It was about a week after the founding festival.
Thwack-!
“Wow, another bullseye!”
“That’s amazing, Kayden.”
Fleur and Elliot clapped with bright smiles. Kayden lowered his arms sheepishly as he looked at the arrow lodged in the center of the target in the distance.
“It was just luck. If the wind had been any stronger, it wouldn’t have happened.”
“No need to be so humble. I thought you were only good at swordsmanship, but archery too… I really…”
“Are you going to cry again, Your Highness?”
Elliot, who had been speaking seriously with his hand on Kayden’s shoulder, choked up and wiped away a tear. Seeing this, Diana laughed softly and teased him.
They were currently on vacation at the summer palace located southeast of the capital. After the founding festival, the social season’s hustle and bustle ended with the departure of the envoys, and a period of rest began. Even the imperial family was no exception. They moved to a palace built by a large lake to escape the heat, and after marking the start of autumn with a hunting festival, they returned to the capital. This was why they could now chat leisurely on the expansive estate.
While Kayden and Elliot competed in archery, the empress, who was watching them leisurely from under a tent, spoke up. “I think that’s enough practice for today. How about we all go boating now?”
“That sounds like a good idea.”
“Let’s do that.”
Diana and Kayden nodded simultaneously. They glanced at each other reflexively and quickly looked away.
Fleur, who had been watching them quietly, deliberately took the empress’s hand warmly and laughed aloud. “Let’s go, Your Majesty.”
“Oh my, you’re…”
Thankfully, the empress was only a little surprised and didn’t seem displeased. In fact, she seemed grateful for Fleur’s familiarity.
The empress and Fleur linked arms and walked off first, looking as close as mother and daughter, with Elliot following behind them.
Kayden, having put down his bow, spoke up once they had some distance. “Let’s go too.”
“…Yes.”
Diana hesitated before quietly replying. She began walking, keeping a distance of about three steps from Kayden.
Kayden and Diana walked side by side, but awkwardly and without speaking, following the empress’s group. During this time, Kayden, who had been glancing at Diana, seemed to make a decision and took a deep breath. He stopped walking and suddenly turned to face Diana.
“Diana.”
“Y-Yes?” Startled by Kayden calling her name, Diana responded in surprise.
Seeing this, Kayden’s frown deepened. He sighed silently and asked, “Was my confession really that shocking? That’s unexpected. I thought I made it pretty obvious. Of course, I didn’t mean to pressure you, but it just happened.”
“What do you mean…?” Diana rolled her eyes and took a step back, clearly showing her desire to avoid the conversation.
“…I like you.”
“I like you, Diana.”
About a week ago, during the Founding Festival, Kayden had confessed with a smile like a boy in love for the first time. When Diana heard him say he liked her, she momentarily doubted her ears. It felt like a delusion manifesting as a hallucination.
“Ah…”
But everything before her was real, not a dream. The colorful fireworks bursting overhead, the warm touch that brushed her cheek, and Kayden’s smiling face. It all seemed like a dream, but it wasn’t. Realizing this made her heart sink.
Kayden, not receiving a response to his confession, looked at her with a slightly anxious expression. Hesitating, he gently held the edge of her sleeve. His soft voice lingered in her ear.
“How about you…?”
“I…”
Diana blinked in confusion and parted her lips. Kayden’s attention focused on her lips.
“I…”
“Here you are!”
But before Diana could utter a proper response, Patrasche, having noticed their absence and came looking for them, interrupted.
Patrasche found them amidst the crowd and began nagging. He scolded them about the importance of the event, questioning what they were doing out here and what would have happened if someone had noticed their absence.
Consequently, Kayden and Diana returned to the palace and had to engage with people continuously until the end of the Founding Festival Ball. Thus, they naturally had no time to discuss Kayden’s confession.
The two of them implicitly acted as if nothing had happened, occasionally smiling at each other and exchanging light jokes. In truth, Diana was somewhat relieved by this. She still didn’t know how to act. However, with Kayden bringing up the confession again, all their efforts were in vain. Diana tried her best to avoid any conversation related to the confession, but Kayden wouldn’t let her run away.
Kayden looked at Diana intently and spoke softly. “If it wasn’t clear because of the chaotic situation, I’ll say it again.”
“N-No, that’s not necessary…”
“I like you.”
“…”
“…I’ve fallen for you, Diana.” Kayden smiled as if he might crumble. A light breeze playfully ruffled his hair.
Having received a confession twice, Diana felt overwhelmed by the weight of his words and his smile, causing her breath to tremble. She closed her eyes briefly, feeling as though her vision was filled with light.
…Ah. At that moment, Diana couldn’t help but acknowledge and surrender. She was undeniably happy about Kayden’s words. I, too…
She liked Kayden. Realizing this made her heart beat loudly, both despairing and slightly thrilling.
Diana placed her hand on her chest and took a deep breath, but her heart wouldn’t calm down.
But when did Kayden start liking me, and why…?
Before her regression, Diana had been the one to drive Kayden to his death. Although that event was now undone, and Kayden didn’t remember it, the image of his head rolling on the execution ground was still vivid in her mind. Remembering that made it impossible for her to understand Kayden’s confession. She was torn between conflicting memories and emotions.
At that moment, Kayden cautiously took a step closer to Diana. He gently placed his hands on her trembling shoulders. He leaned his forehead against hers, making eye contact, and asked quietly,
“Do you hate me?”
“No.”
“Then, do you like me?”
“That…”
Diana frowned in distress. She could firmly deny hating Kayden. But saying she liked him was another matter. As she hesitated, unsure of how to answer, their breaths mingled, and their breathing grew warmer.
“…That…”
Diana found herself lost in the black eyes gazing at her intensely. Kayden felt the same. Just as they were about to move closer to each other,
Rustle. They heard movement nearby. Startled, Kayden and Diana stepped back.
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