Now You’re Obsessed - Chapter 24

If I try hard enough, I can settle in Veloto. I was confident in focusing on one thing. Previously, it was Lionel; now, it was settling in Veloto.

‘I put out the urgent fire at home with the danger pay I received last time.’

Thanks to being attacked by monsters, she received several times the usual danger pay. If that was luck, it was luck. At least with that money and the money her father managed to gather, her family could hold out while she settled in Veloto.

“Still, thank you, Caelo. Thanks to you, I really gained confidence.”

Ariel smiled again. Although she had wasted her youth on an embarrassing dark history, she felt energized realizing that her future was still bright. Besides, hadn’t she done everything she wanted with her first love?

In any case, she could say she had no regrets now. Clinging to a man who would marry another woman was pathetic.

Caelo had a somewhat bitter smile as he looked at Ariel’s bright face.

“Yes. It’s a pity, but… I really like that aspect of you.”

Ariel thought Caelo wouldn’t be disappointed by her marriage falling through, but she agreed with his words for the time being. After all, he was a good person who had helped her in many ways.

“I also think you’re a really good person, Caelo.”

“…I like you even for the parts you don’t know about.”

Caelo said something incomprehensible. Ariel, with a puzzled expression, extended her hand to him. Somehow, it felt like they should conclude with a handshake.

“Ah.”

But what followed was a gentle hug. Caelo pulled her extended hand towards him and lightly embraced her. It was a hug filled with affectionate feelings, which could be seen as an extension of a handshake.

So Ariel also hugged him back and patted his back. Somehow, she felt a twinge at the tip of her nose.

“Thank you always, Caelo.”

Ariel suddenly became curious about the lady Caelo would meet as a partner in the future. Since he’s such a good man, he would surely meet a good person. When that time came, she would do her best to support them. She thought so as she sniffled.

“……!”

From somewhere, she felt a fierce energy. It was an energy she couldn’t ignore even if she tried. Caelo also seemed to have felt it, as he stiffened.

‘What?’

The romantic garden bathed in moonlight suddenly turned murderous. It felt like she was standing on a battlefield rather than a garden decorated for a ball.

‘What’s wrong?’

She turned her head to find the source of the sudden change in atmosphere with a sour feeling.

“…Lionel?”

A menacing aura was emanating from Lionel, who had just stepped out of the ballroom into the garden. Usually, he wore his holy knight uniform and epaulettes, but today he was dressed in a custom white tailcoat.

‘He looks great even in that…’

Lionel should be at the subjugation event, not the November Ball.

‘Hasn’t it been like that since he was sixteen?’

Ariel blinked in surprise at the unexpected situation. Lionel began striding towards them.

“Lionel? What brings you here…”

“Come here immediately, Ariel.”

Despite his words, Ariel’s feet didn’t move. Lionel was exuding an unusually cold atmosphere today.

His face, which usually resembled an angel or a divine statue, now looked like a statue of an avenging angel punishing the wicked. This made Ariel, who had harbored lewd thoughts about him, feel as if she would be struck by divine retribution and have her head split in half.

“Uh…”

As Ariel hesitated, Caelo stepped forward to shield her behind him. Seeing this, Lionel’s face grew even colder.

“What is this, Young Master Caelo?”

“What about you, Lionel? What are you trying to do to Ariel?”

“Ha.”

Lionel reacted as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Ariel was just as taken aback.

“Caelo, Lionel is…”

“He looks like he’s about to harm Ariel right now.”

“…Me, harm Ariel?”

Ariel thought Lionel’s face looked somewhat hurt hearing those words. Seeing his slightly frozen face, a strong sense of pity welled up inside her.

Even though she had decided to let go of her feelings for him, she couldn’t help but still care for him. Caelo continued to speak passionately.

“If that’s not the case, explain why you’re approaching with such an expression.”

“I…”

“Do you still want to torment Ariel? After all this time, after giving her false hope and tormenting her?”

