Why Do You Obsess Even After Death (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 13
Behind Laches’s broad back, a mirror came into view. Fortunately, my irises were still lilac.
Yet each time I blinked, I seemed to catch glints of gold here and there.
I couldn’t tell whether it was the true color of my irises or merely the reflection of the bedroom’s lighting.
“Surprised?”
Seeing me speechless as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, Laches gently released my chin, which he’d been idly toying with.
“I’ll be off.”
“…Huh?”
All my churning, anxious worries instantly turned useless before his brief reply.
He was always the type to push forward exactly as he pleased. That’s why I’d naturally assumed he’d once again do precisely as he wished this time too.
Instead, Laches cleanly gave up, picked up the wine bottle and glass, and began tidying them away.
“You’ll probably sleep deeply—the wine’s gone to your head.”
With a light farewell, Laches turned without a trace of hesitation. He truly seemed ready to leave the bedroom just like that.
“…Are you really leaving?”
At my quiet murmur, Laches abruptly halted. He turned his head back slightly and gave a teasing smile.
“Regretting it? Should I stay the night here? But the bed’s too narrow—I’d have to hold you while we sleep. Would that be alright?”
The moment Laches finished speaking, I vividly imagined us lying together on that cramped bed, wrapped in each other’s arms.
It was a dangerous fantasy.
To entertain such base thoughts while the person stood right before me—
I grew so ashamed of myself that my face burned hot.
“Don’t imagine me against that narrow bed. I won’t sleep quietly anyway.”
“What strange things are you saying…!”
“I only said my sleeping habits are peculiar. Did you imagine something weird?”
He’d already seen through exactly what I’d been imagining. Unable to hide my burning shame, I squeezed my eyes shut and lowered my head.
A deep chuckle sounded above me.
“Good night, Your Grace…”
I offered my farewell, hoping he’d just leave already, and Laches let out a low laugh.
“Sleep well.”
A sweet fragrance drifted hazily from between his parted lips. Then the door opened and closed.
Even after he’d left, the cloying scent lingered thickly in the bedroom.
My cheeks burned fiercely. I exhaled deeply and headed toward the window.
My irises, reflected in the windowpane, had already turned golden.
‘If I’d been just a little later, it would’ve been disastrous…’
Thank goodness he’d dropped his stubbornness and left as he did.
I took the medicine I’d prepared earlier, then opened the window to cool my heated face.
‘Have I ever felt this at ease before?’
Even after being reborn, I’d never once had a truly peaceful day.
I’d spent my days trapped, waiting for death at any moment, tormented by the compulsion to survive every second.
‘Maybe this is better.’
Not as Lady Niriel, but simply as one of the maids working at the Northern Fortress.
Perhaps living hidden like this, with no one knowing who I really am, would bring more peace. After all, if no one knows me, no one will try to kill me.
Admittedly, I’d been deeply shocked when I read Laches’s memory of him wondering whether he should have killed Referentia.
But that was all. He still treated me as the maid Lea, and even showed kindness to maid Lea—enough to willingly give her an extravagant gift.
‘Maybe… maybe living as a maid like this, I can survive.’
The cool breeze blowing in soothed the heat rising within the cramped bedroom.
Just then, someone hurried past with movements that looked suspicious at first glance.
“…Detor?”
Though his face was obscured by darkness, I recognized him instantly. After all, I’d spent a long time alongside Detor.
Even without wanting to, I could tell just from his gestures or gait.
‘But where’s he going at this late hour?’
He seemed to be holding something, though I couldn’t make out what.
It was impolite for a guest to wander around the mansion in the dead of night.
Detor couldn’t possibly be unaware of that. And since Delia wasn’t beside him, it clearly wasn’t some affectionate couple’s stroll.
“Detor wouldn’t come here to do anything good…”
Detor had always harbored an inferiority complex toward Laches. Earlier, when Delia showed interest in Laches, Detor’s boastful behavior made it obvious he was still jealous.
There was no way someone like Detor would roam Laches’s mansion with good intentions.
“…You still haven’t come to your senses.”
Watching his shamelessly petty retreating figure, I quietly closed the open window.
In my countless rebirths, I’d exacted abundant revenge.
But that didn’t mean I could forgive in this life.
I slipped on a thin robe and stepped out of the bedroom.
[This is the timeline separator]Laches strolled down the quiet corridor. With every exhale, the faint scent of the wine he’d just drunk lingered.
At the same time, the face of the person who’d shared that wine with him came to mind.
‘It feels like I’m taming a wary wild animal…’
Her eyes lighting up in delight after a single sip, and her constant sipping throughout our conversation—kept replaying in his mind.
