“Oh, my goodness. It seems we’ve caught a glimpse of the private lives noble ladies prefer to keep hidden, haven’t we?”
After a brief silence, Dernic made a fuss and tapped Kishin’s arm repeatedly.
*No, that’s not it!* Claisey’s face turned bright red.
“My apologies, ladies. It wasn’t intentional. No matter how elegant you appear at a party, it’s only natural to want to run around freely in the privacy of your own home. Of course it is.”
Dernic apologized profusely, bowing deeply with one hand pressed to his stomach. But no matter how sincere he sounded, it was clear to anyone that he was teasing Claisey.
Claisey’s insides boiled. She opened and closed her mouth, then glanced back.
Meren was different from Claisey. As if such teasing were beneath her, she calmly brushed off her rumpled clothes and smoothed her hair with an air of nonchalance.
Every time Meren moved, her thick, blonde hair swayed softly. Yet, it didn’t make her look like an impolite tomboy; it just made her appear adorable.
Claisey felt a sting of wounded pride. She knew that no matter how hard she tried to act composed, she could never carry herself with that kind of natural grace.
Meren had the image of the youngest princess in a fairy tale—surrounded by an aura of being showered with love. Even when she made mistakes or acted a bit selfish, Meren only appeared cute and lively.
When Meren stumbled, people simply laughed it off, finding her endearing. They were generous, thinking, “Everyone makes mistakes.”
Claisey was the exact opposite. While she was just as beautiful as Meren, the problem was their auras.
When others looked at Claisey, they saw a perfect, flawless noble. Because of that, even the slightest mistake on her part felt awkward to others, as if they had witnessed something they weren’t supposed to.
Claisey often felt at a disadvantage due to her cold, heavy, and stern presence.
Her second sister, Lije, used to click her tongue and say:
*It’s that impression of yours that keeps the rumors alive. If you were as bright and radiant as Meren, everyone would have believed you when you explained that the incident was just an accident.*
Fiddling with the hem of her dress, Claisey desperately tried to force her frozen mind to work. She needed to explain away the scene they had just witnessed with a plausible excuse.
But Meren acted before Claisey’s brain could catch up.
“Since it has come to this, it’s actually for the best.”
Meren smoothed out her clothes and said in a clear voice from the stairs. Then, she turned around and gave an instruction.
“Come this way. Is there any need to bother my aunt? Talk to me instead.”
With that, Meren didn’t even check if Kishin was following her. She simply walked up the stairs alone, with the absolute certainty that he would follow.
Only then did Claisey realize she had missed her chance to explain the embarrassing situation. A sense of gloom washed over her as she looked at Kishin.
*That noble-looking man will surely follow Meren now, won’t he? Like a bird that’s found its joy.*
But unexpectedly, it was Dernic who moved.
Not Kishin, but Dernic.
*Huh?*
Claisey looked between Kishin and Dernic. Yet, Kishin didn’t even move, as if it were only natural. Only Dernic climbed the stairs swiftly, like a bird with its tail feathers puffed up.
*Did Meren… call for Dernic?*
Claisey felt bewildered, wondering if she had misheard.
*That doesn’t seem right. It sounded like Meren called for Kishin.*
However, it seemed Claisey was the only one confused. As she stood there in a daze, Kishin spoke up beside her.
“Miss Claisey, let’s go over there and talk.”
Still dazed, Claisey followed him.
Kishin walked straight to the front gate without looking back. When they finally stopped near the blue pillar, he said,
“I came to ask you out on a date.”
Claisey had followed him in a daze, her mind still stuck on the question: *“Meren called for Kishin, so why did Dernic follow her?”*
But now, with Kishin asking her out out of the blue, Claisey felt like the most dim-witted person in the world.
“Didn’t you come because of the bouquet?” she asked, frozen in place.
Kishin’s expression twisted subtly for a moment.
“Did you think I came because of a bouquet?”
There was a nervous, irritable edge to his tone that made her uneasy.
*Did I say something wrong?*
She couldn’t help but think so, but she answered honestly.
“Yes.”
Kishin replied curtly.
“No. I came to ask you on a date to apologize for rudely breaking our promise.”
Claisey blinked her large eyes.
*He didn’t come because of the bouquet. Then why did Dernic come? Why did Meren take him? I heard what was said, so why can’t I understand any of it?*
Kishin waited patiently, giving her time to process.
Only after a long while did Claisey answer in a hushed voice.
“All right.”
***
Walking a bit further from the main gate, they saw the palace guard carriage. Kishin opened the door for her.
