Seijo ni Narunode Nidoume no Jinsei wa Katte ni Sasetemoraimasu ~Outaihi wa, Zensei de Watashi wo Futta Koibito Deshita~ - Chapter 71

Liz was in Keefa’s room.  Across the table, Keefa was intently gazing at her. She slightly moved forward in front of the steaming cup of tea, feeling restless. Endlessly restless.

“Well? What did you want to talk about?”

When asked with his serious expression, Liz felt like she’s in a dilemma. Of course, she was the one who approached him saying that she needed to talk to him.

Once the ceremony was over, she was called to the royal palace and received blessings from the king. Keefa was there at the side, which made her relieved in spite of her nervousness.

“Just as well, why don’t you show the saint around the palace?” At the king’s words, Liz was accompanied by Keefa as they left the audience room.

As they reached the hall where Keefa had confronted Duke Igner, she suddenly remembered the time where he confessed to her. It was of course just a performance in front of the duke, but afterward, he told her that it was his genuine feelings.

Fortunately, she became the next Holy saint, he didn’t need to abdicate the throne and rent an apartment in the capital. However, once she thought about it, she never told him how she felt. When he confessed, he was told that it was Cecil who’s the person who loves Eugene, not her.

‘That’s not good.’ she thought. Then, she suddenly told him that she needed to talk to him which led her to her situation now in Keefa’s room.  Alone, sitting on the sofa, facing each other.

“So, what did you want to talk about?” Keefa asked again. She was troubled since it’s hard to say in a serious face to face manner. She thought that she could naturally say it but no.

She thought hard and decided to give him a ring, which shows her confession and response. Back then, it was only a customary for men to give a woman a ring, now she heard from ladies-in-waiting that such tradition is getting rather loose. Among young people in the capital, it seems that the majority of both men and women exchange gifts with each other.

‘Okay. Let’s do that.’

She prepared herself, and the moment she opened her mouth to say something, Keefa suddenly stood up as if he had remembered something. “I’m sorry, but please wait a minute.”

He headed to the back of his bedroom. Liz just felt speechless. He came back holding a small box with a ribbon tied onto it. He smiled as he sat on the sofa and reached out the box to her. “I wanted to give this to you.”

“For me?” She was the one who’s supposed to give him a ring, it suddenly backfired on her. She still picked it up and unraveled the ribbon. Keefa was excitedly watching her.

“Pretty.” she unconsciously blurted out. Inside the box was a gold hair ornament. It was a small golden tree and its leaves were adorned with small red and green jewels. She remembered that back then, he promised to her that he will give her a hairpiece that is most suitable only for her. She felt so happy and warmth spread throughout her chest.

“Thank you. I’ll treasure it.” she said as she grasped the hairpiece on her hand. Keefa let out a bright smile.

This time it was her turn, she took a deep breath to prepare herself.

“I’ll be giving you a ring as well.” she finally blurted out, looking at him.

Keefa had a strange expression on his face, “You don’t have to worry about paying me back for this hair ornament.”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

“Then why?” He looked at her with an expression that she couldn’t understand.

“Well… It’s because I heard from the ladies-in-waiting that it’s popular in the capital…”

“What?”

How dull.

“That’s why…now, unlike 500 years ago.”

“Now?” he asked.

Liz couldn’t say it properly, but she had to be blunt. She felt like tearing her hair. She wasn’t this dull back then when she was with Eugene. She took a deep breath and quickly said, ”Now…I heard that both men and women give gifts to each other. Even women, to the man that she loves.”

After she relayed her point to him, Keefa only nodded, “I see.” Then he silently picked up the cup of tea.

‘Huh? I see?!’

What was this simple casual response? Is there something wrong? Liz was shocked as if she was frozen.

Keefa managed to repeat his words again, “I see.” Then he took a sip of tea. His eyes suddenly widened, “Eh?!”

‘Huh?’  Liz was also surprised, but she had to properly tell him. She properly faced him and said, “That’s what it is.”

