‘Why do incidents always occur when intertwined with that name?’
A sigh came out of Min-ha’s mouth automatically. Yet, in her heart, she had a pure curiosity about Rupert Guinivis. How did Minase Persen like someone like him when she was already with Seth Persen?
‘Listening to the people in the Persen mansion, he didn’t seem like a particularly nice person either…’
So, was that why she was more attracted to someone like that? Since they had the same personality? Was that why she twisted things this much…? Even in the situation where she couldn’t let go of Seth Persen’s wealth, she was so attracted to him that she couldn’t bear it?
With that thought, Min-ha was curious about Rupert Guinivis, whom she had never met before.
Furthermore, the next question was raised.
Why didn’t Ella tell her about this backstory from the beginning, thinking that she knew it? Or, did she think it wasn’t an important story? Or… Did she really not know?
Questions and doubts kept getting twisted in her mind.
“…You always have that face whenever his name comes up.”
At that moment, Seth’s scornful voice was heard.
When she lifted her head, Min-ha was startled by the bitterness of emotion in his voice. Seth continued with a smile as bitter as that voice.
“That’s why I didn’t want to bring up the topic of him with my mouth. When you hear that name, I know you would make that face.”
“Ho, hold on. What kind of face did I make…?”
“Are you feeling betrayed by him for hiding something important to you? Or, is it that you’re reminded of a face you haven’t seen in a long time? What do you think about so deeply when you hear his name…? I now realize how foolish I am to think that you were thinking about me a little more right now…”
“No, it’s not like that!”
At Seth’s following words, Min-ha vehemently denied it.
She didn’t know what he was thinking, though he was absolutely wrong. There was no way she could think longingly of Rupert Guinivis, whom she didn’t even know, and feel betrayed by such a person.
Thinking that, she made eye contact with him firmly.
Seeing her like that, Seth raised an eyebrow.
After a moment of hesitation, Min-ha raised his hand and rubbed her ear. It was because she was a little embarrassed to say it in front of him. However, she couldn’t help but say it like this. It was better to be embarrassed for a moment than to keep hearing his bitter laugh and lamentable voice.
‘Of course, I don’t really know the reason why…’
In the end, she barely uttered the next words out.
“How many times do I have to say it’s not what you think it is?”
“Then, is my guess wrong?”
“Yes. You got it wrong. Why would I think about someone like that who makes me feel nauseous? Oh, that’s enough! You’re right, I thought about Rupert Guinivis, but… How should I say this? It’s just… ”
“Just…?”
“I just thought that there’s nothing good about getting entangled with that name. Accidents always happen, or something like that…”
The moment she barely revealed her feelings, the look of surprise was on his face instead of the low-sinking expression.
Meanwhile, Gawin, who overheard the conversation between Seth and Min-ha, observed for the right time to intervene, at that moment exclaimed, “Wow” and burst out laughing without realizing it.
Gawin shrugged his shoulders and came up to Seth’s side with a voice that couldn’t contain his laughter.
“…Keu, keek—It’s certainly true that, as the Madam said, there is nothing good being associated with that name. For now, Viscount Guinivis is in the same Imperial faction because of Duchess Blaine. Still, there’s no change in the fact that the Captain is neutral”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. For example, sleeping with an enemy? As for the power the Captain still has, you still haven’t chosen either the Empress or Duchess Blaine, though you’re trying to get them to your side instead of making them hostile. That’s the way things are. You’ll want to deal with him whenever the opportunity arises. So, Noah doesn’t have to be subjected any to harm, if possible.”
At that, Min-ha was able to clearly understand the questions and vague situations that had not been resolved with words so far. The reason they had to go was because she was involved with him and Noah. And, the current situation he is in.
When it happened, she was terrified in a different way than she had been a while ago.
She was only concerned about not being able to respond flexibly in a vaguely unfamiliar environment until a while ago, though now, she was worried about Seth and Noah, who might be threatened by the enemy from just the slightest mistake.
Min-ha asked, gazing at Seth with a worried face.
“Then… shouldn’t you reject whatever excuse they make? If it is blasphemy to not attend without a valid reason, can’t we just create a convincing reason on the contrary?”
“No matter what reason we come up with, they wouldn’t be convinced.”
“But, would it mean that he would do something if you don’t attend the party? Still, that doesn’t mean you’ll join him.”
“Unless there is an opportunity, they can’t do anything that could threaten me or Noah’s health. Would they arbitrarily raise a public expense in the mansion of the Marquis where there are guards patrolling? No one would want to waste their lives like that. However…”
“..But, what?”
“I was just worried that you might take this opportunity to meet him.”
After those words, Seth stared at Min-ha with a deep emotion that was difficult to define clearly.
At the gaze that seemed a little angry, worried, or afraid, Min-ha could feel her heart, which had been calm until a moment ago, pounding again. Even though she could barely hold it down, with just a glance from him, her heart throbbed like a boat in the waves.
