Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 72

72.

"It started as a fake engagement."

At Ibelin's words, the women's eyes widened.

"Fake? You're not really engaged?"

"But you share a ger?"

"Yes—but nothing happened!"

"A man and woman alone in a ger?"

"Yes—we were alone, and nothing happened."

"Oh dear—that must be hard. Then we should prepare separate gers from today."

Iranna joined the conversation.

"No—it's fine. Even if we share, nothing will happen."

"Why do you think that?"

"Because nothing happened last night."

Though if something had, that would be a problem too.

"Hmm—but I thought you two seemed very close. That's why I gave you one ger."

"If the shaman says so, it must be true."

"Maybe you do like him?"

At that, Ibelin's face flushed.

"You do like him!"

A woman laughed.

"Is it really liking?"

"You don't know? Then tell us—honestly."

Iranna encouraged her.

"Well..."

Being with Kite made her heart pound—when he smiled or touched her. At first, it was rare, but lately it happened often. His behavior also seemed suspicious.

Could he like her? She'd begun to wonder.

"Of course not!"

"Why not?"

"I'm not the kind of person he'd notice."

"Did he say that?"

"No."

"Then why so sure?"

"Maybe he wants you to make the first move?"

"Why?"

"You seem lacking in confidence—he might want you to gain assurance."

Do I look that insecure? But given who he was, it was understandable—a duke, handsome, strong.

"Then hold on tight."

Iranna said firmly.

"Lady Shaman has never been in love herself!"

Someone pointed out, but Iranna didn't waver.

"Still—I've seen many people and often give love advice."

"That's true."

It might be amusing, but the tribe relied on Iranna—and so her advice was sought. She knew love well, even without experience.

"How about you confess first?"

"Me?"

Ibelin was alarmed.

"It might be easier—if rejected, you find someone else. Shall I introduce another man?"

"But her situation is different—would it be okay?"

"Well—I've heard of live-in sons-in-law in the Empire. She could do that."

"Is there a suitable man?"

"I know one."

She began listing popular men in the tribe.

"Irun is good at hunting—catches big game easily, and he's handsome!"

"He knows herbs well—his mother was a healer!"

"But if she's a foreigner, what about her dowry?"

"Would he bring it? What's Irun's property like?"

"I don't need that!"

Ibelin refused desperately.

"You're right—she hasn't confessed to Lord Kite yet. Introducing others is premature."

Iranna defended her.

"True—fine."

One woman opened her pouch and pulled out a square cloth embroidered with a bird, with a long string.

"It's a love charm—blessed by the shaman. Take it."

"What?"

"You're our tribe's benefactor—it's nothing."

She pressed it into Ibelin's hand.

"Good idea—I have a bracelet!"

A bracelet woven with red and blue threads joined it.

"Red for me, blue for the other—a love charm."

"Then I should give something too."

Iranna gave her a necklace.

"It wards off misfortune—being rejected is misfortune, after all."

Ibelin ended up with many gifts.

"We'll set the mood—how about confessing today?"

"Thank you—but am I really in love?"

"Love doesn't start with grandeur."

"Sometimes you fall for looks or ability."

"Then it deepens."

Hearing that, courage welled up—she could do it. Just say "I like you." If rejected, it'd be awkward, but she'd already planned to leave.

"Don't worry about futures that haven't come."

Iranna's words lingered.

"Right."

Ibelin fingered the pendant and stood.

"Go!"

"You can do it!"

"It'll be fine!"

The women clapped and cheered.

"Wish me luck!"

Encouraged, she went to find Kite.

---

At the training ground, he wasn't there.

"Have you seen Lord Kite?"

He pointed.

"There's a small river—he might be there."

She went, her courage slowly shrinking—she touched the charm.

At the river, she approached—then turned away. Kite was bathing, his upper body bare! Why now?

She crouched behind a tree.

"Ibelin?"

He stepped out, muscles wet and steaming in the cold air. She threw a cloth over him.

"Why are you always undressed when I find you?"

"You always find me when I am."

He smiled.

"Not true!"

She wrapped him tightly.

"Besides—what if you catch a cold?"

"To wash properly, I'd have to carry and heat water—too much trouble. This is faster."

"Still!"

"Thanks for worrying—but I'm tougher than you think. The Empire's only Swordmaster."

He shrugged—a cold bath wouldn't make him sick.

"True."

Maybe she worried too much.

"More importantly—what brings you here? You were talking to the shaman."

He'd watched even while sparring.

"Well—"

She remembered why she'd come.

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