You Have to Repay Your Savior

Because it was such an unexpected gift, Pristin stared at Jerald with a bewildered look. Jerald asked cautiously,

“Do you not like it?”

“No, it’s beautiful, just unexpected.”

Pristin accepted what Jerald had given her.

“It’s a compass.”

“It also has an owl carved on the outside.”

“Oh, it really does.”

Even the shape was identical to Jerald’s. It seemed like they were crafted by the same person. Smiling, Pristin touched the compass Jerald had given her.

“But is there a particular reason for giving me a compass?”

“A compass guides you when you’re lost.”

Jerald smiled and made eye contact with Pristin.

“In case you get lost on the way from Camer Palace to the central palace, just look at the compass I gave you and find your way back.”

“What? But Camer Palace is so close to the central palace?”

Pristin asked Jerald with a soft smile,

“Didn’t you give me a palace right next to you so I wouldn’t get lost?”

“That’s true. But next time you come, try to find it with a compass.”

“People will look at me strangely.”

The two continued walking, enjoying their conversation. They explored various street performances and stalls, passing the time just as she did with Christine during the day.

Suddenly, Pristin realized that people around them were rushing somewhere.

“What’s going on?”

She thought for a moment and then overheard someone’s conversation.

“What time is the fireworks show?”

“At ten!”

“Oh, it’s almost time. Let’s go there in advance.”

Finally, Pristin realized that a fireworks show was scheduled.

“Your Majesty, shall we go to the square park as well?”

“What’s happening?”

“There will be fireworks there around ten. They are said to be very splendid and beautiful. Would you like to go?”

“Sure. Sounds good.”

Jerald nodded, and Pristin, along with Jerald, walked lightly. When the two reached the square park, it was already filled with couples and families, making it quite challenging to find an empty bench.

Finally, they found an empty spot in a secluded area and sat down.

“I’m glad there’s a seat. My feet were hurting.”

“Your feet hurt?”

“Well, not too much. Just a bit…”

“Shall I massage them for you?”

“What? Your Majesty?”

Pristin was so surprised that she almost raised her voice.

With widened eyes, she slowly blinked and said to Jerald,

“No, Your Majesty, I refuse.”

“Isn’t there still some time left until the fireworks?”

“I refuse regardless of that, Your Majesty. It goes against my principles.”

“Then at least change your shoes.”

“I would feel uncomfortable as I am not used to them.”

“No, it’s okay.”

“I’m okay, Your Majesty. Besides, we’ll just watch the fireworks and return to the palace, right?”

“…Oh, that’s right.”

Jerald said in a slightly lowered voice.

“Time has flown by so quickly. It feels like we just got off the carriage a short while ago.”

“Are you disappointed?”

“A little. It’s our first date since we’ve met again.”

“We had a good amount of time, though.”

“It’s been very brief. It should be at least fourteen hours.”

“If someone hears us, they might think we live in completely different places, Your Majesty.”

Pristin pointed out with a grin,

“I’m living right next door, after all.”

“Love tends to make everything seem different. Four hours feel like four minutes, and spending fourteen hours together makes you want fourteen more.”

Pristin silently smiled at the agreeable sentiment. Once again, she thought about how unwavering he was.

“Your Majesty has not changed from two years ago.”

“What do you mean?”

“You used to say similar things to me quite often.”

“Back then, we didn’t live in the same space, nor did we see each other for a very long time.”

“That’s true.”

“In fact, I preferred it back then. You expressed yourself more frequently.”

“…I think I still do that a lot.”

Pristin asked in a slightly bewildered voice,

“Don’t I?”

“Of course, considering the improvement from when we first met again.”

Jerald replied with a smile.

“But it can’t be compared to two years ago.”

Pristin went through quite a lot in the two years he didn’t know about, so he thought that no matter how much she tried, she wouldn’t be as bright and innocent as she was then.

However, without voicing these thoughts, Pristin quietly promised Jerald,

“Although it may not be as much as before, I will do my best to make it similar.”

“It was just whining, Pristin.”

Jerald shook his head and grabbed Pristin’s hand.

“I’ve always remembered the fact that I left you without saying a word. That’s why it took quite some time for you to accept me again.”

“…”

“I’m satisfied now that I’ve met you again. I was very worried about what I would do if I could not see you again when I left you.”

“…I see.”

“I’ve never forgotten you.”

“I know.”

“Really?”

“The actions you’re showing me now prove it.”

“Thank you.”

Jerald smiled lightly and soon got up from his seat. Pristin looked up at him with a puzzled expression.

