Respawn

Chapter 83: The Unexpected Meeting

It's been a week since I last saw Darius, a boyhood friend of mine. I'm still in disbelief about what's going on right now. My life began to become increasingly complex. Because I like Takahashi, I've been experiencing troubles, and now Darius has arrived to pursue me. My life has suddenly transformed into that of a princess being pursued by a slew of attractive princes. Takahashi, on the other hand, absolutely hates me and wants everything between us to be clear. I believe I need to unwind and consider things. I've only just gotten out of bed and am already causing myself stress by thinking about all of these things. What happened last week still astounds me. I wish I could go back in time and undo what I have done. That time, my mind was blank.

He asked, "Do you remember me now, Katsumi?" I gaze at him as he takes my hand in his and places it on his cheeks. "Yes, I recall you now. I apologize for forgetting about you, Darius. I had no idea you had been seeking me the whole time. If I had known, I would have paid a visit to your country. Even if I committed a lot of blunders in front of you, I hope we can still be friends "I stated. He just pats my head and laughs at me. "You are not required to apologize. You've already been pardoned because you've finally remembered who I am. I'm simply inquisitive and need to know something right now. Are you in a romance with someone you know? ", he inquired. How am I going to answer that when the king and Bara are here?

I've learned to lie to the important people in my life since I had a feeling for Takahashi. That man pushes me to do things I'm not supposed to do. If I commit another offense against you, Darius, please accept my sincere apologies. "Right now, I'm not interested in anyone and have no plans to be. I still intend to devote my efforts to serve this country "I stated. I don't want other people to know I'm interested in someone since they'll assume it's Takahashi right away. This is also necessary for Takahashi's safety. Why am I concerned about his safety right now, while I am the one who is in trouble? As usual, I am a moron. "By the way, I didn't come here to be your friend." he said.

"What exactly do you mean?" I inquired. He summoned up a small box in his hands. It appears to be a high-priced box containing a high-priced item. "Do you recall our childhood pledge to each other? We frequently discuss our future plans. We made a lot of vows to each other, and everything I promised you at that time is pure and genuine. We make a vow to each other that when we're older, we'll marry and have a family together. I apologize for taking so long to arrive, but I am finally here "he stated. He opened the box, and inside was a ring. I'm speechless and have no idea what to say right now. "Will you marry me, Katsumi?" he inquired.

When he asked that, I was petrified on the inside. I'm stumped for an answer and don't want to appear disrespectful. I don't want to disgrace him in front of a large group of people if I reject him at that moment. Darius is important to me, but not in the sense that I regard him as a possible partner. Because I was under so much duress, I suddenly accepted his proposal. When I accept his proposal, he beams with joy. The throng are jubilant, and the king is overjoyed for both of us. I don't have a choice, and perhaps this isn't such a bad one. I'm hoping I won't be sorry for making this decision. Darius, I believe, is a wonderful man who will treat me well and will not harm me in any way.

I should make an effort to stay close to Darius now that he is my boyfriend and our wedding is in the future. I should concentrate on Darius right now because he will be my husband, and thinking about Takahashi would be cheating. Takahashi should be forgotten. Because I already have Darius, I should stop liking Takahashi right now. I should take advantage of this opportunity to forget about him and focus on living a good life with Darius, accepting the reality that Takahashi and Bara will be together forever. I am pleased for them, and I should be pleased for myself as well. Even if I didn't end up with him, I'm still lucky. Darius is still a blessing in my life. Takahashi, I'm hoping I'll stop loving you.

I haven't told Takahashi about Darius yet, and I have no intention of informing him about it. For a week, we don't speak to each other. I'm not sure how I'm going to express those feelings. I'm not sure how I'll explain to Takahashi that I already have someone and I will be marrying someone else soon. I'm sure he'll have a lot of questions that I won't be able to answer. I'd already done a lot of wrong things to them, and I'd already lied to them numerous times. I just want to be quiet and let things happen as they will. I don't want to think about Takahashi right now. It's hard for him to remain unaware of the situation indefinitely. Maybe now or soon, he'll find out about it.

