Cannot Escape the Devil - Chapter 20.2

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It has already been a month since Asaya came to Kabelheider mansion. In less than a month, the perfect adaptation to this comfortable and luxurious life was reflected in the mirror. Instead of Asaya Lubedoa, who wore dirt and dirty scent on her body, trembling with anxiety, and watching her surroundings, this Asaya Lubedoa changed into new clothes, combed her hair, and applied good perfumed oil to her face. She was in a very strange mood. Her reflection in the mirror felt unfamiliar.

‘’Why do you care so much?’’

Asaya was fully aware that she was being treated very special in this place. She was also realizing that their treatment was becoming more luxurious and meticulous. Her physical condition was not very serious. She just needed some rest, but  the people here were paying too much attention, and she felt like she was at the center of it. Did the people really think she is special? The foolish expectation kept rising.

[Asaya. You are just a substitute for Menefrida. Do you think it will be forever? No, there is definitely someone who will replace your place.]

Again, Reibene’s unpleasant voice scattered her mind. And Asaya thought about the name she didn’t care about.

‘’It’s Menefrida. Isn’t it the name of the person who used to be the Duke’s personal priest?”

Substitution. The word made her heart ache. Expectations and hopes that rose for a while were shattered and scattered.

“Menefrida, you must have been so good to him, too, haven’t you?”

“The Duke is good to me because I am his full time priest. What useless thought did I have? I shouldn’t act as if I am special just because people around here treat me as such.”

Useless anticipation will only return later as a painful reminder. Asaya repressed her emotions with reason and drew a line again. She reminded herself not to give special meaning to Edwin’s actions, and do not view him as special. Never forget that this was a mutually beneficial business relationship. It was time for her  to cut out the useless feelings and refine her mind. Realizing that the time was up, Asaya got up and headed to Edwin’s bedroom.

The sound of water was heard in the room. As soon as she realized that Edwin was in the same room, Asaya began to get nervous. It had been a while since she saw Edwin. She didn’t know how to look at him or what to say. Should she apologize for not fulfilling her duty first? What would he say? Was his body okay in the first place? All sorts of miscellaneous thoughts wandered in her head.

It wasn’t long before the bathroom’s door opened.  Asaya made eye contact with Edwin coming out as he brushed his head with a towel. His sturdy upper body was clearly revealed because the gown was not properly closed. Asaya, who became embarrassed for no reason, coughed away and dropped her gaze. Edwin, looking at Asaya indifferently, slowly opened his mouth.

“Why are you here?”

“Yes?”

Asaya was puzzled by his question. Every day at 10 o’clock, she had to come to Edwin’s bedroom to sleep next to him. It was a natural routine here. What should she even say to the obvious?

“I heard that you just woke up today, so go and take a rest. Rest in your room for a few more days.”

“….I’m okay.”

Asaya checked Edwin’s condition. His jawline was much sharper than before. The beautiful face was full of heavy fatigue, as if he had suffered a lot the last few days. The dark circles under his eyes were noticeably darkened. It was a color similar to when she first met him. Lucia said he hadn’t slept properly the last three days.

“You don’t look okay at all. Stop being stubborn and go back to rest. Take a few days off.”

“I’m really okay. I ate my meal today and slept well for 3 days, so I feel refreshed. There is no problem at all.”

“I don’t know why you refuse to rest. Do you want to make me a vicious employer who makes sick people work?”

“It’s not like that, I’m worried about you…”

Edwin sat in a chair with his gown on. Then he picked up the teacup on the table.

“Who is worried about who when you look like you are about to fall anytime soon.”

“You are sick, too.”

“It’s not a big deal for me to overwork for only 3 days. Before I met you, I was in this state every day for two years, but I didn’t die. So don’t worry and go back.”

“You don’t look okay. I’m sorry.”

Edwin looked up as he savored tea at Asaya’s apology.

“What? What are you sorry for?”

“It’s my duty to take care of your body, but I didn’t perform my duty properly.”

Edwin looked at Asaya with a frown. He looked very annoyed.

“Do I appear to be such an inflexible person? I have no intention of blaming you for that. No one here can hold you accountable just because you take a little more rest. I don’t know why you should apologize to me for that. Rather, I owe you.”

Edwin sighed as he looked at Asaya’s white face. Watching her droopy look was annoying. Even though it wasn’t something to be annoyed about. It’s been a while since it’s been so difficult to control his emotions. No, wasn’t it something that can’t be counted in his lifetime? He always looked at everything reasonably. In his view of thought, it was divided into whether the affairs of the world were rational or irrational, and even though it was concluded that this was a behavior that has no problem at all, emotions were not controlled. Asaya’s attitude was frustrating, but it was also frustrating that Asaya was involved in this matter in the first place.

“Did you know how I feel when I found you being attacked by a devil there? Why did you do such a reckless thing? Why do you make me in debt for doing something I didn’t even tell you to do, and why do you apologize to me for that subject? Even after doing something that you deserve to be praised? But I don’t know why it’s annoying again.”

As saying so Edwin wondered why did he keep judging all this irrationally?

“You were so afraid of death that you’ve reached out your hand to me, but then you jumped into a near-death situation. If you just ran away, no one would have blamed you.”

“I lived outside the wall, making a thorough distinction between situations where I had to run and situations where I should not. Most of the time I ran away. But that day, I was in a situation where I was not supposed to run away. Not far away, there was my family’s residence, and furthermore, there was a grand residence where you and I were staying. But I admit that I was careless. I worried about the Duke. Because I couldn’t control my condition myself, and left you for 3 days.”

Asaya quietly approached Edwin and grabbed his robe.

“I heard you couldn’t sleep properly.”

“So?”

“I’m here. Please let us sleep together.”

Directly injecting power may be overwhelming the body. But it would be okay to be close together. At least, the subtle power that leaks out could heal his  insomnia or his sensitive body. Edwin stared at Asaya’s little white hand holding his robe, then he looked at Asaya’s calm face and curled up his mouth.

“You make very dangerous remarks. Do you know because of you, my feelings are all mixed up these days. I can’t control them properly.”

Edwin gently wrapped Asaya’s wrist. Then dragged her and headed straight to bed. It was only a gentle pull, but her whole body was swung up and the soft bed touched her back. Edwin said, looking down at Asaya, with his eyes wide open.

“Are you sure you’re gonna be okay?”