I had no intention of revealing my identity to him, but I wanted to check on his condition, so I approached closer.
Elderly nobles were busily chatting around Ian, who seemed tired, rubbing his eyes with his fingers.
“Have you heard about the secret horse smuggling from Parvel domain?”
“That’s just a rumor, isn’t it? Given its location on the border, it’s common for ignorant people to smuggle goods, avoiding the lord’s eyes. Besides, horses from Parvel, even if they’re just foals, are well-suited for military use due to their resilience in high-altitude areas. And isn’t it the lord’s duty to prevent such smuggling? It’s questionable if Baron Parvel is fulfilling his role properly.”
Ian’s tired complexion made me feel sorry for him. I couldn’t understand why people wanted to argue so vociferously in front of someone so exhausted.
“If there are suspicions, why not send someone to investigate? I don’t want to falsely accuse Baron Parvel of collusion with foreign entities, but smuggling is a matter that requires thorough investigation.”
Ian’s words brightened the expression of an old man with a long white beard, while another middle-aged man with a short stature and protruding belly grimaced.
“I’m aware that Baron Parvel is related to Count Ketaina, but I have no intention of associating him with any wrongdoing.”
“Of course.”
“And if the investigation reveals no wrongdoing, Baron Cheyson, who tarnished Parvel’s reputation, will bear the responsibility.”
“Just spreading a rumor…”
“You are responsible for recklessly spreading unverified rumors. So, who do you suggest we send to Parvel domain?”
The conversation escalated again, with each person recommending their knights for the mission. The surrounding individuals also joined in, supporting their respective sides.
Just observing was draining.
Ian seemed to feel the same. He kept rubbing his eyes, appearing extremely tired.
“Ah!”
I noticed his eye color changing suddenly, as if a drop of blood had spread in blue water. It sent chills down my spine.
I had suggested revealing his red eyes openly, but not like this. I didn’t want his hard-earned reputation to crumble over something as trivial as eye color.
“The person you’re recommending, how can we trust them not to fabricate false charges?”
“Are you insulting my recommended knight?”
Fortunately, the nobles, busy raising their voices, didn’t notice the change in Ian’s eye color.
The problem was that Ian himself seemed unaware of it. He kept rubbing only around his eyes.
Without much thought, I knew I had to act quickly. If the people around him noticed his changed eye color, they would start wondering.
“Your Highness, I have something urgent to tell you.”
I hastily moved through the crowd and grabbed Ian’s wrist.
The suddenness of my appearance caused the nobles, who were previously engaged in a heated argument, to stare at me in astonishment, forgetting their dispute. My action was impulsive and rude, but I couldn’t think of a better way to get Ian out of there.
I was worried he might push me away. After all, it was a situation where a stranger was trying to pull him away.
Although I had broken down barriers with Ian over time, to others he was not known to be particularly amiable. In fact, he was rather prickly. It was not in his nature to let such impertinence pass with a smile.
Fortunately, Ian didn’t push my hand away but willingly followed. He seemed too tired to think about my sudden rude behavior.
I glanced at him.
‘Is he smiling?’
Oddly, he was wearing a contented smile, with tears brimming in his eyes.
Even though I had grabbed his hand first, it felt like he was the one holding onto me, gripping my hand tightly as if he didn’t want to let go.
‘It’s strange. He’s been staring at me since earlier… What’s going on? Did he secretly have a crush on Claire? But that couldn’t be…’
Ian had never mentioned Claire directly. But his attitude towards me, now in Claire’s form, was extremely peculiar.
‘It’s as if he’s seeing a lover who was thought to be dead come back to life.’
There were many questions, but the immediate concern was different. I led him to a secluded area, away from the crowd. We passed the crowded fountain in the garden and found a shaded area among tall trees.
I thought this place would be hidden from others’ eyes. Although I had hastily brought him here, I was unsure how to explain the situation.
I wanted to shout, ‘Why haven’t you been taking your medicine? Your red eyes were almost exposed in front of everyone!’ But then he would certainly ask how I knew his secret.
Telling him, ‘I’m Jane. There was a fire at the pharmacy, and when I woke up, I found myself in Claire’s body,’ seemed impossible.
The whole situation was too unbelievable. Even if I explained it well, he might think I was delusional after a head injury.
Even if he believed me, it was uncertain how long I could inhabit Claire’s body. If I suddenly had to leave, he would be plunged into despair again. I didn’t want to cause such a terrible experience.
‘No, I can’t tell him I’m Jane.’
“Sorry for suddenly dragging you out like this… You looked really unwell…”
“?”
Ian didn’t wait to hear my explanation and quickly pulled me into an embrace. In an instant, I found myself buried in his chest.
“I’ve missed you. Jane.”
“Ah…”
As I smelled the refreshing scent of grass on him, a sense of relief washed over me, and tears welled up in my eyes uncontrollably.
Ian was crying too, his tears dampening my neck. We embraced each other tightly for a long time.
Only when the situation started to feel awkward did I push him away. But he pulled me back in with desperation, like a child clinging to a departing mother.
“Don’t leave me again.”
“……?”
His words made my body stiffen, and confusion clouded my mind.
‘He called me Jane earlier, didn’t he? Does he know I’m Jane? How? His condition seems quite bad…’
I was indeed Jane, but Ian calling me that while I was in Claire’s body indicated something was off with him. I then realized how unusually hot his body felt.
“Just a moment! I won’t run away, just let me go for a second.”
I finally managed to push him away, despite his strong embrace that seemed desperate not to lose me. Slightly distanced from me, he looked at me with flushed cheeks and anxious eyes, resembling a puppy unable to get close to its owner. His expression was adorable, but it wasn’t a situation to be taken lightly. His body, while hugging me, was like a burning ember. It wouldn’t have been surprising if he had lost consciousness right then.
“Hold still, let me check your temperature.”
He nodded and lowered his head to make it easier for me to check his fever.
“What have you been doing to let your fever get this high without taking your medicine!”
With such a high fever, it was no wonder he mistook me for Claire. The heat could cause his brain to malfunction, leading to hallucinations or auditory hallucinations.
“It’s really Jane.”
In this serious situation, he smiled. I wanted to scold him, but seeing him repeat “It’s Jane” with tearful eyes and a smile, I couldn’t bring myself to reprimand him further.
“First, we need to do something about this fever… Oh my! Prince Ian!”
Before I could finish my sentence, his knees buckled weakly, and he collapsed into my arms.
I summoned all my remaining physical strength to prevent him from falling to the ground.
“Ugh…”
However, Claire’s physical strength was not enough to support him indefinitely.
“Of all places, why did we have to come to this secluded area…”
The location I had thought was perfect when dragging him here turned out to be the worst choice. No one was around to ask for help.
Turns Out He’s Been Secretly in Love with Me
One-line summary: He acts like he doesn’t like her but is actually playing hard to get.
Synopsis:
Xu Muzhou like her. He has liked her for a very long time, and through repeated schemes, he finally closed the distance with her.
But this is still far from enough.
He wants to be the one who stands out among her many suitors, to fight for her attention, and to make her take the initiative to pursue him.
_____
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