I've been avoiding him for the entire week. I make an effort not to speak to him or to share my food with him. I simply asked Bara to tell him everything I need to tell him about his job. I keep my encounters with him to a minimum, and I try not to run into him or see him in the mansion as often as possible. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about him, no matter how hard I try to avoid him. I'm being too hard on myself by ignoring the individual with whom I want to speak. I'm wishing I could hold him right now. I wish I could be with him right now, hugging him like we did that night. I suddenly realized I shouldn't be thinking like this. I already have Darius, which is a bad thought.

Someone has knocked on my door, I've heard. I'm beginning to wonder who it is. I was hoping it was Takahashi, but it turned out to be the maid. She said, "Madam, you are still not eating your meal." I still don't want to eat anything because I'm not hungry. "I believe I'll just eat when I feel like it later," I explained. "However, you should eat right now and prepare yourself because Mr. Darius will be paying you a visit at this mansion," the maid said. I had no idea Darius would show up. "Who told you Darius was coming here?" I inquired. I'm not going to let Darius in. He should not come to this mansion, and I am still unprepared. If he comes here right now, I'm sure I'll look awful. He'll notice how unattractive I am.

The maid respectfully bows to me. "Please accept my apologies, dear lady. Mr. Darius has a surprise planned for you, which I forgot about. Please accept my apologies for telling you something when I wasn't supposed to "The maid expressed regret. It's actually a good thing she told me about it. She is, in fact, a lifesaver for me. "Please don't apologize. I suppose I should express my gratitude to you. You have no idea how much you saved me," I said. I glance at my hologram to see what time it is. This is a problem because I don't have enough time. "What time will Darius arrive at this mansion?" I inquired. The maid said, "He'll be here in 30 minutes." I'm not going to let him into the mansion. If he manages to get access to the estate, he will be confronted by Takahashi.

Darius will be here after 30 minutes?! I stand up and bow to my mind to express my gratitude. "Please lock the gate and tell every guard to not allow any person to get inside this mansion whoever they are because I am in danger" I commanded. I rush to the bathroom and prepare to take a bath. I need to rush right now and make sure that Takahashi will not see Darius. It will be bad if the two of them will see each other. I am still not prepared to explain everything to Takahashi. I finish taking a bath after a few minutes. I equip my clothes and fix my face in the mirror. I should look presentable at all times. Now I should do my mission and make sure that they won't see each other.

Takahashi POV

I notice that Katsumi is avoiding me on purpose. I don’t think that she has enough reason to be like that. It doesn’t matter if Bara likes me. She doesn’t need to change the way she treats me. She is just making things between us really hard. Maybe I am just over reacting and expecting too much from her. Maybe she is just playing with my feelings and it is obvious that she doesn’t like me at all. “Everyone, close the gates and do not allow other people to enter the mansion! Lady Katsumi is in danger so please watch out and make sure that nobody will enter the mansion!” the maid shouted.

Is Katsumi's life in danger? Who threatens her? Could it be the reason why she looks hesitant these past few days? I just continue watering the plants in the garden while worrying about Katsumi. Should I help the guards in guarding the mansion? I was about to turn off the hose that I am using in watering the plants when a man landed on the ground from above. He leaped the wall just to get inside the mansion. Could it be that he is the man that is a threat to Katsumi’s life? He came here just to attack Katsumi and I need to protect her. 

“The gates are closed and the walls are also protected with spells. I just got lucky that this part has a gap that allows me to get inside” he said. I quickly punch him on the face and jump back while materializing my bow. I should not let this man escape and I will shoot him with my arrow. I point him the arrow while he is still trying to stand up as he tries to wipe his face with his hand. “Don’t you dare try to move or else I will shoot this arrow at you and blast your head. Tell me who you are” I warned. “You don’t know who I am? That is a really polite way to greet your visitor. I am Darius and I think I am the one that should be asking you that question. Who are you?” the man said.