“I don’t know, Ian. It was just sad. A woman I didn’t know spoke to me, and it made me so sad. It’s because of that. You know, I….I have never been happier than now.”

“Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yes.”

I looked at him with a big nod.

“I’m serious.”

But he didn’t seem to believe me no matter what I said.

Meanwhile, I realized my surroundings had changed since we arrived in the room.

It didn’t take long to realize we were in Rere’s room.

“I’m sorry I brought you to Rere’s room.”

“Don’t apologize. This room is just as comfortable as my own room.”

Ian put me on the bed and seated himself next to me.

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

“But I feel like you’re getting thinner.”

“I guess it’s because I don’t have an appetite these days.”

I forced myself to smile. I must endure it on my shoulders alone. The one who remembers must deal with it alone.

The fact that I couldn’t get someone else’s help had become a burden to me more and more as time went by.

‘But I can’t tell him. Even Ian will have a hard time believing me.’

This was inside a novel. Would he believe it when I told him that everyone in this world, including Rere, was just a character in a novel? Would he be able to handle it when he heard that the place where he grew up was a fiction?

It was the very reason I kept my mouth shut.

“I’m telling you! I’ll probably be okay if I eat something different than usual!”

Ian, who was signing deeply, nodded.

“If that’s what Leona is saying, then.”

I could feel from his eyes alone that he didn’t believe me, but he didn’t pry further.

He was just like a parent who waited for their child to confess after doing something bad.

Despite that, he answered me with a smile.

“Leona, there will be a festival in a few days. Do you want to go there? Wouldn’t it be better to experience something new?”

“Alright. Rere would love it, too.”

I’m sorry I have to keep the truth to myself for your sake, for Rere’s sake, and everyone else.

He still looked at me with a worried look while stroking my head.

“But Ian.”

“Yes.”

“I’m about to tell you the truth.”

“What is that?”

“I’m just saying, I think I’m not the real daughter of the Selen family.”

“By that, you mean…”

“I’ve heard it from my sister, but I already had a hunch before.”

I smiled brightly at him as he seemed anxious.

“Ian, no, Duke Petri. You had investigated me beforehand, right? Did you find anything?”

“No. I didn’t find anything in particular.”

It was none other than the duke family who did the digging, so how come nothing came out at all?

‘Are you saying that the Selen family hid my birth that well?’

But they didn’t seem that clever, plus they were people who sold me out so long as it was worth the money…so why did they say nothing…

“Leona, does that mean…”

“I’m sure of it. Then who are my parents?”

“Leona….”

“I’m fine. The fact that my parents abandoned me….hits me the hardest today. Maybe because of my dream.”

“It’s normal that people get curious about their birth.”

“That’s why, Ian. I brought my sister into the duchy.”

Then Ian stroked my head as if soothing a child.

“Good job. She would’ve gotten in either way. She used an alias so I wouldn’t know that she’s your sister.”

“I’m not even going to treat her as my older sister. I have no intention of being nice to her, even if it will make me look bad in your eyes.”

“I know. I’m fine with whatever Leona does.”

Somehow, my desire to retort got even stronger. Because I felt like this guy would just let me slide even if I said I would beat up someone.

“I’m actually not nice.”

“I’m glad if that’s the case. I was worried that you’d be too nice.”

“…Ian….you’re so…”

“It’s fine because it’s you, Leona. Even if you’re a bad person, even if you beat someone up, you’re the one I love.”

My heart instantly skipped a beat.

The emotions I’d been keeping to myself began to fluctuate wildly.

I couldn’t stop smiling when I heard something that I’d always been wanting to hear.

“You’ll regret it.”

“I won’t. I’ve never regretted anything from the moment I met Leona. Because my life has become perfect after meeting you.”

“Thank you for saying that, Ian.”

“You don’t say thank you to your loved ones.”

“Then what should I do to convey my gratitude?”

“You just have to say I love you. So please tell me you love me.”

He slowly drew closer to me. And I could feel his breath brushing past me as well.

And I let him get closer to me without any resistance.

“I love you.”

“Me, too.”

It felt like his sweet whispers lingered around my entire body.

“But I heard that you’ll be in big trouble if you’re crying and then laugh like this.”

