Chapter 72. Come and hold me like before
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Kayan continued to watch Ihedia's bedroom from the garden after that.
But he never came to visit her.
She never had a chance to talk to him after that day.
It was as if they were in different worlds, living in the same space but completely separate.
But it didn't feel like she was locked away and neglected.
Occasionally, he would send flowers, jewelry, or several books for her to read.
Each time, Sawana would tell her that all the rumors about Kayan were false and give her an envious glance.
"Today, Lord Kayan has sent some fabric that is fashionable among the noblewomen of the neighboring countries, and it is as soft to the touch as feathers, not to mention a luster so fine that it’s dazzling. I wonder where he got such a precious thing in all his busyness. That fearsome black wolf warrior is so good to you, Lady Ihedia. I would probably have to be reborn to be a lady to meet such a man."
Ihedia was still a bit dazed by all of this, but it was clear that Kayan cared a lot about her.
As Ihedia looked at the package of gifts Kayan had sent her, she was lost in thought when Sawana entered the room.
"I've prepared a meal for you. The newly hired hired made Laflon for you, Lady Ihedia, but I'm not sure if you'll like it."
"Laflon?"
"Yes. The chef is from the South, just like you, so if there's any other Southern food you'd like to try, whether it's laflon or something else, I’ll talk to the kitchen."
Laflon was a meat stew with unique spices and was a traditional dish in Elmir.
In Anut, it was an unknown dish but now she could eat it whenever she wanted.
It was a kind gesture from Kayan.
Ihedia asked Sawana.
"Where is Master Kayan now?"
"He's in his office."
"Tell him I'd like to join him for dinner."
Hearing that, Sawana's face brightened a bit.
While Sawana went to tell Kayan, Ihedia decided to go to the dining room first and wait for him.
He must still be very angry.
Maybe she'd be rejected, but at least they could have a face-to-face conversation.
Ihedia descended the stairs and entered the dining room in the center of the first floor.
Her eyes lingered over the ornately decorated dining room.
The table and chairs, the curtains, the chandelier, none of it felt like Anut.
They were all commonplace in Elmir’s aristocratic mansion.
It wasn't just the dining room.
Kayan's villa was straight out of Elmir’s royal palace.
The wood used to build the mansion, the decorations and furnishings inside, and the furniture must have taken a great deal of effort to bring in from the far south.
Furthermore, architecture was often subject to the weather, and Ihedia didn't feel cold anywhere in the mansion.
For a house so warm for such a low temperature, Sawana was right, it must have utilized an enormous amount of magic stones.
It was only now that she realized how much work he must have put into creating this mansion.
Just then, Kayan entered the dining room.
She hadn't seen him in a long time, and his features were a little sharper than before.
"You're here."
Kayan sat down across Ihedia wordlessly.
The coldness in his eyes suggested that his anger hadn't yet dissipated, but at least they were still on speaking terms.
"I heard the chef prepared Elmir’s food. I never thought I'd taste Laflon in Anut."
"..."
"Besides that, there are so many other things associated with the South in this villa, probably prepared for me by Master Kayan, and I'm enjoying luxuries unworthy of a slave."
Just then Sawana entered the dining room, carrying food.
A familiar aroma wafted to Ihedia's nostrils.
She set aside her thoughts for a moment and turned to Kayan, her lips quirked upward.
"I'm sure you've had this before, when you were an envoy to Elmir. You should try it."
Kayan was silent for a moment, watching Ihedia's smile, before he spoke.
"Have you now changed your mind to give up everything and settle here?"
"You've done so much for me, I just wanted to thank you directly. And..................."
"And?"
"And I also wanted to sit down and have a conversation with you, Master Kayan."
Ihedia took a sip of the water in front of her to shake off the nervousness and spoke again.
"I'm sure you could have found any woman you wanted. Why did it have to be me?"
"That's a question not worth answering."
Kayan glared at Ihedia and laughed coldly.
The very absurdity of Ihedia's question seemed to insult Kayan.
Somehow, she couldn't look him in the eye as she watched his devastated expression.
Keeping her gaze on the bowl of laflon, Ihedia asked.
"It is true that I too...............had special feelings for Kayan."
"...."
"At first, I misunderstood you with your harsh words, but in retrospect you’ve helped me more than anyone else, and the more I think about it, the harder it is to explain to my feelings for you."
Ihedia's clear voice rang in Kayan’s ears.
Kayan blinked slowly, focusing all his attention on her.
"But I don't want to be nothing more than a fleeting amusement. The Anut men ravage the slaves they loot, then casually dispose of them when their interest wanes and move on. I cannot afford to waste my time in this strange land vying for your affections with another woman."
For the first time, Ihedia opened up to Kayan.
Kayan frowned as if he was angry.
"That’s not true."
Kayan looked as if he couldn't understand her at all, but Ihedia paid him no mind and told him what she wanted to say.
"First and foremost, there is something I must do. But before I do, I want to ask Kayan something."
"..."
"Have you ever hidden anything from me before?"
Ihedia asked the question to gauge the sincerity of Kayan's feelings for her.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she hoped that Kayan would answer honestly, at least for this moment.
But Kayan was silent.
The air between them grew chilly as the silence lengthened.
Ihedia waited with baited breath for his answer, though she could feel his eyes wavering.
At this moment, she felt like she could trust his sincerity if he answered without hiding everything.
But in the end, he denied her hopes.
"Nothing."
It wasn't that she hadn't expected this answer, but she couldn't help but feel that she would never be able to close the distance between them after today.
"I see."
Ihedia smiled bitterly and picked up her spoon.
"Laflon is best eaten before it gets cold. Let’s eat."
Even with the delightful Elmir food in front of her, Ihedia couldn't fully enjoy it.
***
That night, Ihedia stared out the window, deep in thought as usual.
Ever since she had discovered the blessing of the sun, she had always kept the window open.
It was such a romantic luxury to be able to open the window, feel the cool breeze, and bask in the moonlight, even if it was only one month a year.
She let her gaze linger on the bright full moon for a long time, just like the night her trust in Kayan had been shattered.
He hadn't shown up in the garden today, perhaps their conversation in the dining room had disturbed his mood.
She was staring out into the desolate night with unfocused eyes.
Out of nowhere, a white bird flew in circles two stories above her cottage.
It looked like a pigeon at first glance, but its tail had a golden tinge.
When the bird spotted Ihedia, it flew closer.
The bird didn't avoid her, but instead flew closer.
Ihedia's curious gaze lingered on the bird as it fluttered through the air.
As if sensing her curiosity, the bird moved a little closer to her.
Then Ihedia noticed a small note tied to the bird's leg with a thread.
'Messenger bird....'
Apparently, the bird had been trained to communicate with people far away.
The bird perched lazily on Ihedia's window sill.
She untied the thread from its leg and took out the note.
Then the bird flew away, as if it had accomplished its mission.
What is it?
Ihedia opened the note and was stunned.
At the end of the note was Netira's name.
The message was addressed to Kayan.
[Kayan, I can't sleep at night thinking about you, so please stop being angry and come and hold me like before].
What was meant for Kayan was misdirected to her.
Ihedia's heartbeat began to quicken rapidly as she read the next words.
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