Chapter 57.2

Chapter 57 – Irresistible Force

“I didn’t know at the time. However, as time passed and I reflected on the events of that day again, what I learned was the changes in the people around me.”

In particular, the words and actions of people she was close to had changed. They began to interfere with what Ashia was trying to do with tones and actions they never normally used.

“And the gears created the unexpected.”

Ashia couldn’t shake the thought that an unspoken power was working to stop her.

“I have already taken the lives and futures of many people by the choices I made that day. If something like that happens again in the future… So, if the people around me suffer the same thing…” Ashia could not finish her words. The shadow in her eyes grew darker.

Kaligo raised his waist and stared at Ashia’s face. “You just said that subjugation is something that wasn’t in the original story.”

“Yes.”

“Then this subjugation festival will be an opportunity to find out for sure.”

“Kaligo, you don’t have to risk your life to find that out.”

Kaligo smiled softly at Ashia’s worried voice.

An opportunity. Kaligo seemed to regard this as an opportunity. As if he had no intention of running away or escaping, after all, they were inside a book.

“Ashia, you and I are already living in a different direction from the original.”

“…Yes.”

“Is that just the two of us?” Kaligo stared straight at her blue eyes and quietly continued, “The same goes for the subjugation system. It was the Crown Prince’s will, not yours or mine.”

“…”

“A lot of people started to take a different path from the original. If anything bad happens because of this subjugation, it is not your fault.”

Kaligo’s words and gaze were firm. It wasn’t her fault, and whatever would happen, it was not Ashia’s fault.

She was comforted once again by his resolute voice.

Kaligo stood up from the sofa, telling her a few more things. Ashia followed him with rounded eyes.

“Are you going?”

“…”

Kaligo’s eyebrows fluttered at her question. “Yes… I have a lot of work behind me.”

“Oh, then you should go. And….”

“Yes.”

Ashia gently stretched out her hand. Grasping one of his fingers that was hanging down by the side of Kaligo’s thigh, she said in a soft voice, “Thank you, Kaligo.”

“…”

Kaligo’s eyes shifted to Ashia’s fingertips. A momentary desire gleamed in the man’s eyes, which had been calm a while ago. As she touched him, her trembling hand cautiously moved. His thick and calloused fingers were intertwined between her small ones. His fingertips were rough, but he was careful as he brushed her soft skin.

He looked down at their intertwined hands and quietly whispered, “The head maid will come up and attend to you during your bath.”

“Ah…”

“Well then, see you later.” Kaligo gently pulled his hand back.

As if feeling sorry for him, she licked her lips and asked him, “When is later?”

“…”

(T/N: I just remembered a line from the drama ‘It’s Okay Not to be Okay’. It says, ‘Later means some time before you die.’ Lol)

As he was about to turn back, he stopped. “…I will make sure we can have a meal together.”

“Oh, so I can see you at lunchtime, right?”

“That’s right.”

“…”

For some reason, Kaligo had been quite dry in treating her as of late. It was as if he had returned to being the man who was practicing abstinence.

Even after he left the bedroom and closed the door, Ashia’s gaze was still on the door. It felt gloomy without the sound of his breathing,

‘What is wrong with him, really.’

If he was planning on making Ashia feel hot, then he had succeeded by half. Not by exciting her sexually, but by making her stuffy heart boil in anger.

Still staring at the door, Luke whispered to Ashia, [You seem sad.[

“…What?”

[Wasn’t he the customer at your store and you asked him, ‘Are you going to go?’]

“Is this place the store? Is that person a customer?”

Speaking bluntly for no reason, Luke jeered, [Oh? Your words have changed. When did you say he was just a client?]

“…”

As expected, Luke was a stone and shouldn’t be underestimated. Each time, he took advantage of her carelessness and stabbed her hard.

‘By the way…’

The Grand Duchess’ bedroom?

She woke up here in the morning without knowing how she got there. Ashia still didn’t dare to think that this would be her place. How could she? But when she thought of another woman coming inside the Grand Duchess’ bedroom, her nasty temper was invigorated.

‘Aileen…’

Perhaps it was because she knew how she looked. With a more elegant and dignified figure than anyone else, she naturally thought of her as the master of this bedroom. That would have been what the original wanted.

‘But the fact that I am here now is worse than dust.’

What conclusion would the original come to? A male lead who completely went against the intentions of the original. A dusty extra who turned the male lead’s heart around. It might try to warn Ashia by creating an accident once again. Or this time, Ashia might die herself.

Ashia cautiously walked to the bed. She slowly swept over the expensive and luxurious-looking quilt.

[‘Can I enjoy it?’]

[‘Is it alright to be greedy?’]

[‘No, I already…’]

Ashia slowly sat on the bed and let out a long sigh. Soon, her eyes met the mirror on the dressing table.

‘You wouldn’t give it back if you were asked to return it. That’s pretentious.’

Wasn’t the conclusion already decided? Ashia had no intention of giving Kaligo to the female lead. She had no intention of dating or marrying Kaligo right away, but she also had no intention to just watch him go to another woman.

’It’s selfish. I know it all too well. Since it would be like this anyway, I am determined to be selfish. I will not let go of this selfish choice until the very end. When the moment comes when I really want you from the bottom of my heart, it’s going to be quite a headache, Kaligo.’

She looked at the door connected to Kaligo’s room and let out a small laugh.