I’m Stuck on a Remote Island With the Male Leads - Chapter 25
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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 25
I froze in panic. Naturally, I thought Enoch would take a step back. However, he had actually come two steps closer.
Was he originally this aggressive?
I forced myself to come to my senses. To survive on this treacherous island, I couldn’t let myself be swayed by others so helplessly.
Especially if it was just an uncertain emotion that would end with something like ‘being concerned.’
So I decided to be a little more firm.
“You said there would never be a time when you’d develop feelings for me. You told me not to harbor any false hopes.”
Enoch frowned as if my words had hit the mark. He looked confused himself.
From that expression, I was certain. It really was just that kind of ordinary emotion that would end with merely ‘being concerned.’
I resolved again. I would absolutely never let myself be swayed by him in the future.
Of course, the harsh words he had said to me were well-deserved for the past Margaret, so Enoch didn’t need to blame himself for that.
“If this goes any further, it’ll become troublesome for both of us, just as Your Highness said. So shall we stop here?”
Once again, I returned his own words to him exactly as he had said them. Since I’m quite petty, I tend to remember hurtful words perfectly.
Enoch could no longer say anything and closed his mouth. Seeing him blame himself in a way that didn’t suit him made me feel a little sorry, so I spoke again.
“Enoch. I want to live. And I want you to survive too. I mean that sincerely.”
That seemed unexpected to Enoch. His golden eyes widened in surprise and shook fiercely.
“So let’s only think about survival for now. Other things can wait until later, can’t they?”
Upon hearing those words, Enoch slowly closed his eyes. As if suppressing some surging emotion.
* * *
Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere with Enoch, I left the cave, only to find Kaiden sitting in front of it.
He was sitting quietly on the fallen wooden post we used as a chair, just staring out at the dim bushes.
I sat down next to him.
I still found him unsettling, but I wasn’t heartless enough to not thank someone who had apparently searched for me.
“Sorry for worrying you. I heard you went looking for me.”
Kaiden turned to look at me.
“It’s fine since you’re safe.”
He looked at me with eyes that made it hard to tell what he was thinking.
“Strange magic circles bloomed in the sky, the sun was setting but you were nowhere to be found… The Crown Prince was frantically searching for you like he had some kind of separation anxiety. It was maddening.”
Ah. So the reason the cave was in chaos was indeed because of Enoch.
Separation anxiety… Was that kind of bond formed because I could control his rampage?
As I pondered this, I glanced at Kaiden. Unlike earlier, his cloak was dirty. He really must have searched hard for me.
“Are you okay?”
Kaiden didn’t answer and just rested his chin on his hand, staring intently at my face. I was a little flustered by that gaze whose meaning I couldn’t understand.
“What?”
“I heard everything you two were talking about inside.”
“…Oh, really?”
‘He heard all those embarrassing conversations?’
My face burned. I tried to avoid his gaze by fanning myself with my hand, but Kaiden gently lifted my chin with his fingertip.
Thanks to that, our eyes met again.
“But you know what? What should I do? I’ve become interested in you too.”
At his words, I just blinked and stared at him.
Enoch at least had time we’d spent together, but why Kaiden…? And both men were making similar confessions as if they had planned it.
“Don’t joke around. Why would you be interested in me? When did you say you disliked me?”
Was it because my first impression of him wasn’t good? Or was it because I knew what kind of man he was? Whatever Kaiden said didn’t feel sincere.
His blood-red eyes stared clearly at my face.
I quietly watched his fine silver hair sway gently in the warm breeze.
Kaiden’s sharp cat-like eyes curved as if amused. He was smiling with his eyes.
Why is he smiling here? I just blinked in confusion at his inexplicable smile.
“No matter how I look at it, you’re different from the previous Margaret. Different from what I heard in rumors too. That’s why my gaze goes to you. My attention goes to you. I can’t help that.”
His face came closer.
His snow-white skin that seemed even paler than mine and his deep red eyes filled my vision.
I moved back. Of all people, I had let my guard down around Kaiden.
As I tried to get up from my seat, he grabbed my wrist.
“Let go.”
When I frowned as if in pain, he immediately released my wrist.
“Sorry. And I’m sorry for threatening you before too. For saying I disliked you.”
He spoke in a sulky tone. Of course, his words still didn’t resonate with me.
