DSFL | Chapter 34

 { Chapter 34 }

Ricardo’s words didn’t make much sense. But I didn’t even know where to start correcting him. So instead, I decided to be bold.

“You see? I’m not avoiding you right now. So please, call off the engagement.”

“….”

See? He can’t argue back. He really has no logic.

Ricardo looked at me with a sad expression—almost like he was hurt.

Why does it look like he’s the one being dumped?

“…Fine. I won’t avoid you anymore. Is that good enough?”

“After the breakup… are you going to get engaged to that man right away?”

That answer had nothing to do with my question.

‘That man? Is he talking about Leon?’

Just what kind of story has Ricardo made up in his head about me and Leon?

It’s like he’s played out the whole thing in his head all by himself.

Then Ricardo closed his eyes tightly and slowly opened them again.

“…That man doesn’t seem like a very good person.”

“Um, Leon is like a brother to me. If you’re going to badmouth him, I’d appreciate it if you stopped.”

Ricardo frowned at my words.

“You said love should be built on trust.”

“…What?”

“You once said that no one wants to be rescued from trouble by their lover.”

He laughed bitterly as he continued.

“Were all those words just lies?”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Please stop making up stories on your own.

Then Ricardo looked at me as if to say, “You really don’t know?”

“I’m talking about the Hurigon Mine. Didn’t you hand it over to that man?”

Oh… right.

I did give the Hurigon Mine to Leon and told him not to take the Seren Mine.

“At this rate, you’ll hand over your liver and heart too.”

“Please stop being sarcastic. Either way, you got the Hurigon Mine instead of the Seren one. Isn’t that a good deal for you?”

“How is that—!”

Ricardo snapped but quickly lowered his voice, realizing how loud he’d gotten.

“Anyway… please don’t do that again.”

Wow, look who’s giving advice.

Sub male lead, worry about yourself first.

Then Ricardo suddenly glanced behind me. A chill ran down my spine.

“W-what is it? Are they still following us?”

He looked hesitant for a moment.

Why is he acting like this? It’s scary!

“You can tell me. Be honest. Are they still chasing us?”

“…Yes.”

Then we shouldn’t be standing here chatting!

I quickly grabbed his hand.

“We just need to go somewhere with more people, right? Let’s go!”

Ricardo’s eyes widened—but soon, he smiled as if he was enjoying this and followed me.

“Sounds good.”

***

Ricardo and I are currently being chased.

That’s a fact.

But… why does Ricardo look like he’s having fun?

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m full.”

“Well, I’m hungry. And you’re too skinny. You should eat more.”

Why even ask if he’s just going to do what he wants anyway?

“Because of me your dress is ruined. Can I buy you a new one?”

“I’m fine. I’m rich.”

“It’s for my peace of mind. Please don’t worry about it.”

He offered to replace my bloody dress so kindly… but it somehow annoyed me.

And he did it all with a bright smile!

“…But is it okay for us to be playing around like this? Isn’t this a dangerous situation?”

“Can we check that place out too?”

Does he even hear what I’m saying?

While I was still anxious, Ricardo pulled me somewhere.

“Fortune teller…”

It turned out to be a fortune-telling roulette game.

A man who looked like a mad scientist explained it with a laugh.

“You spin the wheel to see if you’ll have good luck this year!”

Oh, this actually sounded fun.

The big wheel was divided into five sections.

It had pictures like a cactus and a four-leaf clover. The cactus probably meant bad luck.

“But… there’s no four-leaf clover?” I asked.

But no matter how hard I looked, I couldn’t find the four-leaf clover on the roulette. The old man awkwardly rubbed his nose.

“Take a closer look.”

“Here it is,” Ricardo said, pointing to a thick line. When I squinted at it, I finally saw a faint drawing hidden inside the line.

Wow, seriously? That’s so sneaky!

I glared at the old man, annoyed. He just shrugged.

“That’s why it’s called luck, miss.”

He nodded at me to spin the wheel. Feeling strangely nervous, I gave it a careful spin.

Clack clack clack…

 Then—click—it stopped.

“Oh,” Ricardo murmured.

The arrow stopped exactly in the middle of the cactus picture. 

Ricardo gave a short gasp, but quickly looked away when I gave him a sharp look.

“Aww, too bad! Just a bit more and you would’ve gotten the four-leaf clover!”

Not even close.

“But hey, a cactus is still cute!”

The old man laughed loudly and handed me a cactus stuffed toy.

Now it was Ricardo’s turn.

He stood there with a blank face, like he didn’t expect any luck at all.

Clack clack clack…

We both watched nervously as the roulette spun.

Then—click!—it stopped.

“Oooh!!” the old man shouted and slapped Ricardo on the back.

The arrow pointed directly at the four-leaf clover.

Wait, he actually got it?

“I never thought I’d see someone lucky while running this stall!”

“…So you do know how unfair this game is,” Ricardo muttered.

The man handed Ricardo a dusty four-leaf clover keychain.

“May luck follow you always! And the young lady, too.”

“You too, sir,” I said politely and walked away.

As we strolled down the street, I noticed Ricardo staring at my cactus toy.

“…What’s wrong?”

He suddenly looked excited, like something just clicked in his head.

“This cactus reminds me of you.”

“…What?”

“It looks sharp and prickly. Just like you.”

Then, realizing what he just said, Ricardo quickly held out the keychain.

“…Do you want to trade?”

“No thanks. I’m not shameless enough to steal someone else’s luck.”

He chuckled quietly at my response. I looked at him and asked carefully:

“By the way… when are you heading back?”

“What about you?” he asked.

“I plan to stay here for the night and leave tomorrow.”

The Roygin estate is several hours away. It’s better to rest than arrive at dawn.

Ricardo paused.

“…Alone?”

“Yes.”

I pulled out a map from my pocket.

“To be honest, the only reason I ran into you earlier was because I got lost trying to find the inn I reserved.”

“……”

“Well, I’m sure you’re busy, so I’ll go now. I had a fun time today.”

Right then, Ricardo took the map from my hands.

“…Why did you take that?”

“I also happen to need a place to stay tonight,” he said, tapping the map with his finger.

 “Let’s go together.”

***

It was the same path I had gotten lost on earlier, but with Ricardo by my side, we reached the inn easily.

 Guess I really am bad with directions.

While I was thinking that, Ricardo seemed shocked—but for a different reason.

“…You’re staying here?”

Honestly, I had the same thought.

“Haha… yeah.”

I gave a nervous laugh and clenched my fist.

Rayla, I swear…

The inn she reserved was unbelievably shabby. It looked like it could collapse any minute.

Still, it’s just for one night. I’ll survive.

“We’re fully booked,” the innkeeper lady told Ricardo bluntly.

“It’s the festival. No reservations means no rooms!”

“Isn’t there any room at any inn?”

“Nope. Even the ones outside the village are probably full.”

Then the innkeeper frowned, giving us both a confused look.

“Didn’t the young lady reserve a double room? You two can share. So what’s the problem?”

Ricardo and I looked at each other.

And right then…

 His blank face turned bright red.