To the Man Destined to Kill Me - Chapter 48

Even though it was already dawn, Scarlett had not come back.

Of course, Noah knew that this place where they stayed together was only a villa to her. She had gone back to her real home, the one that was like her hometown, and it was likely she would rest there and return tomorrow.

However, it bothered Noah that Wilhelm was by Scarlett’s side. Noah knew that Scarlett was interested in him.

Whether it was romantic or just as a person, Noah hated the fact that she had special feelings for Wilhelm at all.

I can’t just stay like this.

Instead of waiting like a guard dog for his master to come home, it was better to go out and do what he had to do.

Because of Wilhelm, Noah’s heart had become clear. He was now ready to face February 14, 1203. He couldn’t delay it any longer. He wanted to stand proudly next to Scarlett.

Noah went to the parliament library. That place never closed, even on holidays. He searched the archives and found newspapers from 1203.

February 14.

Noah’s hand stopped as he searched. Even his breathing stopped. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly.

He knew what day it was. On that day over twenty years ago, three top mages from the Mage Union had killed Natalia’s last king, Joseph Prekov III. They did it to abolish the class system.

Because of this, there was a clash between the noble faction, led by Victor Lebedev, who wanted to keep the class system, and the Mage Union. That clash turned into a civil war, and as Natalia’s situation grew unstable, nearby countries were heavily affected too.

Famine, depression, civil wars, and even wars between countries followed.

“…Mother…”

Noah unfolded the newspaper and confirmed what he had feared. There was a photo attached to the article. His mother, Julia Ashford, was a mage.

Her real name was Maya Ivanov. She had been a top-class criminal who killed every living being inside the palace to break through the royal guards of Natalia.

“There was an explosion accident at the research lab, causing the mage laboratory to collapse. Luckily, it was a holiday and the lab was closed, so the damage was not serious. One casualty is presumed, a first-class mage named Maya Ivanov. She was… she was… the one who killed Joseph Prekov III…”

Noah gulped down a big breath. His hands, clutching the newspaper, were trembling hard. He could now understand why his mother had hidden her past. Hot tears flowed down his cheeks.

Everything became clear. From now on, he could only chase after Scarlett’s shadow forever. It was because he was so dirty and ugly that he could never dare to reach her.

Scarlett came to Iodes late in the afternoon and kept dozing off throughout the class. Even after pulling herself together, she couldn’t understand the lesson at all.

Across the diagonal from her, Noah was staring blankly at his book, lost in his own thoughts.

What’s wrong with him?

Scarlett yawned lightly and turned her eyes to find Wilhelm. Unlike her, he was listening carefully and taking furious notes.

“There will be midterms soon, as you all know,” the professor said.

Scarlett made a face like she was dying. She took notes as best as she could, but just thinking about studying made her chest tighten.

As soon as the class ended, she rushed to Noah.

“You’ll help me, right?”

“…Scarlett?”

Noah’s eyes wandered in the air before landing on Scarlett.

“Where’s your mind at? You’ll help me study, right?”

“I’m busy so it’s hard—”

“Carly. Stop bothering Theo.”

Noah’s eyebrows twitched. Carly. Wilhelm had called her that nickname. Something that Noah wasn’t allowed to do. If he didn’t help her, she would only get closer to Wilhelm.

“Of course. I’ll help you. Let’s study together every evening.”

“Good! Thanks. Bill, you’ll show me your notes later, right?”

“…Bill?”

Noah repeated the nickname Scarlett used for Wilhelm. Rage started to burn from deep inside him.

Scarlett grabbed Wilhelm’s arm and left. In Noah’s hand, his pencil snapped. He threw the broken pencil on the ground.

Noah jumped up and went to the hallway lockers. Since it was lunchtime, there was no one around. After looking around, he opened a random locker, took out a book, and stuffed it into Wilhelm’s locker without hesitation.

He had no second thoughts. At that moment, what ruled Noah Ashford was ugly, bitter jealousy.

Inside the carriage going back to the villa, Scarlett, unable to fight her tiredness, started dozing again. As she fell into a deeper sleep, she started to talk in her sleep again.

“Save me.”

“…”

“…Not Isaac…”

To Noah, there was only Scarlett. Yet she easily called Wilhelm by a nickname and laughed with him.

I wish you suffered more.

So just stay like this a little longer.

Scarlett was Noah’s first love. Everything he felt because of her was the first, and both love and jealousy burned like a fire, consuming everything inside him.

He helplessly let that fire burn. Noah didn’t have the strength to overcome the flames inside him. They were too strong for him to control.

“Save… me…”

What kind of dream are you having? Who is hurting you?

If only I could be invited into your dreams, I would use all my strength to protect you, like a hero saving a princess from a dragon. But… I can’t be your hero.

