Now You’re Obsessed - Chapter 32

“If only you had been a bit more daring from the start. Anyway, it’s fortunate that things worked out for you two.”

“R-really?”

Even in this situation, Ariel couldn’t help but ask. She had been worried about how the holy knights might react.

After all, Lionel was a renowned knight whose fame had spread far beyond the Holy Kingdom. The news of such a person resigning from the Holy Knight Order spread faster than expected. The Holy Knights might have been unsettled.

But Sophia just shrugged.

“For decades, the Holy Knights, priests, and saintesses of Robel have worked hard to reduce the number of monsters. The current concerns are half in exaggeration.”

“But….”

“Of course, I agree that Frenderick is an exceptional talent.”

Sophia took a bold sip of tea, as if she were drinking alcohol, and continued.

“It’s actually more unfortunate because of that.”

“Unfortunate?”

“It’s nothing significant.”

There were things Ariel couldn’t know, having remained an aspirant holy knight and subjugation team member for a long time without being fully accepted. For instance, the Holy Knight Order wasn’t as pious or clean-cut as outsiders thought.

And like any place where people lived, there was plenty of political maneuvering.

For those like Sophia, who came from commoner backgrounds, it was a distant issue, but for someone like Lionel from a high-ranking noble family, the power struggles were unimaginable. Lionel generally ignored such matters, dealing with them at his level.

However, even if Lionel himself wasn’t interested in his surroundings, the situations around him were far from quiet. Over the years, Sophia realized that Lionel was tired of all these situations, even if he didn’t show it. Not just the Holy Knights and the subjugation team, but also the issues within his family and the Holy Kingdom.

‘So, this is a happy ending not just for Miss Ariel, but for him as well.’

No matter what others said, that was an unchanging fact. As an elder by a few years, Sophia had no objections to her cherished junior finding a happy ending.

‘But there’s no need to bring up the past.’

Lionel’s intention, as he subtly sent her ominous glances from beside Ariel, was clear even without hearing it. His eyes were full of silent pressure not to say anything unnecessary that might worry Ariel.

Besides, this was a new beginning for the two of them. There was no need to add worries. So, Sophia answered with a friendly smile.

“If the fate of the Holy Knight Order depended on just one Holy Knight, Robel wouldn’t function as a nation.”

“Ah.”

“If the Holy Knight Order were swayed by one exceptional individual…”

“Yes, that would certainly be a problem.”

“Hmm.”

“A department that can’t function without one person is meaningless.”

Ariel quickly understood the point, perhaps due to her administrative knowledge. Sophia thought Lionel had found a good woman and laughed heartily again.

“So don’t worry too much, Lady Ariel Tenia.”

“……”

“After all, the Holy Kingdom is losing two good talents because they mistreated you and your family.”

“T-that’s…”

“Sophia is right.”

Lionel, who answered nonchalantly, picked up a cute cookie from the reception and held it to Ariel’s lips. It was her favorite almond cookie. Only then did Ariel recall that Lionel had always been attentive to her preferences.

When they had tea, he never forgot to bring her favorite cookies and tea. She even heard that he eventually started making those cookies himself.

There were other small things too. When he sent her letters, he used the perfume she liked the most. The birthday gifts he sent every year were always things she mentioned wanting.

‘And yet, I doubted him.’

A blush of an indescribable mix of embarrassment and pride appeared on Ariel’s cheeks. It was a blush born from the relief that her trust wasn’t misplaced and the pride that Lionel thought so much about her.

Lionel looked at that blush as if he wanted to bite into it immediately. Since crossing the line once, his gaze had become quite bold.

Seeing that, Sophia exaggeratedly laughed and continued.

“The Commander of the Holy Knight Order must be troubled. He probably planned to marry his daughter to one of the Frenderick sons and use that relationship to make him the next commander.”

“……”

As Ariel became slightly discouraged by those words, Lionel gently took her hand and kissed it.

“I had no interest at all.”

Lionel whispered, as if the very idea of being linked to Lady Rivella was distasteful, and squeezed her hand a bit tighter, bringing Ariel some relief.

But still, she worried if it was right to monopolize Lionel. After all, he had even decided to sever ties with his family for this marriage.

‘Though I decided to take responsibility… am I taking too much from Lionel?’

