【Chapter 26】
Esadien’s lips were warm. And his hand, unsure of what to do, wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer. The breath that escaped between his lips, which briefly touched and parted, was also warm. It was hot and sweet.
“Mi, Minuelle.”
“Esadien, you fool.”
I smiled, pressing my forehead against Esadien’s forehead. Then, I placed my hand near his heart and spoke.
“I always think of you too. Wherever I go, wherever I am.”
Without saying a word, Esadien placed his hand on top of mine.
“Because I love you.”
“……!”
As his oceanic eyes widened, his trembling became increasingly restless. Watching him in that state, my heart ached.
‘Is it okay for my emotions to keep running wild like this?’
I slowly raised the corners of my lips, trying to hide my own uneasiness.
“But, yes.”
I didn’t know why Esadien was so anxious or what he didn’t believe.
“If it feels too fast… I’ll stop right here.”
“Minuelle!”
It was the first time. Esadien raised his voice. Along with it, his grip on my shoulders tightened.
But my words were not finished yet.
“Until you can approach me without anxiety, and express yourself honestly, I will wait for you.”
Slowly, very slowly, the strength slipped away from Esadien’s hand. Seizing that opportunity, I pushed him away and took a step forward once again.
“Now I really have to go.”
As Esadien’s face vanished from my sight, memories of my actions began to replay in my mind, and belatedly, my face flushed with embarrassment.
‘What have I done! Ugh!’
“No, I will go with you.”
I don’t know why Esadien is following me so closely.
“No, you don’t need to.”
“How come?”
It’s the first time I’ve refused so bluntly. That’s why Esadien seemed a bit taken aback when he asked. Feeling too embarrassed to look him directly in the eyes, I kept my gaze straight ahead and whispered as if someone might overhear.
“Esadien… You have some wouge on your lips…”
It felt like my face was about to burst. Esadien seemed to be the same, as a fleeting glance at his face showed the same level of embarrassment as before.
“Oh, I, I understand. I’ll see you later.”
“Yes, see you later.”
Just a moment ago, my mind was filled with these thoughts.
‘When should I tell my parents that I want to break off the engagement?’
However, the situation changed so suddenly. I couldn’t believe it, yet a smile formed on my lips. But Esadien was still walking beside me, even after saying goodbye. Just as I was about to ask why, he called out my name first.
“Minuelle.”
“Yes?”
“This. I wanted to give you.”
Esadien pulled something out of his coat and handed it to me. I thought it was an envelope, but it turned out to be a very thin box.
“What’s this?”
The box made a clicking sound as it opened.
“Gloves?”
“I went to the store and bought them. I thought they would suit you well.”
They were beautiful gloves. The pink lace at the wrist end was particularly delicately tinted, giving an aura of elegance.
“Thank you! It’s so beautiful.”
And Esadien, who gave me this, looked even more beautiful.
“Do you like it?”
“Yes, I love it.”
“Well then, would it be okay if I… help you put it on?”
Thump. My heart dropped.
Despite feeling awkward, the sight of Esadien extending his hand was separate from the heartwarming gesture I had expected.
“Oh, no, it’s fine. It’s okay.”
I unconsciously tightened my grip on my hand and took a step back.
“If you don’t like it, you can exchange it anytime…”
“No, that’s not it!”
“I’m really okay with it.”
“I’m truly okay too. It’s just… Ah, it would go well with the dress I’ll wear to the party, so that’s why.”
“I see.”
While feeling a pang of conscience, I nodded earnestly. It felt as if the inside of my palm was burning.
“I, well, I will go now.”
“Okay.”
I turned around abruptly and walked briskly. It wasn’t a joke. This time I was really running out.
‘He’s not following me anymore.’
It was just at that moment that I thought that.
“Minuelle.”
“Huh? Yes?”
There was no sound of footsteps.
My shoulders were gently grasped, and my body was spun around. And at the same time…
Chu.
A tingling sensation accompanied the sound as our lips briefly touched and separated.
“Then take care.”
With a faint smile, Esadien turned around and slowly walked away, disappearing down the hallway.
“What was that…?”
Left alone, pressed my lips together, I couldn’t believe what had just happened.
“I’ve never seen him smile like that before…”
The resolution to wait for Esadien until he approached was already shaking uncontrollably.
💧
“I’m bored.”
After the wedding was over, I returned to my daily routine of idling and eating, but even with free time, I didn’t have much to do. I had promised to wait for Esadien, so I couldn’t visit the imperial palace every day like before.
“I miss Esadien.”
“You’ve already said that thirty-seven times today.”
Ramande, who was reading a book, looked down at me as I lay with my head on his lap and stuck out my tongue.
“I can’t help it. I’m bored.”
I have also organized the list of gifts that came as a wedding present from my sister, Juella, and I have finished reading the book that I had postponed reading until now. I even completed the preparations for the age-coming ceremony, including fitting the dress for the debutante ball.
There was nothing else left to do.
“I wonder what’s Esadien doing…”
As I looked at his face, half a day seemed to pass by in an instant.
“Indeed, the day flies by so quickly…”
“Oh well, then how about going for a walk?”
Although Ramande pretended to be kind-hearted, I didn’t like it. I really didn’t like it at all.
“You want to go for another walk? Is that all you ever want to do? Drag me around all day for exercise, making me walk after every meal.”
“You need exercise. You’re too weak.”
