I Just Wanted to Avoid Death - Chapter 128
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Did he feel betrayed, wondering why Yeshion hadn’t shared his secret when Rosaline had confessed that he wasn’t a woman, but a man?
Or was he simply… disappointed?
‘He must be disappointed…’
He’d treated Yeshion like a friend—trusted and embraced him. But the person inside had been someone else entirely.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Did you not trust me?”
“…I was being greedy.”
“…Greedy?”
“Yes. I was greedy for the heart of the Saintess who is kind to everyone.”
Rosaline was the first to take Yeshion’s side after he entered this body. He stood by him even when facing off with Adelio, always met him sincerely.
So Yeshion had grown greedy.
Just until he left the temple, he wanted to remain by Rosaline’s side—as a friend.
“……”
At Yeshion’s honest words, Rosaline tightly pressed his lips together. Clenching his fists, he took a deep breath, and looked Yeshion in the eyes.
“Lift your head, Yeshion.”
At the firm voice, Yeshion looked up to find Rosaline staring at him with a resolute determination, as if he had made up his mind.
What kind of answer would come?
Yeshion swallowed dryly, meeting his gaze. Rosaline reached out and cupped his cheek, giving it a gentle pinch—not enough to hurt—and spoke in a voice filled with discontent.
“I thought it was strange. I may have been close to the real Yeshion, but… he wasn’t all that kind.”
“……”
“Then let me ask you just one thing.”
“……”
“Do you still… think of me as a friend?”
It was a careful question.
Rosaline’s face was tense with worry about what answer might come. Yeshion rubbed his cheek into the hand holding it and replied,
“If the Saintess will allow it.”
“……”
“Going to see flowers when spring comes, sneaking out of the temple during the festival—none of those things were said just to sound nice.”
The moment Yeshion finished speaking, Rosaline’s pink eyes began to well with tears.
Taking a deep breath, Rosaline let out a shaky sound and swallowed before asking again.
“…You’re not going to leave the temple, right?”
“Of course not. I’m not going anywhere.”
“You’ll keep… being my friend?”
Yeshion nodded.
“Please be my friend, Saintess. No—Venice.”
Whispering softly so only he could hear, Yeshion spoke his name. Rosaline shot up from where he sat and threw his arms around Yeshion.
“Hh… Huuu…”
As Yeshion gently patted his back, Rosaline began to sob like a child, unable to hold it in any longer.
The small boy who had lived hidden behind the name Rosaline.
It was clear now—he had revealed who he truly was, what his real name was, because deep down, he had always wished to be called by it.
Knowing the sorrow of living in hiding, Yeshion whispered his real name over and over again, gently calling it.
“…How long do you plan on staying like that?”
Eldis looked calmly at Rosaline as he asked the question.
Normally, Rosaline would obey any word Eldis spoke like a blade drawn, but today, he clung to Yeshion and replied without any sign of letting go.
“All day.”
At that, Eldis let out a long sigh.
But judging by the fact that he didn’t press him to let go, it was clear that both Yeshion and Rosaline were wearing content expressions.
“Ah.”
Just then, Yeshion let out a soft exclamation.
“Earlier, didn’t you say… that the real ‘Yeshion’ was actually a noble?”
Even had a family name—‘Azelist.’
In the Medesia Empire, surnames were granted only to the distinguished. Nobles, of course.
For a commoner to earn one, they’d have to rise to great heights—like Eldis or Rosaline.
Which meant that the original ‘Yeshion’ must have once been someone of high standing.
“Then why was he in the slums…”
In the Medesia Empire, no matter how ruined a noble might be, the state provided protection.
Even if Yeshion’s family had fallen into ruin for lack of money, as long as they made a request to the imperial house, they would have been taken care of.
“Oh, that.”
While Yeshion was busy speculating and wrestling with the question, Adelio spoke up unintentionally.
Yeshion turned to look at him, sensing that he might know something—and at Adelio’s next words, Yeshion’s lips began to tremble.
