain.

“Congratulations.”

“That’s it?”

“…You worked hard and got good results. Good job.”

The smile he gave was so fake it was painful to see. Scarlett snatched the test paper back and let out an angry breath.

She was furious.

Not everything was Noah’s fault, but still, she had pushed herself to study because of him.

He knew she studied hard even while she was sick, and yet all he could say was “Congratulations, good job”?

“Yeah. I think I did work hard. Why did I even bother? Life is too short—you should just spend lots of money and eat good food.”

She stomped off to her room. Her heart pounded with anger.

‘Why am I so mad?’

She knew the answer herself.

Her purpose for studying had been revenge, but was it only for revenge? Did she show off her grades just because she was happy?

No. It was more than that. It was because she didn’t hate attending Iodes with Noah. No, because she enjoyed it.

She felt upset because Noah didn’t react the way she wanted. It made her feel like she was clinging to him, as if she had other feelings.

“What the heck.”

‘What kind of reaction did I even want? Why does it matter how he reacts?’

It was really strange.

Her tangled emotions were so twisted she couldn’t tell what color they were, what scent they had, or how warm or cold they felt.

All she knew was that she hated the situation.

It was confusing. It was upsetting. It felt like her center was being swept away by Noah Ashford.

“Get a hold of yourself, Scarlett White.”

Slap.

She slapped her own cheeks with both hands. She thought back to the moment Noah killed her.

The terrible pain as the blade pierced her body, the huge fear, the overwhelming sadness…

‘What you want is revenge. What you have to do is revenge.’

She had to destroy him completely, make him pay for her death, and protect her family. There was no time to get swept away by emotions like this.

Realizing that, her feelings calmed down. She quickly regained her reason, and her anger cooled.

It didn’t matter if Noah was her brother or not, or what the adults’ situation had been.

What mattered was her revenge. To drag Noah down into the deepest hell and make him suffer.

Once she decided that, everything became simple.

Knock knock.

“Scarlett.”

It was Noah, who had realized too late that he had made a mistake, coming after her.

Noah thought back to how he acted earlier and blamed himself.

He had seen how hard Scarlett worked to attend Iodes, but he hadn’t even properly looked at her grades. Seeing her proudly show her paper probably meant she had met the conditions promised with her brothers.

“Scarlett… Congratulations. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

After a short pause, the door creaked open. Through the small gap, Scarlett’s cold face appeared.

She was giving him another chance, but only to lead him even closer to the edge before pushing him off. Noah didn’t know that and apologized again.

“Sorry for making you go to school alone today.”

“Wait, were you so ashamed after your secret got exposed that you ran away?”

“…No. It’s not that. I just thought… if I had been by your side today, maybe it would’ve been easier for you.”

“Of course.”

A complete lie. She hadn’t had a hard time at all without Noah.

Today, she had spent time with Wilhelm, and it hadn’t been bad at all. Plus, beating her brothers with high grades had already made her feel great.

She was Scarlett White. She didn’t need to be afraid of the world or read others’ moods.

“So, what were you thinking?”

“Well…”

“If I can’t accept your answer, I won’t accept your apology either.”

“…”

He couldn’t tell her about the massacre by his mother. Just knowing that truth was painful enough. So Noah said something else. Something he desperately wished for.

“I thought… maybe you and I aren’t real siblings.”

“…What?”

Scarlett tightened her face to hide her surprise. Then she asked in her usual firm tone,

“So? If we’re not siblings, what difference does it make?”

“…If we’re not siblings…”

Noah could hear his own heartbeat. He swallowed deeply, trying to swallow the words stuck on his lips.

‘I could have you.’

Words that must never be said. He bit his lower lip hard, afraid they would spill out.

Scarlett misunderstood Noah’s nervous face and asked,

“Are you scared that you won’t be forgiven if we’re not siblings?”

“No. No, that’s not it. I believe in your real feelings.”

Through the gap in the door, Scarlett’s hand shot out and grabbed Noah’s collar. Her gray eyes gleamed.

“Listen carefully. As long as I think of you as my brother.”

As long as I think of you as the target of my revenge.

“You’ll always be my brother.”

It was a declaration. A spell that would smash Noah into the ground.

Noah felt his vision go faint.

