Don’t Concern Yourself With That Book

Soon, the completed medicine was now in Amor’s hand. Rusbella looked at me proudly. I couldn’t help but to smile as though I was gazing upon a puppy who was seeking my praise after catching the ball.

I wasn’t sure if this was because of the Power of the Lord or merely due to her charms but Rusbella was kind and lovely down to her core. An unsolicited act of kindness. I knew how difficult this was. After the chills I had experienced from back when no one could help me, I had become weak to kindness. I was aware of this weakness but I could not easily overcome it.

To be precise, I was nearly unable to overcome it. If I tried to, I knew I would no longer be myself. I could not bring myself to hate the female lead who had travelled all the way to a country that had just gone through an uprising to make nectar.

“I am uncertain whether I will get better after drinking this.”

After staring at the flask, Amor slowly raised his head. His eyes narrowed with a flutter. The tips of his eyes curled softly.

“But I appreciate your kindness, my lady. And I will never forget this.”

“No. It’s nothing.”

Rusbella shook her head.

“I’d like to drink this in front of Ashley.”

“Alright. You might feel pain for a moment but it’s part of the treatment.”

Amor nodded his head. That process… I should be the one who knew it best. I then glanced at Rusbella before waving her over. As soon as Rusbella approached, Amor reached out to her.

“Pardon me.”

With a soft apology, Amor brought his hand below her fingertips. He took a slight pause to take in a deep breath. A beam of green light shot out and wound itself around her fingers.

“I wish you all the best in your future endeavours.”

Though it looked like Amor was giving a blessing, it felt slightly different. Wasn’t a blessing supposed to be given with a kiss? Confused, I merely stood there blinking. Just then, Amor stretched his arm out towards me before winding it around my waist and pulling me closer. Through my vision that was turned upside down, I found myself trapped in his arms and looking up at him.

“Actually, a blessing begins with a kiss. But I’m afraid I am unable to provide that as I have a woman I have given my whole heart to.”

His laughter tickled my ears. Amor let out a low chuckle as he dug into my shoulders with his cheek.

“I would also like to apologise for being unable to address you by name as I would like to only utter the name of the woman I love for the rest of my life. My apologies for my shortcoming.”

Amor placed the flask down before continuing.

“Instead, could you tell me anything you would like in exchange?”

From what I knew about him, Amor was temperamental and arrogant to everyone other than Castor and Julian. I knew because I experienced it myself. So, the only explanation for his current friendliness would be due to the female lead’s powers. Rusbella’s innate powers were attracting him as well.

“I’ll provide you with anything that is in my power.”

He maintained his gentle, friendly voice. That only left me more dazed.

“No, no. I wasn’t expecting anything in return.”

Rusbella flashed a defenceless smile. She then glanced at me before retreating a step back.

“I was curious. Who it would be.”

“Pardon?”

“Oh, nothing. I was just wondering what kind of person Ashley had fallen for would be. It’s a relief to see that she looks happy with you.”

Under the moonlight, her golden hair that fell beneath her shoulders fluttered. She brushed back the stray strands of her hair.

“Seeing the two of you reminded me of my own lover.”

“Really?”

“Well, to be honest, you did make me a little jealous.”

Rusbella tilted his head before smiling playfully and packing everything. After packing everything into her bag, she courageously asked.

“Where do I stay? It’s alright if I end up in the staff quarters. Even if you had prepared something, I would have refused. I have become used to being alone since I was a child.”

“You’re like Ashley.”

Upon hearing his murmur, Rusbella gave a slight shy smile as if she was belated by that knowledge. She gave a gasp of awe.

“I’m glad to hear that we are similar in that regard.”

As if the light in the room was choosing to fall only on her, she looked beautiful.

“It is too late into the night to welcome a guest. Nights in the Empire are long.”

Amor soon directed her to a place where she could wait. Greenish-blue balls of energy gathered at the end of his fingers. Gold was swirling in Amor’s eyes that looked like river rapids before he withdrew his hands.

Thud!

Below the space where his hand used to be appeared a translucent fox. It was as white as snow and its size was between that of an arctic fox and a desert fox. It was, in other words, petite. With a tilt of Amor’s head, the fox walked towards Rusbella with its ears drooping before stopping at her feet. Rusbella let out a gasp of admiration.

“This fox will show you to a vacant room.”

“Thank you.”

Fascinated, Rusbella poked the fox curiously before hugging the fox that was dazed in shock. It then sprung out of her arms before disappearing through a crack in the door. It shortly returned before swaying its tail. As though it was asking her to follow behind. However, instead of chasing after the fox, Rusbella turned towards me. She pivoted her body towards me before squeezing my hand.

