【 Chapter 8 】
“I think Esadien doesn’t like to attract attention, so even though I want to go, I don’t think he would be comfortable with it.”
“You’re quite fearless, aren’t you? Even though something like that happened…”
“That’s true. To be alive like this…”
Life was either to live or die.
When I shrugged my shoulders, Esadien tilted his head slightly. I thought I saw a faint smile, but it disappeared the next moment and I couldn’t confirm it.
“Okay, you can choose the date.”
“Yay! Sounds great!”
I stood up with happiness and hugged Esadien tightly. His trembling cold eyes caught me.
“Minuelle, this is too close…”
“Hush.”
It’s so cute.
I held back my laughter and raised my finger to block Esadien’s lips.
“Then it’s decided! Tomorrow!”
“That’s still too soon…”
“To. Mo. Rrow.”
I said it with each letter pressed hard.
In the first place, entrusting me with the decision of the date was Esadien’s mistake. In the end, he seemed to realize that, and with a sigh, he accepted it.
“Okay.”
Yay! Muscles!
“Hooray!! Ugh…?!”
In the midst of my excitement, while shouting “Hooray!”, there was a sudden sound from my waist and I lost my balance in an instant.
“Uah!
“Careful…!”
I was lucky that the person in front of me was Esadien, I didn’t realize how lucky I was. His big hands held me and prevented me from falling backward. It was a quick knightly response. However, Esadien didn’t expect that my body, fluttering like a paper doll, could not withstand his strength.
“Oh.”
Our noses were almost touching, our breaths intermingling, and our gazes locked.
“…..”
“…..”
There was silence. But it was a trembling silence, completely different from when I first entered the parlor.
‘Why… isn’t he pushing me away?’
Like this, can I do it?
Many thoughts crossed my mind in a short moment, but the conclusion was the same.
‘Lets do it. Let’s do it!’
Life is all about timing. And now is the perfect time from Flendena to kiss Esadien!
I calmed my mind and slowly closed my eyes.
But of all times, it had to be then.
Knock, knock.
At the same time as the knocking sound broke the silence, Esadien swiftly lifted me up and placed me on the seat next to him. Even though it was the seat next to him, it seemed like there was enough room for two more people to sit between us. That’s how far he placed me.
‘Is this timing….. for real?’
I bit my lip, looking at the distance.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! I should have just gone for it and kissed him!
‘I should’ve done it faster!’
However, the timing had already passed, and only an indifferent knocking sound echoed once more.
Knock, knock.
“My Lady, it’s the butler. I’ve come to inform you that it’s dinner time.”
“Al-already?”
We looked at each other with our eyes wide open. We didn’t realize the fact that time had passed so much because it was summer and the days were longer. Then, Esadien got up from his seat with a cough.
“I should be going now.”
“I’ll see you off.”
I wished I could have dinner with Esadien, but there was no need to force it since we would meet again tomorrow. He looked at me as if he were surprised and extended his hand, and of course, I willingly placed my hand on top of his.
‘It makes me feel warm.’
I tried to hold back, but my smile kept leaking out of my lips. Is this what it feels like to walk on clouds? Even my footsteps seemed lighter.
In the end, when we arrived at the entrance hall, I couldn’t stop smiling, but Esadien calmly bid me farewell.
“Sleep well.”
“I’m so excited that I don’t think I can sleep well.”
“Well, if your condition gets worse tomorrow, I plan to return as soon as possible.”
Oh my, he knows how to handle those cards.
“I got it…. I’ll try to sleep well as much as possible, even though I’m excited.”
“Okay.”
Esadien’s face looking at me had a faint warmth that hadn’t been there before. Even though I missed the opportunity to kiss him, getting this close to him was a big gain for me.
“Then, I’ll be going now.”
Esadien who slightly nodded his head, got on the carriage. I watched the carriage moving away and smiled contentedly.
“Like what they say in Flendena temple that love are for the ones who pursue it.”
So from now on, I’ll just keep soaking him like a drizzle.
Before the heroine appears.
💧
Fortunately, the day of our first date was sunny. My mood was also sunny, fully charged with the power of romance since last night!
“Good morning, Esadien.”
Thump thump.
Despite the fluttering feeling in my chest, I couldn’t help but be slightly surprised at the sight of Esadien.
‘You’re pretty well-prepared, aren’t you?’
There was a black carriage without any decorations, unlike the one with the pattern of the imperial family that I saw yesterday. And Esadien, who came to pick me up, wore a short cloak and a wide-brimmed hat like a romantic poet.
His hair wouldn’t shine in the sun if it weren’t exposed, but it added to his charm and gave him a new appeal.
“You’re so handsome. What if someone chases after you?”
As Esadien reached out his hand to escort me, he flinched and quickly turned his face. He seemed unable to adapt to compliments of being handsome and cool, even when I praised him every time we met.
“You’re really… Sigh. Let’s go.”
“That was an honest impression.”
“Minuelle.”
“Hehe, yes.”
I grabbed Esadien’s hand with a big smile.
