Translator and Editor: Lea

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Chapter 38

April strolled alone in the garden where she thought she would walk only when Ian led her. She was circling the same spot several times. Even though the midday sun shone right over her head, she didn’t think about going inside.

“Lady April, it’s getting cold.”

Rudy – who had been looking out at the garden all this time – stepped out with a stole in his hand and a worried look on his face.

“Ah, thank you. It seems like I forgot about the cold for a moment.”“That is possible when you’re in deep thought.”

She felt the coldness ingrained in her body only when she wrapped the large stole around her.

Rudy silently stared at her, determined not to pry.

“Is Ian still in the office?”

Rudy shook his head in response. There was no reason for Ian to be there as he said he had finished all his urgent tasks beforehand.

“The Lady may find him in one of the places he has always been.”“I see.”

Rudy went inside a few minutes later. He knew she wanted to be alone, so he didn’t want to disturb her. Meanwhile, April continued on her stroll again.

‘Is it because of my situation that he asked for a marriage contract and not a marriage?’

Marriage and marriage contracts were two largely separate things. The former – meaningful and eternal, while the latter – temporary and to meet convenient means.

Perhaps, he only chose ‘marriage contract’ over an eternal bonding like ‘marriage’ to distinguish it.

‘What are you thinking, Ian?’

Taking one last stroll around, she looked up at the annex and decided to head inside.

As she turned the doorknob around and clicked the door open, she was unexpectedly faced with Ian himself standing there. He had an extra coat in his hand.

April was caught off guard, her eyes growing wide in surprise.

“Ah…….”“Ian.”

Ian looked at the stole wrapped around April and turned to the coat in his hand. The stole was slipping down her body as she froze solid, so Ian placed the coat on her shoulders.

Because it belonged to Ian, the coat was large for April. The hem almost reached down to her ankle, and it seemed like she was wearing another set of a stole.

“I’m late.”“Forgive me. I didn’t know if I could follow you, so I asked Rudy.”“You hesitated? Because I said I wanted to be alone?”

Ian nodded as she asked. His expression, mixed in the joy of seeing her and sorrow of worry, looked innocent and cute. It caused April to put down her burdensome feelings and smile.

“Thank you.”“You said you needed to get some air, but how long should it last? Isn’t it cold outside?”“It’s fine. Oh, I was headed to talk to you. I think we should wrap up the matter we didn’t finish earlier.”“Shall we go in, then?”“I want to walk a bit more. We were supposed to walk together.”

April clasped her hands together so the coat wouldn’t slip down. She liked the scent of Ian radiating off the fabric, too.

“I apologize that I left without listening. I was embarrassed to hear that from you.”“Wasn’t it what you thought earlier?”“It was, but then I gave up on that thought. Tell me, why do you want to do that?”“That was the only way you could carry the name of Reykis with you, especially when they ask.”“That’s why you chose to make the contract?”“Contracts don’t last forever.”

Ian dropped his head. April wondered if it was because it reminded him of the anecdote about his parents.

Being part of the Reykis family, he had to accept situations that even a sick person could not handle. That’s probably why Ian couldn’t ask for more.

“I’m afraid I’ll hurt you again… I almost lost my control once. I didn’t like that.”“Ian……”

Ian took hold of April’s hand. His grip was hot, but not tight. He was even trembling a little.

‘You’re scared.’

Ian was scared but always prepared himself to let her go if she ever wanted to leave. As a surge of pity came smashing down on her, April rushed to hug him.

“Can you not think about that? It has just begun.”“But, since you’ve already saved me……..”“What did you do for me? It would be too difficult for me to take a single step without you.”

April turned the tables on him. She desperately hoped he would get clarity.

“I will sign the contract if you want. But I don’t want it to be the end. Do you want it to end?”

She looked up and pleaded, cupping his cheeks within her hands – to prevent Ian from avoiding her gaze.

Ian shook his head.

“Will you listen to what I really wanted to say?”“Yes, Ian.”“If you allow it, I wish that our marriage shall not stop at a contract.”“I…….”“It means that I wish to be with you for the rest of my life, even after everything is over. Just like a man who fell in love with a woman.”

Silence followed as they just stared at each other.

April could decipher it from his face. That Ian must have thought of this as his greed, and how courageous he must’ve been to finally say it.

“So, please let me be with you, even after you’ve achieved your goal.”“Thank you. Thank you, Ian.”

A contract for a new beginning – and not for an ending – was finally signed. A contract that was based on the premise of feelings towards each other, without the mention of the disease.

“It’s getting late, so shall we go now? Since we’re going to spend some time together.”“Of course. But before that, let me get a proper outfit.”

Ian followed her eyes to the stole and coat she was enveloped in.

Ian chuckled, comparing her with a gift wrapped in double layers.

“Funny, isn’t it?”“Sorry.”

April waved him off when he hurriedly fixed his face. The next moment she knew, he was grabbing her hand and rushing her inside.

***

The place where the couple arrived late in the afternoon was by a quiet river near the Reykis annex.

The area belonged to an Eastern aristocratic family close to the mansion, and the calm riverside surrounded by forests and hills on both sides was perfect for scenic pleasure.

“It’s beautiful! I’ll never see this kind of place in the capital.”

She was amazed at the scenery that was hard to capture at a glance. It was cold, but the sun provided enough warmth to carry on.

Leaves crunched underneath her shoes as she walked, holding Ian’s hand.

“Now that I recall, I came here during my childhood.”“You must’ve been visiting this place often.”“I came here when my father passed away and I started living with my mother in a separate villa. I did visit with her, but mostly when alone. They allowed me to come in anytime I wanted.”“I see…… I think I understand why you came here often.”

A child Ian sitting beside the river for hours – the picture seemed to have drawn itself to April’s mind.

“What about you? Was there a place you escaped when you felt tired?”“I used to sit in the corner of my room rather than trying to find a place to hide. However, I seemed to have found it recently. The detached building of the house of Reykis improved me a lot.”“That’s why we always ran into each other. I have a feeling you will continue to go there.”“Yes. I’ve been thinking the same.”

April glanced to stare at the calm waves. The clear water of the river reflected her face when she peered down. Silver hair, purple eyes, and a face resembling Elise.

“Oh, Ian. Come to think of it, you have been working with Lady Fiora Rose, haven’t you?”“That’s right. She’s one of my clients. Does it bother you?”

April slowly nodded. She glared at him as he smiled at her playfully.

“It’s not like that!”“Aw, I was hoping it would be.”“Ha! Well then, you’re lying that you have nothing going on with her.”“Ah, please forgive me. I went too far with the joke. So why were you asking?”“I ran into her a few days earlier. In the market.”

She recalled the day when she encountered Miss Rose near the pharmacy. What on earth was her intention of muttering something about her, April had no idea.

“What happened?”“It unsettled me to see her in person. I wonder if she knew who I was. She’s the daughter of Count Rose after all.”“You’re worried if she is of bad interest?”“Yes, but I know I shouldn’t suspect her so soon.”“Understandable. First of all, let me assure you that she can never harm someone who is mine. If she breaks my weakness, I won’t stay still.”

His voice was cold, but she felt rather relieved.

She first thought that the fact Fiora made a business deal with Ian was to harm April. Of course, she only hoped that Fiora’s interests were nowhere negative in the first place.

“The sun is setting. Shall we go home now?”“Yes. I enjoyed this, Ian.”“Same here. For the first time. Because of you.”

The sky turned brilliant red as the sun glided down beyond the hills. The two returned to the mansion by the time darkness consumed the surroundings.

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