Before he went for my lips, he smirked and kissed my nose lightly.

“I don’t mind getting in trouble as long as I’m with Ian.”

“Really?”

At last, our lips touched. His gentle, hot breath flowed into my mouth. I felt like blood coursing through my entire body. It was just how ecstatic and thrilling it was.

But that moment didn’t last long.

“Big Bunny!”

The door burst open and Rere came in.

I was so shocked that I pushed Ian and lay back on my bed.

“Are you sleeping, Big Bunny?”

“I-I’m not sleeping.”

“But why are you lying down? Do you know how worried I am? Daddy won’t come out no matter what I do…!”

“Daddy stayed here because he was worried about me.”

“Really? But Big Bunny’s face is red again! You must have a fever. Daddy, hurry up and call the doctor!”

“H-Huh? Do you want me to go call the doctor?”

Rere nodded more earnestly than ever.

“Yeah, I can’t let you slide for this.”

“What?”

“You’re trying to own her by yourself! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting outside?”

“W-What do you mean by that…”

“Hurry up and go. I’ll take care of Big Bunny. Lie down here. Rere will pat you like this. Rere will put a cold towel on your forehead, too.”

Looking at her, Ian smiled and nodded.

“I see. Daddy will go and get a doctor.”

“Daddy, hold on.”

“Yes?”

“Can you not call the doctor right away? Take your time.”

“Ah, do you mean, that?”

“Yeah!”

“I got it.”

Ian shrugged his shoulders as if he thought he couldn’t go against Rere’s will.

When he was about to leave, he turned around and made eye contact with me as if he had something in mind.

“Leona, I think this can’t be helped.”

“What?”

“The doctor who treated Leona is coming tomorrow. He’s very rebellious so it takes a while to calm him down and bring him back. Isn’t that unfortunate?”

“Ah.”

Come to think of it, Jane said something when I was treated by the doctor last time.

–That’s what the doctor said. You’re about to die. That’s why we sold you…

When she said that, the Selen couple suddenly told her to shut up.

‘I’m really not allowed to be happy, I guess.’

I couldn’t help but laugh. Everything progressed as if someone had prearranged it.

“God must be real, Ian.”

I smiled at him.

At that moment, the cats who had come into the room with Rere, Soon and Shim rushed to my side.

* * *

As the cats rushed me, he left.

Rere came out of the bathroom with a water-soaked towel.

“Come on, lie down.”

“You want me to lie down?”

“Yeah. Rere will take care of you today, just like what you did to me before.”

“Really?”

“Yes!”

But she didn’t squeeze the towel properly, so my face was drenched with water. It felt like I’d been sprayed.

Water dripped down my face and soaked my pillow.

But I didn’t try to move the towel, since I knew Rere worked hard for me.

I just lay still.

“You like it, right? Because Rere is taking care of you.”

“Yes, I like it so much.”

“You know, Big Bunny.”

“Hm?”

Because I couldn’t see, I turned my head slightly to the side. Then I felt like something was on top of me.

It seemed like Rere had plopped herself on top of me.

“I’m so shocked. Big Bunny’s face…looked so sad.”

“Really?”

“Yeah…you looked sick…so I was surprised. I was afraid if Big Bunny was sick…what if she leaves Rere…”

Rere mumbled in a tearful voice.

“No, Mom isn’t going anywhere.”

“But…but…it’s always been like that…everytime Rere is happy, that happiness is quickly broken.”

“Rere.”

“Maybe Rere is not allowed to be happy?”

“What are you saying? That isn’t true at all. Rere can be happy.”

But Rere didn’t say anything.

“Rere?”

“…I think it’s better if I keep being mean.”

“Why do you think so, baby?”

“At that time…I didn’t worry about who left or if I did something wrong, but now I’m worried about everything.”

“Well Rere, then keep being mean. I’ll show you that I never leave no matter what you do.”

Only then Rere hugged me as if feeling satisfied.

“Yeah!”

I didn’t know if she really was satisfied, but Rere changed the towel on my forehead for a long time after that.

After a while, the doctor came in and prescribed medicine, telling me to rest for the time being.

* * *

The next day.

Somehow, it was a strangely nerve-racking day.