So, when she couldn’t say anything, Seth smiled briefly and turned away as if he knew it.
“Well, even if you wanted to meet him, I wouldn’t let you meet him so easily.”
“Wh, who’s going to meet him? I’m not interested in meeting Rupert if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“…What?”
“I’m not interested. I’m… a person who cares more about eating and living right now.”
“I see… Right.”
As if to hide her inner feelings, Min-ha grunted and turned around, but Seth replied and smiled.
At that moment, she could feel her composure shaking when she had been trying to return Seth’s friendly smile, since the night she had spent in the secret garden that day.
‘Ah really. Why does my heart keep pounding like a sailboat that has met with a storm whenever I see him these days…?’
Thinking to herself, Min-ha raised her hands and wrapped them around her slightly burning cheeks.
“Hey, you two. Did you forget that I’m here? The atmosphere was as though there are only the two of you here.”
It was Gawin who broke the awkward but somehow sweet atmosphere between the two of them.
Hearing his voice, Min-ha widened the distance with Seth, who had gotten a little closer. Seeing that, Gawin said with a smirk as if he was familiar with it.
“Actually, I would like to give you some room now, although I’m in a bit of a hurry to reply to this letter. You know, I have to prepare a gift to send to Loengram Castle, and I have to select the knights to accompany the three.”
“I know.”
Even though it was urgent, his tone was extremely relaxed.
When Min-ha looked at him quietly, Gawin came up to her before bending his waist down playfully.
“Therefore, Madam. The story was unintentionally long, though in the end, you are part of this journey. Well, I look forward to your kind cooperation.”
“…Oh no. Me, too.”
“I will tell Mrs. Pompa, so starting today, for the time being, take a break from cleaning the East Annex. And, pack your bags with Mrs. Wanda. It seems like we have a lot more to prepare than we thought.”
“…Yes. Okay.”
“My heart is reassured by your kind and spirited answer, Madam.”
Gawin smiled and carefully took Min-ha’s hand before bringing it to his face. However, instead of putting his lips on the back of her hand like last time, he raised his head and said, putting his forehead slightly on top of it.
“Will the Captain forgive me for this much?”
“Yes…?”
“Oh, I’m just talking to myself. Then, Madam, please head to the annex. I’ll go to the Captain’s office first. Please forgive the rudeness of turning my back before the lady.”
“Haha. You’re welcome.”
“Well then, Master. I’ll go first.”
As he showed courtesy before leaving, Min-ha looked at Gawin’s back leaving the library at the same pace as when he entered.
After a while, the door closed and only her and Seth were left in the library.
“….”
“….”
Slowly, she glanced back to Seth, who had come closer to her. As their eyes met, he eventually opened his mouth carefully.
“I’ll have to go on with the words I couldn’t finish because of Gawin.”
“Yes?”
“…My heart was pounding. Is it true? Rupert Guinivis, are you saying you’re not interested in him?”
At his frighteningly serious question, Min-ha couldn’t run away any longer. Nevertheless, it was also difficult to answer honestly and out loud, so she responded by nodding her head instead of her words.
Then, seeing Min-ha nodding her head, Seth laughed out loud and opened his mouth as he stroked her hair softly.
“For now, I’ll be satisfied with just that answer.”
“What does that mean…”
“It doesn’t mean anything. I just want you to stop avoiding me from now on and look at me right now.”
“What?”
“That way, I think I will be able to convey my feelings to you more honestly as I am now.
Saying that, he held her long, slightly loose hair in his hand and kissed it softly. He then whispered in a friendly voice to Min-ha’s ear, whose face was slightly warmed by surprise.
“So, why don’t you stop avoiding me and have dinner with me and Noah tonight?”
“…Okay.”
“Then, I’ll send someone to the annex in the evening.”
Seth smiled contentedly at her answer as if satisfied before turning around. He opened the library door and left.
In the empty library where Seth had disappeared, Min-ha went to an empty chair nearby with a slightly heated face and a blank expression on her face.
“Sigh…”
After the long conversation was over and she was finally left alone, her head, which had been dazed for a while, began to fill with all kinds of complicated thoughts and worries.
Fear of falling into this world and going to a place other than Persen Castle for the first time, a little bit of excitement, and the events and strangers she would face on that trip…
‘Will I be able to do it as well as I am now even in the face of all these things…?’
Pondering over it, her head ached from complicated thoughts and worries that could not be freely shared with anyone. Nonetheless, it was her heart that hurts her head the most right now, to the extent that even such thoughts become trivial.
Min-ha quietly placed both hands on her left chest.
Right now, even though she only talked to him from time to time since she was living in the annex further away, her heart was pounding inexplicably like this. In the future, if Seth Persen, her and Noah traveled far away… Will she really be all right then…?
Sitting alone in the library for a long time, with such worries, she tried to cool down her burning cheeks over and over again.