Chapter 8

“A boat ride does sound nice… but I figured you don’t like being seen in public, Esadien.”

“You really are fearless, aren’t you? After everything that happened…”

“Well, I am still alive, aren’t I?”

Life—either you live, or you die. That’s all there is to it.

I shrugged my shoulders, and Esadien lightly shook his head.  

I thought I caught a hint of a smile, but it vanished too quickly to be sure.

“Very well. You may choose the date.”

“Kyaa! Yay!”

I jumped up with joy and immediately hugged him tight.  

Caught off guard, he instinctively held me—but his eyes were trembling like a leaf.

“Minuelle, this is too close—”

“Shhh.”

He’s too cute.

I stifled my laughter and pressed a finger gently to his lips.

“Then it’s decided—tomorrow!”

“That’s too soon—”

“To. Mor. Row.”

I spelled it out, slowly and deliberately.

Honestly, leaving the decision up to me had been his mistake.  

It seemed he realized that too, because he finally let out a sigh and gave in.

“…Alright.”

Yes!! Biceps!!

“Waaah—ah…?!”

I threw my hands up in celebration—only for a sudden crack to come from my lower back, throwing off my balance completely.

“Eeeek!”

“Careful—!”

Thank the stars it was Esadien standing in front of me.  

With swift, steady hands, he caught me just as I was about to fall backward. A reflex, trained into him as a knight.

But what Esadien hadn’t accounted for… was that my body, light and delicate like a paper doll, couldn’t withstand his strength.

“Ah—”

Our faces drew close. So close, our breaths mingled—our eyes locked.

“……”

“……”

Silence. But not like before. This time, it trembled with tension.

‘Why… isn’t he pulling away?’  

‘Is… is this okay?’

A thousand thoughts flashed through my mind—but they all led to one thing.

‘Let’s do it. Let’s just go for it!’

Life was about timing. And this—this was clearly the kiss-timing blessed by the divine Plendena!

I steadied myself, heart pounding, and slowly let my eyes drift shut—

But of course, of course, that’s when it happened.

Knock knock.

A knock shattered the stillness, and in the same moment, Esadien lifted me up and set me down beside him.

Well, way beside him.  

Far enough for two people to sit between us, maybe three if they squeezed.

‘Are you kidding me with this timing?’

I bit my lip hard.

That had been the moment of a lifetime! I was going to land a full, proper kiss right on those lips!

‘Ugh! I should’ve moved faster!’

But the chance had passed, and all that remained was another knock.

Knock knock.

“My Lady, it’s the butler. I’ve come to inform you it’s dinnertime.”

“Al—already?”

Eyes wide, Esadien and I glanced at each other.

It was summer, after all—long days had fooled us into losing track of time.

Soon, Esadien cleared his throat and rose to his feet.

“I should be going.”

“I’ll see you off.”

As much as I wanted him to stay for dinner, we were already meeting tomorrow. I didn’t want to push.

He looked at me with a quiet surprise, then slowly reached out his hand.  

Naturally, I placed mine in his.

‘So warm…’

I couldn’t stop smiling. No matter how hard I tried, the smile kept sneaking through.  

It felt like I was walking on clouds. Even my steps felt lighter.

By the time we reached the front hall, I was still grinning, and Esadien spoke softly.

“Sleep well.”

“I don’t think I can. I’m too excited.”

“Hm. If your condition worsens tomorrow, I’ll turn the boat around and bring you home.”

Oof. Playing that card, huh?

“Alright… I’ll try my best to sleep, even if I’m floating.”

“Good.”

Then, as he looked at me—there it was. A quiet warmth on his face that hadn’t been there before.

Sure, I didn’t get to kiss him.  

But we were closer now than ever before—and that alone felt like a huge win.

“Well then.”

He gave me a slight nod and climbed into the carriage.  

I stood there, watching as it rolled away, a satisfied grin still on my lips.

“Plendena once said, ‘Love belongs to those who dare to claim it.’”

So I’ll keep at it—like a gentle drizzle, soft and steady, until I seep into his heart.

Before the female lead shows up.

 

* * *

 

Luckily, the morning of our first real date—just the two of us—was bright and sunny. With my spirits fully recharged thanks to Ramande’s divine healing from last night, I was feeling just as radiant.

“Good morning, Esadien.”

Thump-thump.

My heart fluttered with excitement, but I couldn’t help being a little surprised when I saw him.

‘Whoa. Didn’t know he was this prepared.’

Instead of the royal carriage adorned with the Imperial crest that I’d seen yesterday, a plain black one was waiting for me. Esadien—who had come to escort me—was wearing a short cloak and a wide-brimmed hat, looking every bit like a wandering bard.

Without the sun catching it, his hair didn’t quite sparkle as usual, but this moody, romantic look? A whole different kind of charm!

“You’re really handsome today. What if someone falls for you and starts following us?”

As he reached out a hand to escort me, Esadien flinched and quickly turned his head away.

I guess no matter how often I tell him he’s handsome or dashing, he’s just not used to it.

“You really are… sigh. Let’s just go.”

“But I was being honest.”

“Minuelle.”

“Hehe, yessir.”

