Hug Me and You'll Die

12: I'm just someone motivated purely by greed and gluttony!

Ferris took a deep breath to steady his quivering voice. "If you really don't like them...we can...we can have other snacks too...so let's go together, okay?...Won't you go together with me?"

After a long moment of consideration, Desmia carelessly took the package into her hands and begrudgingly tossed out a single, "Fine."

Then, without bothering to wait for either boy, she stalked off.

While Desmia tried to maintain an aloof expression on her face as she retreated to the manor, looking closely one could see signs of her inner turmoil. Why do I keep conceding to this rabbit-like brat? I'm not fond of treating him nicely...am I?...No! Of course not! Even though I've ascertained that he hasn't awakened to his immortal soul in this lifetime, it's still a part of him. Fourth brother's divine imprint reminds of it every time we make physical contact.

Her eyes fell towards the package she was holding. I just accepted this dumb thing because it's expensive. That's all. And! I only agreed to go inside for tea because I'm feeling hungry. That's right. The fact that he'd probably cry if I said no didn't bother me one little bit. Nope. Not at all. I'm just someone motivated purely by greed and gluttony!

A trace of a smile emerged on her face. Heh, greed and gluttony. I've got this mortal business down pat!

Pattering behind her, both Ferris and Clove's hearts were soaring.

Ferris was exuberant for many reasons. Firstly, he had found the person he had been searching for after many long days. Furthermore, according to his family, it seemed that he was going to "marry" this person in the future.

Although Desmia has no way of knowing this, in truth, the current reincarnation of the seventh prince only had a rather vague idea of the concept of marriage.

Though Ferris was a bright boy, all he really knew about marriage was this: two people who liked each other got married and married people would live together forever. He had been especially thrilled to learn about the latter from his brother because it meant that if they got married, he'd be able to play with big sister Marysol everyday!

Additionally, just now, his first ever present for her had been accepted and soon they'd be having tea together for the first time! Later, when he returned to the Wilton estate, he would dedicate four entire pages in his journal to today's blissful events.

As for Clove, he was exuberant because he could see how exuberant Ferris was. Later, when he made his report to the duchess, the exact words that he would use to describe the pairing between Ferris and Marysol were "a once in a lifetime, match made in heaven!"

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Brie looked towards Kale, whom looked towards Saffron, whom looked towards Tarragon, whom looked towards Earl Fairbloom, whom looked towards Desmia, whom was distractedly tossing a madeleine into her mouth.

"So......is the young mistress really engaged to Lord Ferris now?" questioned Brie tentatively.

Desmia promptly choked on the madeleine.

The instant Desmia showed signed of swallowing difficulties, like the well-trained servant she was, Saffron swooped in to feed her water and pat her chest to dislodge the blockage. Then when she saw that Desmia had coughed up the last of the madeleine pieces, she gathered them from the floor using a handkerchief in a practiced manner.  

The earl's eyes were filled with concern as he studied his daughter's condition. "Are you alright?"

Desmia nodded weakly before shooting Brie a frightening glare. "For gods' sake, Brie! Were you trying to kill me?!"