A Butterfly Through the Mist - Chapter 29

I won’t tell anyone.?

Tilia’s gaze dropped to the floor before lifting back up, and she spoke somewhat brusquely to Ilex, who appeared tense.

“How many people have you told so far?”

“None.”

At that answer, Tilia’s eyes, which had briefly shown a glimmer of interest, turned irritated again.

Yeah, right. As if she would believe that. She looked like she might shake off his hand and leave immediately, prompting Ilex to speak urgently.

“It’s true. I swear to God.”

Despite his words, Tilia’s expression was still full of doubt.

Seeing that she clearly didn’t believe him, Ilex brought her hand to his chest. With a serious expression, he said,

“If I’m lying, I’ll enter a monastery and live celibate for the rest of my life.”

Underneath her lightly clenched fist, she could feel his heart beating. It was pounding intensely, as if he were facing a wild beast, shaking violently.

What on earth was he running away from that had his heart racing like this?

Curiosity momentarily arose, but Tilia didn’t bother to ask.

“…Swear again.”

Instead, she spoke the words she needed to hear.

“If you’re lying, you’ll live as an eunuch for the rest of your life.”

At the crude word she deliberately chose, Ilex’s lips curled into a perfect arc, forming a broad smile.

“I swear,” he whispered, pressing Tilia’s hand against his chest for emphasis. “You can trust me. Even if only because I’m scared of the condition I swore on.”

Of course. That was why she had set such a condition.

With a cold nod, Tilia declared their contract established.

She shook off his hand and took a few steps back.

Ilex, understanding that she wanted him to hide deeper within the store, followed her to the corner of the old bookstore.

Not long after, the door opened, and the sound of heavy military boots echoed.

Standing at the end of the wall lined with bookshelves, Tilia glanced toward the door before looking back at Ilex.

He was standing awkwardly, bending his body toward her but not quite hiding.

‘Why is he being so hesitant? If he gets caught, this whole thing is ruined.’

Worried that he might get caught and break their contract, Tilia grabbed the collar of Ilex’s shirt and pulled him closer.

She hadn’t even pulled hard, yet he moved easily.

Still, his posture remained ambiguous. He had one elbow resting on the bookshelf, his upper body bent toward Tilia.

What are you doing? With her eyes, she urged him to take action. Ilex looked down at the floor briefly, then raised his gaze back to her.

Without further hesitation, his hands moved to Tilia’s nape and waist.

She felt the strength in his hands as they wrapped around her, and Ilex leaned closer, tilting his head as if he might kiss her at any moment.

“Ahem!”

It sounded like a knight, who had come to search for someone, had spotted them and cleared his throat.

Even after seemingly discovering a couple sharing an intimate moment, the knight appeared reluctant to give up and continued searching around the bookstore.

The sound of pacing footsteps could be heard not far away.

Hearing this, Tilia lowered her eyes and bit her lip slightly.

He shouldn’t come this way.

They couldn’t get caught. If they did, she would lose her leverage over this guy.

Focused entirely on what was happening behind her, Tilia didn’t notice.

Despite being close enough to feel each other’s breath, the man in front of her hadn’t moved at all.

As if he had stopped breathing, holding his breath from sheer tension.

Unlike Tilia, Ilex’s eyes were fixed straight on the woman in his arms.

He lowered his gaze slowly, tracing her neatly lowered eyelashes, her round nose, and finally her slightly pouted lips. Ilex’s Adam’s apple moved, and his tongue wet his dry lips before retreating back inside.

But Tilia, fully preoccupied with the knight’s movements, missed it all.

“Sir, I don’t think he’s here.”

Finally, a young voice spoke, and the sound of the knight leaving was heard.

Thankfully, it wasn’t someone thorough.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Tilia quickly pulled herself away from his hands.

The warmth that lingered on her nape and waist felt oddly unpleasant.

As she rubbed her neck and looked up, she saw Ilex with his expression cold and indifferent, contrasting with the warmth he had left behind.

“We’re done, right? Keep your promise,” Tilia spoke brusquely, snatching the book from his hand. It was the Ontaroan conversation book she had been eyeing before he arrived.

One problem solved. Now that he’d sworn himself, he wouldn’t spread rumors recklessly.

Thinking carelessly, Tilia flipped through the book’s pages.

She didn’t know what was going on, but she felt she had done everything she could for him.

He should know his way out by now.

Unlike this idle young master, Tilia was busy. Turning her back on him, she quickly scanned the book.

“……”

However, even after Tilia had finished reading the entire book, Ilex Davenport still hadn’t left the bookstore.

Eventually, Tilia sighed softly and closed the book with a snap.

Why isn’t he leaving?

She had ignored him, thinking perhaps he was waiting for the knights to leave the street, but that didn’t seem to be the case. The prickling sensation she felt on the back of her head told her otherwise.

Tilia turned her head, her face clearly showing her irritation.

But just as she was about to say something—

“[Are you interested in Ontaroan?]”

Fluent Ontaroan whispered into Tilia’s ear.

Surprised by the unexpected language, Tilia listened as he explained, “[I lived in Ontaroa briefly when I was young. My mother is from Ontaroa.]”

Then she remembered. Seraphine Davenport, Duchess of Davenport, had the maiden name Bardin. And Bardin was the royal family name of Ontaroa.

Ontaroa, which shared a border with Arkansis, was famous for its culture and arts. As such, it wasn’t uncommon for young nobles to study there to cultivate artistic sensibilities.

“[So why Ontaroan? It seems like you’re studying a rather advanced level for a simple trip.]”

It seemed that Ilex, the second son of the Duke of Davenport and the son of a former princess of Ontaroa, was one of those nobles. His smooth pronunciation and perfect accent proved that he had indeed spent a long time studying there.

Leaning against the wall, Ilex straightened and lightly skimmed through the bookshelf filled with Ontaroan conversation books.

“[If you want to improve your conversation skills, these books won’t help much. There’s a limit to what you can learn from books.]”

How much practice would it take to pronounce like a native speaker?

While Tilia tried to mimic his accent in her head, she hesitated to speak.

But that hesitation was soon overwhelmed by desire.

He was right. For an interview, not a written test, she needed face-to-face practice.

She disliked Ilex, but… there weren’t many opportunities to converse with someone that fluent.

Recalling her goal, Tilia finally spoke slowly, “[Should I ask you to teach me?]”

Her voice was slightly stiff, showing her wariness of Ilex. Her eyes were just as cautious as they always were when looking at him.

“[I have no obligation to answer.]”

But unlike in her native tongue, her use of Ontaroan sounded unnatural.

“[Leave me alone.]”

Using the archaic phrasing from classic literature, Tilia then turned her body sharply away.

But unlike earlier, when she had completely ignored him, this time Tilia kept glancing at Ilex.

She was curious about her own skill level.

Nervously watching Ilex, she caught his reaction.

After briefly freezing at her Ontaroan, he looked away as if nothing had happened.

But Tilia, who had been watching him closely, noticed. He had bitten the inside of his mouth as if trying to suppress laughter.

After a brief hesitation, Tilia cautiously asked, “[Is my pronunciation… really that bad?]”

In response, Ilex finally turned his back on her, bending slightly.

Watching his thinly trembling back, as if trying to stifle his laughter, Tilia’s lips slowly turned downward.