‘Next time, should I let her try something she’s never tasted before?’
What could it be? She’d probably already eaten everything available at the Niriel estate. Something absent in the capital but unique to the North—something so delicious it’d make her smile involuntarily…
“…Who’s there?”
Lost in pleasant thoughts, Laches absentmindedly tapped his chin as he walked—then suddenly stopped.
His gaze turned icy as he stared coldly at the round pillar down the corridor. His expression held no trace of warmth, only sharp, chilling intent.
It was merely a short question: “Who’s there?”
Yet under the suffocating pressure that promised death if she didn’t emerge immediately, Delia trembled and revealed herself.
“It’s—it’s—it’s me, Your Grace.”
Just earlier, when she’d first arrived at the mansion, the atmosphere hadn’t been like this at all.
It felt as though this couldn’t possibly be the same person—more like someone who merely shared his face.
Delia wrapped her shivering arms around herself and forced a stiff smile.
“Why are you here?”
But the reply was cold indifference. Delia flinched at the unexpectedly frosty tone.
“I startled you, didn’t I? I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to…”
Despite his piercing gaze, the Guardian of the North remained beautiful.
He possessed an allure incomparable to the capital’s men, who sat in their studies buttoned up to the neck, reading books to display their charm.
“You must feel lonely living alone in a place like this…”
He wore only a perfectly fitted shirt, its top buttons casually undone—elegant in its simplicity.
Just the thought that a few deft movements could reveal the fearsome beast hidden beneath that thin fabric made her heart race.
“I came because I wanted to talk with you. Earlier, I wasn’t myself. You weren’t even at the banquet… Are you busy?”
Her thin, seasonally inappropriate indoor dress fluttered. The way she thrust it forward as if it were her weapon made Laches’s expression involuntarily twist.
“I told Detor I’d step out briefly, so he went for a walk too. He won’t be back for a while—I’ve got plenty of time.”
Delia’s prattling fell on deaf ears. Whether she acted, dressed, or even undressed right before him—
Laches didn’t care at all.
The only reason he stood there listening to her nonsense was simple curiosity: why was she here?
‘This never happened before.’
Why had things changed?
Before the question fully formed, the image of that woman sipping wine flashed into his mind. Her presence alone had altered countless of his actions and responses.
Of course the situation had changed—his choices had changed.
‘Since Count Deberti also went for a walk, his actions must have shifted too.’
A single variable was creating an entirely different outcome.
“…Really annoying.”
See? The moment I thought of her, she’s lodged herself in my head again and won’t leave.
Laches swept his hair back as if trying to shake her off.
As if that simple gesture could make her disappear from his thoughts.
“Huh? What’s annoying…?”
“Get lost.”
Once his curiosity was satisfied, Laches became blunt. Cutting off Delia’s words with a harsh curse, he turned away as if she held no further worth.
Delia was stunned by his firm dismissal. Back in the capital, a single glance or touch from her had always drawn desperate men. Never before had a man responded so sharply or used such vulgar language—her head spun in disbelief.
She’d naturally assumed this, being the sole eligible bride of the Empire’s celebrated Guardian family, yet Delia had no idea.
“Even street ruffians wouldn’t speak to me like that!”
“Then I must be an even more despicable scoundrel than they are.”
Whether from cold, shame, or fear—
for some unknown reason, Delia shivered and glared at Laches’s retreating back.
“I’m a guest!”
Her sharp voice shattered the quiet stillness of the North.
“You refused my request for a guide and didn’t even join us for dinner! You seem to be mistaken… I only wanted to thank you properly for hosting me as a guest with such courtesy!”
“In that way?”
Laches scoffed without even looking at her. Humiliated beyond measure, Delia bit her lower lip hard.
“I’m engaged to be married soon! Don’t misunderstand!”
At her baseless lie, Laches turned halfway around and sneered at Delia, who was now fuming with barely contained rage.
“That fiancé you stole from your dead friend?”
“…!! How dare you say something so vile…!”
“Vile? Me?”
Laches couldn’t suppress his laughter. Covering his mouth, he let out muffled chuckles.
“Who’s truly vile—the one who steals her friend’s fiancé without a shred of guilt, or the one who merely points out the truth?”
“…!! Show some manners! Show some manners! I’m of the Palo Family…!”
“You made your point well. Since you’re an uninvited guest, do show proper manners, Lady Palo.”
Laches fixed her with a fierce glare, his jaw set tight.
“Don’t forget where you’re shouting right now.”
Violentus Fortress.
And its sole ruler.
Meeting his mad, merciless gaze, Delia finally grasped his true nature with painful clarity.
