Now You’re Obsessed - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

‘Ah, damn.’

She thought she had picked the wrong day, but it was too late to turn back now. She had a small resentment towards the Duke and Duchess for not inviting her to such a banquet, and a stubbornness towards Lionel, who hadn’t come to see her again, forcing her to come like this.

Ariel surveyed her surroundings from the shadows cast by the chandelier’s light in the hall. Meanwhile, people around her chatted merrily.

“This expedition was easy thanks to Lady Rivella.”

“I heard she’s going to be officially recognized as a saintess this time…”

“Can she still marry even if she becomes a saintess?”

“Yes. She’s not a priestess, after all.”

“Then the rumors must be true.”

Ariel keenly observed her surroundings amidst the buzzing conversations. Lionel was nowhere to be seen. He might have gone to his room early due to fatigue. It was then.

“…Ariel?”

The one who recognized her first was Rayon. Ariel met his gaze and almost hiccupped. Normally, she wouldn’t have reacted this way, but coming here with ulterior motives towards Lionel made her feel a prick of conscience seeing his older brother.

“What brings you here… No, you should be here, of course. Come on in.”

Rayon, who would normally just greet Ariel and move on, seemed oddly hesitant today. Ariel was a bit surprised, thinking he was somehow watching her.

‘No way.’

There was no reason for Rayon to be wary of her. If anything, she should be the one wary of Rayon if she intended to try something with Lionel.

Soon, he made his way through the crowd and approached Ariel.

“Thanks for coming, Ariel.”

“Not at all. Where’s Lionel?”

“He’s resting for a bit.”

It couldn’t have been better timing. If Lionel had been attending the banquet, she would have had to figure out how to get him back to his room. Rayon paused as if to clear his throat and then answered.

“But today, the banquet is mainly for the Holy Knight Order. There might be some sensitive military discussions.”

“Oh, I see.”

Thinking about it, discussing such matters at a banquet didn’t make much sense, but Ariel, who was also mentally exhausted, didn’t think of it as an excuse. Rayon, looking somewhat anxious, blocked her view and continued.

“Why don’t you come back another time? I’ll see you out.”

Sensing she might be kicked out of the duke’s residence, Ariel snapped back to her senses. She quietly shook her head.

“That’s alright. I know the way well.”

“Um, it’s just… there are many guests today, so you might get lost.”

“Goodness, Rayon. How could I get lost in Duke Frenderick’s residence?”

Although she rarely went near the hunting dogs, finding the exit wouldn’t be a problem.

Rayon’s suggestion was quite odd. Feeling a strange vibe, Ariel narrowed her eyes. Behind Rayon, she thought she saw a glimpse of blonde hair shining in the distance.

“Oh. Lady Rivella is here.”

“Lady, welcome…”

People eagerly began greeting the blonde-haired lady.

“Let’s go, Ariel.”

Noticing the commotion, Rayon immediately started to lead Ariel out. Ariel quickly turned Rayon around and replied.

“It’s fine. You should greet your guest.”

“No, it’s alright…”

“I’ll be going. It was nice seeing you today, Rayon.”

“Wait…”

After evading Rayon and exiting the hall, Ariel quietly made her way into the interior of the duke’s residence. Passing the grazing area where the hunting dogs were kept, her legs trembled, but she reassured herself that it wasn’t scary compared to what she had to do today.

After walking for a while, Ariel finally reached the inner part of the residence, away from the hall.

“Lionel?”

Standing in the garden, she looked up at the second floor where Lionel’s room was and called out to him. The soft glow of candlelight leaking through the window indicated that he was indeed resting in his room, as Rayon had said.

“Lionel!”

She called out quietly, but there was no response. Just in case, she picked up some small pebbles and gently tossed them at the window, but there was still no answer.

‘Is he sleeping?’

It made sense. Returning from a grueling subjugation only to attend a large banquet would be exhausting. Ariel checked for any servants nearby and, seeing none, stepped inside the residence.

Getting to his room wasn’t difficult. Ariel had frequented Lionel’s room so much as a child. Although she hadn’t been able to do so after attending the Holy Academy…

‘Stop thinking about it.’

By the time she stood in front of Lionel’s door, her gloves were soaked with sweat. She paused for a moment, then knocked softly and whispered.

“Lionel. It’s me, Ariel.”

“……”

“I’m coming in.”

Creak.

