Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 84

84.

“Well, it seems like you two have a lot to talk about. This uninvited guest will take his leave now.”

“Ah, I suppose you’re right.”

“Oh my, it seems we were being quite insensitive! Hehe, you two have a good talk!”

“Y-you guys, what are you thinking! W-what talk! There’s nothing to talk about! Nothing!”

Irill screamed in a panic as the group tried to leave the room. However, the situation wasn’t in her favor. Especially, Herold didn’t seem to have any intention of helping her.

“I do, Irill.”

“……!”

“It’s better to just let them leave. I might be okay, but you’ll be quite embarrassed.”

‘Was Herold always the type to talk like that?’ I was used to seeing him get scolded and flare up, so his serious side felt unfamiliar. The others seemed to feel the same, whistling softly. This would only make Irill, the person facing this situation, even more flustered. Uncharacteristically, she hesitated, unable to move until we left the room.

Soon, only the two of them were left in the room. And we all scattered… I wish that’s what happened, but it didn’t. The mischievous ones cracked the door open slightly and began to spy on the room. Like people experienced in battle, they hid their presence very skillfully.

“I-is this okay? What if they find out…….”

“Shh! I’m telling you, it’s fine. Now that it’s come to this, it’s only polite to watch until the end to see how it turns out.”

‘…I don’t think the people inside feel that way…’

But neither Herold nor Irill seemed to notice our presence. They were probably too nervous to pay attention to their surroundings.

For a while, no sound came from the room. Herold had a thoughtful expression, while Irill was anxiously biting her lip, watching him. A precarious tension hung in the air between them. Then, Herold suddenly raised his head, breaking the silence.

“Ugh! Now that it’s come to this, let’s just date, Irill.”

True to his simple nature, Herold went straight for the direct approach. A bewildered expression appeared on Irill’s face.

“W-what? Are you crazy?”

“So what? It’s not like we have lovers. It’s not strange for young, single men and women to meet.”

“Even so, how can you say something like that so openly…!”

“Then how should I say it? Don’t overthink it, just accept it. Honestly, who else but me would look at a witch like you? In a world where it’s hard enough to save your own life, how often do you find a mercenary diving in front of monsters for a woman? You’ve struck gold.”

“D-don’t be ridiculous!”

Irill shouted with an unpleasant expression. Frankly, even I thought it was a pretty lame proposal (no, wouldn’t it be closer to picking a fight?), so there was no way she would happily accept it. The conversation naturally turned into an argument between the two.

“What exactly do I lack?”

“Then what part of you do you think is perfect? Aren’t you dreaming too big? Or are you looking down on me? Do I look like a woman who would gratefully date you just because you saved my life?”

“Who said that? It just means my love is pure and unwavering. Can’t you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes! I can’t understand! Give me a reason why I should date you! Then I’ll at least think about it. What’s your motive? You’ve never shown any signs of it until now!”

Herold scratched his head irritably at her sharp retort. This wasn’t the atmosphere he wanted, and he seemed frustrated that things weren’t going as planned.

“Then what am I supposed to do? You hate me so much.”

“Huh?”

“Do you think I have no pride? I can’t just pour my heart out to someone who hates me. I just thought I should stay quiet if I wanted to be treated as a colleague.”

“Oh, really? Then why did your mind suddenly change? Did you suddenly become possessive when you thought you were going to die? Is that why you confessed now that you have the chance? If so, you’re a very selfish guy, Herold. If you had died like that, what would I have become? Are you telling me to live with guilt for the rest of my life!”

“Ugh! Fine! I wanted you to remember me like that. Why, is that not allowed?”

“W-what did you say?”

Unable to endure the쏟아지는 [pouring] accusations any longer, Herold shouted back. He glared at the flustered Irill, clenching his lips.

“You know I’m selfish now? I wanted you to acknowledge me, even if it was just for the years I’ve liked you. Is that such a big mistake? I can’t even confess my feelings when it’s the end? Actually, I worried a lot too. Whether it was okay to say it or not! But when I thought about you living happily with another guy in the future, I couldn’t stand it!”

“…….”

“But I’m alive, aren’t I? I’m alive, so I’m desperately trying not to miss this chance! Can’t you see that? A mercenary is a job where you’re constantly on the verge of death, is it so absurd to want to date the woman I love before that happens?”

“How can you say that now……!”

But Herold didn’t wait for Irill’s reply. He interrupted her and shouted again.

