Chapter 102

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ୨ৎ ໒꒱ ‧₊ ୧‿︵

Doing my best to avoid the attention of the crowd, I’d arranged to return to the ballroom separately from Estieren. The moment I stepped inside, I caught Vien’s gaze fixed squarely on me, and I flinched without thinking.

‘…What is that lunatic plotting now?’

As the corners of his mouth curled into that languid, knowing smile, a chill ran down my spine. For a moment, his face called to mind the Vien from a previous life, the one who once tried to poison me.

〈 Ardi, I can’t shake the feeling that you could leave my side at any moment. Even though you tell me you love me, I just can’t seem to believe it. 〉
〈 So, if I wish to be free from this constant anxiety, there’s only one way to ensure you remain by my side forever. 〉

Beneath that arid, brittle expression, an unmistakable glint of obsession flickered in his eyes.

In that moment, a wave of inexplicable dread threatened to swallow me whole, and before I knew it, I had taken a step back from him.

〈 By making this very moment your last. 〉

Before I could even grasp the meaning of his words, a hot surge of blood welled up in my throat. The instant I realized he had poisoned me, my body collapsed.

Even though I tried desperately to suppress the vivid memory that surfaced, I couldn’t hide the trembling in my hands. The way he looked at me now was eerily reminiscent of that day. It was the same look he’d worn when he rejoiced, certain he could finally keep me by his side forever.

Just then, Estieren, who entered the ballroom just after me, saw me standing frozen at the entrance and hurried over to my side.

“What’s the matter?”

Even the concern in his voice and the way his gaze met mine did nothing to quell the unease welling up inside me. My eyes drifted, almost on their own, to the spot where his favorability was displayed.

As he drew closer, his scent seemed to grow deeper, and the sound of his voice at my ear was oddly comforting, as if trying to soothe my trembling nerves. Nonetheless, the vivid memories of the past that were resurrected so sharply only deepened my unease, especially with his favorability still invisible.

With eyes trembling, I looked up at him.

Estieren Kaisian.

Could he truly save me from Vien? Or free me from this endless world where I remain trapped?  To believe I could reach an ending I’ve never once seen, not even with the system’s help, without any help at all now felt as distant and fleeting as grasping at clouds.

I found myself biting my lip, at a loss for what to do, when a familiar voice cut through Estieren’s words.

“Ar…”

“Ardi Aidelis.”

Heron!

Before I even registered what was happening, my body turned instinctively toward him.

I looked at Heron with genuine relief before my gaze was drawn to the number 32% hovering above his head. That insignificant number, uncertain when or how it might fall, now seemed more steadfast than anything else in the world.

‘The system forced me onto Estieren’s route, that must mean it wanted me to choose him.’

…Which was exactly why I needed to choose Heron instead.

The system had never once been on my side.

My fist clenched tightly at my side.

Heron, who had quietly drawn closer, seemed to notice the tension in my face and frowned slightly in concern. He glanced briefly at Estieren, standing at my side, before leaning in and asking me in a voice so soft only I could hear.

“What’s wrong?”

“I-It’s nothing.”

“Ardi Aidelis.”

“…It’s just, I’m a little tired. That’s all.”

Heron studied my awkward smile for a moment, suspicion flickering in his eyes, but soon straightened up and spoke.

“In that case, let’s head back to the Marquis’s estate.”

“Pardon?”

“We’ve shown our faces, so that counts as offering our congratulations. There’s no need to force yourself to stay if you’re feeling unwell.”

“B-But…”

When I hesitated, unable to simply fall in step behind him, Heron spoke firmly.

“As long as you are an Aidelis, you never have to stay somewhere you don’t wish to be.”

The truth was, I wanted nothing more than to go home, just as he said. Vien’s persistent gaze, which had been clinging to me for some time, Allen pretending not to listen while clearly eavesdropping, and Diel’s amused, knowing smile—all of it only dragged up memories I wished would stay buried.

“Then I’d like to leave… I want to go home, Brother.”

At my quietly spoken words, Heron gave a small nod. The moment I turned to follow him, Estieren reached out and caught his arm.

“May I have a word, Young Lord?”

Heron blinked, then glanced over to Juan, who had been quietly observing the situation.

“Would you escort my sister to the carriage?”

“Of course. You needn’t worry.”