40. Lovers on the Surface

 Celestian brushed only half of his bangs back, just as Mariel had done last time.

The black suit and white gloves fit Celestian’s body perfectly, and the dark blue silk tie was also a color he liked. Around the time he was skillfully tightening it around his neck, Daphne’s voice came to mind.

“Hmm.”

When he had lied about not knowing how to tie a tie, the woman had taught him the method step by step. Though nearly half was filled with grumpy nagging, it wasn’t unpleasant to hear.

“I should ask her to do it.”

He met eyes with himself in the mirror once before smirking. Then he loosened the knot and held it in his hand as he left the cabin.

The corridor that had been empty until just now had several people out. They seemed to be preparing for the banquet, dressed all in black yet each adorned like peacocks.

“Gasp.”

A Miss who made eye contact with Celestian covered her mouth with a folding fan.

“It’s the traitor.”

Though she must have spoken quietly, perhaps because it was referring to him, he heard it very clearly. Celestian smiled with his eyes slightly closed and greeted her. Just like before when nothing had happened.

They immediately began whispering with their group.

‘Don’t they ever get tired of it.’

Celestian habitually brushed below his ear with his hand. Sunlight poured through the gaps of doors that servers were opening. He felt like he might sneeze.

Daphne was there as promised. She sat in an arrogant pose on the terrace overlooking the horizon, not expressionless as usual but with her brows slightly furrowed.

“Daphne.”

Celestian made a hand visor and held it above her forehead. Actually there was no need as she was already trapped under his shadow.

Whether because the sunlight was blocked or because she saw Celestian, Daphne’s expression smoothed out.

Her golden eyes briefly disappeared between slightly folded eye lines. Celestian waited for her next words.

“I told you not to look down on me.”

“Huh?”

At the unexpected words, the circuits in Celestian’s head briefly paused. Daphne gestured to the seat opposite her and continued speaking.

“Have a seat. My neck hurts.”

“Haha.”

Celestian shook his head and sat right next to her. Since it was a two-person sofa bench, the distance was suddenly much closer. Daphne wrinkled her nose bridge.

“The seat I offered wasn’t this one. On the opposite side……”

“Lovers on the surface.”

Though the subject ‘we’ was omitted, Daphne would understand what he meant. Daphne scratched her cheek with her index fingernail.

“It’s not like we’re in a contract relationship.”

“It’s more than that, Daphne.”

Celestian reached for the whiskey newly brought by a server. Daphne hit his thigh with her knee.

“Don’t drink. If you make another mistake with me, I’ll dunk you right in.”

“What mistake?”

Celestian briefly recalled saying ‘shall we marry’ to Daphne at that nameless hotel.

“Ah.”

He just slightly raised the corner of his mouth without any particular answer. However, he didn’t reach for the alcohol again.

Daphne wrinkled her nose once more. Though Celestian hadn’t been drunk then, nor had it been a mistake, there was nothing he could do if that’s what she thought.

“You’ll dunk me? You don’t look like you have the strength for that.”

“My, my? This prince dares to look down on me.”

When Daphne tilted her head, Celestian tilted his head the same way. Daphne visibly flinched. And as if giving him more space, she moved her hips to the side.

When Daphne flipped her braided hair back, the ribbon became a bit looser. Celestian started to reach toward her shoulder but stopped. Just then Daphne turned around.

“Trying to assassinate me?”

“What?”

The gentle tone, playful words. Meeting those golden eyes sparkling with mischief, Celestian slightly withdrew his hand.

“If you want to touch, just say so.”

“……”

“Why so serious when I’m joking.”

Daphne’s face, looking even gentler without makeup, had slightly flushed cheeks, perhaps from being on the ship cutting through wind and sea for so long.

“I actually needed that. Tie it again.”

After saying that, Daphne sat facing forward. Celestian, who ended up with sudden permission, bit off his gloves between his teeth and touched her hair once more.

‘How many more variables there might be……’

Her hair had a faint rose lavender scent. Celestian firmly suppressed the urge to kiss the fine cherry-colored hair in his hands. 

 * * *

 Celestian was once again concentrating on fixing Daphne’s hair. Daphne sat with her back straight and briefly scanned the crowds of black clothes gathered on the white deck.

And like a surveillance camera, she also looked around at the nobles and royals scattered throughout the stern. Among them were many who wouldn’t care at all about the reality that Celestian had committed treason.

‘Is it their first time seeing something pretty.’

So the glances thrown this way must contain complete ulterior motives.

‘They’re looking not because he’s a traitor, but just because he’s handsome. Trying to make a move.’

