I Was Confessed to by the Person I Was Admiring

Chapter 91: Suddenly stunned

“Hey, Paolo, what’s wrong? You seem different… Did you catch a cold or something?”

“Well, yeah, it might be something like that.”

“Hey, you should rest then. Eat something good for your body and do you have any medicine? If not, I’ll try to get some for you…”

I thought it might be something like that.

Even though I only saw him for a little bit, he was working hard. He was working so hard that I was impressed by how much stamina he had. There might be a reason for that, but if he’s sick, he should take a break. At least, I don’t think Paolo is in such dire straits that he can’t take a day off.

“I don’t need it.”

“But…”

When I was about to say more, thinking about what would happen if he got worse if left alone, he suddenly took my hand. He held it tightly with both hands. Without understanding what was happening, Paolo had a serious look on his face.

“Medicine won’t help.”

I felt a sense of danger in his gaze and started to back away, but his grip was too strong for me to move.

——Um, what should I do?

I didn’t want to ignore him, but Paolo was a little scary right now. When I was at my wit’s end and tried to ask Dennis for help, he said it.

“I like you.” 

“…”

Is this what they call a bolt from the blue? I stand frozen in place, meeting Paolo’s gaze. Well, actually, it’s not so much that I’m meeting his gaze as I simply don’t understand.

“I know there’s nothing we can do about it. But I just wanted you to know, even if it’s just a little bit, that I wish I could be inside you.”

Paolo looks at me with moist eyes. I really want him to stop from the bottom of my heart. It’s troublesome to be looked at with such a sad expression. No, I’m already at my wit’s end.

In fact, when did this happen? When and where did Paolo develop feelings for me? I can’t figure it out no matter how much I think about it. At least, I don’t think there was anything like that.

Moreover, I think I was pretty close to Jeremiah at the place where Paolo works, but did he not see that?

I try to understand the current situation with my confused brain spinning. And finally, what came to mind was about my past life. Certainly, it’s not often that the era and country are the same. If he feels fate in that, then I can understand.

No, that must be it.

However, even if I understand, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s endlessly troublesome. 

“You, a noble, and me, we have too much of a difference in status. But you know, feelings and status are not related. That’s why I wanted to test you… I was really scared, but you came here like this.”

“T-Then, that paper…”

“Yes, I wanted to see what would happen if I suddenly disappeared leaving something like that behind. As a noble lady, you should have needed a lot of determination to come to a place like this. I wanted to know how far you could go.

But you came… I thought you might never come and that I should give up. But you had me in your heart. So, I don’t want to give up.”

Hearing an unexpected truth, I felt overwhelmed. The feelings contained in that piece of paper were different from what I had thought.

“It’s probably impossible right now. But people’s hearts can change… someday, when I can have you, for sure——”

——S-stop it.

I couldn’t listen anymore. When I decided that I had no choice but to shake him off, help arrived immediately.

“Lorraine-sama!”

Dennis shouted sharply and pulled me away from Paolo. In shock, I fell into Dennis’ arms.

Ah, it’s so reassuring.

As I thought that, Dennis’ angry voice was directed at Paolo. 

“You! What are you going to do to Lorraine-sama? Depending on the situation…”

Dennis glared at Paolo with eyes that made even me tremble. However, Paolo didn’t even care about such a murderous gaze and looked at me instead.

His gaze was so intense that my spine involuntarily shuddered.

“Lorraine, I want to know your answer.”

My body reflexively twitched at his quiet voice. Of course, the answer was already decided, but I couldn’t seem to find the words. Still, I opened my mouth, thinking that I had to say it properly.

“…I’m sorry.”

Only one word came out. However, Paolo seemed to understand and gave a bitter smile. I never intended to hurt him, but it was sad to see him make such a face.

“No, you have your own position and circumstances too. I knew that. I’m the one who should apologize.”

Paolo muttered and fell silent while standing there. I hesitated whether to say something to him or not, but before I could come up with any words, Dennis spoke coldly.

“Lorraine-sama, there is no reason for you to stay here any longer, and quite some time has passed. Let’s go back.”

“…Yes.”

She was right. No matter how long I stayed here, there was nothing I could do. I nodded obediently and let Dennis lead me towards the entrance. 

As I was about to leave, I turned around and shouted, “Paolo! It was delicious, thank you!”

Then I immediately turned my back to the shop and followed Dennis. As I walked, I thought that I didn’t want it to end like this. I didn’t want my relationship with him to come to an end.

However, there are important things to me.

My family, friends, and Jeremiah.

It is certain that I would never choose Paolo over them by cutting them off.

I can’t handle it.

As I walked, I secretly sighed.