Becoming Number One with Confession Attacks - Chapter 73

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

#73

Sonnet didn’t answer and only looked at Aiden’s polished shoes.

“Right now, the best way to break off the engagement is to win that war.”

Only then did Sonnet lift her head to look at Aiden. His eyes had softened considerably from before, showing a glimpse of tenderness.

“You don’t know when you’ll return.”

“That’s…”

“Even when you went to Meriden, I couldn’t receive letters properly and you came back having lost your memory.”

“Sonnet, the situation in Melliber isn’t as bad as it was there.”

“But you never know.”

“I’ll return quickly this time.”

Sonnet couldn’t bring herself to believe it. War wasn’t something that could be controlled by one person’s will. Aiden took a step closer.

“Sonnet.”

Sonnet spoke quickly without looking at Aiden.

“I hope you return safely without getting hurt.”

Sonnet took the luggage bag from Aiden. Surprisingly, Aiden let go of it easily. As Sonnet tried to pass by him, Aiden blocked her path in one step.

“Take this carriage.”

He gestured toward the stopped carriage.

“It’s fine.”

“I can’t let you go alone at this late hour.”

Aiden opened the carriage door and waited for Sonnet. He showed no signs of moving, as if he truly intended to wait until she got in.

Sonnet got into the carriage because she didn’t want to have an emotional argument with Aiden anymore. She thought she would be riding alone, but Aiden followed her in.

Sonnet deliberately pressed herself against the carriage wall and only looked out the window. Even without turning her head, she could persistently feel Aiden’s gaze.

Sonnet didn’t look back toward Aiden. He didn’t bother to start a conversation. He just watched her.

It was when they had almost reached the Royal Research Institute.

“If you need anything, come to headquarters anytime and tell me.”

“…”

“Even when I’m not there, I’ve arranged for matters concerning you to be handled.”

“People will think it’s strange.”

Aiden chuckled softly.

“People are probably already thinking it’s strange.”

Sonnet looked at Aiden in surprise. He smiled broadly as if he had been waiting for this.

“We’ve been together quite a lot, haven’t we.”

“So everyone knows?”

“They probably do.”

Sonnet was so surprised she couldn’t speak. While she stared blankly, Aiden continued to gaze at Sonnet with a face still tinged with amusement. A strange happiness was visible on his face.

“This is the last time I’ll be able to keep looking at your face like this.”

“…”

“When I go to Melliber, I probably won’t be able to sleep thinking about you.”

Sonnet turned her head away.

“Sonnet.”

“…”

“Let me look a little longer. Please?”

Sonnet felt that those words somehow touched her heart. It seemed to stir up her longing for him unnecessarily.

“After today passes, I won’t be able to see you anymore either.”

Sonnet looked back at him with a gloomy expression.

“You said you’d come back.”

“I’m looking my fill before then.”

Then Aiden came over to Sonnet’s side. Her space was instantly filled completely.

Before Sonnet could back away, he pressed his lips to her cheek. At that moment, the carriage stopped. Sonnet still looked at Aiden with surprised eyes.

He chuckled softly and pressed his lips to her other cheek. Only then did Sonnet retreat against the carriage wall.

As she frowned and looked at Aiden, he spoke with a calm, cool expression.

“We won’t be able to see each other for a while, so do we really have to part like this?”

When Sonnet silently stared at him, Aiden relaxed his shoulders and looked at her dejectedly.

“When I go to Melliber, I’ll always be missing only you.”

“…”

“You’re just going to send me off like this?”

Aiden seemed to already know as well. That parting like this would be their last farewell before he left for Melliber.

Sonnet planned not to leave this place for the time being. During that time, she would organize the materials that had come out of the Dungeon Temple while waiting for Professor Aldoren’s letter.

“Sonnet.”

Aiden tilted his head slightly and gave her a meaningful look. Ignoring him and parting wouldn’t make her feel very comfortable either.

Sonnet reluctantly approached Aiden, but as soon as she came close, he pulled her into his arms. He wrapped both arms around Sonnet’s waist and buried his face in her shoulder.

“Ah, I wanted to stay with you all night.”

