It Seems Like The Infamous Trash Can is Right Here! - Chapter 70
Regardless of his intentions, the truth remained, I had secured an engagement to Lionel Luanax, a status that would have been impossible, even during Solen’s prime.
How could I not be grateful to the man who had made the unimaginable happen?
“In that case… Shall we start with a change in how we address each other ?”
“Oh… You’re right.”
It would be strange to continue being called ‘Priestess’ now that I was no longer one.
“What do you think about calling each other by our names? The more intimate we appear, the less suspicion we’ll attract.”
“…Alright.”
As I nodded in agreement, Lionel watched me expectantly, as if waiting for me to say it out loud immediately.
“Uhm… L-Lionel?”
It’s not as easy as I thought.
It was just a name, yet my face felt hot as soon as I said it.
I instinctively averted my gaze, then he took my hand. Not only that, but he interlaced our fingers, pulling me close before pressing his lips to my ear.
“…Serenia.”
He whispered my name as if it were a sacred secret.
“That’s what I’ll call you when we’re alone.”
That’s all it was.
But why did just that one word make my entire chest tighten.
As if something was clawing at me from the inside, or perhaps, as if my earlobe —the very place his lips had brushed—was aching.
“…Who gave you the name Sasha?”
“It was actually… the name of a rabbit I used to have when I was young. A tiny thing, barely the size of a fist, with pure white fur.”
“…Ah.”
“…A rabbit. Thinking about it that way… I suppose it suits you,” Lionel muttered softly.
“When I arrived at the monastery, I had to give them a name… and that was the only one that came to mind.”
“I see.”
His cool gaze softened as he looked at me, as if picturing that version of me in his mind.
The carriage carrying us moved forward, but oddly enough, it was taking a different route than the one we had taken earlier.
“…Where are we going?”
Sensing something unusual, I asked him cautiously.
“To take care of the most important matter.”
More important than notarizing the contract?
Perplexed, I turned my gaze outside—only to see the lively, bustling shopping district coming into view.
The carriage slowed and came to a stop in front of a Jewelry shop on the busiest street.
“The tailor will come to the mansion. Today, we’ll start by selecting our engagement rings.”
“…Ah.”
I instinctively lowered my gaze to my attire.
I wasn’t dressed for this kind of place.
But Lionel, as if the thought had never even occurred to him, took my hand as if it were his own, pulled it into the crook of his arm, and led me forward.
The doorman, upon noticing the Luanax crest engraved on the carriage, hurriedly opened the entrance for us.
As we stepped inside, the manager —who had been watching in thinly veiled shock at the sight of Duke Luanax escorting a woman so plainly dressed —swiftly approached.
“We have been expecting you, Your Grace.”
Lionel must have contacted them in advance.
The vast, opulent boutique was entirely cleared of other customers, leaving only the staff and us.
“The traditional Luanax wedding band is too cumbersome for everyday wear. You’d find it uncomfortable. So, let’s pick something light and easy to wear.”
At his signal, the manager and staff swiftly retrieved the pre-selected jewels and arranged them across the glass display case.
“…You mean I should pick from these ?”
He said light and easy to wear, didn’t he?
Then what in the world were these enormous gemstones scattering dazzling light in every direction?
Even the smallest among them was about the size of my fingertip.
If these were considered modest, then how massive was the actual Luanax wedding ring that he claimed was too cumbersome?
I turned to look at him in disbelief. Whatever he thought I was thinking, Lionel simply smiled and reached out, gently removing my thick-rimmed glasses.
“This way, you can see them better.”
Ah.
Now would be the perfect moment to scream, “My eyes! My eyes!”
