Chapter 129
Chapter 129
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 129
Chapter Title: Whether Happy or Sad (5)
Ruby-like red, transparent eyes stared intently at me from right in front of my face.
"......"
Celestina just kept gazing at me silently for a long while.
Under that intense eye contact, I felt oddly embarrassed and averted my gaze first, asking her back.
"Why... are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"
".........."
But she still didn't respond, merely glaring quietly.
She'd been like this ever since I'd said I'd give her the ring as a gift.
'Did she not like it or something?'
Her expression was a bit... scary.
If anyone else had made that face, I might have felt a twinge of alarm, but this was Celestina.
There was no way she'd ever harm me.
And so, in the baffling silence, all I could do was tilt my head.
".....?"
Finally, she spoke.
"Eve, you really are...."
It was right then that I felt her hands slowly but firmly grip my shoulders.
Suddenly, a sharp bell rang out.
Ding-! Ding-!
"....!"
"......!"
We both flinched at the noise shattering the silence.
I instinctively checked my terminal, but there were no notifications.
The alert was coming from the watch-type terminal Celestina wore.
"....Tch."
She shook her wrist irritably, dismissing the signal.
But ignoring it did no good; the notification rang persistently again.
Ding- Ding-ding-!
"Argh....!"
Finally, she manually silenced the device completely.
Watching her, I cautiously asked,
"....Aren't you going to answer? It seems important...."
"It's fine. It's nothing, so don't worry about it, Eve."
She forced a smile and brushed it off.
But a call that persistent couldn't be nothing.
Come to think of it, that made sense.
'She contacts me so often that I forgot for a moment, but....'
Celestina's true role was CEO of a world-class investment firm.
She handled unimaginably important and hectic tasks every day.
As she'd told me before, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say her schedule was booked down to the minute.
And hadn't she been on another continent just this morning for an important meeting?
For someone like that to drop everything for me and rush back....
How much money and time had been wasted because of it?
I recalled a news story from my old world.
A world-renowned investor's lunch had fetched nearly 250 million won at a charity auction.
Of course, that was a special charity event, but still—for just one lunch.
It meant that the time of people at that level carried a weight utterly different from ordinary folk.
Perhaps the most expensive thing Celestina had spent on me today wasn't the luxury gifts or gourmet feast... but her own time.
Realizing this late, I felt a quiet awe, along with a sense of responsibility.
I spoke to her first.
"I had a really great time today. Cel... Sela sis. Yeah, thank you so much for dinner and the gifts. I was truly happy. But.... you still have work left, right? Don't you need to head back soon? I've got church duties piling up too."
"But I still have plans prepared for you...!"
"We can spend time together anytime from now on. It's not like today's the only chance, right?"
"......."
Celestina still looked regretful.
I gently took her hand and smiled.
"I'm so happy you did all this for me today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. But now, don't you need to show me that cool, big-sis side of yours again? Right, Sela sis?"
"Eut...."
Celestina blushed and hesitated.
Right on cue, a staff member approached with the case containing the ring.
I naturally took it from them.
"Here, let's call it a day with this."
Opening the case revealed the beautiful ruby ring I'd chosen earlier.
I took her left hand to slip it on, then paused.
'....Which finger for a friendship ring?'
After a moment's thought, I chose the index finger.
The store must have measured it beforehand—the size fit perfectly.
I smiled in satisfaction.
"Sela sis has such long, slender fingers; the ring suits you perfectly."
Seeing it in person, it was even prettier than I'd thought. No regrets about the price.
But her reaction felt oddly subdued.
"........"
To my surprise, Celestina looked somewhat disappointed.
Spotting her expression, I panicked belatedly.
'Did she... not like it?'
Come to think of it, just because I found it pretty didn't mean it matched everyone else's taste.
Gauging her mood, I carefully asked,
"Maybe... you don't like it? Want me to exchange it for something else?"
In an instant, Celestina yanked her hand away at blinding speed.
"No."
She cradled the ringed hand protectively and replied in a firm tone.
"I like this one best. Yeah, we'll go with this."
"?"
Maybe she did like it after all?
Her sudden attitude shift puzzled me, and I just tilted my head.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After our long shopping trip, we finally returned to the cathedral.