Today, we were going to visit a small city called Kaduren, near Roquette. It had a clean lake and was close to the capital, so public safety was not bad.
“Wow!”
I stretched and exclaimed in admiration upon arriving at the lake after driving for over a couple of hours. True to its reputation as a boating destination, several paddleboats were moored by the shore. Aside from a few tightly packed houses, the only things surrounding the lake were tall trees.
‘Yes, this is it!’
Although the imperial garden was truly beautiful, I personally prefer this postcard-like scenery more.
“Esa…! Ah.”
I stopped as I was being led by Esadien, holding his hand, and he, who was quietly gazing at the scenery of the lake, lowered his gaze as well.
“What’s wrong?”
“If I call out my name, someone might recognize me. It’s okay for me, but…”
I have never been involved in social activities, and this is my first time here, so no one knows my face. But even if Esadien had lived a quiet life, he was still a member of the imperial family. Moreover, the name of the imperial family could not be used by anyone else while its owner was alive.
“Hmm. Do you want me to call you by an alias?”
“You don’t have to go that far.”
“Then… ah!”
I have a great idea.
I smiled brightly at Esadien, trying to hide my ominous thoughts.
“Honey ♡”
“……!”
Esadien was momentarily surprised by the unexpected title, but soon his expression was gradually becoming cold.
‘Uh, huh?’
“I see that you have completely forgotten what I said before.”
“Your Highness?”
“Is that boat what you wanted? Get on.”
Without giving me a chance to talk, Esadien turned his body and paid the fare to the boat owner.
‘I guess I was making too much of a big deal about the atmosphere loosening up since yesterday.’
However, I didn’t expect him to get so angry like that. It was because I haven’t figured out the limit of what Esadien can tolerate.
“Minuelle.”
“Ah… yes.”
Esadien called out as he turned back. I boarded the boat with a sullen face. Of course, in my heart, I was writing down my thoughts as if pressing them tightly. I had no intention of giving up.
[Don’t call him “honey”]
My excitement subsided a bit, but the atmosphere around us remained peaceful. There were several couples on boats around us, and all the men had rolled up their sleeves and their faces were turning red. On the other hand, Esadien was still cold-faced and rowing like a machine. He was even wearing the same clothes. I suddenly felt very sad, even more than when Esadien spoke earlier.
‘Why did I come all the way here?’
I decided to open my mouth again. After all, there was no way Esadien would step forward and throw his clothes away just because I was staring at him.
I took out a fan from my pocket and gently fanned him, then asked.
“Isn’t it hot?”
“….it’s all right.”
Still, his voice was softer than before.
“It looks very hot with that cloak and hat.”
“A spell is cast on the cloak and hat to maintain a constant temperature.”
“Oh, that’s amazing. What a relief!”
Avoiding my smiling gaze, Esadien probably didn’t know that I was silently shedding tears inside.
‘Damn it…..’
I should have recognized it since I thought he was well-prepared earlier.
‘He’s like an impenetrable wall!’
I was completely taken aback. As I waved the fan towards myself, I heard a faint chuckle.
‘Uh?’
Esadien is laughing?
I looked at him in surprise, but his calm question came back without any hint of emotion.
“What’s wrong?”
…Well, yeah. There wasn’t even a hint of a smile.
“Nothing.”
The boat circled around the lake and eventually reached the shore. It was clear that Esadien had come here not for a date, but to exercise.
‘I guess it’s time to go back now.’
As my spirits were completely drained after two failed attempts, I had no desire to continue playing and suggested that we go back. I let out a sigh and quietly got on the carriage, resting my head against the wall and closing my eyes. However, before long, I felt the carriage come to a stop.
“Minuelle, let’s get off here.”
“Oh… Yes?”
“It’s lunchtime. We should eat something.”
Well, since Esadien used his body, he must be hungry.
“I’m sorry. I should have prepared something. I’m not sure where would be good.”
“It’s okay. I prepared something.”
“Really?”
I had to revise my evaluation.
‘He was really well-prepared, wasn’t he?’
“Here it is.”
The outdoor cafe in the square that Esadien took me to was simple but an amazing restaurant. I was known as a picky eater, but I ate a whole sandwich because of the delicious melting meat taste, and that’s all I have to say.
“You took out all the vegetables. Isn’t it just bread with cheese and meat in between?”
“This is called a meat and cheese sandwich.”
“……”
It seemed that Esadien looked at my picky eating habits with a look of “how can I fix this.” But that wasn’t the end of the surprising event.
“Minuelle.”
In my hand, there was a pink fluffy object, which was given by Esadien.
“Do they sell cotton candy here?”
“What’s cotton candy? This is a magic item.”
Oops. Right, there’s no cotton candy in this world, huh.
Before I could answer, Esadien continued.
“I bought it because it looks like you.”
“What?”
Not flowers, not cute animals, but a cotton ball?
‘Because it’s pink? Really?’
I burst out laughing in disbelief. Esadien hesitated for a moment while looking at me, then took out a small apple.
“I’m sorry about earlier.”
💧
Thank you for reading!
