NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 167.1
“Did I hear you correctly just now? Is this a proposal?”
“Yes. And consider yourself lucky.”
“…?”
“In my country, the tradition for proposing is kidnapping. A strong warrior conquers the woman’s family and kidnaps her.”
“That’s a primitive tradition.”
“You’re right.”
I didn’t want to disrespect another country’s traditions, but I couldn’t help but blurt that out.
“Anyway, I endure the kidnapping really well. I’m just saying this because I’m worried about Kien.”
My Dad could actually kill someone.
“But is it true? Isn’t it strange to fall for the woman who arrested you?”
“Think about our first meeting. It was so intense; how could I not fall for you? I thought you were the one from the start!”
“…I was a child back then! Wow, you’ve got issues!”
“I was young too back then.”
Right. We’re only four years apart. It must be nice to mature early, Kien.
But now doesn’t seem like the right time.
Kien ruffled his hair.
“You’re pretty dense in this area, aren’t you?”
“Uh… yes.”
I somehow became wary of his reaction.
He’s serious enough to propose. I had no idea Kien felt this way.
“Usually, you notice every little detail, but when it comes to this, you’re clueless…”
“That’s unpredictable.”
“…”
“People’s feelings aren’t simple. They can change and aren’t always logical… I don’t understand them either. Predicting them is pointless.”
I moistened my lips.
“Leticia, I’ve liked you for a long time.”
“…”
“Sometimes, I think I’d even give up my life for you. Truly.”
“Kien…”
“I didn’t plan to confess like this. I’ve sneaked into your house garden with flowers and even prepared jewels when you came here to confess properly…”
“But?”
“I was always interrupted.”
Somehow, when he mentioned ‘interruptions’, it seemed like Kien was grinding his teeth… Just my imagination?
That moment, I realized.
‘So that’s why Cedric came.’
Was he guarding against Kien?
“I felt that if not today, I might not get another chance. It’s not for any other reason. I just can’t hide my feelings anymore.”
I nodded. My heart felt heavy. It’s the first time someone has proposed and confessed to me.
“Um… Kien.”
“You can take your time to answer.”
Kien spoke curtly.
“I don’t need an answer today.”
Saying that, Kien motioned towards the exit.
“Go.”
I didn’t know what to say.
I didn’t feel like saying anything to Kien, who had just rudely dismissed me. My heart raced. It was a feeling of uncertainty or something I couldn’t define.
* * *
‘I’ve never been confessed to before.’
I felt lost all day. In my previous life, I died at 15.
The closest I ever got with a guy was sitting next to one in elementary school.
‘My head hurts.’
And now it’s Kien. Someone who’s helped me a lot… and initially was an enemy.
‘It’s harder because we’re close.’
How do I respond?
Not wanting to be alone, I came up with a bunch of excuses to visit Jade’s room.
“Why have you been silent?”
Jade asked as he set down a dripping scalpel.
I stared at Jade blankly.
“Is that horned rabbit okay?”
On a surgery table too small for humans, a chimera rabbit lay. Jade was operating on the rabbit.
“Yeah, it’s just a minor injury.”
With his large hands, Jade lifted the rabbit gently and laid it on a cushion he had set up as a makeshift bed.
The rabbit, making a whining noise, lay down. I looked around the room.
“Jade, how did you smuggle out the animals seized from the chimera racetrack?”
Excluding those trapped with us, several small chimeras wandered the floor, making various noises.
Chimera rabbits, chimera dogs, chimera cats…
“It’s totally a fluffy world open.”
Jade replied nonchalantly.
“If you have money and power, you can do anything.”
“Jade… You’ve become a corrupted adult.”
To others it might be a joke, but to Jade it’s a reality. It’s scary! Jade faintly smiled at my words.