As she entered, Claisey felt her arm brush against his and turned red.
She sat on the seat facing backward, and Kishin sat opposite her. Although he sat slightly diagonally, the carriage wasn’t very wide, making it inevitable that their knees would touch.
Every time the carriage swayed, Claisey felt his firm knees against her own and let her gaze wander aimlessly.
Whenever she glanced at Kishin, he was simply looking out the window, looking nothing like a man who had just asked for a date.
Even while observing his indifferent demeanor, Claisey felt a flutter of excitement and quietly laughed to herself.
The carriage stopped in front of Rochez, a restaurant on Driblu Street. It was the very place where Claisey had waited for Kishin all day.
“Have you eaten?” Kishin asked before opening the door.
Claisey had finished breakfast not long ago, so she was full. However, she lied on purpose.
“No. I was just getting hungry.”
“I see. Actually, I have already eaten.”
“!”
“But since you are hungry, let’s get something to eat first.”
Claisey screamed internally. *You don’t have to!*
But she had just lied. As Kishin exited the carriage and opened the door for her, Claisey recited a silent prayer and stepped out.
As they walked into the restaurant, a few staff members gave her looks that suggested they recognized her. One of them glanced at Kishin and gave Claisey a thumbs-up.
*Don’t do that!*
Claisey’s face turned even redder. Fortunately, whether Kishin hadn’t seen it or was choosing to ignore it, he didn’t tease her. She stole a glance at his profile, and only after confirming he maintained his poker face did she feel relieved.
“Please, this way.”
A waiter led them to a spacious, quiet table in the corner, right next to a large window where sunlight shone in warmly.
Once Claisey sat down, Kishin handed her the menu.
“I’m full, so I’ll just have some coffee and a light brunch. Please order whatever you’d like for your main dish.”
Claisey was also quite full. Her stomach felt so stuffed that even drinking coffee seemed difficult. But she had no choice; she picked the daily special.
It turned out to be a mountain of meat. She almost fainted at the sight, but Claisey did her best and managed to eat about half. Because of that, she at least had no mental capacity to feel embarrassed while she was eating. When she finally set down her fork, she felt a sense of liberation.
Once the meal was over, Kishin asked,
“Is there somewhere you’d like to go? The theater? Do you enjoy plays or musicals?”
Claisey wanted to walk.
“I’d like to go for a walk. Would that be alright, Sir Kishin?”
“That is fine. Then let’s do that. I heard you moved recently. Have you been to Driblu Square?”
“No. But I have heard the rumors. They say Princess Memoir decorates the promenade with a different theme every month.”
“Yes. Then let’s head that way.”
When they arrived, the square was packed, even though it wasn’t a festival day.
Before entering the promenade, Kishin extended his arm toward her. When Claisey looked at him in surprise, he explained.
“I heard that your legs get uncomfortable from time to time.”
“You remembered. I only mentioned it in passing, so I didn’t think you would.”
Claisey carefully placed her hand on his arm and felt her face flush again. Even through his clothes, she could tell his arm was as hard as rock. He was a palace guard, after all.
Throughout the walk, Claisey was distracted by the touch and the scent of him so close by. She wasn’t the quiet type, but she had never been alone with a handsome, unfamiliar man before, so she didn’t know what to say.
Kishin seemed taciturn by nature, and he didn’t say much, so there was almost no conversation.
Still, Claisey thought even the sound of their rhythmic footsteps was pleasant. She didn’t even feel cold, despite her thin clothing.
By the time the walk ended, Claisey was practically sweltering. She couldn’t even remember what theme the promenade had been decorated with.
At the end of the walkway, Kishin looked down at her and asked,
“Shall we head back now?”
*Already?*
Claisey lowered her head, feeling a sense of regret.
*Was a date not meant to be spent together until the night? Or was it boring for him because I didn’t say anything? Should I have chattered on about something?*
Kishin waited patiently for her. However, after seeing her deep in thought, he didn’t ask, “Would you like to stay together a little longer?”
With no other choice, Claisey gave a small nod.
The carriage moved at a rapid pace on the way back. Inside, Claisey continued to struggle with herself. What if she asked to stay together a little longer, even now?
“Miss Claisey.”
Kishin, who had been silent the whole time, spoke first.
“Yes!”
Claisey straightened her posture as she replied.
For a brief moment, Kishin’s eyes wavered. But he soon regained his composure and said:
“Since this settles the debt, I ask that you stop spreading baseless rumors to others from now on.”
“!”