I Don’t Want the Obsession of a Twisted Archduke

Geppel nodded, muttering as if he could not agree more with me.

“I call this an unknown text. It’s harder to interpret than any other languages.”

That was quite fresh. Korean and Hangul, which are easy and familiar to me, probably looked like that to Geppel.

In reality, it was often difficult for foreigners to learn Korean. Perhaps it was a good thing that the language was not an easy one.

I was relieved by the silence that came. I was wondering if Geppel would be inquisitive or persistent about this silent discomfort. I was glad that it seemed like the subject was glossed over somehow.

‘All right, now let’s just naturally change the subject...’

“Riddel Spencer.” As it was time to wrap things up. Geppel called my name in a low voice.

I looked at Geppel with a look full of questions.

“This book, do you think there’s anyone else who can interpret it other than you?”

I immediately answered Geppel’s question.

“No, I don’t think so.”

It might happen one day again, but I saved my breath on how to explain this subject.

‘I better say no for sure.’

It was not good to ask someone who could interpret it. At any rate, Geppel nodded as if he was convinced.

“Well, then I’ll give you this book.”

“Yeah, I’ve been reading this book for... What?”

What? You would be giving me this book? I doubted both ears.

I had no reason to refuse if I said he would give it to me. On the contrary, I should be grateful for the ease with which things work out, but there was something bothering me.

‘Can you just really give it to me like this? A valuable piece of literature in the Second Library?’

“You don’t have to worry about the future. There's no problem with giving a book. This place is like my own library anyway. So I’ll leave the disposal of this book to you.”

Oh no. I noticed the meaning in Geppel’s words. Of course this guy would have figured out that I wanted to hide something about this book. No matter how young Geppel was, he had a good sense of his surroundings.

I made eye contact with Geppel, eager to know what was going on in his head. He was smiling with a somehow pleasant look on his face. The smile of someone who was sincerely wanting to help me. That pure heart feels good, nevertheless, I didn’t intend to tell the truth of what was written in this book. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Geppel. However, any secrets can be leaked out in route. Kyle’s life could be in danger before I could reach the goal.

‘I mean, it’s kind of upsetting to just lie.’

I decided to be honest about this. For example, the progress with the curse. Anyway, I didn’t matter as Geppel said he would help lift the curse.

“Geppel Luna.”

Determined, I whispered Geppel’s full name. Maybe he sensed something. Geppel had a calm look on his face. It was a sign that he would listen to anything and tell you to bring it up. His strength soon brought up the story of the curse.

***

“... So you’re going to go find the Black Wizard right after the wedding to break Kyle’s curse?”

“Yes.”

Having heard the whole story about Kyle’s curse and every element related to it, Geppel retorted what I said to confirm. I nodded strongly and expressed my positivity.

“So the Black Wizard... You’re really going to find him?”

“... That’s right.”

“...”

“...”

“... Good luck.”

It was strange, I felt I was encouraged by his words, but why was I already losing energy?

‘Is it because the black wizard is handsome? All the handsome people in this world are crazy.’

All right, that didn’t matter right now.

“Thank you for this book. Geppel. Let’s get going now.”

I stood up from my seat, expressing my gratitude. Well, I was trying to get up…

“Why are you going so far?”

Geppel’s serious tone touched my ears.

“Why are you so desperate to break Kyle’s curse?”

He asked me another question before he could hear my answer. It was a more elaborate question.

‘That’s it.’

The answer was set, but I couldn’t tell him it was to go back home, in my world. This was also the part I didn’t tell Geppel.

‘In the end, my lying has increased again.’

“That's because, of course, I don't want the Archduke to die.”

Inevitably, I recited the second reason, but, frankly, it was odd to pick it up a second time. Saving Kyle was as important as the first reason and it was hard to tell the difference now. Those two reasons were both important to me now.

“Is that because you’re starting to feel stupid again, like you did in the days of Doman?”

“No, absolutely not.”

Love. Yes.

Geppel was basically asking me ‘Do you love Kyle?’ and I was quick to get a straight face.

‘Uh, well, I should’ve answered this vaguely.’

I got goosebumps for a second. Just in case, it was a long shot, but…

‘When the original Riddel comes back, she might end up in love with Kyle. Let’s put this in a vague way for now.’