Jerald bowed his upper body toward Pristin, and Pristin stared at Jerald in a panic at the sudden action.

“Here.”

“…”

“Wait a moment.”

“Where are you going?”

“Wait a moment. I’ll be right back.”

Jerald left without specifying where he was heading. Pristin, with a puzzled look, narrowed her eyes, watching Jerald’s retreating figure. After a moment, she shifted her gaze toward the people gathered in the park.

Friends, families, and lovers were all gathered, laughing and chatting joyfully. Despite being nighttime, it was far from dark, and the atmosphere was livelier than during the day.

Feeling surprisingly at ease amidst the cheerful crowd, Pristin wandered around the park. It had been a long time since she felt this comfortable.

Before coming to the palace, her life was devoid of vitality and joy. There was no vibrancy in her daily routine, just an existence continuing because she couldn’t die.

Losing Christine was truly painful, but ironically, that pain was what kept her alive.

Into Pristin’s routine lifestyle appeared Claret suddenly, showering her with smiles, and now, with Jerald, who found her sister and treated Christine well, she came alive again.

Pristin certainly felt much happier than she had been two years ago. It was quite miraculous, as during her most painful moments, she was convinced she would never experience such happiness again. So, it felt like a miracle.

“…Ah.”

When Pristin absentmindedly turned her head, a cold sensation touched her cheek. As she looked up in surprise, she saw Jerald holding an ice cream. With a bewildered expression, Pristin asked.

“Your Majesty…”

“Did you wait a long time?”

“No. You came early.”

“Now, a present.”

Taking the ice cream offered by Jerald, Pristin asked,

“Did you go to buy this?”

“Just in case you might get bored.”

“…Thank you.”

Pristin said, tinkering with the bottom of the ice cream cup.

“You gave me two gifts today.”

“It’s embarrassing to call this a gift.”

“No. I’m a little happier now because of this.”

Pristin smiled faintly.

“So it’s a gift to me.”

“Then I should have bought a bigger one.”

“The size doesn’t matter.”

Pristin laughed as if she couldn’t hold it in and then took another spoonful. The ice cream, melting in her mouth, brought a sense of happiness on its own.

As the two silently enjoyed their ice cream while observing people in the park, Jerald suddenly spoke, capturing the attention of a passing family.

“Later, after getting married.”

Jerald, who had fixed his eyes on a family, suddenly opened his mouth. Pristin looked back at him.

“Having children and building a family.”

“…”

“Can we have a life like that too?”

Pristin moved her eyes along where Jerald’s gaze stayed. A natural smile appeared on her face as she saw a happy family. She spoke as if it were a matter of course.

“You’re a good person, so of course.”

“It’s not something I can decide alone.”

“Are you proposing right now?”

“It’s not like that. I just got curious, a moment ago.”

Jerald turned his gaze toward Pristin, and she felt her heart race. Swallowing nervously, she looked at Jerald.

“I asked you because, apart from you, I’ve never thought about building a family with anyone.”

“… I think it’s possible.”

Pristin smiled lightly and made her words more clear.

“No. It will be possible.”

“Did you just give me permission?”

“You said it wasn’t a proposal.”

“I changed my mind when I heard the positive answer.”

“Oh dear, what’s with that?”

Pristin smiled softly and ate another scoop of ice cream.

At that moment, Jerald stared intensely at Pristin. Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, she asked,

“Why are you staring at me all of a sudden? Is there something on my face?”

“Why ask when you know?”

“Ah… where is it on me?”

Jerald didn’t answer. He just smiled as if he couldn’t stop and slowly lowered his upper body toward Pristin. Pristin looked at Jerald with slightly enlarged eyes. Her whole body felt stiff with tension.

Her heart started beating incomparably to earlier. The distance from Jerald had become as close as the speed of the heart beat.

“Here.”

With a soft voice near her ear, Jerald’s lips approached. Pristin unconsciously closed her eyes. Along with the sensation of soft lips, she felt an explosion of something inside her.

—Boom!

Simultaneously, colorful fireworks began to burst in the sky. Everyone’s attention shifted upward. Therefore, no one paid any attention to the two lovers sweetly kissing.

As if they were not interested in what happened in the sky, they only focused on each other and shared their breaths with each other. Breathing like hot flames came and went, giving the two lovers a thrilling sense.

Pristin strangely felt like she was going to cry at that moment. It had been a long time since she had felt like crying in ecstasy.

“I love you, Pristin.”

Jerald’s sweet confession followed with another passionate kiss.

The two lovers continued to kiss each other for a very long time until the fireworks display came to an end.