I Became the Keeper of a Suspicious Forest - Chapter 59

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 59

 

Ponia liked Sionel Devonham.

 

She liked all the aspects that made him who he was—his kindness, sincerity, integrity, humility—but there was a separate, most decisive reason why she came to like him.

 

She liked Sionel’s resoluteness.

 

He respected others more than anyone, but he dealt with utmost firmness toward those who crossed the line and tried to harm his people.

 

He accepted those who approached him seeking help, but when they threatened the heroine Lana’s position, he mercilessly drove them all away.

 

He never pushed his precious person aside under the pretext of helping others.

 

It was a resoluteness that could emerge from kindness.

 

Ponia liked that resoluteness while also envying it.

 

Because it was so different from her family members, who were too gentle, really too gentle, and unintentionally hurt even their own people.

 

‘If we help each other, it all comes back later.’

 

A father who pitied others and gave away help, yet didn’t know the pitifulness of his daughter who had to shoulder the entire family instead. A mother and sibling who agreed with him.

 

Ponia was slowly becoming isolated among them.

 

How wonderful it would be if they gave her even half the kindness they showed to others.

 

If only they had pitied me just that much, nothing more. If only they had looked after me.

 

“Ponia.”

 

Ponia emerged from her reverie and faced reality. Sionel’s eyes, which hadn’t left her for even a moment, showed no wavering.

 

“If you’re okay with it, I want to hold onto you.”

 

Sionel extended his hand. The affection she had always longed for was directed toward her. That gaze felt both familiar and newly approaching.

 

Since when has Sionel been looking at me with such eyes?

 

It was like a dream. What could be more joyful than having someone you like return your feelings?

 

As if entranced, Ponia extended her hand and placed it on top of his. She felt blisters on his large hand.

 

The noble young master, who had never done rough work, had quickly developed raw skin from moving cabin materials. The blisters on his soft skin looked quite out of place.

 

If Ponia Harbel from three years ago could see this moment, she would surely have cheered and run around in all directions.

 

But then Ponia suddenly let go of that hand.

 

“Ponia?”

 

“I don’t want to.”

 

Sionel wavered at just those few words.

 

‘It seems we’ll be visiting the Imperial Palace soon.’

 

The words Gideon had said to the Prince.

 

Even while they stayed in the forest, movements in the capital continued with certainty and speed.

 

Soon, Gideon would establish Aren as the new heir. At that time, Sionel would have to reveal himself before everyone.

 

“I don’t want to do that kind of love.”

 

An ordinary forest keeper wasn’t needed in that process. Rather, it would only be a hindrance.

 

“Why…?”

 

Sionel, still not withdrawing his hand, asked without coming any closer.

 

“Do you dislike me…?”

 

“I don’t dislike you.”

 

“…Then, why?”

 

“Because I don’t like you either.”

 

This wasn’t an excuse for his sake. It was also the truth.

 

Ponia didn’t like the current Sionel.

 

The moment she reunited with him, Ponia acknowledged that Sionel wasn’t the ideal type from her fantasies when she used to sing, and decided to let go of all past connections.

 

In this relationship that had started anew, there might be goodwill, affection, or friendship, but there was no love.

 

The flutter she occasionally felt from his kindness and consideration was merely a reaction stemming from her own deficiency. She wanted to believe that.

 

“Honestly, you’re not really my type.”

 

Ponia drove in the final nail.

 

‘He must be hurt.’

 

From the moment she started rejecting him, Ponia avoided meeting his eyes in case her resolve weakened. She had said everything she needed to say.

 

“Then I’ll go in first.”

 

“Wait.”

 

‘Stop holding on!’

 

When Sionel finally grabbed her, she looked up. And then, she was flustered.

 

Sionel, who she expected would show a hurt expression, displayed a completely different look than anticipated.

 

“A-are you perhaps angry?”

 

“Not at all.”

 

He showed a smile, but that somehow felt even more frightening.

 

He was clearly heated, but forcing a smile while hiding the poison he harbored? In any case, it was definitely not the expression of someone who had just been rejected.

 

“That type you mentioned.”

 

“….”

 

“What is that type?”

 

His touch as he brushed the hair from her cheek was gentle, and his smile was smooth, but his eyes had grown cold.

 

“Tell me comfortably.”

 

‘How can I speak comfortably when you’re acting like this?’

 

But it didn’t seem like he would just let it go if she kept her mouth shut. Ponia hesitated before opening her mouth.

 

“Well… someone kind…?”

 

“And?”

 

“Someone who doesn’t act stubborn or pick fights over every word?”

 

“More?”

 

“Someone who doesn’t curse or threaten?”

 

“…Is that so?”

 

“Most importantly, someone who doesn’t try to kill me?”

 

Ponia, who had been talking freely without realizing it as Sionel encouraged her, suddenly became aware that he was naturally touching her cheek and hair, and hastily pulled away from him.

 

And looking at him as he straightened his upper body with a regretful expression, she shouted.

 

“So, it’s definitely not you!”

 

And she immediately entered the warehouse. Leaving behind Chad, who wore a puzzled expression as Ponia came in slamming the door shut, Ponia leaned against the door.

 

…I did the right thing, didn’t I?

 

* * *

 

The next day, Ponia helped with the cabin construction as usual. Chad, who knew nothing, was one thing, but Sionel also acted as if what he had said the night before was nothing at all.

 

It was rather she who felt uncomfortable. Throughout the work, Sionel never once looked in her direction, but Ponia kept stealing glances at him.

 

“Nia, could you get me some nails?”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

With all her attention focused on Sionel, she didn’t see the plank lying on the floor as she went to get the nails.

 

“Ah!”

 

But Ponia didn’t fall. Sionel had pulled her body toward him.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“Ah, thank you.”

 

“….”

 

“Sio?”

 

Sionel didn’t let go of her as she tried to move away. He looked at her quietly.

 

‘Did you feel like this back then too?’

 

Ponia who confessed and Sionel who rejected the confession. Their situation was perfectly opposite to what it had been three years ago.

 

While he now understood how Ponia must have felt being rejected by someone she liked, he also thought his situation was better than hers had been.

 

‘I like you!’

 

‘I guess I wanted to see you again more than I thought.’

 

‘I’m the faithful type.’

 

At least he had already glimpsed the cracks in her heart. Those must have been words she spoke carelessly, thinking he would never notice.

 

All those words pointed to him.

 

Sionel moved even closer instead.

 

“…What are you doing?”

 

“Making an effort.”

 

“What kind of effort?”

 

He recalled what she had said last night.

 

‘So, it’s definitely not you!’

 

You liked me then, but not now?

 

“An effort to make you not avoid me.”

 

Then, I’ll make an effort so you can like me again. Just like the way Ponia Harbel used to like me.

 

He placed his hand over Ponia’s and brought it to his cheek. He held her hand there, not too forcefully, as she tried to pull away immediately.

 

‘I like you! I’ll confess again in three years!’

 

He had already learned from that shy girl three years ago just how persistent and blindly determined someone in love could be.

 

“Don’t avoid me.”

 

His first love had just begun.

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