The Arranged Suitor Was the Kidnapper

After a long embrace, Zenox slowly opened his mouth.

“I will make sure such an incident never occurs again.”

His weighted voice, laden with resolve, reverberated in Laria’s ear as she remained enfolded in his arms.

Her lips parted soundlessly.

Zenox did nothing wrong.

He had been unaware that Laria would face Marquis Hashir in a duel.

Yet why did he seem to bear the blame?

“This time, you were the one who rescued me.”

Tightening her arms around him, Laria murmured.

A few years ago, when she had escaped the Krassium residence, she had been alone, afraid and terrified.

But not this time.

Reassured by his voice calling out to her, she closed her eyes.

Had Zenox not saved her, she might have reverted to flinching at the mere sight of a candle, just like before.

“Thank you.”

At Laria’s whispered gratitude, Zenox slowly released his embrace.

For a moment, they simply gazed at each other’s faces.

Though Zenox appeared calmer than before, his demeanor still seemed precarious.

“…I had intended to arrive early, but I’m sorry I was late.”

“I thought something might have happened.”

Zenox proceeded to explain the reason behind his tardiness.

As Laria listened to the events of the past few days, her mouth gradually fell open in disbelief.

“But did you at least get some sleep?”

When Zenox remained silent, Laria’s voice rose in concern.

“You didn’t sleep at all?”

“I did rest my eyes briefly.”

“Those shadows reach all the way to your chin!”

After a momentary pause, Zenox brushed the corners of his eyes.

“Are they really that bad?”

Laria studied him intently.

In contrast to his usual sharp gaze, his eyes now seemed slightly softened and weary.

Even his typically upright posture had taken on a curiously languid, almost decadent slouch.

Suddenly flushing crimson, Laria averted her gaze as she replied:

“Not too bad, just looking a bit fatigued.”

Unsatisfied with her response, Zenox let out a light sigh before asking:

“Did you challenge Marquis Hashir to the duel first?”

When Laria nodded, Zenox’s brow furrowed in concern.

“What if your identity had been exposed…”

“I couldn’t remain hidden forever.”

Laria had resolved to reveal her true self during this duel.

Had the Marquis been fully aware of her abilities, he would have undoubtedly found some pretext to avoid the duel.

However, blinded by his overconfidence in his own prowess, he had underestimated her, a mere novice sorcerer, as far as the public knew.

Thoroughly trounced before all those witnesses, his reputation as the Office Head would inevitably lie in tatters.

“They will target you now.”

Having foiled their schemes repeatedly, they wouldn’t let this transgression go unanswered.

“But for the time being, I should be safe. With so many eyes upon him, the Marquis can’t easily make a move.”

Despite Laria’s reassurances, Zenox remained visibly uneasy, his flickering gaze akin to a candle’s wavering flame as it reflected upon her.

Ultimately, Laria fell silent.

Had her collapse truly been so shocking for him?

It had only been a brief loss of consciousness, yet he behaved as if he had nearly lost her forever, having barely reclaimed her.

“Were you that alarmed?”

“‘Alarmed’ would be an understatement.”

He muttered that it seemed as if a decade had been shaved from his lifespan.

Any further reassurances would likely fall on deaf ears.

In an attempt to lighten the mood, Laria changed the subject.

“What about the flower?”

“Ah…”

Zenox let out a brief exclamation.

As he visibly wilted like a withered tree, prompting Laria’s puzzled head tilt, he elaborated.

“The flower…”

“The flower?”

“I had intended to present it before the duel began… but I lost it.”

Crestfallen at his delayed arrival and failure to deliver the flower, Zenox’s dejection amused Laria inwardly.

His utterly deflated demeanor as he bemoaned the lost flower was endearingly adorable.

“It’s alright, I’ll consider it received.”

“But how can you ‘consider it received’ when I didn’t give it to you?”

When Zenox refused to let it go, Laria pondered briefly before proposing:

“Then gift me a flower as a get-well present.”

Of course, there was no invalid present.

It had merely been a momentary lapse, but why not indulge him?

Nodding reluctantly at Laria’s suggestion, Zenox acquiesced.

“Very well.”

However, Laria had overlooked one crucial detail.

She had neglected to specify a quantity this time.

* * *

Two days had passed since the duel.

Though uninjured, everyone treated Laria like an invalid patient.

