Chapter 332

Chapter 332

“Dalia?”

“Ah!”

I exclaimed, startled by the touch on my shoulder. Kaichen, who looked even more surprised than me, quickly arched an eyebrow.

My heart skipped a beat. I was heavily distracted and lost in thought again. The scenery was unfamiliar. I had gotten out of the carriage and was walking along with Kaichen, lost in my thoughts.

Kaichen brushed my hair back. His face looked worried.

This is my fault. On such an important and anxiety-inducing day, I was more distracted than usual. I keep my head down, unable to make eye contact, and I hear a heavy sigh from above me.

I felt bad for making Kaichen worry when he already had a lot to think about. He’s got enough on his plate today, even without me.

I sighed. My mind and body were moving completely out of control.

Kaichen grabbed my wrist and pulled me to walk with him. His long legs stretched out before him as he walked, dragging me along. I had to walk fast to keep up with him.

I wanted to complain, but the sight of Kaichen’s broad back and his stature made me realize he was slightly angry.

The tip of my nose tingled as I looked at the red badge attached to his fluttering robe.

Oh, what am I doing?

The garden looked like something out of a movie. The plants were taller than a person. I felt like I was in a maze.

“Dalia, if you have something to say, say it.”

Kaichen, who had dragged me there, spoke fiercely as he tightened his grip on my wrist. His brow furrowed, and his lips set in a straight line, proving his anger.

I could tell by how he was squeezing my wrist, something he wouldn’t normally or couldn’t do. It hurt, but for some reason, it felt strangely reassuring right now.

“I, uh… I don’t really have anything to say.”

One of Kaichen’s eyebrows shot up as I blurted out the words. His intense eyes stared at me as if they could pierce through me.

My heart sank, until finally I raised a white flag. With just one look from Kaichen, I crumbled.

“Do it.”

It was a command.

Kaichen was a man who knew how to be affectionate with cold words that sounded like commands. So I guess what he wanted to say was: “If you’re worried about something today, I want you to tell me about it.”

Now that I think about it, that’s pretty… warm. This man is—

“Dalia.”

He said my name urgently. His voice was thick and low, and there was a hint of impatience in it that I recognized.

My tingling wrist still hurt. Slowly, I raised my head and found him staring at me, his eyes filled with worry and impatience.

“I’m scared.”

I blurted out the answer slowly, my mind racing with all sorts of thoughts. “So much that I thought I’d rather be trapped in Time Magic with you, Master.”

“…”

“Because then I wouldn’t have to lose you.”

“Dalia…”

“You would call my name every day.”

“…”

“Even if… has no future.”

I’m terrified of losing you that much.

I squeezed my heart. I feel hollow like there’s a hole in my chest.

At my words, Kaichen released his grip on my wrist. His fingertips trembled slightly at the red marks left behind.  It wasn’t painful; it only slightly tingled. He didn’t use enough force to hurt me. The marks were there because I have very fair skin.

“The truth is, I’m not a very nice person.,” I continued.

“…”

“I wouldn’t mind if everyone in Heulin died. It will be shocking, but you will be safe.”

“…”

“I don’t care as long as my people are okay. I’m a selfish person. You know it, Master. I’m a terrible  person who has done some very cruel things, even if they never happened.”

“…”

“But being good doesn’t make my sins go away. Oh, it makes me feel less guilty, but it doesn’t erase the sins I committed,” I looked at him solemnly.

“I feel like… the sins I committed are coming back to haunt me now.”

I pretended to be okay, to understand, but it was far from that. It wasn’t okay, and I didn’t understand.