Chapter 20 - The Blue Rose (2) (1/2)

Chapter 20 – The Blue Rose (2)

“Please give up.”

She looked up and looked confused. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“If you give up this one thing, then we would make a good couple.”

A couple. Did she hear that right? He wanted her to be his lover? Her jaw dropped wide open as she realized the meaning behind his words. Watching her blank expression, Clodan misinterpreted her reaction.

“You don’t like that?”

It was then that Rei shot up from the bed and wrapped her arms around him. He stood still, too astonished to react as she hid her face in his chest.

“You were behaving so coldly, I thought you were angry with me! I wanted to believe you weren’t, but I was so scared. That you would never—”

Clodan lifted his hands and returned the hug. As he enjoyed her tight embrace, he dropped his head and whispered into her ear.

“This is what I don’t like about you.”

“W-what?”

“You always make me out to be the villain.”

“Clodan, I—”

“Haven’t you noticed?”

His gaze travelled downwards, causing Rei to finally notice the strange object around her ankle. It was a silver anklet shaped like a grapevine with a bell woven in between. But what stood the most was the processed amethyst at its center. Rei was speechless. She gently turned her foot to admire it and heard the soft jingle from the bell.

“It’s beautiful…”

“I made it.”

“You did?” She raised her leg and stroked the amethyst. “How exquisite!”

Suddenly, the thought of how Heish ran away with Clodan’s money and her own uselessness popped up in her mind.

“I wish I could do something for you too.”

“You can.”

“What is it?”

“I will ask you to give up few things for me.”

Rei’s brows furrowed, “I reckon that would not be difficult. I’m indebted to you, you know?”

“Not difficult? Do you even know what I’m asking you to give up?” Clodan scoffed and burst into laughter. Rei carefully pondered over the meaning of his words and chose her words, not wanting to make a mistake.

“Uh… If we go to a restaurant, I can always give up the most delicious dish for you.”

“What?” Clodan held his hand up to his face, attempting to hide his amused smile. “And?

“Um… If we get into an argument, I’ll come speak to you first. I apologize quite well. Yeah, I’ll give up on this too…”

“And?”

“Can’t I tell you later? If I tell you everything now, then we won’t—”