[IFITAOAMV] Chapter 33 (Bonus)
Thank you to Aphodite for this chapter!
"Oh, I’m fine. I’m sorry, I didn’t see you," I said, bowing my head slightly. When I looked back up, I caught a glimpse of his green eyes, which seemed to tremble slightly beneath the partially lifted hood.
'Could he be someone who knows me? No, surely he isn’t here searching for Jueri, is he?' The thought made fear surge through me. I wanted to run, but my legs felt frozen, refusing to move.
At that moment, a warm hand wrapped around my shoulder.
"I told you to stay seated and wait for me," Edwin said in a gentle, reprimanding tone. Normally, such words would have made me tense, but instead, they brought a sense of relief. I leaned into him for comfort, and he immediately pulled me closer, holding me tightly.
"Who are you? Do you have business with my bride?" Edwin’s voice turned icy, the complete opposite of how he spoke to me.
"Bride... you say?" The man stammered, lowering his hood further as soon as he saw Edwin. He seemed taken aback.
"Yes, my bride," Edwin replied, his tone possessive as he tightened his hold on me. I noticed the man’s jaw clench beneath his hood.
"So don’t get any ideas. Unless you have a death wish." Edwin leaned in close, his voice laced with a deadly seriousness.
Then, still holding me, he swiftly walked away from the man. The stranger reached out belatedly, but he couldn’t touch me. I looked back over Edwin’s shoulder, seeing the man standing there, staring after us with a strangely forlorn expression.
"You couldn’t sit still and wait, could you? My bride seems to have no patience," Edwin said, chiding me as we walked.
"I... I was just returning the ball that rolled over, and then—"
"I know what happened."
"How?"
I couldn’t understand how he knew, especially since he seemed to have been focused on the cotton candy vendor and listening to Beryl’s report. I tilted my head in confusion, and Edwin playfully tapped my nose.
"My bride is so delicate that I can’t take my eyes off you. You really require a lot of attention," Edwin sighed, shaking his head in mock exasperation.
His words, treating me like a helpless child who couldn’t do anything on her own, made me pout without realising it. Noticing my expression, Edwin took the cotton candy from Beryl and handed it to me.
"Here, eat this. I had it made extra large just for you."
It was indeed bigger than the cotton candy I had seen other kids holding. I instinctively brought it to my lips but then paused, remembering Edwin. I held the cotton candy out to him.
"Aren’t you going to have some, Ed?"
"You’re the one who wanted it," he replied.
"Still, it doesn’t feel right to eat it alone..."
"See? You really do require a lot of attention," Edwin grumbled, tearing off a piece of the cotton candy. But instead of eating it himself, he popped it into my mouth.
Surprised, I widened my eyes, and he chuckled, wiping the corner of my mouth with his thumb.
"My bride should eat first, since you’re the one who wanted it. How is it? Does it taste good?"
I nodded, still a bit bewildered, which made Edwin smile even more as he finally took a bite for himself.
"Happy now? Go ahead and eat the rest. My bride’s taste in food is as childish as ever," he teased. I was slightly taken aback by his comment, but the cotton candy was too sweet and delicious to resist. Before I knew it, I had finished it all, leaving only the empty stick in my hand.
Seeing my expression, Edwin clicked his tongue and bought me another one. As I began to relax, it suddenly occurred to me that I couldn’t let the man I encountered at the fountain just walk away.
"Ed, could you find out who that man was earlier?" I asked.
"Why?" Edwin's brows furrowed sharply, clearly displeased.
"It’s just... his reaction seemed strange."
"Strange how?" he asked, his tone serious.
"I think he recognized me," I said.
"Recognized you?" Edwin's expression instantly became more severe.
"I’m not sure if he recognized me specifically or if he knew about Jueri," I added.
"Not someone you’ve seen before? No one familiar?" he asked.
I shook my head, and Edwin clicked his tongue softly before turning to Beryl.
"That man earlier—he’s not dead yet, right?"
"He noticed us and ran off immediately. He’s quick on his feet," Beryl responded.
"Tsk. Should I be relieved or not? Fine, capture him alive. Don’t kill him yet," Edwin ordered.
"Understood," Beryl replied, and several knights quickly ran off to follow his command.
I stood there in a daze, processing what I’d just heard.
"Did you really order them to kill that man?" I asked.
"Yes. He looked at my bride with filthy eyes. I can’t afford to leave any loose ends," Edwin replied, his expression clearly indicating that he found the question unnecessary.
I was at a loss for words. While I couldn’t fault Edwin for prioritising my safety, his actions were undoubtedly beyond normal moral standards. But was I in any position to lecture him?
I bit back the words I wanted to say. The priority now was finding that man.
"He’s still within the territory, so it won’t be hard to track him down. Don’t worry," Edwin reassured me, sensing my unease.
***