I Didn’t Save You To Get Proposed To - Chapter 21

Ixion was the first to break the silence.

 

“I apologize for interrupting your pleasant conversation.”

 

“Oh. It’s all right.” I shook my head.

 

“To be honest, the conversation ended very happily thanks to the Prince.”

 

Unconsciously, I smiled up at him and met the eyes that were looking down on me.

 

He smelled strangely bloody as he sat next to me. I noticed faint blood stains around his neck when I looked closely.

 

“—On my way, I met a monster.”

 

He coughed, aware of my gaze, as if embarrassed.

 

“A monster?”

 

“They’re monsters known as the Devil’s Children.”

 

“A-Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”

 

“I hunted down and killed half of the monsters in this country. It’s nothing.”

 

When I was standing next to Niel earlier, I didn’t feel any pressure.

 

A strange sensation provided by a person who is used to living and has a perfectly wide body.

 

“Oh, I’m sorry for the lateness, but congratulations on your victory. You won too quickly—”

 

“Thanks to you.”

 

“……That’s the way it is.”

 

Oh, I didn’t have anything to say. There was silence once more.

 

Maybe I’m the only one who feels awkward, but he appeared nervous as well.

 

He brought it up for the first time after a brief silence.

 

“Is the Marquis worthy? I thought you’d stay in the capital.”

 

“I’ll keep going because there’s something to do in the capital. I like the Marquis better. I feel more comfortable with the people.”

 

I said this while thinking about my escort, Dalton, and the other maids and servants.

 

With a somewhat subdued look, he came up with an unexpected name.

 

“Niel Evgeny was discharged early— and he appears to be much more at ease with you. He escorted you today, according to what I’ve heard.”

 

‘Niel?’

 

I slowly nodded.

 

“Yes, Niel was friendly from the start, so there was plenty to discuss—”

 

It was true that the strangeness of my body and the relationship of black magic had given me a lot to talk about.

 

“…Isn’t it instantly more comfortable?”

 

We were—of course, now intertwined with the common goal of determining what was going on in my body. We wouldn’t have even talked if it hadn’t been for that topic.

 

He wouldn’t be able to have a proper conversation, especially if Dalton had his eyes wide open, because they didn’t need to be close to each other.

 

As I said with nods, Ixion bit his lower lip for a moment.

 

‘Why do you look so angry? What does Niel have to do with anything?’

 

For a brief moment, there was silence, and he spoke slowly.

 

“I, uhm, I don’t talk much with women, so I don’t have much to talk about except war and things like that— I’m not good at this right now, but if I try, I will definitely be able to have a comfortable conversation soon.”

 

“So, we don’t have to talk, do we? The war is now over.”

 

“But you said you wanted to talk to Niel about a lot of things.”

 

“Well, it’s Niel. There are some topics I can only discuss with Niel… You don’t have to be concerned about it. The Prince isn’t Niel, right?”

 

I spoke softly, but Ixion’s face became darker and darker.

 

‘Do we have anything else to say? How come we’re talking about Niel?’

 

But what’s strange is that this seat can be uncomfortable, but I didn’t want to get out of it.

 

Ixion was a man I intended to help as soon as I came into this world.

 

A man who casually danced with me who didn’t even know the basic steps. A man who followed through on his promise to get me out of the Palace as soon as possible.

 

Still, I couldn’t sit like this for much longer.

 

I brought it up very carefully.

 

“Uhm, Prince.”

 

He was still staring at me. I couldn’t feel the cool night breeze at all.

 

“What brings you here?”

 

“I’m here to see you.”

 

“So, what is it about me?”

 

“There’s something I don’t understand; I’m here to clarify.”

 

I was reminded of my refusal to accept a marriage proposal.

 

To think about it, this was our last contact.

 

‘That’s right, this man never lets go of something that exceeds his wildest expectations.’

 

He came to my room in the Imperial Palace just as I was about to enter it to ask why I refused.

 

‘However, why? Like this?’

 

He asked me to marry him as a way of repaying me. He meant that I didn’t decide to marry because I thought it was too good to be true.

 

“Elsia, let me ask you again.”

 

“….Yes.”

 

His voice became even lower. Without any physical contact, his presence has taken hold.

 

“Tell me, why did you save me?”

 

I didn’t think I should lie in this situation.

 

Maybe this is the last time we’ll see each other.

 

I didn’t think I should say this because, as I said in the Imperial Palace, I simply thanked him for dancing.

 

So I gave an answer that was as close to the truth as I could.

 

“Because— because I used to like you.”

 

Three years ago, Elsia loved Ixion. No matter what happens, she wants to save him.

 

Ixion’s eyes were fixed on me. I couldn’t help but look at it as if I were entangled in a chain.

 

Given his lack of surprise, it appeared that he already knew this.

