Chapter 45: Demon Folk (3)

Many magic-obsessed wizards are skeptical about marriage, but I wasn't one of them.

At least, that was true until that incident. Now, just hearing the word "marriage" makes me feel suffocated, like the whole world is pointing fingers at me.

Like magic triggered by specific words, whenever I think of marriage or related terms, Karin and the Hero's faces flash before my eyes.

More precisely, the memory of that time—the most unpleasant memory of my life—keeps tormenting me.

"Um, Elang."

Ironically, the voice that pulled me out of this cursed memory was the same one that had pushed me into it.

Bella, who had been excitedly chattering just moments ago, now wore an expression of obvious anxiety.

"Do you... not want to marry me?"

From that uncertain voice, and my unconsciously furrowed brow narrowing my vision, I could roughly guess what expression I must be wearing.

"It's not that..."...