Chapter 10

A carriage has come to the entrance of the annex.

The carriage is unusually sturdy and grand, probably arranged by His Highness. I can see his lingering attachment and can't help but smile wryly.

Since that day, my sister and I have been living in the annex, while our father and mother remained in the main house.

Mother spends her mornings in the main house but often comes to the annex during the day out of worry for us.

Today, because it is Orvia's departure day, she has been here since morning.

"Orvia, you're really leaving..."

Mother, on the verge of tears, is gently nodded at by Orvia.

"Yes. I will go to the temple for training."

Recently, Orvia, and by extension the Adler family, formally declined Prince Gilbert's proposal.

The prince seemed reluctant, but since the king approved, he seemed to have given up, hoping that the king would deal with the matter behind the scenes.

Of course, as a consequence of the commotion, the family had to return some of their lands voluntarily. Orvia was sent to the temple for training. She won't be able to return for at least four years, and if she serves the gods diligently, she might even become a healer with good fortune.

And I, too, am about to leave this house soon.

"Four years without coming back..."

"I'll write you a letter every month."

"Yes, you must. If anything happens, I'll come to you, even if I have to come alone. Your father is no help at all."

Mother's voice became quieter as she glanced back, where her husband stood silently.

Father stood a little away, not speaking or moving, with a lost look on his face.

Since that day, when Sadias ate our father's attachment, he has been like this.

The father, having had his attachment eaten, could now calmly reflect on his behavior. He understood that he was disliked by his daughters, especially me, and that it was inevitable.

Mother, who had raised her hand in anger at her husband, seemed to have her own thoughts and was now somewhat cold towards him. As a result, she seemed to feel uncomfortable in gatherings of women.

At work, due to the recent commotion, he was being looked at with disapproval.

Having lost both of his daughters, whom he had been so attached to, a great void must have formed in his heart.

The driver informs us that the luggage has been loaded.

"Miss, thank you for everything."

"Orvia?"

"I've lived feeling sorry for myself. I was always in pain, always suffering, and I never knew how to enjoy life. But you never disliked me. You even took care of me when I insisted on going outside... and yet, I took it for granted..."

"That's not true. ...It's a bit embarrassing, but I can't say I never felt envious or resentful of you."

"Still, I like you, sister."

"Me too."

We teared up and embraced for the last time.

"Hey, sister. Strangely, I'm not afraid of going to the temple. It feels like my life is finally beginning. Actually, I've always been a bit fascinated by healers."

"You might become a great healer."

"Hehe. Please take care, sister. Give my regards to Lord Sadias."

With that, Orvia smiled and set off for a distant land.

---

Today, I am going to choose an engagement ring.

The carriage carrying us moves slowly through the city towards a famous jewelry store.

The wedding ring will be a family heirloom, so Sadias said he wants to choose the engagement ring together, one that I like.

Yes, I am engaged to Sadias.

After Orvia and the situation with my father settled down, when I asked him why he was being so kind, he blushed and proposed.

I had been saying things like "No way" and "I can't believe it" about Orvia and the prince, never thinking it would all come back to me.

"Will the prince chase after Orvia to the temple?"

A little worried, I asked, but Sadias laughed and said it wouldn't happen.

"If that were to happen, it would just be my turn to step in again."

"No! You haven't fully recovered from the last time!"

"Amarie is such a worrier."

After Sadias, the Duke of Gluttony, ate my father's attachment, he spent a whole day in bed.

He had a bad case of indigestion.

"The discomfort lingers, pressing on my stomach like a plate of fatty steak... That's how it felt after eating."

"Every time you eat my emotions, it feels different from that time."

"Of course, it's different. I only eat the emotions that come from your heart, not the heart itself."

"Is it different?"

"The heart is the soul itself. Emotions are like a mist that arises from it. Eating the heart means killing a part of that person, which has a strong effect on me. In a sense, I killed your father."

"But he's alive."

