Then, Ferdel was right. He really was avoiding me because he thought I’d cry, not because he didn’t like me. I let go of his necktie and grabbed his hands. He flinched. Assisi’s face got so pitifully stiff.

  “Then, why do you avoid me?”


  “Well, it’s because it’s…”


  “Why do you avoid me if you don’t hate me.”


  “Well, you’re right…”


  Assisi frowned with difficulty. Even if he made an anxious expression like that, I was not letting him go that easily. If I didn’t settle things now, he would just run away again.

  “Then why are you avoiding me?”


  Assisi shut his mouth to my question. I could feel the confusion in his eyes. I just stayed calm and waited for Assisi to answer. It didn’t take long for him to open his mouth.

  “Princess, you’re not scared or afraid of me?”


  “Not at all.”


  Assisi’s expression shook at my immediate answer. His voice trembled a little too.

  “I don’t frighten you?”


  “Should I be scared?”


  I understood why he’s asking that. There was a shadow of death that loomed around him. There’s an even stronger stench of blood surrounding him than that of Caitel’s. I almost felt like I could hear screams hidden beneath his beautiful face. I could see why children were afraid of him. However, there’s no reason to run away, was there? After all, it’s not like he’s trying to kill me.

  “Princess…”


  After being unable to speak for a long time, Assisi suddenly dropped his eyes.

  I was embarrassed. Both of his soon opened eyes were filled with tears. I lost my words at that teary, golden-green eyes.

  “A, are you crying?”


  Hey, what’s wrong with this guy?

  “Hey, did I do something wrong?”


  Assisi shook his head without an answer. However, I couldn’t find the reason for his tears. Why was he crying? Assisi’s head was down. Assisi, who had no choice but to kneel to make eye contact because of the tie I pulled, suddenly began to cry out in front of my eyes.

  “Assisi? Assisi!”


  No answer returned after I called him several times. What kind of man would cry so easily?

  Oh, no. I had no idea what to do. What was happening, did I make him cry? Why was he crying? However, Assisi, who was crying, did not answer. Come on, tell me. Why was he crying? Oh, I had no idea anymore.

  A grown man shouldn’t cry.

  I sighed, hugging Assisi, who was crying in front of me.

  I was indeed a woman of many sins.