“So you’re getting married even when you don’t have it in your heart.”

Trying to correct the answer, Geppel muttered as if he had learned something himself.

“No, I don’t think that…”

“Surely…”

Geppel and I spoke at the same time. Still, Geppel seemed to have something to say. When I opened my eyes and signaled to him to speak first, Geppel asked without hesitation.

“Why do you think Kyle is stuck next to you?”

“That’s because he married me. Dragons are usually possessive of their own things.”

I answered immediately. Because this was something I couldn't even think about.

“Really, why don’t you stay with me and lift Kyle’s curse?”

I blinked at Geppel’s words that followed. What was that? If you didn’t hear it wrong…

“What are you so surprised about? Didn’t you expect me to say this?”

Yes, I didn’t expect it at all.

“As you say, Kyle will continue to show his possessiveness to you. It’s going to be hard to break the curse. So why don’t stay here and find a way to break the curse?”

I understand why Geppel was saying this.

I had already signed a contract with Sejan, one of the main pillars of the Great Duchy, contacts with the Pandora store owner and the High Priest was at my side.

‘If you divorce and get out of the Great Duchy, you’ll be able to act more freely and covertly than you are now.’

Free from the constraints of the dragon.

Later, when I would have to go into the Great Duchy to break the ice rose, I could go through the formal procedure or visit Sejan under the pretext of it. There were other ways to infiltrate.

“And it’s too good to let go of your talent.”

While I was thinking about this and that, Geppel suddenly added more to the conversation. I nodded as if I accepted Geppel’s words.

‘Well, I guess that’s true, too. For Geppel, I have the ability to repair both arms in an instant.Besides, as long as your opponent doesn’t die, you can turn back time.’

Even though there was a risk.

“Honestly, I was surprised. I didn’t expect you to know Eastern snacks so well. Thanks to you, I got to connect with Pandora store.”

Ah, I could see what it was about now.

‘Are you saying that you really just wanted snacks?’

Geppel winced when I narrowed my eyes at a pretty revealing remark.

“It’s not just about snacks anyway, so consider it. I won’t force you.”

“Consider, consider...”

I thought about it when I thought of the word divorce from our conversation. Honestly, Riddel entering the temple was the most ideal route. Because, while the divorce of the aristocrat was bound to be a big mouthful, entering the temple was an infinite honor for the people, so it could be seen as a separate issue.

In conclusion, when you enter a temple after a divorce, you would have the justification of the temple. So, now matter the rumours, you would be fine, but that didn’t mean that priest’s marriages were prohibited.

‘I’ve been thinking about myself for a little while. If you think about it…’

The original Riddel might want to divorce Kyle as soon as she would return to her place, so it wouldn’t be better if I entered the temple.

‘However…’

“Thanks for the offer, but no thanks.”

I said no even though I knew it clearly. The reason was obvious.

“I like being around Kyle.”

Because I liked it so much that I didn’t want to accept his offer. The people of the Great Duchy, Marina, Jean, Kyle, I liked them all. Even Sejan was not so bad. So until I could get back to reality...

‘I have no intention of escaping the Great Duchy.’

“Well, I get it. If that’s what you want, there’s nothing we can do.”

Geppel laughed in a predictable tone. It was a bit of a bitter looking smile.

Silence followed.

I didn’t want to give more room for the conversation to follow, so this time as I was about to turn around to go back, the wind blew from somewhere. A wind that felt so harsh that it was stinging.

In time, the wind became dozens of sharp spears and passed between Geppel and I. No, it was aiming at Geppel, who was trying to reach out to me for exactly that reason.

Kwagwagwang!

There was a crack in the wall. Smoke rose from all directions.

“What are you two doing now?”

I heard a voice that was so unrelenting. The owner of a familiar voice.

It was Kyle.

As the thick smoke cleared up, I saw Geppel far away from me. It seemed he had avoided the attack. In front of him was Kyle, who looked cold enough to the point he could freeze the air around us. There was a deep silence. Even though the priests would be running soon with all this fuss. The two of them were motionless.

Kyle stared at Geppel.

Geppel stared back at Kyle.

They were staring at each other as they were just trying to kill each other.

“... Geppel Luna. I asked what you two were doing now.”