Chapter 126

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Interlude, Dieta (3)

“I like you, Najin.”

She said it. She really said it. Her rational mind screamed and foamed at the mouth in protest, but Dieta couldn’t help but think that Najin was just a little bit infuriating.

After all, wasn’t it true?

She’d been dropping hints, obvious ones, for ages, but he had always remained unshakably calm. That serene indifference of his grated on her nerves. She didn’t pale in comparison to others. Honestly, how many women in the Empire could claim to be as beautiful as her?

Would it kill him to look a little flustered? To close the gap between them? To show even the slightest hint of being affected?

’If it’s because he doesn’t understand feelings like love…’

Then she’d make damn sure he understood. Once he realized how much she liked him, there was no way he’d be able to carry on as if nothing had changed.

It would stir things up between them—whether for better or worse.

If it went poorly… well, that would hurt. Maybe a lot, but that was a problem for her future self to deal with.

Balancing nervousness and anticipation, Dieta watched Najin closely.

Finally, he reacted.

Najin’s eyes widened, his gaze trembled, and he reflexively tried to step back, but the railing behind him cut off his retreat.

Thud—

His back hit the fence.

Anyone could see that he was flustered.

Najin possessed reflexes far beyond those of ordinary people. Even before he became a Sword Expert, let alone a Sword Seeker, his reaction speed and dynamic vision were unmatched. Few had ever managed to land a “surprise attack” on him.

Sure, stronger opponents had beaten him before, but for someone of equal or lesser skill to deal him a critical blow? That was almost unheard of.

At that moment, he was struck by a surprise attack, and it wasn’t just any attack—it left him visibly shaken.

Who could possibly land such a blow on the youngest Sword Seeker in history? Was it someone fast enough to evade even his reflexes? A masterful ambush? Perhaps even a Sword Master?

None of the above.

The one who had “struck” him was a girl who approached him slowly and openly. She had nothing to do with combat, and yet, Najin’s trembling eyes betrayed how much the blow had shaken him.

‘What did I just hear?’

There was no mistaking her words—Dieta’s voice had been crystal clear, her pronunciation perfect. It was the kind of confession one might expect in the climax of a fairy tale or heroic epic.

“I like you, Najin.”

His mind reeled. For someone who prided himself on anticipating and countering attacks, he had been utterly unprepared for Dieta’s words. He didn’t know how to respond or react.

In his confusion, he instinctively sought help. His eyes darted toward Merlin, his guide and advisor. If anyone could tell him what to do in that situation, it would be her.

Unfortunately for him…

– Wha… Wh-what… WHAT?!

Merlin’s reaction wasn’t much better than Najin’s. If anything, it was worse. Her eyes widened in shock, and her head tilted so far to one side it looked like it might snap. Eventually, her lips started to move.

– Did I mishear that? I misheard it, right? No, I must have misheard it. I had to.

Merlin stared at Dieta in disbelief.

– A confession needs a mood! Ambiance! Do you think love is a joke?! Confessions should happen under a moonlit lake at the end of a long journey! Not in some random, awkward situation like this!

Her voice rose to a shriek.

It wasn’t like Merlin had ever confessed to anyone… or been confessed to, for that matter. She had simply fantasized about what her ideal confession would look like.

She was yelling, inadvertently exposing her own preferences.

– What kind of girl—or guy—likes a sudden confession like this?! Do you think Najin is so naive that he’d fall for such a half-baked attempt?! You brat!

Merlin stomped her feet furiously before turning her head toward Najin with a huff.

– Isn’t that right? Huh? Say something, Najin! Agree with me!

When her eyes met Najin’s, they narrowed.

– What’s with your face?

“What?”

– Your eyes! They’re shaking! Don’t tell me…

“No, it’s just… this is a surprising situation.”

– Gaaaaaahhh!

Merlin clutched the back of her neck like she was about to faint. Clearly, she was in no shape to be of any help.

Najin ignored her screams and refocused on Dieta.

“…” Dieta stood silently, her gaze fixed on him. It was clear she wouldn’t step aside until she heard his answer.

Najin had no intention of brushing her off. He wasn’t the type to dismiss someone’s heartfelt confession. Silence fell as he pondered.

A single minute passed, feeling as long as an hour, before Najin finally spoke. “Dieta…”

“Yes, Najin?”

“To be honest, I’m not entirely sure what feelings you have for me. Of course, if you’re asking whether I like you or not, I do.” He hesitated, then continued, “But I know you’re not talking about something so simple.”

“That’s right. To put it bluntly, I want to be more than friends. I want a romantic relationship. It’s a little embarrassing to say it out loud, though.” Dieta fidgeted with her fingers, her voice growing quieter as embarrassment caught up with her.

Najin smiled wryly. “That’s why… I can’t give you an answer right now.”

“Can I ask why?”

“Because I don’t know. I don’t understand what it means to like someone romantically—or even what your feelings for me really mean. Answering your confession without understanding would feel… dishonest.”

Najin’s voice was steady as he explained his hesitation. He wanted to take her confession seriously, not respond thoughtlessly or dismissively.

“I see.” Dieta couldn’t help but smile. It was such a Najin-like response—honest, considerate, and predictable. “I figured you’d say something like that.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Apologizing makes it feel like I’ve been rejected, and that’s not what happened. You’re not planning to avoid me forever, are you?”

