The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 139

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 139
When had it begun?
The moment her heart had drifted elsewhere.
He had lived his entire life chasing after her—beautiful as if she held light itself within her—yet he had failed to notice when that current of emotion had shifted in another direction.
A cruel moment for Kyle.
Ironically, beneath the glow of the lights, her rosy cheeks as she danced appeared more radiant and joyful than ever before.
Like a distant asteroid that surely glimmered in the far heavens.
Like a star that would forever remain beyond his reach.
“Miss Anette….”
He had done his best.
In this lifetime, he had loved twice—a love he knew he could never experience again.
But now he understood that she wished to dance her final waltz with someone other than him.
His chest ached, yet his love remained unbroken.
His heart constricted with tender sorrow, though not enough to bring tears.
At least she wore happiness upon her face.
Before the waltz could end, Kyle turned away and departed from the Banquet Hall.
―And so, the eve of this passionate night was drawing to its close.
* * *
Beneath the moonlight cascading across the Balcony, we kissed for what felt like an eternity.
Sisrain paid no mind to the festivities still unfolding in the hall, instead leading me secretly to the empty Balcony.
“Come closer.”
My heart raced as though we were committing some forbidden act, and his kiss was sweeter than ever before.
Several times I gasped for breath as danger approached, yet Sisrain refused to release me.
“Sis….”
Finally, my face flushed entirely and my breathing grew ragged as I melted into his embrace, only then did his lips shift to my cheek.
As his kisses continued—tender and ticklish across my cheeks, my lowered eyelids, and the bridge of my nose—I found myself laughing softly.
Only now did I truly feel how much burning affection each kiss contained.
I whispered a small protest.
“…My face will wear away at this rate, Sis.”
The wind stirred his silken hair.
Though the night was cool and my dress thin, I felt no chill in his embrace.
It was warm and comfortable. Yet there had been a time when being held in this embrace had startled me greatly.
The memory suddenly surfaced, and I lifted my head, parting his collar as I asked.
“Do you remember? When you proposed to me. You saved me from falling off the Cliff while we were being chased by pursuers, and then suddenly asked me to marry you.”
The shock I had felt then, yet somehow the warmth that had flooded my chest—that moment remained vivid even now.
Covered in dirt and grass, tears streaming down my face, he wiped my eyes and proposed.
More shocking than the fact that I had nearly died, more shocking than the fact that he had saved my life, was the sheer audacity of this man proposing in such circumstances—a memory that had left me dazed.
A thought that only occurs to me now… but perhaps it will become a memory I never forget for the rest of my life?
To my question, he smiled lightly, then answered in his characteristically low voice.
“Of course I’ll remember it for the rest of my life, Anette.”
Perhaps Sisrain would carry the same memories as I do.
He swept his large hand across my back to keep me warm, then asked.
“What did you think when you heard my proposal back then?”
Well, I could answer that without hesitation.
“I thought you were insane…!”
He let out a low laugh. His sharp jawline and cheeks lifted attractively.
I found myself drawn to this moment, with those crimson eyes holding me.
“What were you thinking when you proposed to me?”
Now I was curious about it.
“That you couldn’t be taken from me?”
Perhaps it connected to the reason he’d bound his heart to my wrist.
I asked, reasoning that I was perhaps closest to Sisrain’s desire.
It must be the feeling that I couldn’t be taken away?
….
Sisrain cradled her small cheek in his large hand, gazing down at her tenderly.
Then he retraced the years he had lived.
Cast alone into the world, living a harsh life, the first peace I found was in a dark cave.
Within that peace I encountered for the first time in my life,
the boy prayed to God.
“Let me die.”
In this small, unsafe place, I dare beseech you—take this life from me.
“Please, let me die.”
An eleven-year-old boy knew no other way to escape this wretched existence.
Even in the Forest, where I fled after being treated like livestock in the Slave Trade Business, there was no peace. My life held not a glimmer of light, dark as that cave.
…To end this suffering, there was only death.
Then one day, I met her.
“Hello?”
A single radiant beam of light piercing through a dark and miserable life.
A girl God sent instead of death.
“You’ll become someone greater and more noble than anyone else.”
….
“That’s what I believe.”
The boy no longer prayed to be allowed to die.
The girl’s words became gospel that would be etched into the boy’s heart for life.
“…I will become great and noble.”
….
“More than anyone.”
