Chapter 30
I was flustered and stiffened. I naturally assumed Enoch would take a step back. But instead, he came two steps closer.
Was he always this headstrong?
I tried to pull myself together. To survive on this harsh island, I couldn't let myself be swayed by others so easily.
Especially not for an uncertain feeling that only amounted to 'being concerned.'
So, I decided to be a little firmer.
"You said you'd never develop feelings for me. You told me not to have any vain expectations."
Enoch frowned, looking pained, as if my words had hit the mark.
Of course, the harsh things he had said to me in the past were the result of Margaret's own actions, so there was no need for Enoch to blame himself.
"If things progress any further, it'll become troublesome for both of us, just like Your Highness said. So, shall we stop here?"
This time, I returned his own words to him verbatim. Being somewhat timid, I tended to remember hurtful words exactly as they were.
Enoch couldn't say anything more and closed his mouth. I felt a little sorry for him looking uncharacteristically self-reproachful, so I spoke again.
"Enoch, I want to live. I hope you survive too. I mean it."
That seemed unexpected to Enoch. His golden eyes widened in surprise and shook fiercely.
"So, let's just think about survival for now. It's not too late to think about other things later."
Hearing those words, Enoch closed his eyes tightly, as if suppressing some surging emotion.
\ \ \
Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere with Enoch, I left the cave, and Kaiden was sitting in front of it.
He was sitting quietly on the fallen tree trunk that we used as a chair, staring out at the dim thicket.
I sat down next to him.
I was still wary of him, but I wasn't so heartless as to not thank someone who had gone looking for me.
"Sorry for making you worry. I heard you went looking for me."
Kaiden turned to look at me.
"It's enough that you're safe."
He looked at me with eyes that were hard to read, not knowing what he was thinking.
"Strange magic circles were blooming in the sky, you were gone as the sun set… The Crown Prince was searching for you like he had some kind of separation anxiety, running around like a madman. But that's all right. You're safe."
Ah. So, the mess in the cave was because of Enoch after all.
Separation anxiety… Is that kind of bond formed because I can control his rampages?
Thinking it over, I looked at Kaiden again.
"Are you okay?"
At my question, Kaiden rested his chin on his hand and stared intently at my face without answering. I was a little flustered by his gaze, which I couldn't understand.
"Why?"
"I heard everything you were saying inside."
"...Oh, really?"
'He heard all those embarrassing conversations?'
My face flushed. I tried to avoid his gaze, fanning myself with my hand, but Kaiden gently lifted the tip of my chin with his fingertip.
Thanks to that, I met Kaiden's eyes again.
"But you know what? What should I do? I've become interested in you too."
At his words, I just blinked at him.
Enoch, at least, had spent time with me, but why Kaiden…? And the two men were making similar confessions as if they had planned it.
"Don't joke around. Why would you be interested in me? When were you ever not saying you hated me?"
Was it because his first impression wasn't good? Or was it because I knew what kind of man he was? No matter what Kaiden said, it didn't feel sincere.
At my question, his blood-red eyes scanned me slowly.
I quietly watched his fine silver hair flutter in the warm breeze.
Kaiden's sharp, cat-like eyes curved as if he found it amusing. He was smiling with his eyes.
Why was he smiling here? I blinked in confusion at his inscrutable smile.
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
His face came closer.
His snow-white skin, which seemed even fairer than mine, and his crimson eyes filled my vision.
I stepped back. I had been careless around Kaiden of all people.
As I tried to get up, he grabbed my wrist.
"Let go."
When I frowned as if in pain, he immediately released my wrist.
"Sorry. And I'm also sorry for threatening you before. And for saying I hated you."
He spoke in a somewhat sulky voice, twisting his lower lip and distorting his face in anguish.
"That's okay..."
Kaiden looked up when I spoke.
"You don't like me anyway. And you never will."
Kaiden's lips stiffened.
