I Became the Keeper of a Suspicious Forest - Chapter 72

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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 72

Ponia looked down below herself with a flushed face.

The monster was unconscious in the hole. It had been struck by the plank while trying to emerge above ground.

Earlier, when the monster briefly came above ground, its movements seemed a bit slower than what she had observed from underground.

It wasn’t her imagination. When the monster tried to go back underground, its legs were awkward as if fumbling, and though it was brief, it took several seconds longer to enter the ground than when it came out.

Ponia had aimed for exactly that point.

If she could dodge the monster’s upward leap just once, she would be able to attack it when it came above ground.

Instead of running away, Ponia stopped in place. Then, she waited until the monster quickly approached her.

And, timing it right, she brought down the plank on the monster…

However, contrary to her expectations, the monster appeared not beneath her feet but directly to her left. And immediately stretched out its leg toward her ankle.

“Wait…”

She tried to hastily change the direction of the plank, but the monster’s movement was faster.

It was Sionel who moved in that situation.

When Ponia stood in place without a word holding the plank, Sionel realized what she was trying to do.

Rather than stopping Ponia’s reckless action, he waited with her. He was prepared to push Ponia aside and become the prey himself if necessary.

And at the moment when the monster aimed for Ponia and tried to reach her feet.

Sionel snatched the plank from Ponia.

And struck down on the monster’s head with it.

Ponia looked at him with a bewildered expression.

Sionel set the plank down on the ground with a thud.

“Next time, tell me first before you move.”

“…”

“You startled me.”

‘You don’t look startled at all though.’

Only his slightly roughened breathing revealed that he too had been somewhat shaken.

Moreover, that movement from earlier.

“Sionel.”

“Yeah.”

“Be honest with me. You’re completely healed, aren’t you.”

“…”

“It doesn’t hurt at all anymore, does it?”

When Ponia narrowed her eyes, Sionel rolled his eyes and avoided her gaze.

“…It hurts.”

Sionel answered with all his energy drained. His downcast face also looked lifeless.

If Ponia hadn’t seen his actions just now, she might have believed him.

As Ponia was about to say something, a sound came from the distance.

Thud thud thud thud thud thud thud.

“This sound…?”

She immediately looked at the ground, but the monster that had been moving underground was still unconscious.

‘Then, who’s making this sound?’

Soon the source of the sound appeared before them. And Ponia couldn’t help but gape.

The ground was collapsing in the same manner as before, and identical monsters were approaching them.

‘It wasn’t just one?’

As she watched the scene with horrified eyes, warmth filled her hand.

Sionel interlaced their fingers and led her.

“This way.”

While coolly observing the monsters’ movements, Sionel showed a gentle smile to reassure her in case she was anxious.

Looking at him like that, Ponia thought positively about the monsters for the first time since entering the forest.

If she could be with Sionel like this, it might be okay to keep being chased by monsters.

Even she thought it was an insane thought.

* * *

Thud thud thud thud thud thud.

Thud thud thud thud thud thud.

Kiyaaak!

The monsters were still digging through the ground, searching for Ponia and Sionel. However, they had no success.

“They can’t see us up in the tree at all.”

Ponia and Sionel had climbed the largest and most well-grown tree in the area and sat on its branches. And they watched the monsters moving quickly below.

Looking closely at the monsters, their eyes had no light. Their vision seemed poor, so they could only detect enemies through sound.

They were still searching this area because of the scent, but if that yielded no results, they would leave soon.

Just as she was catching her breath, she felt a gaze. When she turned her head, Sionel was staring at her intently.

“…Why?”

“Are you disappointed in me…?”

“What? No?”

What kind of random statement was this?

Sionel continued with an uncertain expression.

“I suggested we go on a date, but I couldn’t understand your feelings, and everything was a mess until the very end.”

Sionel glanced at the monsters that had completely ruined today’s date. A faint killing intent could be seen in his eyes.

Sionel was completely mistaken, thinking that today’s date was ruined because of his actions or words.

The date wasn’t ruined by Sionel or those monsters. It was because of her.

She considered pretending not to know, but overcome by rising guilt, Ponia eventually confessed the truth.

“It’s not because I’m disappointed in you.”

“You don’t need to try to cover for me. I know I was lacking too.”

“That’s not it!”

Ponia shouted.

“I’m not disappointed in you, I’m disappointed in myself for being so petty!”

Her face turned red. Sionel blinked in surprise at her outburst. Ponia continued speaking rapidly.

“Actually, I’ve been too busy trying to make money, so I’ve never been on a date. No, to be more honest, I’ve never even been alone with a man in the same space.”

“But three years ago at the banquet, you confessed to me…”

“That was the first and last time!”

Sionel bringing up the past was a bit annoying, but that wasn’t what she wanted to talk about right now.

“You’ve been on many dates with other young ladies. The places were probably much more splendid than here. Compared to them, being with me is too different. Being with me is too boring.”

Ponia confessed everything with a feeling of desperation.

Silence followed.

Ponia, who had been looking down while speaking, finally raised her head.

Sionel was frowning.

“I’ve never dated other young ladies. I told you that earlier too.”

“You don’t need to say empty words to comfort me. I’m not jealous that you dated other young ladies.”

Actually, she was a little jealous, but if she said that too, she felt like she’d fall into self-loathing.

“Ponia.”

Ponia flinched. Sionel calling her name seemed genuinely angry.

“I said I didn’t. Haven’t I given you enough reason to trust me?”

Sionel wrapped his hands around Ponia’s.

“Back then, I wasn’t even thinking about engagement until I inherited the dukedom. And who would want to date Yeongshik, who was constantly facing assassination attempts? I wasn’t interested either.”

“…”

“Hoping that someone would share the same feelings as me, thinking I wanted to go on a date like this – it’s all a first for me.”

“But you didn’t say anything throughout the entire date.”

“That’s because…”

Sionel hesitated to speak, then opened his mouth.

“I was nervous.”

“Nervous?”

“I wanted to make you happy, but I didn’t know how to do it, so I kept worrying about it.”

The words that came from his mouth felt quite unfamiliar to Ponia.

Sionel, who seemed to see through other people’s hearts and acted appropriately for any situation, was nervous?

As if understanding the meaning of the look she was giving him, Sionel added:

“You’re too difficult.”

“…”

“Even though I can read everyone’s expressions and act accordingly, you’ll always be difficult for me.”

“Why?”

“Because I like you.”

Sionel, who had been choosing his words carefully throughout, put conviction into his final statement.

“With every expression you make, with every word you say, I’ll think of dozens, hundreds of responses and wonder what you mean. Even after thinking for so long, I might still be wrong.”

“…”

“So don’t be too disappointed.”

Sionel gazed at her steadily as if he wouldn’t give her any room for confusion, and Ponia unconsciously nodded.

“I… I understand.”

Ponia backed away slightly toward the wooden pillar.

The person who had actually spoken seemed unconscious of it, but Ponia didn’t have the confidence to handle any more of his words today.

However, without looking back, she hurriedly retreated and stumbled, losing her balance. Sionel immediately caught her body.

Thanks to that, the distance between her and Sionel became even closer than before.

“…”

“…”

‘No! Stop!’

I can’t endure any more!

However, Sionel completely ignored Ponia’s wishes. He pressed their foreheads together.

“There’s only you.”

At the same time as Sionel smiled brightly, Ponia’s face turned incredibly red.

‘This is wrong.’

My heart feels like it’s going to burst from fluttering.

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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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