“I struggled to hold back too, Rere.”
“…”
Redian’s eyes momentarily took on a peculiar look, and I almost laughed. He’s so adorable.
Sometimes, Redian would whisper things in my ear that were so direct they were overwhelming. And yet, when I expressed myself, he would flinch like that. In moments like these, he was just like when he was peacefully sleeping in the underground castle.
“Alright, we should get going before it gets too late, right?” I took Redian’s hand.
No matter what happened, where we went, or what ridiculous scenes unfolded…
“Luckily, the weather is perfect.”
I knew that my Rere would follow me wherever I went.
The sky was very clear. The breeze revealed his ear and neckline, which looked so beautiful.
* * *
“Wow, it’s really beautiful. It looks like a painting.”
Arriving at the resort island felt like a revelation.
“You’ve finally arrived.” Obelo, who had arrived earlier, greeted us. “I’ve been waiting for you, Princess. And Your Highness.”
The sky was so clear that it was almost sharp, and boats were gently floating on the sparkling lake. The lush forest surrounding all this scenery and the colorful blooming flowers.
“It’s been a while, Sir Obelo. You’ve worked hard.”
“No, it was a pleasure to serve the Felicite family.”
I needed someone I could trust here, so I appointed Obelo as the general manager of the resort island.
“Poor Aeron, stuck alone in the manor.”
“Aeron is at the age where he should be working hard.”
We exchanged light jokes as we walked.
“This is the resort where you’ll be staying.”
“My goodness, it looks like paradise.”
The exclamations that started at the entrance grew louder when we saw the resort.
“This resort is nicknamed ‘Summer Castle.’ Inspired by the seasonal fairies from mythology, it was designed by the imperial wizard Ness and Felicite’s chief researcher, Bell. The geometric design is…”
Obelo rambled excitedly, but I wasn’t listening. The reason was… I feel strange.
The resort was right next to the Minerva Shopping Center. It was a skyscraper named after my foundation.
The two things I poured my heart into in this world were Norma and that shopping center. Even though life took a few unexpected turns, I felt a surge of accomplishment.
“Rere, what do you think?”
“If you’re happy, I’m happy, Master.”
Redian’s response was as expected. Given his indifferent nature, this was quite a reaction.
“If it weren’t for this place, we wouldn’t have met.”
“…”
Redian looked at me as if asking what I meant.
“A few years ago, this place was forgotten.”
I had plenty of money already. But the reason I was so invested in this resort and shopping center was because it was the start of everything.
“In exchange for giving information to Father, give me the key to the underground castle.”
“When I first decided to take this land, everyone had something to say.”
Without this land, I wouldn’t have received the key to the underground castle from the duke.
“They wondered why I would bother with something so worthless.”
And without opening the door to the castle, I wouldn’t have met Redian.
“But look at it now, it’s beautiful. They were just too stupid to see it.”
“…”
I gently stroked Redian’s cheek. “It’s like you.”
Redian laughed softly.
“This place will be even more beautiful at night.”
It certainly would be.
Come to think of it, that was another way it resembled Redian.
“Your Highness and Princess, you must be tired. Let me guide you inside the resort.”
“Yes, please do.”
Obelo gestured towards the resort.
“By the way…” I paused and turned around. “Halphas, you’re here too.”
As promised, Halphas had followed. His velvet clothes adorned with numerous jewels were hard to miss.
“Accessories suit you well.”
It was a random compliment, but I had to lay the groundwork.
“T-Thank you.”
Why was he acting like that? Even though we had rehearsed, Halphas stammered.
“…”
“Cough.”
It seemed…
“Rere, shall we go in?”
I had to pretend not to notice Redian’s cold stare at Halphas. For the sake of our perfect moment soon!
* * *
The resort island was refreshing and very cozy. But I wasn’t here for a leisurely tour or vacation.
“The concept this time is a drop of pure innocence in everyday life, Big Sis.”
Juyong eagerly brought out outfits, followed by the production team.
“Ah—This is perfect, Princess. Exactly what we need!”
This was nothing. In one life, I was even a famous actress. Except for the times when Redian stared at me, it was easy. I couldn’t believe they had spent days struggling to find a model.
“What is this?”
The crisis came near the end of the schedule.
“One spoonful of adorableness and two of cuteness.”
Seeing the outfit Juyong brought out made my vision blur. The excessive lace and candy-like colors.
“Ha…” I threw the cumbersome hat aside and slumped on the sofa.
“You look so cute, Princess!”
I could handle any outfit, but this was overwhelming.
“I’m sure they laughed at me.”
Seeing my reflection buried in cute lace made me want to die of embarrassment.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Well, it’s just…”
Redian’s slow, deliberate gaze at my pink doll-like appearance was vivid.
“You’re quite cute.”
“Damn it.”
Remembering it made my ears burn.
I’m much older than him, and he dares to call me cute?
“This is the first time I’ve felt this humiliated.”
What made it worse was that Redian’s outfits were mostly the same. Just different colored shirts. In his light pink shirt, Redian looked not just pure but fresh. Only I looked ridiculous!
“Big Sis, have you been waiting long?” Juyong, leading the maids, approached. “Now it’s time for a bit of sexy charm tinged with seasonal allure.”
Where did she learn to name concepts like that?
“This is the concept I worked hardest on. It’ll suit you best today.”
“No. We have enough promotional photos, so let’s stop here…” I was slumped over, throwing a glance at the outfit Juyong brought.
Huh? A light bulb went off in my head.
“Tired? What a shame to miss this.”
“Give it to me. I need to change into that right now.”
Juyong was right. The black dress highlighted my silhouette and the silk gloves adorned with red rubies.
“I knew this would suit you best.”
“You look stunning, Princess.”
As I changed into the outfit and stepped out, I heard exclamations from all around. The previous concept was that damn cuteness, so the comparison was inevitable.
“Yes, this is it.”
Looking in the mirror, I felt relieved. I finally felt like I was wearing something that suited me.
“This dress is perfect for the evening banquet, too.”
There was a light dinner planned to check out the resort’s restaurant. I didn’t need to pick another outfit; this one was perfect.
As I thought about erasing the humiliation of the day,
“Master.”
“Rere?”
It seemed Redian had returned after finishing preparations. As his footsteps grew closer, I focused my gaze on the mirror.
“There you are.”
I lost my concentration immediately.
Redian was in a simple yet somehow luxurious black shirt and neatly swept silver hair.
Not bad. Seeing his reflection, I almost smiled without realizing it.
“I liked the cute look, too.”
It seemed Redian felt the same.
“…It’s quite late, Nia.” Redian hugged me from behind and kissed my shoulder. “Why don’t we skip the troublesome dinner banquet?”
His soft, low warmth touching my skin made my fingertips tingle.
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