Saying goodbye to Celestina, I stepped out of the AV parked in the front courtyard.
The sun was dipping low, casting a dim twilight over the surroundings.
Arms full of bulging shopping bags, I headed for the cathedral entrance—and froze at the sight there.
"......!"
A shadow leaning against the pillar by the door.
An all-too-familiar silhouette. I called out on instinct.
"....Esty?"
The figure stepped forward from the shadows—it was indeed her.
Esty murmured in a subdued voice.
"Lady Eve...."
How long had she been waiting like that?
'No way... since I left this morning?'
Honestly, it flustered me.
I doubted it, yet it somehow felt plausible.
Her voice was as flat as ever, but amid the melancholic air, she bowed her head.
"I'm sorry, Lady Eve."
"....."
I set the shopping bags down and looked her straight in the eye.
Those golden eyes couldn't even meet mine properly, unlike usual.
'Looks like she's reflected plenty.'
I let out a small sigh and asked,
"Even knowing it'd put me in a tough spot, you leaked our private conversation to others.... That's not like you, Esty. You've never done it before—so why this time?"
She replied in a heavy voice.
"I'm sorry. I let my concern get the better of me.... I didn't trust your judgment."
I sighed again.
I understood her mindset.
Esty had always seen me as a child, far younger than her.
The sudden engagement news must have made her worry and act rashly.
Still—
"If you'd talked to me openly first, I could've understood your concerns. Pulling others in without that discussion was a clear mistake."
"....I'm deeply reflecting on it."
"Haa...."
She kept her head down, eyes averted.
I stepped closer and flicked her forehead sharply.
Thwack-!
"Ow."
But somehow, my finger hurt more.
It felt like striking steel plating.
Cradling my throbbing finger, I saw Esty staring back in bewilderment.
"...?"
Pretending it was nothing, I told her,
"This settles it. You're forgiven."
"Pardon?"
Truth be told, I'd been a bit angry that morning.
But after the delicious meal and warm reception from Celestina, my mood had naturally lifted.
More than anything, I'd never intended to drag out such a minor issue.
Since arriving alone in this world, if I had to name who'd saved my life the most, it'd be Esty without question.
How could I truly hate a friend like that?
Especially when she looked so downcast, like a giant dog that'd messed up.
"So, promise me you won't do it again?"
Esty hesitated a moment before speaking.
"I promise."
"Good."
I nodded in satisfaction and rummaged through one of the bags on the ground.
Finding what I wanted, I beckoned her.
"Come here for a sec."
As Esty approached, I reached out and looped my arms around her neck in a hug.
"Lady Eve?"
Her voice sounded a little flustered.
A moment later, I pulled back.
And there, around Esty's neck, hung a delicate necklace.
A thin platinum chain with a transparent yellow sapphire embedded in the center.
A sparkling gemstone necklace.
It was the one that had immediately reminded me of her golden eyes.
Esty murmured, somewhat surprised.
"Lady Eve, this is...."
"A make-up gift. For all your hard work, Esty."
She never wore accessories like this normally.
So I'd hesitated when picking a gift.
She always wore suits, so maybe a watch? But her arms were prosthetic limbs packed with combat gear.
It might get in the way during fights.
That's why I'd chosen this necklace.
I asked carefully,
"What do you think?"
Her golden eyes wavered slightly.
"....It's truly beautiful."
Her usual curt assessment, but her voice rang sincere.
I smiled faintly in satisfaction.
"Then, as payment for the necklace, help me carry these bags."
I'd wanted to haul them like a proper guy, but this body was hopelessly weak.... Even moving a few bags from the courtyard to inside was a struggle.
Grinning sheepishly, I left half the load and headed inside first.
Partly because the reconciliation felt awkwardly touching in hindsight.
"........"
Left alone, Esty gingerly touched the necklace around her neck.
A soft whisper escaped her lips.
"....I promise."
It was so quiet it reached no one else... but etched clearly into her own heart as she repeated it.
"I'll cherish it more than my life. I won't ever lose it."
When she lifted her head again, her golden eyes reflected not the necklace.
But the back of someone who'd already vanished into the cathedral.