At that moment, both Lionel and Ariel flinched. Ariel didn’t expect Caelo to bring up such a topic and sent him a fervent look.

‘I don’t want to discuss this here, Caelo!’

Even if Caelo was acting out of concern for her, she didn’t welcome her embarrassing past being brought up.

‘It’s all in the past.’

She wanted to bury it and move on. She had already decided to take her memories with Lionel as good ones.

‘Besides, if anyone sees this situation…’

Regardless of what exactly was happening, all three of them would become gossip fodder. After the romance novel incident, she wanted to avoid that.

In short, Caelo’s reaction was not helpful to her.

However, despite her pleading look, Caelo didn’t stop talking.

“You’re really selfish, Lionel.”

“……”

“I understand why Ariel wants to go to Veloto with me. Considering your current attitude.”

“What does that…”

Caelo’s tone grew colder, almost crossing the line of noble etiquette.

“You monopolized Ariel all that time, but you kept your distance, and now you don’t want her with another man?”

“Caelo, stop it.”

Caelo’s words were becoming more intense. The topic was becoming increasingly uncomfortable for Ariel.

“You’ve always treated Ariel like that, haven’t you? Annoying when she’s around, but slightly regretful when she’s not…”

“Caelo!”

“You treated her like a dog that should come when called but is annoying when it clings to you!”

Now, even Ariel couldn’t hide her uneasy expression. Caelo seemed unusually agitated today, and there was a sense of anxiety in his voice. That anxiety was likely why he was speaking this way.

Even so.

‘That’s too harsh.’

Compared to how Caelo usually tried to speak diplomatically, this was too much. It was hurtful not only to Lionel but also to Ariel.

Of course, it might have seemed that way to others. But Ariel knew better. Lionel had his own way of showing respect to her. Even if he was uncomfortable with her touching him, he didn’t stop her from approaching or staying near him.

That was his way of expressing his shyness, though it was her misconception. In any case, he didn’t treat her as badly as Caelo described.

He sent her gifts on happy occasions, visited her when she was sick, and always partnered with her for the November Ball. Despite being tired from subjugations, he always had tea with her and listened to her stories. When she was attacked by monsters, he even risked his body to protect her.

…In fact, it was her who made him more uncomfortable by burying her head in his groin without his consent.

Remembering that, Ariel’s ears burned. Bringing up such matters now felt shameful.

“…I didn’t mean that.”

There was something even stranger.

“……”

Lionel couldn’t properly respond to Caelo’s accusations. Usually, he would answer calmly and dignifiedly, no matter what others said.

That created a huge sense of dissonance within Ariel. This didn’t seem like the confident and mature Lionel who always expressed his opinions. Instead, he seemed hesitant and unsure. Realizing this, Ariel was shocked.

‘Not Lionel of all people?’

When she was attacked by monsters, he presented a way out and pushed her hard with obscene words, which didn’t seem like him, but at least then he had been strong and confident enough to present a practical solution and tease her.

This felt like a completely different kind of uncharacteristic behavior. Ariel found herself inadvertently witnessing a new side of him.

“……”

Meanwhile, the atmosphere around the three of them grew increasingly awkward. After a heavy silence, Ariel managed to speak.

“Please stop, Caelo.”

“Ariel, I’m not lying.”

“Even so…”

“So, please leave, Lionel Frenderick.”

Lionel’s face turned even paler at those words. Ariel felt a surge of pity.

“Lionel.”

As she, feeling weak-hearted, reached out to Lionel, Caelo wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Ariel hadn’t expected this.

“Caelo?”

Lionel’s fist clenched tightly.

“Didn’t you hear me say to leave?”

“…Remove your hand.”

“No. Listen carefully, Lionel. Ariel will go to Veloto with me. And we will get married there.”

That statement was the opposite of what they had discussed. She clearly said she wouldn’t marry.