Chapter 109

Did he mean he wanted to get to know me as a fellow human? Yet, the look in his eyes held a weight that didn’t quite match my optimistic interpretation.

“I spoke in circles because I feared I might burden you, but my words about your beauty were sincere.”

Siphiel was clearly drunk. He must have been, after downing those cocktails so recklessly. He would never have said such a thing otherwise.

“Are you… intoxicated, Your Highness?”

The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. Horrified by my own lack of decorum, I quickly clamped both hands over my mouth.

“I am perfectly sober.”

If he wasn’t drunk, did that mean he truly… liked me? There hadn’t been a single sign of it before, making Siphiel’s confession feel like a sudden, jarring plot twist.

“Vice Head Leader Lilithia.”

“Wait, just a moment!”

I didn’t have the courage to hear anything more.

“I believe I have conveyed my feelings sufficiently. Whatever your answer may be, I will accept it. I have no intention of forcing myself upon you.”

“…….”

The swelling music began to fade, and the hand supporting my waist let go.

“I don’t wish to overwhelm you, so please take your time and let me know when you are ready.”

Remaining a gentleman to the end, Siphiel guided me back, offered a faint smile, and took his leave. My mind was a whirlwind. Siphiel wanted to get to know me—as a man and a woman.

‘He’s such a good person.’

But that was it. He was a “good person.” Kind, polite, and noble. I didn’t feel the same way. I watched him from a distance as he engaged in conversation with others.

“How do I turn him down?”

I felt terrible for Siphiel, who had gathered his courage to confess, but I felt nothing for him. Yet, if his feelings were sincere, a blunt rejection would be… Thoughts bubbled up, one after another, leading nowhere.

***

I tried to think of a way to reject him without causing pain, but finding no answer, I reached for a cocktail on the table to parch my dry throat.

“Wait, why is this so delicious?”

The pale pink cocktail was far better than expected. The sweet aftertaste was delightful, and the refreshing chill helped clear my clouded head. It seemed low in alcohol; I had already sipped half the glass, yet I didn’t feel the slightest bit tipsy.

They say even the most beautiful sights are best enjoyed on a full stomach. It was time to set my worries aside for a moment. Having worked all day without a meal, my stomach began to rumble in protest.

My eyes sparkled at the sight of the spread. There’s a saying that if things get tough, you should take a break. I needed to recharge.

“What snack would go best with this sweet drink?”

Good alcohol deserves a good pairing. I headed straight for the food table, losing myself in the task of piling my plate high. From fruit-infused cheeses to seared tuna—this wasn’t an opportunity that came every day. My mouth watered. With a plate stacked like a mountain, I went in search of a place to eat.

I looked for a spot where I could focus entirely on my food and drink, but every secluded corner was already occupied by couples. Even the out-of-the-way powder room I thought would be empty was packed with noble ladies. Then, a perfect spot flashed through my mind.

***

The night air was cool, and the scent of flowers filled the outdoor garden. It was the same garden where Scarlett had introduced our guild’s products to the ladies. Though surrounded by dense flowering trees, the central lighting kept the shadows at bay.

“It’s quiet, and the view is lovely.”

It felt a bit lonely, but I was satisfied. Escaping the crowded ballroom made my heart feel lighter. The only downside was that the food had cooled slightly on the walk over. Still, I had managed to sneak a bottle of that delicious cocktail with me. I picked up my fork, determined to enjoy my rest.

‘The fruit is delicious, the cheese is amazing… I could die happy right here!’

And the sweet drink was the perfect companion. The faint sound of music from the distance made me giddy, and I swung my legs back and forth. My fatigue and heavy heart vanished, replaced by a cheerful hum. A nearby fountain sprayed water, cooling the air, and the moonlight turned the streams into sparkling gold. It was perfect.

“Mmm-hmmm~”

I swayed to the rhythm, cocktail in hand. Just as I closed my eyes to fully immerse myself in the atmosphere—

Rustle—

The sudden noise startled me. My eyes flew open, and the cocktail glass slipped from my hand like the ebbing tide.

Shatter!

For a moment, I stared blankly at the shards in despair. Even when I worked part-time at a restaurant, I had never broken a glass. To break one now of all times…

“That glass looked expensive…”

The gold-rimmed glass was embossed with a dragon, the symbol of the royal family. I had told myself to be careful when I took it, but my good mood had pushed that thought to the back of my mind.

I hurriedly knelt to pick up the pieces. As I carefully reached for a shard, the sharp edge sliced my fingertip. I let out a sharp whimper at the sting.

“Ah.”

Whoosh!

A pair of hands grabbed my shoulders and pulled me upright. A cool, familiar scent filled my lungs as I breathed in.

“What on earth are you—!”

“…Your Highness?”

No. It wasn’t Freyer. The man who had pulled me up had black hair, golden eyes, and wore a silver mask. It was Kyle Wright—a man who felt both familiar and strange.

“Lord Kyle?”

“Always, you never put your own safety first.”

‘What does he mean ‘always’? We barely know each other.’

I felt a little indignant.

“No, it’s just, the glass broke…!”

I tried to argue, but his overwhelming gaze made me turn my head away instinctively. Why was he looking at me like that?

Then, I remembered something I hadn’t said to him.

“You saved me the other day, and I realized I never properly thanked you.”

He had saved me from that strange drunkard, Matte Dalman. I bowed deeply to show my gratitude.

‘Wait…?’

Strangely, my legs felt wobbly, and I struggled to keep my balance. What was happening? Kyle grabbed my arms to steady me.

“How much have you had to drink?”

“Ummm…”

I wiggled my fingers, trying to count. How many had it been? I tried to recall the number of glasses through the haze in my mind.

‘Five? Or was it six?’

“I don’t really remember… but I didn’t think it was that much.”

I was looking at Kyle Wright, but his black hair seemed to shimmer into silver like a gradient, and his golden eyes began to bleed into a forest green. My mouth hung open.

‘I must be losing it.’

My heart began to thud against my ribs. Feeling dizzy, I squeezed my eyes shut and stumbled back. My heel crunched against a shard of glass on the floor. I lost my balance again.

“Don’t move.”

He caught my waist, lifted me effortlessly, and sat me down on a chair. Even after he let go, the heat of his touch lingered. With a gruff tone, he kicked the glass shards aside.

‘Your Highness… I must miss you so much that I’m seeing your face in a stranger.’

Without realizing it, I muttered, “I miss you, Freyer.”

“I’m touched.”

“What?”

“That you wanted to see me so badly.”

“I wasn’t talking about you, Lord Kyle…”

I looked up sharply to correct the misunderstanding. Kyle’s eyes curved softly into crescents. His eyes were now a deep, lush green.

“No way…”

It was impossible. This wasn’t a dream; Kyle couldn’t just turn into Freyer. I was definitely drunk. I rubbed my eyes and looked again, but Freyer’s image didn’t vanish.

It really was Freyer. My favorite. Even after rubbing my eyes, he stood vividly before me.

“Lilithia. I missed you.”

“This is impossible.”

“Why is it impossible?”

‘Because it just is! How can Kyle be Freyer, and Freyer be Kyle?’

“What happened? How?!”

“It’s a long story.”

Freyer’s gentle hand brushed away a tear. I hadn’t even realized I was crying from the shock and relief.

Boom—!

The sky erupted in a riot of colors, like a garden in full bloom. The brilliant light fell upon Freyer’s silver hair, making it shimmer radiantly.

“I kept my promise.”

“…….”

“The promise to watch the fireworks with you.”