“Of course not.”

“Then don’t apologize. You haven’t done anything wrong.” She hadn’t confessed recklessly. She’d anticipated the possibility of rejection, after all.

“I already knew that you don’t really understand romantic feelings and that this would probably be your response.” By comparison, it wasn’t so bad.

“Originally, I planned to take things slow—claiming your ‘firsts’ one by one until I finally took the spot of your lover.” Her confession hadn’t been impulsive. Even knowing Najin’s limitations, Dieta had chosen to take the leap.

“I couldn’t wait anymore.” Dieta smiled bashfully, a mix of sheepishness and determination.

Her voice trembled slightly, but her smile remained. “You’re leaving soon, right? They say distance makes the heart grow distant, too. The idea of you being on a bigger stage, aiming for higher and greater things… it makes me anxious. You’ll probably become even more extraordinary, and I…”

She trailed off, unable to finish the thought. She couldn’t stand the idea of being reduced to a fleeting memory—just “someone he used to know.”

“I wanted to leave you with something unforgettable. You said it yourself: the firsts are the ones that matter most. Remember this, Najin: I’m the first person to confess to you.”

“What do you think? Disappointed?” She ended her speech with a smile—a radiant, captivating smile that made Najin unconsciously hold his breath.

“Not at all.” Najin smiled. “Honestly, I think it’s wonderful. Honesty is a knightly virtue, after all.”

“Should I take the knight exam? I feel like I could pass right now.”

“I’d be happy to help. I can teach you swordsmanship.”

“That’s tempting.”

Their conversation turned lighthearted, and the two laughed together because it was absurd and funny.

After a long moment, Dieta exhaled deeply. “Najin, whenever you figure out what romantic feelings are, let me know. I hope it’s me, but even if it’s not, that’s okay.”

A breeze stirred her chestnut-colored hair as she spoke with quiet determination. “Until then, I’ll do my best to make you fall for me… and even if you fall for someone else, I’ll make sure you choose me in the end.”

Her yellow eyes gleamed like stars as she brushed back her hair, her confident smile firmly in place. “This is an auction, after all. If any competitors show up, I’ll outbid them. I’ll use everything I have to win.”

She grinned mischievously. “I’m the Snake that Swallows Gold. If I can’t win someone’s heart, what kind of merchant would I be?”

The weight of her ambition left Najin momentarily speechless.

For the first time, he felt himself being pushed back—not by a Sword Master or a life-or-death battle, but by the force of Dieta’s resolve.

He had lost the exchange, but it wasn’t an unpleasant loss.

“An impressive confession,” he admitted.

“Isn’t it? I think I did pretty well. Did it make your heart race?”

“A little.”

Dieta chuckled softly. She reached out to lightly push Najin’s chest, stepping away as if to end their conversation and leave, but after a few steps, she hesitated.

Her original plan had been to leave with a breezy, “See you next time.”

After all, staying any longer would make it feet like her heart might burst, but there was one problem: the distance between the hill and Cambria’s headquarters was considerable.

“If I walk back… the sun will already have set.” She glanced back at Najin. “Um, Najin…?”

“Yes, Dieta?”

“Can we… head back together?” Her previous confidence was nowhere to be found as she avoided his gaze, stammering.

Najin couldn’t help but laugh. Ultimately, Dieta ended up back in Najin’s arms for the return trip to her office.

She spent the entire flight hiding her face in her hands, too embarrassed to look at him.

– You can’t date.

“What?”

– I said, ‘You can’t date!’

The first thing Najin encountered after returning was Merlin, fuming with indignation. She pointed an accusing finger at him, practically yelling.

– Listen here! Arthur never dated anyone during his entire journey! It’s not like no one confessed to him, but he remained above it all. Pure and untouchable! He never gave his heart to anyone!

Merlin puffed out her chest and smirked, as if she had just delivered an unassailable argument.

– There. That’s why you can’t date. You want to be like Arthur, right?

Najin stared at her in silence for a moment before muttering under his breath, careful to keep his voice low enough that she couldn’t hear, “Is she an idiot?”

If Merlin had heard him, she might have throttled him on the spot. Thankfully, she didn’t.

Najin simply gave her a bemused look.

“What? What’s that look for?”

“Nothing, really…” Trailing off, Najin casually remarked, “You said King Arthur never dated, right?”

– Of course! I was his guide, so I’d know.

“Then doesn’t that mean, if I date, I’d be one step ahead of Arthur? I’d be doing something he never did.”

– Wh-what?

“That’s one more reason for me to date, don’t you think?”

Merlin’s pupils dilated as her thoughts scrambled.

Najin, meanwhile, calmly removed his outerwear and climbed into bed. Pulling the blanket over his head, he turned his back to her.

– Wait. Wait… Hold on. That’s not what I meant… Hey! Don’t pretend to sleep! Get up!

Merlin’s protests went unheard. Annoying as her yelling was, she couldn’t physically force Najin to respond, nor could she shake him awake, for all her shouting.

Najin, who had grown accustomed to sleeping in the chaotic streets of the Underground City, was unbothered.

– Seriously?! You’re just going to sleep?! Unbelievable!

Najin drifted off, using Merlin’s ranting as a makeshift lullaby.

It was his victory.