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After presenting the matching rings, the Monit couple extended their generosity further, treating Anna to a box of cake from the bakery. This kind gesture served as their apology for inadvertently crushing her dinner sandwich earlier.
With all matters settled, the couple then departed.
As the man’s limping figure vanished into the encroaching night, Eve found herself still reeling in disbelief.
‘Were they truly just here to express their gratitude and offer gifts?’
Reluctantly, Eve admitted to herself that she had indeed harbored ill intentions, unfairly judging them.
Her initial impression of the man had certainly not painted him as a good person, yet now, the truth revealed his intentions to be remarkably pure.
If there was any ulterior motive at all, it was likely nothing more than forging a good relationship with Anna, much like the merchant Qi Yisko whom Eve had encountered previously.
Few who ascended to the rank of Count were fools. They understood the value of cultivating friendships and expanding their networks, knowing that more friends paved more paths. These nobles, after all, possessed a remarkably long-term vision.
Just then, a hand clutching a silver ring entered her field of vision, abruptly severing Eve’s train of thought.
“Yulim, here, this ring is for you.”
“It’s a twin ring, you know! Once we put it on, we’ll easily find each other no matter where we go!”
“Count Monit is such a good person; he’s actually willing to give us such a precious ring.”
Eve gazed at the ring held out before her, a peculiar emotion stirring within her chest.
Certainly, it wasn’t shyness.
Eve wasn’t *that* deeply immersed in her role.
Eve knew the ring was not truly meant for her.
It was intended for the real Yulim, who had already departed.
This ring should not be accepted by her.
Yet, with the ring extended directly before her, Eve found herself in a predicament where refusing it was not an option.
Her mind began to race, desperately seeking a solution to this entirely unforeseen crisis.
Anna, completely unaware of the truth, simply assumed Yulim was hesitant due to the ring’s immense value, feeling too shy to accept it.
“Hey, Yulim, don’t be shy now! Since Count Monit gave us this ring, it means they want their intentions to be properly received! So, to honor their kindness, we should make good use of it!”
“Come on! Yulim, take off your glove, I’ll help you put it on…”
As she spoke, Anna smiled and stepped forward, reaching for Eve’s left hand.
Disaster loomed!
If Anna actually removed her glove and felt no body warmth while placing the ring, she would undoubtedly sense something amiss!
Eve deftly pulled her hand back, evading Anna’s grasp. She shifted on her chair, her hands clutching at the edge of her hood, pulling it further down as her voice became laced with shy unease: “A-Anna sis… but… but that’s a ring… it’s not just an item.”
“A piece of jewelry like a ring, it carries a very special meaning…”
Anna, with a bewildered expression, repeated, “Special meaning?”
Just as expected, Anna, who was so innocent she couldn’t even grasp Count Monit’s unfinished words earlier, had no idea about the true significance of a ring. This made things much simpler.
“A ring… it’s a token of marriage… especially since this was Madam Stith’s dowry… it already symbolizes love, you see…”
“E-especially placing a ring on someone else’s finger… that’s something only lovers do for each other…”
“If Anna sis were to put the ring on me…”
Wuuu~~~ (o///____///c)…
“Anna sis and I would never get married in this lifetime…”
The moment these words left her lips, the blue-haired maiden’s hand froze, as if she had been struck by lightning, leaving her utterly stunned.
Within her small head, Eve’s words echoed.
‘Putting on a ring is something only lovers do…’
‘Only lovers can…’
‘Lovers!’
‘Lovers…’
‘Lovers?’
Anna slowly lowered her head. Eve couldn’t discern her expression, only that Anna seemed to be staring intently at the ring in her hand.
‘It seems Anna finally understands that rings shouldn’t be given out haphazardly. Crisis averted! Hooray!’
Eve was already celebrating inwardly.
However, it was a well-known truth that celebrating prematurely was ill-advised.
The next moment, Anna abruptly lifted her head, her eyes sparkling with a sudden, intelligent light.
Then, she performed her signature gesture once more: one hand clenched into a fist, striking the palm of the other, an expression of profound realization dawning upon her face.
“Oh! Then, Yulim, if we get married now and become lovers, won’t we be able to wear rings?!”
“Pfft—”
The first to react wasn’t Eve, but Lanya, the bakery owner, who had just emerged from the back kitchen.
Master Lanya, having concluded a bustling day, had never imagined she would overhear such a shockingly explosive statement right before closing shop.
Lanya’s hand, clutching a water glass, trembled violently. Her other hand cupped her ear, her mind already in an uproar.
‘Eh, eh, eh???’
‘That was Anna’s voice just now, wasn’t it!’
‘It *had* to be Anna’s voice!’
‘Aren’t Anna and Yulim both girls??’
‘They’re getting married?! Married?!’
‘Though I’ve seen them inseparable all year, how, how, how did it suddenly fast-forward to marriage!!!’
She secretly snuck a glance…
‘Blast it! It’s a wedding ring!!’
‘So you two were serious all along!! Your efficiency is just too incredible!!!’
‘Could it be that after twelve years of opening this bakery, I, Lanya, am finally going to witness the first pair of lovers find their happily ever after right here in my shop!’
‘This is huge! If Anna comes to order a wedding cake later, I’ll give her a twenty percent discount straight away!’
Lanya set down her water glass, then swiftly pulled out a pre-cut watermelon from the small fridge beside her – one she hadn’t had time to eat yesterday – and hugged it to her chest. Simultaneously, she ducked behind the front counter, only her comical eyes peeking out to observe in secret.
If one were to lean closer, they might even catch Lanya’s low, mischievous whispers, clearly reveling in the unfolding drama.
“Kiss, kiss, kiss! Get together, get together!”
Meanwhile, Eve was utterly paralyzed, completely numb.
If Anna had been struck by lightning moments ago, now it was Eve’s turn.
‘Anna, are you serious?!’
‘This is marriage! *Marriage*!’
‘Don’t treat marriage so casually!’
No amount of mental screaming could help Eve now; she had realized she made a fatal error.
When dealing with Anna, one should never attempt to understand her thought process with conventional logic!
She had to find a way to remedy this quickly, or Yulim’s identity would be exposed!
Seeing Anna’s eager, almost predatory gaze, clearly intending to grab her hand, it seemed a delaying tactic was her only option…
Observing Eve’s continued reluctance to take the ring, Anna couldn’t help but ask, “Yulim, don’t you want to marry me and wear the ring together?”
The real Yulim might have, in her shyness, half-heartedly agreed to Anna’s request, but she was Eve!
She was still wearing the holy maiden’s token bracelet on her wrist! Adding another ring would just label her as a harem protagonist, for crying out loud!
At this moment, Eve completely transformed into an impossibly shy young wife, clutching the edge of her hood to cover her entire face, while simultaneously wishing she could burrow under the table. Her weak voice trembled as she spoke: “No… Anna sis…”
“Do you truly understand what marriage means…?”
“Two girls getting m-married… it’s just too progressive, w-wuuu…”
“Could you… could you give me one more month to think about it…?”
You think this chapter was thrilling? Wait until you read I Became a Vampire Girl! Click here to discover the next big twist!
Read : I Became a Vampire Girl
