The Obsessive Maniac Is Trying To Confine Me - Chapter 214

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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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Side Story Episode 4

 

Rihardt seemed immersed in sorrow, his eyes even glistening with tears.

 

“…I might be so sad that I’ll gouge out their eyes.”

 

And then he casually says something horrifying.

 

…He’s been quiet lately, but this man is starting up again.

 

“Go by yourself.”

 

“…Rose.”

 

It’s no use acting pitiful like that.

 

I coldly rejected Rihardt.

 

“I have something to do.”

 

That’s right. I have something very important to do…

 

“Are you meeting friends?”

 

“That’s right.”

 

“…It’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped.”

 

Rihardt truly sent me a gaze overflowing with regret.

 

Until just a year ago, Rihardt wouldn’t let me go anywhere alone.

 

Because…

 

【You’re not leaving me, are you?】

 

He had such suspicions. For a very long time.

 

At that time, the time spent with Rihardt was quite burdensome. Of course, it was worse before that.

 

Whenever I had the chance, I tried to run away from his side.

 

‘Because you were such a crazy bastard…’

 

…Honestly, it wasn’t my fault.

 

“We’ll meet again when I come back anyway…”

 

“How cold.”

 

I said something because I was dumbfounded, and he frowned.

 

“You’re probably more worried about the potatoes at home than me. Isn’t that right?”

 

Wait, why are potatoes suddenly coming up?

 

It was truly absurd.

 

“Anyway, see you later.”

 

I cut it short so Rihardt couldn’t say anything useless.

 

* * *

 

Rihardt gazed at Rose as she left his side. The woman truly never looked back even once.

 

He stood rooted to the spot, watching her until she disappeared.

 

That’s right. The one who loves always loses.

 

Before he knew it, he had spent time with Rose for more than a year and a half.

 

It had been just as long since Sian’s soul had merged into Rihardt.

 

During that time, ‘Sian’s’ memories mixed in Rihardt’s head knocked on the door of memory like an unwelcome guest.

 

However, to Rihardt, Sian and himself were clearly different beings.

 

So he couldn’t tell Rose anything.

 

How would she accept it? If Rihardt and ‘Sian’ were connected…

 

The fact that Rose liked ‘Sian’ was certain.

 

Because of that, Rihardt had hidden his demise all this time.

 

But someday he would have to tell her.

 

Thinking this, he headed to the Market Alley inside the Piette Domain. He planned to buy some necessities.

 

Rihardt opened the door of the Dilapidated General Store and went inside.

 

“Welcome!”

 

Inside the shop, various miscellaneous items were densely displayed.

 

Food pouches with weak preservation magic, gloves that delayed wear, and simple first aid tools.

 

Rihardt slowly moved his gaze along the display shelves.

 

What he needed to buy this time was clear.

 

Fabric to line the warm outer coat Rose wore and ointment to protect her skin.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

One item placed in a corner of the display case caught his eye.

 

It wasn’t something he needed or was looking for.

 

【Sian, isn’t this pretty?】

 

Again.

 

‘Sian’s’ memory struck hard into his head.

 

Rihardt found this sensation unpleasant.

 

Memories that weren’t his own intruded too naturally.

 

And yet…

 

His hand hesitated for a moment, then picked up that item.

 

“Excellent choice! Speaking of this music box, it’s the most popular item among ladies these days!”

 

As if he had been waiting, the shop owner spoke up.

 

Would she like it?

 

A smile formed on Rihardt’s lips.

 

Lately, smiles had been staying on Rose’s face for longer periods.

 

Even so, he was greedy and wanted to see that smile more.

 

“I’ll buy it.”

 

“Ah, then please take a look at this too. It’s a small incense burner that relieves fatigue when you burn incense, and ladies especially love it.”

 

Would she like this too?

 

Rose liked subtle fragrances.

 

While she frowned at strong scents, she lingered long around gently spreading smells.

 

“Give me that too.”

 

“Then how about this…? It’s a blanket woven from the finest wool. Wives absolutely love it.”

 

Rihardt touched the blanket the owner offered.

 

To his rough hands, it was just a piece of cloth, but a different picture was already being drawn in his mind.

 

On a cold winter night, Rose wrapped in this blanket, sitting in front of the fireplace, nodding off.

 

And the cozy texture that would touch those soft cheeks.

 

“…I’ll buy it.”

 

Rihardt nodded without hesitation. The owner’s eyes gleamed greedily. Got him good!

 

The shop owner’s expression brightened noticeably. What a windfall!

 

Some handsome sucker had walked right in.

 

Before long, miscellaneous goods were piling up like a mountain on the counter.

 

Rose would be horrified if she knew.

 

* * *

 

Humans repeat the same mistakes…

 

I visited a restaurant in the Piette Domain.

 

“Hey, Lorel. I got that book you mentioned.”

 

…Finally, the forbidden novel has come into my hands.

 

[Author: Palangpalang]

 

My heart raced the moment I saw the author’s pen name.

 

How many months had I spent heartbroken over that shocking story where the protagonists fell off a cliff in the final volume…?

 

The book clutched in my hands was none other than a bromance.

 

That’s right. I had already possessed a BL novel once and still hadn’t come to my senses.

 

I worried about what would happen if I possessed another BL novel, but the immediate pleasure at hand was the most urgent matter.

 

If I get possessed, I’ll think about it when the time comes!

 

“This volume is getting amazing reactions. You can look forward to it.”

 

The name of the woman handing me the book right now is Marta.

 

A year ago, I became close with her through a chance encounter. She had helped catch a pickpocket.

 

We became friends through that incident, and it turned out we had the same tastes. Our friendship grew even stronger.

 

“Thanks, Marta. You’re the only one I can count on. I’ll enjoy reading this one too.”

 

I wanted to hurry back to the cabin and open the book.

 

Marta and I sat together at a table, chatting quietly. Since it wasn’t mealtime, the shop was peaceful.

 

Meeting Marta and talking with her whenever I left the Cursed Land had somehow become part of my daily routine.

 

“But Lorel, is something going on with you lately?”

 

“Hm? No?”

 

I was flustered by the sudden question and asked back.

 

“Really? It’s nothing major… but your face seems much brighter.”

 

I blinked at Marta’s words.

 

“When I first met you, your expression was incredibly dark. So talking to you was a bit… well… difficult?”

 

“…Was it?”

 

Well, I suppose.

 

Up until then, I had weathered every storm life could throw at me.

 

But after spending a peaceful year and a half, my sharp and rough edges had gradually been worn smooth.

 

“Yeah. You were incredibly prickly. Do you know how hard it was to approach you?”

 

At Marta’s words, someone suddenly came to mind.

 

【Roji, do you know how prickly you were?】

 

…Emily.

 

Why was it? That she suddenly came to mind. I wonder if Emily is doing well?

 

“I just asked how you were doing, and you gave me this completely cold look and said, ‘You don’t need to worry about it.'”

 

“…”

 

It seemed there were other incidents too, as Marta began sharing other stories.

 

It felt like my dark history was being vividly excavated…

 

I took a moment for self-reflection.

 

“I’m… sorry. I’ll treat you more kindly from now on, Marta.”

 

“Really? This is so touching.”

 

Marta smiled as if delighted by my words.

 

“Because Marta is my friend.”

 

“Even more touching…”

 

It was a warm and friendly time.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Creak-

 

Suddenly, the dining hall door opened roughly.

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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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