“Ashley. You know. Just a while ago.”

She flashed me a bright smile as I stood there blankly. The beautiful woman who was smiling without a care in the world looked absolutely lethal. What I expected never occurred. Instead, positive things I could not have imagined took their place.

If this was the ability of the female lead. If this was a joy and happiness only the female lead could provide. I could feel myself being influenced by her beautiful smile as I mimicked hers.

“Yes.”

If this was a magic that only the female lead could produce, I could not possibly win.

After Rusbella left, there was silence for a while. No, it was more like Amor was waiting for me to speak up. I was someone who could sense this sort of thing easily. But instead of uttering the words I had prepared, I fidgeted in place.

“Hm, you must have had it tough. I’ll head down first.”

But I was soon caught in his embrace and returned to his arms. With his firm arms wrapped around my waist, I hesitated a little before slowly raising his head. My gaze remained on his chin before I whispered.

“… Please let me go.”

“… If that’s what you want.”

Just then, I was given a clear view of the room before being lifted up and placed on the bed against the hard wall behind me. Amor came between me and the bed frame, almost as if to block my escape. He took a pause to catch a short breath. With what sounded like a groan, I raised my head before stopping halfway.

“Hurry take your medicine. I heard there’s a time limit.”

“I know. An hour.”

He spat out with displeasure huskily.

“Why won’t you look me in the eye?”

I couldn’t see myself in the mirror but I must have looked unsettled. I could feel him getting closer.

“Something must be up.”

The ends of my skirt crept up my skin. After watching me who remained silent for a while, he let out a huge sigh. As soon as I tried to raise my head at his sigh of frustration, his hand gripped my skirt.

“Don’t tell me you changed your mind? Dane Lowell. Have you fallen in love with that man?”

“Amor?”

“Still, you can’t. I can’t let you go anymore. You’ve caught me… You let me call me by your name, haven’t you?”

I could feel his breath right in front of me. His face was right in front of mine.

“Even if you want to, you can’t.”

I was left dazed. But I was quickly left frozen with the weight that fell upon my shoulders.”

“… I know. I know I’m being selfish.”

“Hold on. Amor!”

“I… I can’t live without you.”

This was just a misunderstanding. I wanted to hurry and resolve this misunderstanding but my lips wouldn’t open. No, it was because my heart was shuddering.

“Even if you don’t like me. I still want to remain by your side.”

Amor gently raised his head. His eyes were turning glassy. He placed his hand on his head before lowering it and letting his sky-blue hair flutter down.

I had no idea how he had been doing while I was away nor did I know whether he was currently purposefully seducing me. Why was it that the wild cat I saw the first time I met him was now nowhere to be seen? All I saw were his eyes drooping to the ends of his mouth. At the expression as refreshing as dawn, I squeezed my eyes tightly before opening them again. It felt strange.

His gaze lowered slowly.

Whenever his lower lashes fluttered like the wings of a butterfly, my heart ached a little. I wondered why his vulnerable and pitiable expression was tormenting me at this very moment. I lowered my head to look away from the pale shoulders that were exposing themselves before looking up. Was this how grooms feel when undressing their brides on their first night?

“Don’t abandon me.”

“… I’ve been trying to say, Amor, you seem to be misunderstanding something.”

As soon as I looked into his eyes, I let out the breath I was holding. Staring at the man as pure as morning dew, I lost the words I was about to say. Like flowers blooming along a cliff face, he lowered his eyes.

“If you’d like, you can have whoever you want on your side… Just don’t abandon me.”

He blinked slowly. I couldn’t breathe. I hesitated between placing a spoon atop this prepared table spread and helping this vulnerable and pitiable man resolve his misunderstanding. I did not hesitate for long.

“Amor, look at me. Why would I abandon you?”

Eventually, I managed to pull the leash on my reason before clasping his cheeks. His tear-filled eyes turned to face me and I found myself grasping at the leash once again. My heart throbbed within my chest.

“How could I abandon you?”

There was no way I could. No, Amor couldn’t have known. I had thought about crossing some lines since some time ago as I considered how I felt about introducing him to Rusbella.

“From the moment I called your name.”

I slowly positioned my lips above his.

“My heart was already yours.”

I had been extremely distracted by his looks all this while but I just noticed how his cheeks were now burning like a ball of flames. I touched his forehead with my hand.

“I tried to remain nonchalant.”

“… You were.”

I placed my hand atop his head. His sky-coloured hair rustled beneath my fingertips. He grabbed the hand ruffling his hair before staring back at me.

“Then, why were you avoiding my gaze?”

T/N:

I don’t think I’m made for consistent uploads… but i’ll try?!!1!