Daphne really felt like putting a mask on Celestian’s face.

Celestian rubbed Daphne’s hair that was like a strong thread, then brought it forward again like before.

“Thanks.”

“That’s a short thank you.”

Celestian twitched his dotted eyebrow. Daphne smiled a little and spoke again.

“Thank you.”

This face was even more dangerous when seen under weather perfect for falling in love.

Because she had almost run to embrace him right away when he walked straight to her without meeting anyone else’s eyes.

Daphne briefly looked at the opposite seat where Romeo had sat earlier and recalled a strange premise.

‘Then who would win if they fought?’

When Celestian was being restored, they used to refer to those two as Leponse’s gun and sword.

‘A sword can’t beat a gun.’

Daphne stared blankly at Celestian while having strange thoughts. Additionally, the tired old prejudice of male lead versus second male lead came to mind.

“Celestian Teriosa.”

Though she spoke very quietly in a place where he could hear, Celestian didn’t answer. He just lowered his eyes habitually and crossed his legs once while sitting. Daphne tapped his thigh and called again.

“Cele.”

“Yes.”

This time an answer came right away. Along with his gaze. Daphne felt a subtle difference but couldn’t clearly tell what it was.

“Who would win in a fight between you and Romeo?”

Celestian gave a puzzled look as if he didn’t quite understand the intent of the question.

“I mean exactly what I said.”

“It would depend on the circumstances.”

“To put it more extremely, it’s a game where one has to die for the other to win.”

Celestian was quiet for a moment as if chewing on Daphne’s words, then soon gently raised his eyebrows and smiled with both corners of his mouth lifted.

“What do you think?”

“I think you’d lose.”

Originally blonds can’t beat black hair. Green eyes absolutely can’t beat golden eyes.

Though she had bluntly put him down, Celestian didn’t seem to mind. Rather, with an even more relaxed expression, he rested his elbow on the table and propped his cheek with his hand.

“Would you like that?”

“…What kind of answer is that?”

“Depending on your answer, I’ll think about whether to let myself lose or not.”

The prince’s confidence pierced the sky.

In her imagination, Daphne locked the man before her and her cousin in a dust-flying ring. When she didn’t answer, Celestian continued in an even more playful voice.

“Even if Romeo comes at me with full force, I won’t get tired.”

‘What kind of confidence is this.’

A scene from the fighting arena she used to run to whenever stressed also flashed by. Fighters who didn’t tire were rare anywhere.

“If the battle drags on, Romeo will tire too, and then his chances of losing are high.”

Daphne blinked. Her mouth slightly itched wanting to retort asking if they’d ever seen a male lead lose.

“How can you be so confident when you’ve never fought him?”

Yet in her mind was also Celestian raising his hand while spitting out bloody saliva. And her cousin sprawled on the ground, whom she had wanted to punch just once every time, also flashed by. That imagination pleased Daphne’s heart.

“I’m his brother. There’s no weakness I don’t know.”

“Even though you’ve never lived together rubbing shoulders. I think you’ll lose.”

“For someone saying that, you seem to have just imagined me winning.”

Celestian said that while tapping his cheek a couple times. Only then did Daphne realize she was smiling and became serious again.

“I laughed because it’s funny that Romeo would lose.”

Celestian smiled with curved eyes. His eye color resembled the sea’s color. He put his arm behind Daphne’s backrest. Just that much, but his posture became extremely irreverent.

“Getting friendly because I smiled a little? Remove your hand, huh?”

“Ah, but we’re lovers on the surface. And, we’re not that unfamiliar.”

Though Daphne sneered, she couldn’t hide her smile.

‘Should I try pretending not to know and lean back?’

After wavering briefly, Daphne made a bold decision and leaned her back against his side. Perhaps from tension, with a thud sound, Celestian briefly made a pained noise.

“That hurts.”

“Ah, sorry.”

Just then came the crew’s announcement that they would soon dock at the Arkas Strait.

“It’s been a while.”

Celestian muttered what Daphne was thinking. She turned her head in surprise, and Celestian’s lips came into view first. She was even more startled as she almost bumped foreheads.

She was about to ask how he knew, but stopped. He might have visited Arkas often! But she still couldn’t understand why she was surprised at the words ‘it’s been a while.’

And suddenly…….

“I remember now.”

Daphne calmed her pounding heart with one deep breath.

“What?”

“Like you said, we have met before.”

It was a moment she couldn’t remember, to the point of wondering why she had forgotten. Daphne straightened her back and turned to look at Celestian. The sunlight falling from the sky made his hair shine white.

“Right?”