Episode 71
Lucy’s eyes widened, then she smiled.
“Of course. I wonder if anyone else would do this troublesome work.”
Lucy said playfully.
Bartholomew turned and looked at her.
Because of that, the process of transferring the curse was temporarily halted.
“I am serious.”
Bartholomew’s hand grabbed Lucy’s hand, which was lost in the air.
Lucy’s fingers reflexively retracted.
‘Were Bartholomew’s hands always this hot?’
During that time, it was Lucy who had been holding his hand tightly.
It occurred to me that this was the first time Bartholomew had ever taken her hand in this way.
The moment I realized this.
I met Bartholomew’s eyes.
Lucy swallowed her breath without realizing it as she met his blue eyes.
My heartbeat quickened and my cheeks flushed.
‘Why am I like this?’
My own awkward reaction felt unfamiliar.
I wanted to act calm, but it wasn’t easy.
But I couldn’t avoid his eyes.
“Can you promise me?”
Bartholomew asked.
“Don’t let Cecil, Logan, or Patrick fall under this curse.”
Again.
The three men were mentioned by Bartholomew.
Bartholomew was obviously aware of them.
Lucy swallowed dryly.
“why?”
She asked briefly.
Why do you care so much about those people?
Why do you keep comparing yourself to them?
What if Cecil, Logan, and Patrick had been cursed like Bartholomew?
Lucy would have naturally tried to help them too.
Because I need to increase my favorability rating.
Because you have to defeat them to see the true ending.
however.
“Bartholomew. What the hell are you…?”
What were you thinking when you took the male lead’s place?
Why did you, who was just an extra, my only friend, become the target of conquest?
Lucy swallowed her words.
Instead, I waited for Bartholomew’s answer.
Bartholomew looked at Lucy with an incomprehensible gaze.
Soon Bartholomew’s lips slowly opened.
“Because I don’t like it.”
“…….”
“Because I want to be the only one who gets your special treatment.”
Bartholomew answered honestly.
It was his true heart.
He wanted Lucy’s attention to be focused only on him.
I wished she would just stop looking at me and smile at him.
“If that’s not possible…….”
Bartholomew, who had been silent for a moment, continued speaking.
“I think I’ll be so lonely.”
Lucy was speechless for a moment.
She glimpsed, for a moment, the loneliness that Bartholomew held.
He was struggling in a loneliness as wide and deep as the sea.
I wanted to get him out of there if I could.
That helping hand, Bartholomew was hoping for.
Lucy thought again.
If the other male leads were cursed, would you help them?
As expected, her answer was the same.
I will help you.
But it must have been a different feeling from helping Bartholomew.
Although a hidden quest was given to Bartholomew, Lucy’s purpose was not limited to the quest.
I was afraid he would die.
I hoped he wasn’t sick.
Lucy truly wanted him to live a healthy life.
Lucy knows.
How simple are the things Bartholomew wants.
“Bartholomew.”
Lucy looked straight at Bartholomew.
“I can’t give you something as grand as the special treatment you mentioned, but….”
“…….”
“I won’t make you lonely.”
Lucy said sincerely.
Then, Bartholomew’s hand, which was holding hers, suddenly gained strength.
Soon his hand gently let go of Lucy’s.
“That will do.”
Bartholomew smiled faintly.
Lucy felt strange seeing that smile.
Because his smile felt sad.
Why is that?
What kind of answer did Bartholomew want to hear from me?
But Bartholomew turned away from her again, as if he had had enough.
Lucy, who had been lost in thought for a moment, reached out to him with a feeling of relief.
As the ring began to glow, the process of transferring his curse began again.
Lucy concentrated as she traced the curse symbol with her fingertips.
It was not only because I was curious about the curses flowing from him, but also because I was curious about the emotions he felt.
But this time I felt no emotion.
As if Bartholomew had locked the door of his heart tightly.
At that moment, I felt an inexplicable sense of regret.
Lucy’s eyes widened.
This was because part of the pattern carved on Bartholomew’s back had been erased.
Lucy was delighted.
She was anxious because there was no noticeable change.
But as you can see, the curse was steadily being passed on to Lucy.
Lucy informed Bartholomew of this fact.
Bartholomew looked surprised.
But his joy was short-lived and his expression darkened.
“what’s the matter?”
“Is it possible that my cursed symbol has been transferred to you?”
There was concern in Bartholomew’s voice.
Lucy understood his concerns.
‘Come to think of it, the curse was only transferred to me. Can we say that the curse has been lifted?’
Lucy vaguely thought that if she transferred Bartholomew’s curse to her body, which was not affected by curses, it would naturally dissolve and disappear.
What if the power of black magic still remained and began to draw new patterns on Lucy’s body?
Even if you are not affected by the curse, is it okay to continue to carry the curse on your body?
Lucy was worried, but her face was bright.
“Even if it moves, it doesn’t affect me in any way, so it doesn’t matter.”
“How can you be sure of that?”
Bartholomew was resolute.
“Lucy.”
Bartholomew called her with a serious face.
“Let me check if there is a pattern carved into your body.”
Lucy’s eyes widened.
She blinked, not understanding what he meant.
Soon she asked with a smiling voice.
“You want to see my body with your own eyes?”
Lucy thought that if she said something like that, Bartholomew would blush and deny it.
Because that was the kind of personality Bartholomew had.
“huh.”
But Bartholomew nodded calmly, not at all flustered.
Now the one who was confused was Lucy.
“Wh, what nonsense are you talking about!”
“If my curse has spread to you, you better stop this right now.”
There was no playfulness in Bartholomew’s voice.
“If someone else sees that pattern, they might misunderstand and think you’re involved in black magic.”
“…….”
“It’s a matter of your life.”
Bartholomew leaned towards Lucy.
Lucy unconsciously crossed her arms and wrapped them around my body.
“Oh, no!”
One of Bartholomew’s eyebrows rose.
“What are you thinking about?”
“What are you thinking? What are you thinking?”
Heat slowly rose up Lucy’s neck.
“You want to see my naked body?”
Lucy was so flustered that she even stuttered.
Bartholomew’s head tilted.
Soon the corners of his mouth turned up.
“What if that’s the case?”
“Absolutely not!”
“You’re still watching.”
At those words, Lucy’s gaze turned to Bartholomew’s chest.
He headed towards the nicely muscled stomach below and quickly came up.
“Well, but this is, all, different!”
Lucy’s face turned completely red.
Bartholomew, who had been teasing her, couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Lucy became even more bewildered when she saw Bartholomew smiling.
“Lucy, just show me your back.”
As he said this, Bartholomew grabbed Lucy’s shoulder.
Lucy turned her back on the force he was leading her with.
‘omg!’