I smiled sweetly and took his hand.

We headed to a small town called Caduren near Roquate. It was close to the capital, had a beautiful lake, and was known for being quite safe.

“Wow!”

After riding a bit more than two hours, we arrived by the lake, and I stretched with a happy sigh.

True to the rumors, there were several little row boats tied up by the shore. Aside from a few small houses clustered together, the lake was surrounded by nothing but tall trees.

‘Yes. This is it.’

Sure, the Emperor’s secret garden was stunning, but this—this postcard-worthy scene? I liked it even more.

“Esa—ah.”

Just as I was about to pull on Esadien’s hand, I caught myself. He too was gazing quietly out over the lake but lowered his eyes to me when he noticed my hesitation.

“What’s wrong?”

“If I call your name, someone might recognize it. I don’t mind, but…”

It wasn’t like I’d ever been active in the social scene or visited this place before, so no one would know my face.  

But Esadien was Royalty, no matter how much he avoided the spotlight. Royal names couldn’t be used by anyone else while their bearer was still alive.

“Hm. Should I call you by an alias?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Then… ah!”

A brilliant idea hit me.

Looking him square in the eyes, I hid my mischievous intent behind my brightest smile.

“Darling ♡”

“……!”

He was stunned. For a second. But then his expression started to chill—rapidly.

‘Uh-oh?’

“Seems you’ve forgotten everything I told you.”

“Your Highness?”

“Was it that boat you wanted? Let’s go and then return.”

Before I could even grab his sleeve, Esadien turned on his heel and paid the boatman.

‘Maybe I pushed a little too hard just because things were loosening up since yesterday.’

Still, I didn’t expect him to shut me down this coldly.  

I guess I still didn’t fully grasp the limit of what Esadien could handle.

“Minuelle.”

“Ah… yes.”

He called me without looking back. I climbed aboard the boat with a sulky look on my face.  

But internally, I was making mental notes—carving them in, line by line.  

Because I was not the type to give up.

[Note: Using “Darling” is forbidden.]

My excitement had dulled a bit, but the scenery around us remained as peaceful as ever.

There were a few other couples in boats nearby, and the men all had their sleeves rolled up and faces flushed red.  

Esadien, on the other hand, was rowing like a machine with that same frosty expression. He hadn’t even taken off a single layer of clothing.

A sudden wave of sadness hit me—worse than when he’d scolded me earlier.

‘What did I even come all this way for?’

I decided to speak up again. Just glaring at him wouldn’t magically make him strip off his clothes.

I pulled out a fan and gently waved it at him.

“Aren’t you hot?”

“…I’m fine.”

Still cool and composed, but his voice was softer than before.

“Those people over there look really hot.”

“My cloak and hat are enchanted to maintain a stable temperature.”

“Oh wow, that’s amazing! I’m glad.”

He turned away, avoiding my cheerful gaze—unaware that I was crying on the inside.

‘Damn it all…’

I should’ve known when I thought he was “surprisingly prepared.”  

‘This damn walking fortress…’

I was fully sulking now. I turned the fan on myself with a dramatic flick—  

—and then I heard a low chuckle.

‘Huh?’

Did Esadien just… laugh?

I looked at him in surprise, but all I got in return was a deadpan question.

“What is it?”

…Yeah, of course. Not a hint of a smile.

“It’s nothing.”

Before I knew it, the boat had circled the lake and reached the dock.

Clearly, Esadien had come not for a date but for a workout.

‘I bet he’s going to say we should head back now.’

After two failed attempts, I didn’t even have the energy to ask for more time. I just sighed quietly and climbed into the carriage, resting my head against the wall and closing my eyes.

But then, before we’d gone very far, the carriage came to a halt.

“Minuelle, let’s get out.”

“Huh…? Okay.”

“It’s around lunchtime. We should eat.”

Well, he had been doing physical labor. Of course he’d be hungry.

“Sorry, I should’ve planned something. I don’t know where to go, though…”

“It’s fine. I already arranged it.”

“…What?”

I should revise my earlier judgment.

‘This guy’s level of planning is insane.’

“This way.”

The open-air café he brought me to, located in a plaza, was modest but incredible. The meat was so tender it melted in my mouth, and I—a notoriously light eater—actually finished an entire sandwich. That said it all.

“You took out all the vegetables. Isn’t that just bread with meat and cheese?”

“Exactly. That’s what we call a meat-and-cheese sandwich.”

“……”

Esadien gave me a look like ‘How do I fix this girl’s diet?’

But that wasn’t the end of the surprises.

“Minuelle.”

After leaving me alone for a moment, Esadien returned with what looked like a fluffy pink ball in his hand.

“They sell cotton candy here?”

“Cotton candy? No, this is a magical item.”

…Ah. Right. This world doesn’t have cotton candy.

Before I could even reply, he added:

“I bought it because it reminded me of you.”

“…Excuse me?”

Not flowers. Not cute animals.  

A… cotton puff?

‘Because it’s pink? Seriously?’

I couldn’t help but let out a breathy laugh.

After watching me for a moment, Esadien finally seemed to gather some courage and offered a small apology.

“I’m sorry. For earlier.”