Particularly Zenox, who didn’t return home, instead clinging persistently to her side and refusing to leave.

Wherever Laria went, he trailed obediently, like a puppy with separation anxiety.

At first, her family had simply observed in silence, but they gradually grew exasperated, making pointed remarks.

Yet this incident did seem to have brought Laria’s family and Zenox closer.

They had progressed to summoning him for meals, at least.

Of course, this didn’t signify a truly welcoming atmosphere.

For his part, Zenox remained utterly unbothered by their treatment, focusing solely on Laria.

Seated beside her, Zenox abruptly rose to his feet.

“I have an errand to attend to briefly.”

Without further explanation, Zenox slipped away discreetly.

‘Is he returning to the Grand Duchy’s residence?’

Though only a momentary absence, a sense of emptiness lingered.

How would she cope when Zenox eventually departed for the North…?

As Laria sat at her desk, lost in pensive contemplation, a procession of servants appeared, cradling large boxes.

“What is all this?”

“Correspondence addressed to you, my lady.”

“To me…?”

Bewildered, Laria stared at the boxes before retrieving the letters.

Most were invitations.

She had occasionally received correspondence after publicly announcing her relationship with Zenox, but those had predominantly urged her to break things off swiftly.

‘It seems they have properly stamped their seals of approval this time.’

Previously reluctant to associate with her due to Zenox, the tide had now turned.

Beyond the invitations, there were also quite a few personal letters.

[You are my idol. How can I attain such prowess?]

[Your skills were impeccable. Especially the illusion magic…]

[I love you.]

They contained sorcerers’ critiques as well as endless romantic overtures.

Many expressed curiosity about Laria, who had emerged like a comet onto the scene.

Diligently perusing the letters, Laria lifted her head, sensing some commotion outside. Approaching the window and drawing back the curtains, she froze in her tracks.

“What is that?”

The gardens had been entirely transformed into a sea of yellow.

“Sunflowers?”

It had merely been a grassy field that morning, had it not?

Though the distance was considerable, Zenox seemed to sense her gaze, raising his head in her direction.

‘Surely not…’

Could he have prepared this as the ‘get-well’ flower she had requested?

Yet the improbable was Zenox’s specialty.

Shortly after, Zenox entered the bedchamber, his arms brimming with sunflowers.

“Your get-well present.”

Just where had it all gone wrong?

Instinctively accepting the sunflowers, Laria stammered:

“Did you, um, did you inform my parents?”

“I obtained their permission this morning.”

Though met with bewildered stares, Zenox remained unfazed.

Had they refused, he had even been prepared to purchase the entire Rohan estate grounds, solely to create a sunflower field directly visible from Laria’s bedroom.

‘His gestures are far too grandiose.’

As she had long suspected, Zenox lacked any sense of moderation.

Yet beholding his expectant gaze, she could only smile warmly.

Burying her face in the bouquet, Laria inhaled the quintessential summer fragrance befitting the sun’s flowers.

“Thank you. I do love sunflowers.”

Cradling the sunflowers in her arms, Laria beamed radiantly.

Zenox gazed at her in a daze, his neck flushing crimson like one who had lingered too long in the sun’s radiance.

He had envisioned her harmonizing perfectly with the sunflowers, yet reality exceeded his expectations.

To the point where he wished to embrace her with every sunflower in existence.

Finally tearing his eyes away, Zenox cleared his throat self-consciously.

“What were you occupied with earlier?”

“I was reading through some correspondence.”

Zenox’s gaze fell upon the scattered letters on the desk.

Skimming their contents, he abruptly stilled.

“…’I love you?'”

Laria’s shoulders tensed at Zenox’s murmured words.

Realizing he had simply read the letter’s contents, she composed herself and explained:

“Sorcerers have been sending me letters.”

“Hm.”

Zenox scrutinized the letters on the desk.

While feigning to examine their contents, he didn’t overlook noting the senders’ identities. Committing the names to memory, he smiled as if nothing was amiss.

“You seem quite popular.”

“I wouldn’t call it popularity…”

Flustered, Laria could only brush her reddened cheeks.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.

Both their heads swiveled toward the sound in unison.

“Miss.”

Perplexed, Laria opened the door to the awaiting servant’s announcement.

“Lady Sienna Hashir has come to visit.”