Chapter 205
It was apparent that Oppa had stiffened up. I probably looked just as rigid.
This was a sentiment I’d kept to myself for months. It was the kind of thing I wanted to say dozens, if not hundreds of times, but I could never bring myself to say it. I simply didn’t have the courage.
“Ahahaha, you’re quite surprised, aren’t you?”
My heart raced to the point I could barely breathe. I struggled to calm my trembling hands before speaking.
This is my last chance. If I say it was all a joke, I could just brush it off. Then Oppa would probably laugh it off, telling me not to pull such pranks again, and mess up my hair as he scolded me.
That way, I could avoid Oppa’s rejection. I could skip any awkwardness and prevent it from affecting our relationship.
“Still, I mean it, Oppa.”
But I didn’t really want to do that.
‘I finally said it.’
I had only confessed my feelings after being pushed to the extreme, when the unpredictable variable, Duke Marcilio, came into the picture. After all my hesitations, I was finally taking my first step.
I even had the club members supporting me. The kids who might have hated me were trying to help.
‘If I push like this, won’t anyone notice?’
At the same time, five people vacating their seats was bound to get attention. Even the dullest person would notice something was off.
So, I gathered my courage and spoke up.
“Um, about that—”
At my heartfelt confession, Oppa barely managed to part his lips.
Rather than disgust, he looked surprised. His expression was knotted, as if he was trying to process something he never expected to hear.
Well, at least that was fortunate. If he could respond seriously, I might not have dared to say anything.
‘Let’s say everything.’
While Oppa was at a loss for words, I decided to pour everything out. Even if I were to get rejected, I didn’t want regrets left behind.
If I didn’t do it now, there might not be another chance. If I didn’t speak up in this situation, when would I? When Oppa married another woman? Or right before I died?
I didn’t want to be the tragic character saying, “I loved you,” at the last moment. I didn’t want to be a protagonist of a sad story.
I wanted to love Oppa with confidence.
*
I realized I wasn’t raising a capybara; I was actually raising a fox.
Or maybe it wasn’t a fox but should be more like a rabbit? Honestly, it didn’t seem particularly rabbit-like either.
‘It’s dizzying.’
I tried to protect my mind from these strange thoughts, but I felt no improvement. Whether capybara, fox, or rabbit, it didn’t really matter.
With a small sigh, I lay back on the bed. It had truly been a stormy club period.
“I love you, Oppa.”
Louise spoke confidently with a determined gaze. It was hard to believe this was the same girl who always giggled and was carefree.
“I wanted to say this for so long but couldn’t. I’ve been a coward… I was so scared.”
Louise smiled awkwardly as she said that. She claimed she couldn’t speak up because she was afraid of getting rejected by me.
‘But saying it like that seems way too straightforward…’
Despite my serious thoughts, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Just how brave is Louise’s benchmark? She probably thinks being brave means grabbing me by the collar and shouting that she wants to date me right now.
The legends say that the Crown Princess confessed at that level. Seems Louise’s role model is the Crown Princess.
‘Impressive.’
It’s truly amazing for a young lady to take the Crown Princess as her role model.
And Louise’s words were indeed remarkable too.
“I know I’m lacking. After all, I’m just a Baron’s daughter.”
That was a conscious remark directed at the two dukes.
“I also haven’t known you long, Oppa. There’s still so much I don’t know about you.”
That was a remark aware of our short acquaintance.
“But that’s my shortcoming, not the lack of love.”
At that moment, I could only nod dumbly. The power behind her words was enough to make my cheeks flush.
I imagined that once the excitement faded, Louise would be kicking her blankets in embarrassment. Knowing that future, I decided to stay silent. After all, shouldn’t it be a little less embarrassing even if it is embarrassing?
“And I can also bring my dowry! Titles and territory too!”
That statement took me aback for a moment.
It’s true. Since Louise has no siblings, she stands to inherit the title and territory of a Baron. If she were to marry me in that state, our children would inherit those titles and lands. Before that, I’d practically be the one managing them.
But somehow, it feels like I’m being swept away by a love-blinded traitor. While not incorrect, it still felt a bit odd.
Anyway, in light of Louise’s passionate confession, I felt too stunned to say anything. It was an unexpected confession with an unimaginable romantic partner.
“I’m not asking for an answer right away. It took me a long time to confess, so I don’t expect you to be quick to respond.”
Fortunately, she seemed to realize my feelings and said that.
“Just know this: you’re not the only one who loves you, Oppa. It’s not just the senior and the Duke.”
Recalling those words made a small laugh escape me.
Of course, I should know that. How could I not know after a confession like that?
“And there could be more than just three others.”
At that point, my laughter quickly faded.
‘Oh boy.’
Now, Marghetta on one side, Duke Marcilio on the other, and now even Louise? Just these three are already too much. It exceeded the bouquet of flowers I could hold in both hands.
But could there be more? What if the minimum was four around me?
‘Wow.’
I felt dizzy. Having four people interested in marrying me would be a problem, and rejecting any of them would also present an issue.
It would be weirder to accept one and reject another.
‘…I’ll think about that later.’
For now, I should get some rest.
*
Louise had surely unleashed poison on me.
‘Damn it.’
I never expected to suffer from such a serious status anomaly. I underestimated Louise; I didn’t think she was capable of such malicious intent.
With another sigh, I continued moving, but each time I felt someone’s gaze, my condition worsened.
Naturally glancing in the direction of the gazes, I spotted a female classmate. Then I instinctively thought.
‘…Is it her?’
Immediately, a wave of self-loathing hit me, prompting me to speedwalk away.
But it wasn’t long before I felt someone watching me again, and the thought returned.
‘Could it be her?’
The self-loathing came rushing back.
‘Shit.’
I involuntarily shut my eyes. I was overly sensitive, reacting to anyone’s gaze like it was a status anomaly.
Unbelievably, I’d caught the “Axe Syndrome.”
“And there could be more than just three others…”
Upon recalling what I’d heard yesterday, I felt a faint, but undeniable resentment towards Louise.
Louise, why did you have to say that? Are you out for revenge for the unrequited love you’ve carried all this time? Did you feel wronged for suffering alone and think, “Now you get to suffer too!”?
If that were true, I’m sorry. But this feels a bit like overkill.
‘At this age, suffering from Axe Syndrome.’
Self-loathing slithered up and began to consume my heart. Here I was, a twenty-something caught up in Axe Syndrome, and the target? Teenagers.
The Judicial Minister would probably burst out laughing if he knew. The second managers would likely be doing flips at the sheer absurdity. Am I really living out the unfulfilled romantic dreams of my school years now?
I feel like I’m going insane. Knowing how disgraceful my current state is only drives me crazier.
‘This is my fate.’
I cried in my heart, but it was unavoidable. After being hit continuously by Duke Marcilio and Louise, my defenses have reached their max. I’d likely stay like this for a while.
So let’s head somewhere with as few eyes as possible. I’ll stick to my own little haven alone. Just bunker down in the club room.
‘I’ll survive on cookies for lunch.’
I made a firm resolution to stay rooted in the club room even at lunchtime.
And set off on my tactical retreat—
“Ah, Oppa!”
“Irina?”
I ran into the one person I could feel somewhat at ease around.
…Indeed, no way would Axe Syndrome rear its ugly head in front of Irina.
There’s got to be some way I could use it against the Yuris Count’s household. If I thought she liked me, that’d be insane.
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