CHAPTER 29
Why Did I Fall for You? Obviously Because of Your Face
After Ehilie’s tearful persuasion, they agreed to buy only ten outfits.
No, to be exact, twenty.
Ten for Rek.
Ten for Ehilie.
“I’m really fine, Rek, I already have plenty of clothes at home.”
“If we are speaking that way, I also have plenty of clothes at home.”
“No, you don’t have anything to wear right now.”
“If that is the reason, there is no need to buy as many as ten.”
“That’s because everything looks good on you, Rek…………”
“It is the same for me. I want to keep seeing you in these clothes, Ehilie, so I must buy them for you.”
Unable to win against Rek’s unwavering persuasion, Ehilie finally stepped back.
On their way home, carrying armfuls of shopping bags, Rek still looked faintly dissatisfied.
“Rek, cheer up. We can always come back to buy more next time.”
Next time, just the two of us again?
“Yes.”
“Very well.”
Ehilie felt as though she was beginning to understand how to handle him.
In truth, there was nothing complicated about it.
Rek was simply a man who would grant any wish she voiced.
A sudden curiosity stirred within her.
Though pushed back in the line of succession, Rek was still a noble with a respectable title.
And in terms of looks, physique, wealth, voice, and personality, there was not a single flaw to be found.
Why would a man like him fall for someone like me?
“Um, Rek… why do you like me?”
The moment the question left her lips, she regretted it.
They were not even officially together yet.
Was it not improper to ask something like that?
Just as she was about to ask him to forget what she had said, Rek answered gently with a soft smile.
Why had he fallen for her?
Of course, because of her face.
Because she was beautiful.
What more reason was needed?
But Redemberg Lu Edeltein did not give the obvious answer.
It was because of something Herond once told him long ago, words he had dismissed at the time as nonsense.
“Tsk, you fool! You can’t say it’s because of her face in that situation!”
“What?”
“Y-Your Highness! When did you arrive?”
“You look absentminded again. Reading one of those romance novels, I presume.”
“Ahaha, yes, Your Highness. Would you like to read it as well?”
“I have no interest in fabricated tales about love.”
At that time, Redemberg Lu Edeltein truly did not understand the emotion called love.
Could someone really value another more than their own life and offer everything they had because of a mere feeling?
“You simply haven’t experienced love yet, Your Highness!”
“What?”
“I-I mean… Your Highness! If one day you meet a woman you love, and she asks why you like her, never say it is because of her face.”
“Why? Is it wrong to say I was drawn to her appearance?”
“Of course! Appearance can change at any time. You must say you fell for something that does not change, like her personality.”
He had not understood that either.
Did not personality also change depending on circumstances?
“I see no reason to dress up words unnecessarily.”
“You will understand once you fall in love!”
“Stop talking nonsense and return to your duties.”
He had once believed he would never need to cater to someone’s feelings for the sake of affection.
He believed that would remain true forever.
“I fell for your kindness, Ehilie.”
Yet now, his mouth spoke entirely different words.
“You saved me when I was dying, and the way you comforted me was unbearably lovely.”
A rosy hue bloomed across Ehilie’s pale cheeks.
Like a peach ripening in the sun.
Ah.
So this was why.
If it meant seeing that expression, he could easily commit such madness.
“W-Wait a moment.”
Ehilie clutched her racing heart and took a deep breath.
For such a reason alone.
The affection brimming in his red eyes felt so intense that it was as though her heart might ignite.
Rek loves me for such a pure reason, and yet I…
She felt embarrassed that she herself had fallen for his face.
Of course, it was not only his face.
His gentleness and relentless affection had transformed simple fondness into something deeper.
When she rejected his confession and could not see him for a time, she realized her affection outweighed her doubts.
And now that affection had grown enough to bear the name love.
Perhaps it is time to step a little closer.
There was no longer any need to doubt him.
“Rek… there is something I want to tell you.”
Just as Ehilie gathered her courage to confess her feelings—
Boom!
A thunderous explosion echoed from afar.
What was that?
Black smoke began to rise in the distance.
It was in the direction of Ehilie’s house.
No… did something happen to my home?
Her face turned pale as she ran desperately.
Racing up the rugged slope, she arrived to find her small cottage engulfed in flames.
What is happening…?
Before the shattered outer wall stood Gabriel, covered in wounds.
Beside him lay four burly men sprawled on the ground.
Around them stood eight more men holding axes and blades.
A bald man who appeared to be their leader was speaking with a large, bearded man.
“Damn it, he took down four by himself? Isn’t he a monster?”
“That’s right, boss! That bastard’s insane. I almost got done in myself!”
“Shut up! Is that something to brag about? What are you holding those tools for?”
“Boss, I’m telling you, he grabbed my blade with his bare hands!”
“Stop spouting nonsense and find the girl!”
Ehilie froze.
They came for me.
She tried to step back quietly.
But her eyes met the bearded man’s.
He pointed at her and shouted.
“Boss! Found her! She’s over there!”
All eyes turned toward Ehilie.
I’m finished.
Several men rushed forward and surrounded her.
One blocked her path with an axe larger than her head.
Others with daggers flanked her sides.
There was no escape.
Keeping her expression steady, she spoke calmly.
“Who are you people, and what do you think you are doing?”
The bald man grinned, revealing yellowed teeth.
“Miss, we’re honest workers just handling a request. Don’t worry. Stay quiet and you won’t get hurt. The request was simply that you… ah, what was it again?”
“Boss, her place!”
“Right, her place. We were asked to educate you about knowing your place.”
Who could have made such a request?
A name flashed in her mind.
Cain. It must be him.
She had heard it countless times in that house.
“How dare you talk back to your brother? Know your place.”
Cain had always forced her into submission with violence and insults.
So now that he cannot handle me himself, he hires thugs?
It was absurd.
“And what exactly do you want from me?”
“Smart girl. Makes things easy. First, how about you kneel?”
Of course.
That coward Cain would never request anything grand.
At most, he wanted me kneeling and begging before him.
To go this far just to make his own sister kneel.
She almost laughed.
“You’re laughing?”
The bald man frowned.
“Miss, in case you haven’t noticed, your little house is burning down. If you don’t want to see it collapse into ashes, you’d better move quickly.”
They had likely been told not to harm her body.
It made sense.
A valuable product must not be damaged.
The Count Carnis Acrid and the Countess Dowager of Acrid had always said,
“At least that face of hers is decent.”
They had treated her as merchandise to be sold one day.
Cain, raised by them, was no different.
He would strike her without hesitation, but never her face.
So he pulled her hair or hit places that would not be seen.
Despicable.
Ehilie bit her lip.
She did not want to kneel as they demanded.
But she could not watch her house turn to ashes.
To others it was merely a small cottage.
To her, it was freedom.
It was the first place that allowed her to live without fear.
And now it held precious memories with those dear to her.
If it is to protect my home,
Even kneeling meant nothing.
Just as she lowered herself—
A firm hand supported her waist.
“Rek?”
In a calm voice utterly unfitting for the situation, Rek spoke.
“I have no desire to see your precious knees touch the ground for trash like this, Ehilie. Do not worry. I will handle this.”