The door hinges opened smoothly. Lionel’s familiar scent filled her nostrils. It was a refreshing scent she hadn’t smelled in a long time.

“Lionel.”

Only after lifting her gaze did Ariel realize why Lionel hadn’t responded. Lionel was lying on a single sofa in the corner of the room, eyes closed. His face was slightly flushed.

The candlelight on the bedside table flickered, highlighting his sharp jawline.

“……”

Lionel, with his eyes closed, was as beautiful as ever. The candlelight glistened on his long silver eyelashes. His short hair, like spun silver, shone under the moonlight, and his once delicate features had matured into a masculine beauty.

His strong neck and the slightly loosened cravat revealing his collarbone had a pale blue hue. Beneath it lay a body like a fortress. Even through his well-fitted uniform, his well-trained physique was evident. It was a scene reminiscent of a passage from a romance novel.

“Mm, hmm…”

Ariel swallowed involuntarily and, to hide it, cleared her throat as she approached Lionel. As she got closer, she smelled alcohol mixed with his scent. Realizing this, she understood why his cheeks were flushed.

‘He drank a lot…’

Lionel usually didn’t enjoy drinking. Today, for some reason, he had drunk quite a bit.

‘Was he not in a good mood?’

Ariel, feeling as if she were in a dream, reached out to the defenselessly sleeping Lionel. Everything felt surreal.

‘He’s really beautiful.’

Lionel looked especially beautiful today. As Ariel, with a dazed expression, reached for his loosened collar…

Whoosh!

“…Ah!”

“How dare you.”

In the blink of an eye, Ariel found herself pinned to the bed, her arm twisted behind her. A low, growling voice came from above.

“I clearly told you. I already have someone I’ve promised my future to…”

“Lionel?”

Even in her confusion, her twisted shoulder hurt. When Ariel responded in a bewildered voice, an awkward silence filled the air.

“…Ariel?”

“Yes. It’s me.”

“……”

The grip on her arm loosened. As soon as Lionel let go, Ariel slowly grabbed the sheets and stood up. Her wrist, which had been briefly held, bore red marks. She had never seen Lionel like this before.

‘Wow. Really…’

Such strength from that face.

Even as she rubbed her sore shoulder, the thought that flashed through Ariel’s mind was once again the romance novel. The male protagonist in the novel was both beautiful and incredibly strong. The things he did to the female protagonist with that strength…

Ariel involuntarily covered her cheeks and awkwardly stood up.

“Why are you here?”

Lionel, who seemed momentarily confused, asked in a bewildered voice. He still seemed quite drunk, his earlier sharpness replaced by a languid demeanor.

“Why, you ask. I am your…”

As she tried to say ‘fiancée’ as usual, the word caught in her throat, leaving Ariel flustered. Come to think of it, Lionel had just mentioned having someone he promised his future to.

‘Isn’t that me?’

Even as she thought that, the word got stuck again. The doubts that had been plaguing her all resurfaced, troubling her heart. As she hesitated, Lionel’s response came.

“Ah. Tea time.”

He seemed to recall the tea time they always had together when he returned. Ariel barely managed to nod.

“…Yes! So, that’s right. Tea time…”

“But there’s no tea.”

“That’s…”

“And no cookies either.”

“It’s fine…”

“You need those to have tea.”

Lionel was also rambling. He was clearly quite drunk.

“Haa.”

Looking around as if searching for a tray, he finally realized the situation and sighed deeply, sitting back on the sofa.

“…It’s not the right time for tea.”

“That’s right.”

A brief silence followed. When Lionel spoke again, his voice carried a hint of apology and a softened tone.

“It’s very late.”

“I know.”

“It’s inappropriate for an adult lady to be in an adult gentleman’s room at this hour.”

“When have we ever cared about that?”

Even as she said it, Ariel felt less confident than usual, which flustered her again.

‘Why do I keep doing this?’

Ariel lightly shook her head and stared at Lionel, who was sitting on the sofa. His firm chest peeked out from his loosened shirt.

“……”

Ariel continued to speak, trying to calm the goosebumps rising on the back of her neck.

“You must be very tired, Lionel.”

“…It’s nothing you need to worry about.”

“How can I not worry?”

Another silence followed. For the first time, Ariel felt awkward in the silence with Lionel. She had never felt uncomfortable with him, even when their conversations lapsed. It had never been difficult before.