"Yes, but... still."

"He's alive, and we are all starting new lives. You don't have to pretend to be a villain."

"I'm not pretending to be a villain."

But I think this is part of his kindness and gentleness.

"Can I confess one more sin?"

"Go ahead."

"When I said you smell good..."

"How is that a sin?"

Sadias lowered his eyelashes and looked at his hands.

"What I found appealing was the loneliness and sadness you carried. After I realized that, every time I thought you smelled good, I felt self-loathing. Because I found the sadness of someone I liked to be delicious. That's the worst."

"That's not true."

"Ha... That's the kind of person I am."

Sadias sighed in a resigned tone and slumped back into the seat.

I tugged at his sleeve and smiled.

"If you're so worried, just stay by my side so I don't feel lonely. I can't give you all my emotions, but I can give you as many as I produce. Or do you only like the sad ones?"

"Of course not!"

Then that's good.

Sadias sat up abruptly and touched foreheads with me.

With a sincere look, he continued.

"Joy, sorrow, fear—any emotion from you is a feast for me. But I hope you can always smile and feel that life is worth living."

Our noses touched, and I could feel his breath on my lips.

"If only you could eat emotions too. Then I could show you how much I cherish you."

His slightly cool lips touched mine.

The kiss was brief, and he quickly pulled away.

My face turned bright red.

"Hehe."

His too beautiful face, smiling elegantly, was too much to look at, so I quickly moved away.

I looked out the window and fanned my face with my hands.

The carriage was approaching a square where major streets intersect.

Without much thought, I realized how bold we had been, even in a carriage, in the middle of the city.

No good. I'm even more embarrassed.

"Is there a festival or something?"

I pointed at the lively square, trying to change the atmosphere, but my voice cracked.

"It doesn't seem like a festival, but it looks fun."

A little girl was jumping around with a bag of candy her parents had bought for her.

If she jumps too much, the candy might fall out of the bag.

"Look, those candies look so cute and delicious..."

I pointed at the colorful, sugar-coated candies being sold at a stall and suddenly remembered.

A long time ago.

When I was a child.

When I went out with my father.

We passed a square where a small market was being held.

I was captivated by the lively and fun scene.

"Are you interested?"

Father asked in a low voice.

I probably shook my head silently, thinking I would be scolded for being improper.

But Father suddenly stopped the carriage and walked to the market himself.

He brought back some candy for me.

"It's a secret."

He patted my head. What kind of expression did he have then?

What kind of expression did I have?

"Amarie?"

"Huh?"

I must have been in a daze.

When I finally responded to his call, Sadias looked worried.

"Are you interested?"

"Eh? Yes, I am."

I answered without really understanding.

We were out together, and I was spacing out.

Feeling guilty, I watched as Sadias stopped the carriage.

"Wait a moment."

He got out of the carriage alone and quickly returned with the bag of candy I had pointed at.

"Here. They said it's best to eat it while it's warm. Isn't that interesting?"

I took the warm bag of candy.

It was indeed warm and smelled sweet.

In my memory, Father was smiling faintly.

He was looking at me with the gentle gaze he reserved for those he loved.

Emotions welled up, and tears overflowed.

"What's wrong?"

Sadias, taken aback by my sudden tears, fumbled for what to do.

I hadn't expected to remember this now.

I felt an overwhelming sense of regret.

The father who secretly bought me candy and the father who caused me pain were both my father.

I had harbored only resentment and forgotten about it for so long.

But I don't regret it.

It's just a little sad.

"I'm sorry, I'm just so happy."

Wiping away my tears and smiling, Sadias looked at me with a complex expression.

He must have known I was lying.

But he didn't say anything.

He knew I wasn't really sad.

Then, in the carriage, we very impolitely shared the candy.

Sadias, who still had a weak stomach, gave up after two bites, overwhelmed by the intense sweetness.

Thank you for reading to the end! It was fun to write a novel again after a long time.

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