“You want me to give you a reason to date me? Is that what you say to someone who loves you? Irill, are you really going to be so cruel? Damn it, I’m crazy for loving a woman like you.”

“…….”

“Ha, you’re an amazing woman. You’re proud, you have a terrible personality, and you’re even violent. And that’s not all? You push away anyone who approaches you, but you only want people to cater to you. That’s why you can’t get a date.”

“……are you picking a fight with me right now?”

“But you know what’s even more frustrating? I can’t give up. It’s absurd, right? I know. I’m absurd right now. But I really can’t help it. It’s my heart, but I can’t control it. What kind of messed up thing is that? Don’t you think?”

Irill couldn’t say anything to his dumbfounded question. Herold didn’t expect an answer either, burying his face deeply in his arms. But that state didn’t last long. He raised his head again and calmly looked at the frozen Irill. Then, in a voice that was calmer than before, he said,

“You said you wanted a reason to date me. Okay, fine. Let’s do this. From now on, I’ll cater to you in everything.”

“What?”

“If you tell me to treat you like a queen, I’ll do it, and if you tell me to bow down, I’ll bow down. I’ll silently accept all your grumbling, irritability, and nagging. I’m really confident that I can do that one thing well. I’m probably the only man in the world who can fully handle you. Still not okay?”

“…….”

“This is your last chance. Think carefully, Irill. I’m not going to chase you again after this. Are you okay with me marrying another woman? Don’t regret it later, grab me while I’m begging.”

Herold held out one arm. He was sitting on the bed, looking pathetic covered in blankets, but his pose was as dignified as a general arriving at the Arc de Triomphe [a famous monument in Paris symbolizing military victories].

“Come here.”

“…….”

The surprising thing was Irill’s reaction. She, who seemed like she would never move, slowly began to approach Herold.

‘…Surely she’s not going to throw an uppercut at his solar plexus [the area in the abdomen below the sternum], is she?’

Just as I was watching with a nervous feeling, a miracle happened. As soon as she was within reach, she hugged Herold’s neck without hesitation!

I unconsciously stopped breathing at the completely unexpected event. The others seemed just as shocked, all frozen in place without a sound.

“It seems like… Irill also had feelings for Herold.”

“Hehehe, that’s what it looks like. Wow, this is crazy. I’m having a rare experience in many ways today. And Herold, that guy, is that what he calls a proposal? That looks like a contract for a witch’s servant. Anyway, that guy is embarrassing all men.”

“……amazing…….”

The last person to mutter was Sherry. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were sparkling intensely. As expected of a girl, she seemed to be more easily moved by scenes like this. Seizing the opportunity, Mighty jumped in without a clue.

“Sherry! I’ll confess! I’ve liked you for a long time too……!”

“No thanks?”

Of course, she wasn’t going to let him off so easily. Sherry ignored Mighty, who was swallowing tears, and looked straight at Huesen next to her. The meaning of her gaze was obvious. But her expectations were soon shattered. Huesen, with a troubled expression, immediately averted his eyes.

“…….”

“…….”

After a moment of wavering gazes, Sherry gave a bitter expression as if she knew it would happen. Then, she bit her lip and turned to walk away.

“Sh-Sherry! Wait up!”

Mighty hurriedly chased after her quickly disappearing figure. Even as the two of them completely disappeared, Huesen continued to keep his head down. Trowel sighed softly towards him and muttered.

“You’re not very honest either, Huesen.”

“I…….”

“You don’t need to explain to me. If that’s your justice, it’s none of my business.”

“…….”

Soon, Trowel also left first, leaving only me and Huesen in the empty hallway. I looked at Huesen, who was standing there with a troubled expression, with pity and said.

“Hey, Huesen. I don’t think it’s my place to say this, but maybe you should think a little more about what’s more important.”

“……what……?”

“Like Herold from earlier. He threw away his pride and interests in front of the person he likes. If I were in the other person’s shoes, I think I would be more moved by someone who prioritizes me over worrying about what others think. If you get caught up in trivial things and lose what’s most precious, wouldn’t that be unfair in its own way?”

“…….”

Huesen didn’t answer. But his face, lost in thought, showed room for improvement in a different direction than before. I quickly added.

“And you’re still young in your twenties, Huesen. If you’re going to make a decision, you should hurry up a little. If you get married after thirty, that’s when you’ll be called a thief [a playful Korean expression for someone who marries someone much younger].”

“……cough.”

Huesen will probably never overlook these words. It’s probably the most realistic problem he’s 고민하고 [agonizing] about right now.