Noah’s eyes wandered around Scarlett’s frowning face. Then—

“Don’t kill me… Noah… please… only me…”

Noah’s hand began to tremble. He called out to her, stammering.

“S-Scar, Scarlett? Scarlett…”

“Noah… just kill me…”

What is she saying? His chest hurt.

I’m the evil dragon who hurts the princess…

“W-Wake up. Sca…rlett. Wake up…”

“…Aaaah!”

Scarlett screamed and woke up. Seeing Noah’s face right in front of her, she shrieked again and flailed wildly.

“Kyaaa! Kyaa!”

Her hand hit Noah hard. Noah showed his palm with a hurt face, almost crying.

“Calm down. Scarlett, it’s me. You’re safe. I’m sorry. Please calm down…”

“Huff. Huff. Huff.”

“You’re okay. You’re okay.”

“…Noah?”

“Yes, it’s me. Are you feeling better?”

“I had a nightmare.”

“I thought so, that’s why I woke you up.”

Don’t call me a nightmare. I don’t want to be your nightmare.

Noah bit the soft flesh inside his mouth hard.

“What kind of nightmare was it? Was it the one where you die again?”

“…”

“You always ask to be saved. Who is trying to kill you?”

Scarlett flinched. Noah noticed it right away.

Instead of answering, she drank some water and leaned against the carriage seat, staring out the window. Noah didn’t force her to answer. Scarlett calmed her pounding heart in silence. Noah, anxious, kept biting his lips.

Scarlett finally spoke when the villa came into view.

“He… hunts me.”

“Hunts you?”

“An intruder comes into the house and kills everyone. Then, he chases me as I run away.”

The carriage stopped. Scarlett hurried out without waiting for Noah.

It was a horrible dream. Watching Scarlett walk away, Noah felt like he was going to lose her forever. So he quickly jumped out and chased after her.

“Let’s go together.”

Scarlett realized that Noah’s footsteps behind her were just like in her dream. Her knees weakened.

“Scarlett!”

“I-I’m okay.”

Noah scooped her up into his arms. Scarlett flinched and struggled, but Noah only held her tighter. Feeling his trembling arms, she gave up and stayed quietly in his embrace.

As the villa got closer, Scarlett said,

“If I die, run far, far away.”

“You’re not going to die.”

“Run. Scott and Susan won’t leave you alone. They are very cruel and merciless.”

“I know. I can see that.”

“They will never forgive you. Maybe even Aaron won’t. So if I die, you have to run. Even though I don’t know if you’ll be able to.”

“…Don’t you hate me? Why are you saying this?”

Feel what it’s like to be hunted too.

Scarlett barely swallowed the resentment that reached her throat.

“I don’t want you to die. I can’t stand my brothers becoming criminals either. Enough. Let’s stop talking about this. Put me down now. We’re almost there.”

“I’ll carry you inside.”

“It’s fine.”

Scarlett slipped out of Noah’s arms and opened the villa door first. Hearing her footsteps, Maria ran out from inside. She looked very anxious.

“Miss. A guest is waiting for you.”

“A guest?”

“Yes. Please go see them quickly.”

“I’m tired. If they came without notice, tell them to wait.”

“Well… it’s young master Isaac.”

“Isaac?”

Scarlett’s face lit up right away. The gloom disappeared from her face, and her once-dull eyes sparkled beautifully.

“He’s in the drawing room.”

“You should have let him wait in my room, not the drawing room.”

Scarlett left Noah behind and hurried toward the drawing room. Noah could only watch her hurrying back sadly.

“Croissant!”

At Scarlett’s bright voice, Isaac came running noisily from inside.

“Auntie!”

“Croissant! What brings you here?”

Scarlett immediately hugged and lifted Isaac up in a spin.

For just a moment, lifting Isaac strained her body and her face twisted slightly in pain. Her chest ached sharply, and she gasped for breath, but Scarlett didn’t show it at all.

After fixing her expression, she covered Isaac’s face with kisses like she hadn’t seen him in a year, even though they had met yesterday. Only Noah, watching quietly, frowned.

“Auntie, you’re squeezing me too hard.”

“Did you come because you missed me? Did you tell your mom?”

“Yeah. But who’s that?”

Isaac pointed at Noah behind her. Scarlett’s heart dropped, and she hugged Isaac tightly as if to shield him.

Noah didn’t miss her reaction. But he didn’t show it either.

“Hi. You must be Isaac.”

“Hello.”

“You go upstairs.”

Scarlett ordered Noah coldly.

“Who are you? What’s your relationship with my auntie?”

“I’m Scarlett’s friend.”

“My auntie doesn’t have any friends.”

“Croissant!”

“But Auntie, you always said I’m your best friend.”

“I’m Theo Grisham. Nice to meet you, Isaac.”

When Noah came closer, Scarlett instinctively stepped back, holding Isaac tighter. Noah’s eyes narrowed slightly.

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