Even if she flew from my embrace like a butterfly, free and untethered, I could neither hate nor resent her.
Within the eternal torment of the Crevasse, where my entire body was torn to shreds and my bones shattered, Sisrain no longer prayed to God.
Instead, I made a promise to a certain girl.
“I’ll come find you.”
Just as you saved my life, I want to become something for you as well.
I’ll become someone greater and more noble than anyone else, and then I’ll meet you again.
Only after enduring moments when death would have been preferable, and becoming a body that couldn’t survive without medicine, could he finally keep that promise.
Having lived such a life, his proposal to her wasn’t born from his own desire.
When asked what he was thinking at the moment of his proposal, Sisrain finally answered.
“I wanted to become your family.”
“….”
What an orphan girl had secretly dreamed of.
Though she had lived among warm people, there was something none of them could ever give her.
Sisrain understood well that it was family, and he knew what she truly desired.
“I hope my embrace, Anette….”
“….”
“Could become as solid as your home.”
I wanted to be your family, and your home.
You, born lonely and fragile in this vast world, always striving—you who have never truly had a sanctuary of your own.
A place where you’d never have to leave again, never have to run away…
I wanted to become your complete home.
“….”
Sisrain pulled her fully into his embrace.
I will seal away all unhappiness from your life without a single crack.
Even if it costs me everything.
“…Sisrain.”
Anette wrapped her arms around his firm shoulders and buried her face deeper into his chest.
It was warm and safe.
The heart that had lived in constant, anxious pursuit finally found peace within him.
* * *
“Sis, we have to part ways for now. They say love breaks if an anonymous man and woman stay together before midnight.”
“It’s just superstition, Anette.”
“I’m inclined to believe in superstitions, Your Majesty.”
I pushed away Sisrain, who refused to let go, and spoke.
“When the midnight fireworks begin, you’ll find me for sure.”
It was merely a small lovers’ jest, but I wanted there to be no flaw in this perfect night.
Throughout the Banquet Hall, couples were parting ways, promising to meet at midnight.
Though all wore reluctant expressions, there was an air of anticipation for their reunion.
During the remaining time, I wandered through the Banquet Hall searching for people I knew.
Beneath the soft violin melody, everyone was smiling.
…Would Heinrich be smiling too?
Probably not.
Like a thorn that suddenly pierced me, those cold eyes kept returning to my mind.
‘Calm yourself.’
I took a sip of champagne and exchanged brief pleasantries with the masked woman I recognized.
Then I quietly waited for midnight.
Finally, midnight arrived—one minute before.
People checked their watches and headed toward the Balcony.
The fireworks would be launched from the Imperial Palace Garden, after all.
‘I should hurry too.’
It was just as everyone was heading toward the Balcony with excited faces.
That’s when I sensed something strange.
“Hehe, hic….”
A peculiar man not far away, wearing a jewel-adorned mole mask, was drooling from his mouth.
‘Has he drunk too much?’
It was just as I decided to avoid him, feeling slightly disgusted.
“Hic…!”
The man’s gaze locked onto me.
In that moment, I understood.
…It wasn’t alcohol.
I’ve seen those eyes before.
‘He’s been cursed!’
Gerard!
He was targeting me while everyone’s attention was elsewhere.
Right then, the man’s eyes rolled back white as he lunged at me, his sharpened dagger gleaming.
“…!!!”
In a single second, I made an instant decision.
‘I’ll use Sordi’s power…!’
No one would know, but Exordium’s power had grown strong enough now to protect me from that level of threat.
Besides, everyone’s attention was on the Balcony, so if I deflected it in one swift motion, no one would witness my power.
Light was gathering in my hand when it happened.
Whoosh!
A man appeared, suddenly blocking my vision.
Silver hair as brilliant as if moonlight had been woven into threads.
Clear violet eyes.
In Heinrich’s hand was a magic stone he hadn’t managed to fire. His heart had moved faster than his mind—his body had acted first.
―A sharp, cold sound.
At that moment, I heard a chilling noise, and Heinrich’s eyes, holding me close, and his lips trembled.
My heart dropped.
Heinrich barely managed to move his lips.
His voice was fading, heartbreakingly so.
“Sister….”
Before he could finish speaking, dark crimson blood trickled from his deep red lips.
The Zian I had loved lost her light and completely collapsed.
“Heinrich…!!!”

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