“If you’ve finally understood, then stay quiet while I treat you with courtesy. I’d like to pretend to be a gentleman, after all.”
He’d barely lowered his guard enough to share a drink with her—there was no way he’d let her run off again.
“Return as soon as your carriage is repaired. Even if you discover something here, there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Even if you find your dead friend.
Just as Laches swallowed the words rising to his throat and turned to leave—
“…”
He sharply turned his head toward the corridor window. What was out there?
Delia followed his gaze out the window too. Outside, all was silent and empty.
“Damn it.”
But Laches’s expression changed as he stared toward the distant southern territories. His face twisted violently, fists clenched so tightly his veins stood out.
“He’s gone and done it.”
Delia’s legs trembled under the suffocating killing intent he radiated. With nothing to hold onto, she collapsed onto the floor.
Laches turned his head. His flashing eyes were savage. Delia covered her mouth with trembling hands.
She felt certain he might kill her right there.
“It seems the man you’re supposed to marry has caused trouble. What should I do?”
“Hic!”
Startled by his low, throaty sound—as if barely restraining his killing intent—Delia hiccupped.
Laches cast her a dismissive glance, as if she were worthless, then threw open the window and shouted down to the knights on guard below.
“Gather everyone immediately! Monsters are attacking from the south!”
The knights sprang into action at Laches’s command. Preparing for monster incursions was routine for them.
“M-m-m-monsters?”
But not for Delia. Hearing that word—something she’d only read about in books or heard in rumors—she trembled violently, doubting her own ears.
“You just said monsters?! Monsters are attacking here, right now?! Then—then what about me? Where should I hide?!”
“Does this look like a place with hiding spots? Survive on your own.”
At Laches’s cold retort, Delia’s eyes welled with tears, terror gripping her.
“You should’ve expected this much when you came to the North.”
Laches walked away, leaving Delia behind. Lights flickered on in the once-dark Violentus Fortress, and the sound of knights roused from sleep echoed as they dashed about.
‘I wonder if she’s frightened too.’
Laches’s steps never faltered. In fact, they grew quicker—until he was running.
“Your Grace! Where are you going? The main gate is this way!”
“Yeah, just a moment. Wait.”
Waving vaguely at those calling for him, Laches rushed recklessly toward one place—the room of the woman he’d shared wine with just moments ago.
‘She can’t die again…’
Telling himself this rationalization, Laches raised his hand and knocked on the door.
Knock knock.
Two perfunctory, polite raps.
But without waiting for a reply, Laches flung the door open.
“Monsters are attacking. We need to get you to safety right now…”
The bedroom was cold and empty. Referentia was nowhere to be found.
Male lead is a clingy little husband
One-line summary: The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
Introduction:
One day, Lu Yuner’s soul transmigrates into a female-dominant world. She enters the Imperial Academy and takes up the position of a doctoral instructor, teaching classes and grading schoolwork.
One day, she encounters the young prince Su Qingwan secretly skipping class from the male academy.
As a result, Su Qingwan is punished.
From then on, Su Qingwan sees Lu Yuner as a “thorn in his side”.
But before long, this “thorn” becomes the person he cherishes most, and he goes to great lengths to win Lu Yuner’s affection.
Mini scene 1:
One day, the sun is high in the sky but Su Qingwan still hasn’t gotten up for class.
Servant Xiaoyuan: “Young prince, it’s time for class. You’ll be late otherwise.”
Su Qingwan says arrogantly: “I’m not going. I am the esteemed prince, my status is so noble, why should I suffer this hardship? Besides, isn’t learning all this just to please women? Hmph, they’re not worthy!”
Mini scene 2:
After Su Qingwan falls for someone, he completely changes. He no longer skips class and diligently learns how to be a good husband and father. But he discovers that Sister Yuner is always surrounded by admirers.
Drunk and overcome with jealousy one day, he clings to Lu Yuner, crying beautifully like a pear blossom in the rain.
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan likes Sister Yuner.”
Lu Yuner: “Young prince, you’re drunk.”
Su Qingwan: “Qingwan isn’t drunk. Qingwan likes Sister Yuner, likes you so much, likes you to bits…” Before he can finish, Lu Yuner’s eyes flash with emotion and she leans in closer.
[Reading Guide]
1. The female lead is gentle, gracious, humble and polite but not weak. The male lead is initially an arrogant, noble, love-deprived brat, later a cute, clingy, scheming little jealous one.
2. 1v1, a bit torturous in the beginning but definitely sweet later on.
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I think here the pronouns should be she/her… right?
Oh she’s gross
What abilities do they even have??? We just know FL can read people’s memories through touch