 

“As expected, I see.” He sighed and swept his black hair back.

 

“What? What are you talking about?”

 

“I don’t want you to believe that you aren’t good enough for me.”

 

‘Wait, what?’

 

His voice seemed to soften slightly.

 

‘Your expression appears to have softened since you mentioned Niel?’

 

“Regardless of how you’re adopted, you’re still from the Evgeny family, and I don’t think culture and things like that are very useful to me.”

 

I looked at him with a suspicious expression on his face, as if he had suddenly felt better.

 

“Of course, everyone will say that your birthplace is inappropriate for the position of the Prince’s wife, but you don’t have to enter the palace because I’m giving up my right to succeed to the throne and become Commander of the Knight.”

 

Uhm, this appeared to be the first time Ixion explained in such a soft tone.

 

It was almost like an interrogation at the Palace the other day.

 

“Of course, I understand how difficult it would be for you, but without you, I wouldn’t be breathing right now. I wasn’t interested in the right to succeed to the throne in the first place, but I’m feeling better now, so don’t think it’s a bother to me.”

 

But there appears to be something seriously wrong with the conversation point, so I shook my head immediately.

 

I had never considered the Prince’s wife, the Knight Commander.

 

“No, I don’t think so much.”

 

Ixion paused for a moment before asking directly.

 

“So, why did you turn down the marriage proposal?”

 

Again, I gave the most accurate response. There is no need to elaborate further because it is very simple.

 

“Because I no longer like you.”

 

‘Well, that’s the truth. Since I was possessed, I’ve had no reason to like him.’

 

He then abruptly stood up.

 

I looked up, surprised.

 

‘No, what’s the deal with the face?’

 

“….What?”

 

“I don’t like you any longer, Prince. That was a long time ago. So you don’t have to marry me.”

 

I couldn’t figure it out. He even forgot he’d danced with Elsia three years ago.

 

Besides, it’s pretty obvious in the marriage proposal. He proposes to repay the favor.

 

‘Why do you look so abandoned when I tell you that you don’t have to pay me back?’

 

No, when I looked closer, he appeared to be very angry.

 

In the society of social status, even the words “I don’t like you” seemed to have to be said indirectly.

 

I have no choice but to add carefully.

 

“But I truly wish you a healthy and happy life. I only have good memories of you, but I don’t like you anymore, so— I hope you do well in everything you do and meet a woman who is at least decent.”

 

Ixion continued to look down at me.

 

It looked like he’s choosing a lot of words.

 

I didn’t seem to be feeling good, but I figured it would be okay if I declined because many women like Ixion. But, in the end, what he said was simple.

 

“Excuse me first, Lady.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I think I’m going to make a mistake with you.”

 

He then left me alone and walked away.

 

I stared blankly at his back until I realized he hadn’t said the words ‘You’ve become unbelievably beautiful that I almost didn’t recognize you,’ which everyone who saw me again said.

 

*******

 

“Prince!”

 

Aiden quickly caught up to Ixion, who was walking in a depressed mood.

 

“I’ve heard the entire story.”

 

As a socialite, Aiden had already filled his head with gossip at an uninvited Southern banquet.

 

It was a long way from the south and the capital, and the rumors spread over time.

 

He began to explain step by step, having quickly gathered all the rumors.

 

“That’s how beautiful she is when she arrives at the Marquis. But, how can a person change in such a short time— Everyone was talking about black magic. I had no idea, but you recognized her at a glance, Prince.”

 

Aiden smiled at the thought of Elsia, who had transformed into someone he didn’t recognize.

 

It was difficult to find the old Elsia, with her soft silver hair, round red eyes, white and beautiful skin, a good body, and heavenly gesture.

 

“The soul of the Artise royal family is the cost of black magic. There is no longer a royal family left.”

 

“Yes, indeed. I, too, thought those were false rumors. Anyway, if the Marchioness was referring to such a drastic change in these circumstances— it would be unimaginable.”

 

Aiden sighed with a serious look.

 

“And Niel Evgeny— He was not attached to the Marquis for long, but after meeting Lady Elsia, he continued to stay at the Marquis. It’s also Niel who offered to escort her to the banquet.”

 

“……”

 

“In an instant, that jerk has a beautiful step sister, so it’s obvious that— Everyone can make a guess. Doesn’t Niel Evgeny have an immoral women’s side that defies our imagination?”

 

Ixion’s face was tense.

 

“It’s not as if there’s another man in the world.”

 

‘Did Aiden get it right?’

 

Anyway, she had liked him the other day and had saved him, so there was no reason not to listen to his advice.

 

“Well, it’s Niel. There are some topics I can only discuss with Niel… You don’t have to be concerned about it. The Prince isn’t Niel, right?”

 

His fist clenched tightly as he remembered the conversation that had been cut off.