Aiden’s embrace was warm. His deep breathing, broad shoulders, and the feeling of being buried in his arms touched her heart.

Sonnet didn’t think deeply about her own feelings and simply leaned into his body. Aiden gently enveloped Sonnet while whispering softly.

“I’ll be back soon, so don’t worry about me.”

“Okay.”

Aiden held Sonnet tightly for a moment before slowly letting her go. He took something out of a pocket near his chest. When he removed the black cloth, the emerald ring she had seen before sparkled into view.

Aiden held out the ring to Sonnet.

“I wanted to give it to you in advance.”

When Sonnet only looked at it, Aiden slipped it onto her ring finger. Amazingly, it fit her finger perfectly.

Aiden smiled broadly as he looked at Sonnet’s hand wearing the ring.

“Now it’s finally found its proper place.”

He looked pleased at first, but gradually his expression grew cold. He looked so deeply melancholy that Sonnet asked.

“Why?”

“If I give you this ring, I won’t have anything to remind me of you.”

“…”

“I’ve been thinking of you while looking at this ring all this time.”

Sonnet realized she had never properly given Aiden anything. He was giving her an obviously expensive ring.

Sonnet thought quietly for a moment, then searched her pockets. Fortunately, she had her wallet. Inside her wallet, she kept ID photos just in case.

Sometimes when she went to explore old temples in remote areas, she needed to make new visitor passes specific to those places, and photos were required.

Sonnet held out one photo. It showed her curly hair looking frizzy and her freckles standing out particularly prominently. It was closer to Sonnet’s true appearance than ever before.

Sonnet had never once thought of herself as pretty when looking at her photos. Yet Aiden smiled brightly and looked at it with genuinely pleased, sparkling eyes.

“When was this taken?”

Aiden couldn’t take his eyes off the photo. Even though he must have many expensive things around him, he was genuinely delighted.

“Six months ago.”

Aiden’s expression stiffened slightly. Soon he raised the corners of his mouth and put it in his chest pocket.

“You know this is the first time you’ve given me a photo?”

Come to think of it, she had Aiden’s photos because he had given them to her along with letters before. They had already become quite worn and tattered along with the letters.

“Should I give you more?”

“You have more?”

Sonnet nodded and gave him all the remaining photos. Three photos of her were placed in Aiden’s large palm.

Aiden didn’t fold his hand right away and stared at Sonnet’s photos in his palm for a long time.

His expression looked happier than anyone’s.

“You’re really pretty.”

Sonnet’s eyes hardened for a moment.

“Pretty?”

“They came out well, didn’t they?”

Aiden smiled as he looked at Sonnet, but she found it hard to believe.

“They just look like me, that’s all.”

“So it came out well.”

Sonnet didn’t quite agree, but she didn’t feel bad about it either.

Aiden carefully put the remaining photos in his chest pocket. There were plenty of other photos at the research lab anyway.

When he first entered as a researcher, the Professor and others had told him to take and store as many photos as possible. If he rummaged through the drawers, he’d probably find at least thirty more.

Sonnet looked at Aiden for a moment, then said awkwardly.

“I’ll go.”

When Sonnet tried to get out of the carriage first, Aiden blocked her with one arm.

“I want to see you go in.”

When Sonnet stepped back, Aiden got out of the carriage first. Aiden extended his hand. Sonnet took his hand and got out of the carriage.

The research lab was just as it had been. The main building with lights still on was visible. The neatly trimmed grass and randomly placed chairs. It was a tidy and cozy place.

Then Aiden stood beside Sonnet. When Sonnet turned around, he was already holding her luggage bag in his hand.

Aiden looked at the main building that Sonnet was viewing.

“Do you do research in there?”

“Yes.”

“Is this place good for research?”

Aiden turned around to ask, and their eyes met.

“Yes.”

“Are you planning to continue your research here?”

Sonnet nodded. Unless something special happened, she didn’t want to leave. She liked her advisor and the people around her were nice too.

Aiden didn’t say much and looked around the area.

“Where’s the dormitory?”

“It’s close from here, I can go by myself.”

When Sonnet tried to take her luggage bag and go alone, Aiden turned his body slightly.

“I’ll walk you there.”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————