“I see…” Keefa turned his head away, his face red. He became shy, seeing Liz, he could not calm down. She felt embarrassed, her cheeks started to heat up, she felt flustered and restless.

They were silent for a moment.

“Liz.” With determination, he called her. “May I touch your cheek?” he whispered.

Liz suddenly flushed red as she gazed at him.”—go ahead.” What kind of response should she even make? She doesn’t have any experience in this lifetime, although in their last life, they were in a relationship. Moreover, he used to be Eugene. That’s right. She should calm down.

When she raised her head to face him, right in front of her, was Keefa’s face. He was looking at her intently, with a serious look on his face. Only her.

Blood suddenly rushed up to her head.

No. It’s different. He’s different from Eugene. She doesn’t know this kind of person, she doesn’t have such experience.

Keefa slowly stretched his hand towards her. Her heartbeat was beating so fast. Her coronation has just finished, if her heart stops, she’d be the short-lived saintess. His trembling fingertips touched her cheek. His long fingers felt hot, or perhaps it was just her cheeks that were hot.

From just his touch, she could feel from the depths of her heart his affection as if his love was transmitted from his fingertips to her. Touching her as if she’s the only precious and unique thing in this world.

His other hand, rounded to her back, hugging her. He was trying to be as gentle as possible. At the same time, they are at a loss as to whether or not to release their intense feelings that couldn’t be suppressed. In Keefa’s arms, her heart was throbbing with happiness. He gently raised her chin and his face slowly got closer.

‘Huh?’ She wished she didn’t notice but she did. ‘This―’

As Liz looked at his face, Keefa himself soon realized something. His movement stopped almost touching at the tip of Liz’s nose.

“Liz?”

“…No, um”

“What?”

“…nothing.”

“I’m curious.”

Liz looked at Keefa. At a closer look, she can see how great his features are, he looked even more handsome. His eyes stared straight through her. She feels that she’ll very much unlikely to be able to escape.

“That, it seems as if you were Eugene…”

“What?”

“…the order.”

Back then in their last life, Eugene would gently caress her cheeks, stroking her hair, then bring her into his arms. Then, he slightly tilts her face up and they kiss. Back then, in their previous life it would lead to another step, but now is not the time to say such things.

The moment she said it, she regretted it. She shouldn’t have mentioned that.

Sure enough, Keefa held Liz’s shoulders and nodded his head. She couldn’t see his face, but his body was trembling, a few soft strands of his hair were tickling the tip of her nose. She could see the nape of his neck. His shoulders were quivering, but you can understand that he wasn’t laughing.

Regret. Intensely regrettable.

“Keefa. Uhm, I’m sorry—” Before she was able to fully apologize, Keefa slowly raised his head. He looked pitiful, his handsome face completely sunk.

“…I’m sorry I don’t have a repertoire.” He looked depressed as if he’s at rock bottom.

She felt like she made a mistake.

“I’m so sorry—” Her eyes were downcast when she apologized, then she suddenly felt a strong grip on her shoulders which made her stop. She was surprised by the feeling. Before she knew it, one hand of his gently touched the back of her head and kissed her.

At the corner of her mind she thought blankly, ‘This is a new pattern.’

After a while their lips parted, and Keefa looked at Liz. He smiled gently, eyes filled with love. “I’ll give you a ring too.” he said. “A ring with a red stone, the same color as your eyes.”

His heartfelt words reminded her of their previous life. The ring hanging around her neck suddenly felt as if it were hot. The ring had a blue stone on it, a gift from Eugene to Cecil. Eugene’s love for Cecil was evident in it.

She clasped the ring on her chest and smiled, “—Un. Thank you.”

The ring with a red stone would be the ring symbolizing Keefa’s feelings for Liz. She’ll very much cherish it all her life. Then, she will give him a ring with a dark brown stone in it. She gave him a heartfelt smile.

Remembering the memory of people who were important in their previous life, including the people in this life.

That made her very happy.

This is the last chapter of the main story. There’ll be 3 more extra chapters.

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