“Ugh…”
“You’re too weak.” That’s what Sister Elga always says to me.
‘No, then who would look weak in front of my sister, who can effortlessly slice a bear in one go? Our mother?’
Every time I had free time, Ramande made me go for a walk three times a day.
“At the temple, you had to move even if it was forced. But now that we’re at home, are you either lying down or sitting all day? Huh?”
“Argh! You nagging person!”
My body isn’t going to get better just by going for walks! But my family members were all applauding and praising Ramande. Deep down, it seemed like they all wanted to force me to exercise, even if it meant going against my will.
“In the end, there’s not a single person in this world I can trust!”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“I don’t know. I’m going to meet Esadien.”
“What?”
I tried to sit up abruptly, but Ramande pressed his palm firmly against my forehead, causing me to flop back down again.
“Hey, Ramande. What’s this? Why won’t you remove your hand?”
“Not removing it. Didn’t you promise to wait for the prince?”
“It’s been days since I’ve seen him. If you don’t lift me up quickly, there might be bloodshed.”
Despite squinting my eyes and exerting force, the consequence of my futile threat was a sharp slap on the back.
“Ouch!”
“Where did you learn such nonsense?”
“It hurts! I’ll have bruises and swelling on my pretty forehead. Take responsibility!”
“Ugh, fine, I got it. But enough with the drama.”
Once again, Ramande gently helped me up, clicking his tongue in disapproval.
“It’s not an exaggeration, you know? Seriously, it really hurts a lot.”
To be honest, it was partially an exaggeration, but it wasn’t a lie that my forehead was throbbing. As I started to cry, Ramande’s voice became more cautious.
“….Let me see.”
Ramande, who had pulled my hand away from my forehead, bowed his head and approached me.
“Fuuuu…..”
A warm and gentle breath touched my forehead with a reassuring presence. The subtle divine power that accompanied it alleviated the throbbing pain in my forehead.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore, right?”
With the distance between us narrowed, Ramande whispered as if he was asking a secret. Even though there was a shadow cast over, I smiled faintly, looking into his sparkling purple eyes.
“Yeah. Our Ramande is truly amazing. Mixing divine power into his breath.”
“It tickles, so stop complimenting me.”
“Don’t be shy. Now that when our Ramande breathes, people would be healed.”
Finally, Ramande smirked.
“Is that so?”
That’s great. The atmosphere has lightened up. Everything is going according to plan!
“Anyway, I’m going to visit the palace!”
“Was it for real? You’ve been unusually patient lately.”
“Just for a moment, I’ll only see Esadien’s face and come back. I won’t cause any trouble.”
“Well, if you say so.”
“Yeah!”
Leaving behind Ramande, who was giving a sarcastic reply, I quickly went inside to change my clothes. However, when I came out again, the parlor was completely empty.
“Huh? Where did he go? Did someone urgently call for him?”
It hadn’t been that long, only about fifteen minutes. But to my surprise, when I went to catch the carriage, there was Ramande, sitting inside as if nothing had happened.
“Oh, my gosh! Ramande, why are you here?”
“I just wanted to come along.”
“You? Why?”
“I thought about it, and I figured it would be a little less awkward for you if I came with you.”
“Awkward?”
Is that so?
‘I just wanted to give him a hug and come back.’
Esadien might feel disappointed if I completely cut off contact without even visiting. After convincing myself while changing clothes, it was time to go.
‘But why is he acting like that?’
While tilting my head, a thought crossed my mind.
‘Could it be that Ramande wanted to see the imperial palace?’
As Ramande was from the Sumander region, it was likely that he had never seen the imperial palace before. I suddenly felt guilty for not considering Ramande’s thoughts all this time, despite him constantly accompanying me on my outings.
“What’s with that look in your eyes?”
“Oh, it’s nothing, really. Let’s hurry.”
“Come on, tell me.”
“It’s really nothing. Here, take my hand.”
I reached out my hand to Ramande, showing him my palm. However, he glanced back and forth between me and my hand, then raised one eyebrow slightly.
“Are you treating me like a lost child now?”
“You’re quick-witted. Geez, why my arm is so heavy?”
“I can’t believe you. Seriously.”
While grumbling, Ramande held onto my hand tightly.
‘Anyway, it’s cute.’
If he catches me smiling, Ramande will say something again. I thought to myself, trying my best not to show any expression. But then Ramande asked me a question.
“But you’re wearing these gloves again today. It seems like you’ve been wearing them a lot lately.”
“Hehe. Did you notice?”
A gentle smile naturally formed on my lips. Except for the minimal time required for washing, the gloves given by Esadien always stayed on my hands.
‘I love it so much.’
It feels like wearing this fills the void of not being able to see Esadien, even if just a little bit.
“Usually, you always match the color of you gloves and dress.”
That’s right. Gloves were both a fashion item and a necessity for me, and I never took them off. Naturally, I had several pairs in different materials and colors, and there was even a drawer dedicated to displaying gloves only.
On a day like today, when I was wearing blue clothes, I would have chosen light blue or navy gloves.
“It’s okay. White goes well with anything.”
“It’s not because it was a gift from the Prince, right?”
“Well, of course it is.”
Well, be that as it may.
As I nodded vigorously with a proud expression on my face, Ramande shivered slightly.
“Wow, it gave me goosebumps. Who are you? Where is the real Minuelle Karinen?”
“This is the real one!”
💧
Thank you for reading!