“That’s fine…”
When I opened my mouth, Kaiden waited for my next words with an expectant face.
“You don’t like me anyway. And you never will.”
Kaiden’s lips stiffened.
Both Enoch and Kaiden would probably change when they met the female lead…
I thought I’d only be able to trust and judge them after that happened.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Kaiden answered, playing dumb. I nodded as if there was nothing I could do about it.
“Think about it. You and I haven’t known each other long, and you openly said you disliked me with contempt. So how could I possibly develop feelings for you?”
At my words, Kaiden flinched with an ‘oops’ expression. Then he immediately smiled as if nothing had happened. Once again, it was hard to tell if he was lying or not.
I pointed to the earring hanging on his right ear and said,
“I know you can’t control your emotions well. That earring helps regulate your emotions, but it’s broken now, isn’t it?”
Kaiden looked genuinely surprised.
“You… how did you…!”
“I know the person who made that earring. Anyway, the important thing is that you need to properly control your emotions here without relying on the earring’s power.”
Of course, I didn’t directly know the person who made the earring. I just remembered what Kaiden had told Yuanna in the original story.
At my words, Kaiden was at a loss for words and stared at me blankly.
“I understand you saying strange things to someone you don’t even like. It’s because of the earring.”
Being cold to Enoch was a bit difficult, but not with Kaiden. Unlike Enoch, he hadn’t spent much time with me.
“But this is as far as it goes. Don’t say things you’ll regret later.”
I let go of his hand and turned around. But Kaiden urgently grabbed my wrist again.
His face, which seemed a little angry, came close to mine.
“Yeah, you must find it absurd too.”
He looked at me and smiled as if amused.
“But Margaret, becoming interested in you is my emotion, whatever the reason. So that’s for me to decide. That lecture just now was a bit presumptuous.”
He showed me a pretty smile with dimples, then pressed a long kiss to the back of my hand.
It was a greeting in the Langrid Empire style, but when Kaiden did it to me, it felt a little different. The soft, moist sensation lingered for a long time.
I pulled my hand free from his grasp and hurriedly got up from my seat.
“You’re presumptuous too. Very selfish. You know that?”
“I know.”
Kaiden nodded cheerfully. I had no idea what he was thinking.
Looking at him with displeasure, I awkwardly got up and entered the cave.
And I ended up running into Enoch, who was standing at the cave entrance.
…Had he heard my conversation with Kaiden?
But right now I was too tired. So I didn’t worry about it anymore and quietly returned to my spot, lay down, and closed my eyes.
“But Margaret, becoming interested in you is my emotion, whatever the reason. So that’s for me to decide. That lecture just now was a bit presumptuous.”
Kaiden’s voice echoed in my ears. But I had only said what needed to be said at least once.
I just hoped they wouldn’t regret the words they spoke today after meeting the Female Lead.
* * *
As expected, I was bedridden the next day. Not from a cold or fever, but from muscle pain.
I had wondered how I would face Enoch and Kaiden when I opened my eyes, but that wasn’t what mattered now. My entire body felt like it was falling apart.
Seeing how much pain I was in, Enoch restlessly hovered around me, tending to my needs.
I didn’t refuse his help. I really felt like I was going to die.
Margaret’s body was truly weak. Once I felt a bit better, I would have to start with Physical Training right away. How could I survive on this brutal deserted island like this?
In the end, I was tormented by muscle pain for four whole days before I could move again.
When I finally came out of the cave after so long, I saw Enoch making a campfire at the entrance. Next to him, Kaiden was cutting tree bark very thinly and twisting it to tie it like rope.
As described in the novel, Kaiden indeed had many remarkable skills in real life too.
“Are you feeling alright?”
Enoch approached and placed his hand on my forehead to check for fever. Behind him, Kaiden carefully approached and examined my complexion.
“Rest more.”
I shook my head at Kaiden’s words.
“I’m fine.”
And I emphasized while looking at Enoch as well.
“Really.”
Enoch caressed my cheek once more with a worried expression, then reluctantly moved away from me.
We gathered around the campfire with tired faces and watched the flames crackle and burn for a long while.
“We need to find a way to escape from the island, but I have no idea where to even start.”
Enoch sighed with an unusually lost expression on his face.
“Kaiden, haven’t you seen any other people on the island?”
I asked Kaiden in a subtly probing manner.
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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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