He didn’t want to be her brother.

Noah spent all day Saturday at the Parliament Library and the Wizards’ Association Records Room, from morning until night. He read everything he could find about magical crimes from other countries.

On Sunday morning, he continued tracing his mother’s past. But by afternoon, he wanted to spend time with Scarlett, so he skipped lunch and rushed back to the villa.

There, an unexpected guest was waiting.

“You should’ve eaten first. We could’ve eaten together.”

The words sounded grumpy, but the tone was soft. When Noah saw Wilhelm with Scarlett even on the weekend, his heart sank.

“You’re here. I was waiting for you.”

Wilhelm greeted him warmly. Noah forced himself to smile back.

“Long time no see, Wilhelm. What brings you here?”

“Scarlett invited me to a charity party. I came about that.”

“A charity… party?”

“What have you been doing all weekend?”

Scarlett snapped at him as usual, arms crossed, staring closely at Wilhelm. She watched him for a few seconds, lost in thought.

Noah chewed the inside of his cheek while Wilhelm awkwardly scratched his neck.

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“Good. I’ve decided.”

“Decided what?”

“Come to the party with me. No—be my partner.”

“Oh… it’s an honor.”

Wilhelm’s eyes softened into a warm smile, matching his kind and upright nature. It was a kind of comfort Noah could never have. He fiddled with his fingers. His palms were sweaty with nervousness.

“And let’s match our outfits too.”

“Even that?”

“Of course. You’re my friend. You deserve the best treatment, got it?”

Wilhelm laughed heartily at Scarlett’s way of thinking. Scarlett studied his face for a moment and snapped her fingers.

“How about dark green? It’ll go well with your brown hair.”

“Do whatever you want. I don’t care about that. But can I borrow some books while I’m here?”

“Of course. The library’s at the end of the hall. Take whatever you want. I never read them anyway.”

“Thanks.”

Wilhelm left to find the library like it was his own home. Scarlett lounged on the sofa, watching him fumble around through the door, and laughed softly.

“Not that way, the other side! Ugh, fine. I’ll just show you.”

In the end, she got up to guide him. Noah felt the blood drain from his head.

It scared him how comfortable Scarlett was with Wilhelm. It terrified him.

No matter how hard he tried, he could never have that kind of relationship with her. Scarlett was always tense around him. He understood why, but it still hurt.

His fists shook. His arms trembled. Heat rose to his head, and frustration welled up.

It wasn’t just his own misery—he was also resenting Scarlett.

“Oh my, the young lady isn’t here.”

Maid Marie brought in some snacks and tea. Noah spoke up.

“I’ll take them. Give them to me.”

He almost snatched the tray from Marie and hurried to the kitchen.

Scarlett didn’t drink coffee, so the coffee was obviously for Wilhelm. Without hesitation, Noah poured salt into the coffee cup.

He felt a little guilty for playing such a petty trick. But when he saw the two of them standing so close in the library, even that guilt vanished.

They looked like real siblings, or even best friends. Like lovers who matched perfectly.

“Theo, come join us too. Scarlett, stop making me laugh so much.”

“No. I’m going upstairs to rest. I’m tired.”

Above all, just watching the two of them together made it hard to breathe.

Noah’s face was dark as he left. What shone dully in his eyes was the misery of his situation.

Even after Noah left, Scarlett and Wilhelm continued talking.

“What are you planning to donate at the charity party?”

“I need to think about it more. I’ll talk with Susan first.”

Wilhelm nodded and lifted his coffee cup. Scarlett’s eyes narrowed.

She licked her lips and said,

“Hey, can I have just one sip of that coffee? Just a taste. Marie is so strict about banning forbidden foods.”

“Um… is it safe?”

“Just a taste. I’ve never had coffee before.”

“Well… okay. Just a sip.”

Wilhelm handed her the untouched coffee. Scarlett’s eyes twinkled mischievously. She smelled it, then took a sip.

“Blegh!”

“Scarlett! Are you okay?”

The coffee cup dropped to the floor. Scarlett covered her mouth.

Even if she’d never tasted coffee before, she knew it shouldn’t taste salty.

Scarlett immediately realized who had brought the drinks.

Finally, she understood Noah’s heart.

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