The Saint Wants to Rest - Chapter 2.2
He had to play his part as naturally as possible and enjoy the banquet. Just as he finished his wine and reached for a glass of champagne, Vermouth suddenly dropped to one knee before him.
A sense of foreboding made Ian’s heart sink.
“What are you doing?”
“Lord Ian.”
This was a scene Ian had witnessed many times before. Surely not? No matter how crazy Vermouth was, this was a victory celebration. With hundreds of eyes watching, Ian trusted that he wouldn’t pull something like this here.
That trust was shattered into pieces in less than a few seconds.
With a solemn expression, Vermouth pulled a small box from his coat. As he carefully opened the high-quality purple velvet box, a large diamond ring was revealed inside.
‘It can’t be, right?’
Ian wanted to ask immediately, but he held back, fearing that speaking it would turn his imagination into reality. No! Holding back wasn’t the problem! It was already reality! Terrified, Ian tried to pull away, but a powerful force held him in place.
‘You crazy bastard!’
Vermouth was physically pinning Ian to the spot. With a calm face, he called out to Ian once more.
“Lord Ian. Will you become my companion?”
This guy, Vermouth. He wasn’t even confessing; he was jumping straight to a proposal. Even if same-sex marriage was possible in this different world, Ian didn’t have a preference for men. No, even if he were to marry a man, he had no intention of doing so with Vermouth.
Ian almost struck Vermouth with the hand he had unconsciously raised. If Vermouth weren’t the strongest person in this world, Ian truly would have hit him.
“I refuse.”
“And why is that?”
‘You’re asking because you don’t know?’ Ian’s eyes demanded an answer.
“Am I not quite a decent groom prospect?”
Vermouth was full of confidence.
‘Your personality is a nightmare, that’s why.’
What did it matter how incredible his abilities were? Ian had no confidence in being able to handle Vermouth. However, regardless of how he interpreted that hesitation, Vermouth began to calmly list his own strengths.
“I am young and handsome. I have yet to see anyone more handsome than myself. I am also in good shape. Haven’t you seen it occasionally?”
Ian had seen it quite often, actually. But it wasn’t as if he wanted to see it on purpose. Why did the man insist on throwing off his shirt to train every dawn? Besides, why were those damn demons always so desperate to strip Vermouth?
“Stop saying things that lead to misunderstandings.”
Ian’s eyes narrowed.
“Have you not even touched me before?”
“That was!”
‘I touched you to treat your wounds, you son of a bitch.’ Ian barely suppressed the curse that threatened to burst out. Today, he had to let everything pass peacefully.
“It is not just that. I am strong, talented, and I possess vast lands.”
He wasn’t wrong, of course.
“So, please marry me.”
“…Do you like me?”
“I love you.”
Vermouth appeared remarkably confident. Indeed, even considering the fact that he was insane, he was a more than qualified spouse candidate.
“To what extent?”
“I love you enough to sever the head of the Demon King.”
Ah, so he killed the Demon King for him? That love was certainly grand. As Ian looked at Vermouth with eyes narrowed like threads, the man smiled gently.
Right, since he had received a proposal, he should at least give a sincere answer. This might be the last time, after all.
“I decline.”
“Why?”
“Sir Vermouth is not my type.”
At those words, Vermouth tilted his head with a puzzled expression. It was likely the first time he had ever heard such a thing. But listen to it for once!
“Then what kind of person is your type?”
“A kind person.”
“Lord Ian, I am a Holy Knight. The basic virtues of a Holy Knight include benevolence.”
Watching him chatter away without even a hint of shame was exasperating. What kind of benevolent person tears someone else apart just because they don’t like them?
“Someone even kinder.”
“Dear me. Then I shall try to become a kinder person.”
“No, it’s impossible.”
“It is not impossible.”
Despite Ian’s words, Vermouth remained stubborn. Then, he furrowed his brow and asked.
“By any chance, do you wish to return to your original world?”
He had hit the nail on the head.
“I see. So that was it.”
Vermouth spoke calmly.
“Lord Ian, you want to return to your hometown. That is why you rejected my proposal.”
Actually, even if he weren’t going back, he would have rejected the proposal. But Ian didn’t bother to say that out loud. There was no need to pour oil on a fire.
“You cannot.”
Vermouth spoke firmly.
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