Enoch and Kaiden would probably change once they met the heroine anyway…
I thought that I would probably be able to trust and judge them after that.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Kaiden replied, feigning ignorance. I nodded as if there was nothing I could do.
"Think about it. You and I haven't known each other for very long, and you openly said you hated me, speaking with contempt. So, how could I possibly have feelings for you?"
At my words, Kaiden flinched with a look of realization. Then he smiled as if nothing was wrong.
I pointed to the earring on his right ear and said,
"I know you have trouble controlling your emotions. That earring is supposed to help you control them, but it's broken now."
Kaiden's eyes widened at my words. He looked genuinely surprised.
"You… how did you know…!"
"I know the person who made that earring. Anyway, the important thing is that you have to control your emotions properly here without relying on the power of the earring."
Of course, I didn't know the person who made the earring directly. I just remembered what Kaiden used to say to Yuanna in the original story.
Kaiden was speechless and stared blankly at me.
"I understand you saying those strange things to someone you don't even like. It's because of the earring."
It was a little hard to be cold to Enoch, but not to Kaiden. Unlike Enoch, he hadn't spent much time with me.
"But no more than this. Don't say things you'll regret later."
I let go of his hand and turned around. But Kaiden hurriedly grabbed my wrist again.
His face, which seemed a little angry, was right in front of my nose.
"Yeah, you must be dumbfounded."
He smiled at me as if he found it amusing.
"But Margaret, whatever the reason, my feelings are my feelings. So, I'll decide that. That lecture just now was a little presumptuous."
He gave me a pretty smile with deep dimples, then kissed the back of my hand for a long time.
It was a Langrid Empire-style greeting, but it felt a little different when Kaiden did it to me. The lingering sensation of the soft, moist touch remained for a long time.
I pulled my hand away from him and hurriedly got up.
"You're presumptuous too. You're very selfish. You know that, right?"
"I know."
Kaiden replied with a slightly gloomy face.
I stared at him for a moment, then went back into the cave.
And I ran into Enoch, who was standing at the entrance of the cave.
…Did he hear the conversation with Kaiden?
But I wanted to rest so badly right now. So, I didn't care anymore and quietly returned to my spot, lay down, and closed my eyes.
"But Margaret, whatever the reason, my feelings are my feelings. So, I'll decide that. That lecture just now was a little presumptuous."
Kaiden's voice lingered in my ears. But I had just said what I had to say.
I just hoped that they wouldn't regret what they said today after meeting the heroine.
\ \ \
As expected, I fell ill the next day. Not with a cold or fever, but with muscle pain.
I wondered how I would face Enoch and Kaiden when I opened my eyes, but that wasn't important now. My whole body felt like it was breaking.
Enoch fussed around me, unable to settle down, and took care of me because I was in so much pain.
I didn't refuse his help. I really felt like I was going to die.
Margaret's body was really weak. Once I felt a little better, I had to start physical training right away. How could I survive on this brutal deserted island like this?
In the end, I was able to move after suffering from muscle pain for four whole days.
When I came out of the cave after a long time, I saw Enoch making a fire at the entrance. Next to him, Kaiden was cutting tree bark very thinly and twisting it like a string.
As described in the novel, Kaiden actually had many amazing talents.
"Are you feeling better?"
Enoch had already come over and put his hand on my forehead to check my temperature. And behind him, Kaiden carefully approached and examined my complexion.
"Rest more."
I shook my head at Kaiden's words.
"I'm okay."
And I emphasized it while looking at Enoch.
"I really am."
Enoch touched my cheek one more time with a worried look, then reluctantly moved away from me.
We sat down in front of the fire with tired faces and watched the fire crackle and burn for a long time.
"We need to find a way to escape the island, but I don't know where to start."
Enoch sighed with a look of helplessness, which was unlike him.
"Kaiden, didn't you see anyone else on the island?"
I asked Kaiden, subtly probing.