Lionel looked at her as if he could see right through her. Instead of saying anything more, he lovingly rubbed her small, fidgeting fingers. He then whispered softly.

“As long as you take responsibility for me, it doesn’t matter.”

“Responsibility…”

“You promised, Ariel.”

Sophia squinted her eyes and shook her head, then blessed them once more.

“Anyway… live well, both of you.”

“Thank you, Sophia.”

Ariel smiled brightly. The conversation with Sophia had significantly lightened the burden on her heart. All she had to do now was take full responsibility for Lionel. Lionel, too, smiled sweetly, his eyes curving as he kissed Ariel’s forehead.

“I’m glad you’re taking me with you, Ariel.”

“I’m happy to be with you too.”

So Ariel gratefully accepted Sophia’s words and decided to move on to the next step.

For instance, convincing her father, who still seemed upset with Lionel, just before they left.

“Father, are you still upset?”

Ariel asked Marquis Tenia, who stood at the very end of the guests. The Marquis groaned softly and glanced at Lionel.

In fact, it was a minor topic in the Holy Kingdom’s social circles that the Marquis of Tenia had opposed their marriage more vehemently than the Duke Frenderick. Of course, no parent could win against their child’s wishes, so the Marquis quickly conceded.

“As long as you’re satisfied, that’s all that matters, Ari.”

The Marquis sighed and grumbled.

“But when you were following him around, people talked behind your back, and he barely knew you…”

“That was all a misunderstanding.”

The Marquis seemed to still hold a grudge, but Ariel didn’t mind. After all, she knew Lionel truly liked her, and she had a duty to take responsibility for him.

“I’ll try harder.”

Just then, Lionel approached Ariel affectionately, naturally leaning against her and wrapping his arm around her waist. The Marquis frowned but didn’t stop him. His daughter’s happiness was evident on her face.

“And don’t worry about Veloto. We’ll settle in quickly and come back to get you.”

“Hmm.”

“I studied hard to become an administrator. I’ll succeed soon!”

“Alright, I trust you.”

The Marquis groaned once more, then patted Ariel’s shoulder. As he stepped back, he looked a mix of half-sorrowful and half-proud.

“The Marquis…”

“Father will be fine!”

Ariel answered cheerfully and smiled. After all, her father had supported her move to Veloto more than anyone.

“Goodbye!”

“Make sure to write to us!”

The end of the wedding road, filled with blessings from those close to Ariel and Lionel, led to a carriage bound for Veloto. It was a carriage sent by Caelo, who couldn’t attend the wedding, as a congratulatory gesture.

Ariel smiled awkwardly at it.

“He said he’d send it tomorrow…”

Originally, they planned to spend their wedding night here and leave leisurely, but with the carriage arriving early, they had to depart immediately. The schedule for when and where the carriage would stop before reaching Veloto was already set, so they couldn’t delay.

‘Of course, arriving in Veloto a few days early to rest and adjust isn’t bad either.’

But she wanted to enjoy their wedding night leisurely.

Just as she regretfully boarded the carriage, Lionel, who was waving goodbye to the guests, smiled.

Click.

“Huh?”

He locked the carriage door and drew all the curtains. The next moment, his warm body was close to hers.

“L-Lionel?”

“We need to consummate the marriage.”

“But…”

But it’s still daytime, and we’re in a carriage…

Such thoughts melted away under Lionel’s sweet gaze.

“I told you, being close to you makes me aroused.”

“That’s…”

“You promised to take responsibility.”

Soon, their lips met softly. Despite fanning her flushed cheeks, Ariel found herself giving in to Lionel’s words.

‘Right. I promised to take responsibility.’

So, it was okay to consummate the marriage a bit early. In fact, seeing Lionel’s eyes made her want it too.

‘Yes. What’s wrong with being a bit less leisurely!’

So, she boldly declared.

“Yes. I’ll take full responsibility. I’m your wife now!”

“You can’t take back those words.”

“Of course not!”

Seeing Ariel’s innocent smile, Lionel laughed deeply. Captivated by his rare smile, Ariel embraced him.

The start of their long, long honeymoon and wedding night was part of their happy ending.

It was two days later that Ariel fell ill before even reaching Veloto.