Chapter 32

No, what is this…

“Sir?”

“I’m glad we didn’t miss each other.”

The person in the car was indeed Sir Costance.

“I didn’t know you had a car.”

The interior of the car was spotless, like a brand-new product.

“I bought it.”

“What? When…”

“A few days ago.”

Come to think of it, Sir Costance usually took taxis and said he used public transportation when he had time. But he bought a new car just a few days ago…

Moreover, this car was very expensive, a product from a brand that could be called a dream for men. It was hard to imagine how many people in Canary Village, where commoners mostly lived, drove cars from this brand.

…It was a moment that made her realize anew that Sir Costance was a child of the Orsi family.

“Vivi.”

Sir Costance got out of the driver’s seat and approached her.

“Public transportation is inconvenient, isn’t it?”

“Not particularly. Of course, wearing glasses or disguising is fine, but then I can’t see your face properly, Vivi.”

“What?”

“So I bought it.”

“You’re joking, right?”

“I’m serious.”

He said as he opened the passenger door for her.

It was a car she thought she would never see in person in her lifetime. She sat carefully in the passenger seat, awkwardly moving her body at the unfamiliar sensation.

“Irini?”

Irini, who was in the back seat, slowly came over and sat on her lap. Irini seemed tired and lay down with her tail down.

“Seatbelt.”

Sir Costance, who was in the driver’s seat, reached over and fastened her seatbelt. Then he grabbed the steering wheel. 

He could drive too, there was nothing he couldn’t do.

“When did you start driving?”

“As soon as I became an adult…”

“Wow, then you must be good at it.”

But Sir Costance didn’t answer.

‘Hmm?’

She looked at him with a feeling of unease.

His body was more tense than usual. He held the steering wheel with both hands, his gaze fixed straight ahead. For some reason, it felt like she shouldn’t talk to him, so she held onto Irini tightly.

The car started moving.

“The car is, um, moving, Sir.”

“Cars are meant to move.”

Anyway, they needed to make a U-turn now… He took a deep breath before turning the wheel. Then, noticing her gaze, he immediately closed his mouth.

“Pfft.”

She turned her head to stifle a laugh. 

His fumbling was adorable!

“It’s reflecting on the window, Vivi.”

“…Oh.”

She cleared her throat and turned her head forward.

“I’ve reserved a nice restaurant on the outskirts of the city.”

Sir Costance said.

He checked behind him and slowly turned the wheel. The car moved slowly, crossing the center line and entering another lane. The problem was that he drew too wide a circle, bringing the car too close to the sidewalk. If he moved the wheel now, it might collide.

“Costance. You might need to… reverse.”

“Yes…”

“At least there are no cars around, thankfully!”

“…I’m sorry, Vivi.”

He looked like he was dying.

“I should have learned to drive properly before taking you.”

She looked at Sir Costance, who was genuinely ashamed.

“Costance.”

“…”

“You don’t have to try so hard to impress me. I like you just the way you are. Would you dislike it if I struggled with the steering wheel?”

“Not at all.”

“See!”

Their eyes met, and his expression brightened as if a weight had been lifted.

Of course, that changed when he held the steering wheel.

She kept watching his struggling figure. His neck slowly turned red. The car, after a difficult U-turn, entered the main road. Seeing cars speeding by in the distance, her laughter disappeared.

…Would we really be okay?

Would we make it back alive today?

Honestly, she wouldn’t have any regrets dying like this. But Sir Costance was different. He was a capable man and had the responsibility of the Orsi family. There were hardly any people who disliked him.

Costance Orsi was such a person.

Looking out the window, she noticed the gazes of people on the road. They were whispering while looking at Sir Costance’s car. Among their words and expressions, she felt curiosity, envy, and admiration.

‘He must always receive such attention.’

Unlike her, who was worried about accidents, Sir Costance’s car moved forward smoothly. He seemed a bit more comfortable now, having gotten used to it.

But she knew.

The cars on either side were avoiding Sir Costance’s car. Even if he made a mistake, they didn’t honk. They were quite generous.

“Vivi, if you’re tired, you should get some rest.”

“Oh.”

“If you’re afraid of an accident, I can assure you. There will be no accident.”

His voice was firm.

“I know, there won’t be an accident.”

“Really?”

He smiled, perhaps thinking she trusted his driving skills.

* * *

The restaurant was located on a cliff by the coast on the outskirts.

“This is really delicious!”

It was a place specializing in fish dishes, and the flavors were diverse. After eating the main dish and saying it was a taste she would remember for life, he also said the same, raising the corners of his mouth. But the highlight of this restaurant was something else.

She filled her eyes with the reddish sky outside the window. The shadows leaned to the side. The setting sun emitted a strong light as if it would swallow her whole. The sea, reflecting the sunset beneath, gently rippled.

“It’s beautiful…”

She couldn’t help but exclaim. Lost in thought, she finally noticed Sir Costance’s gaze. He looked happy, just like her.

“Do you like sunsets?”

“Actually, I didn’t really like them.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ve always been afraid of the night. Sunsets signal the coming of night.”

But this sunset wasn’t scary. Perhaps because she was with him, or because it was particularly beautiful compared to other sunsets.

She thought it was both.

“Costance.”

“Yes, Vivi.”

“Thank you. I’ve always been grateful. Being with you always feels like experiencing something new. It’s like a dream I’ve had.”

In fact, every moment with him felt like a dream.

“This is… a big problem.”

He said in a low tone.

“I want to kiss you right now.”

“…No.”

“I know. That’s why I’m holding back.”

He quickly turned his head. He also took in the sunset but didn’t particularly marvel or gaze at it absentmindedly.

When she turned back to the sunset, he finally looked at her. His gaze clung to her face. She didn’t mind, but it was a bit overwhelming. He was looking at her the way she looked at the sunset.

“Vivi.”

“…”

“I have confidence I can do better in the future.”

This time, she wanted to kiss him.

“But I want you to know.”

He reached out and touched the corner of her mouth.

“This isn’t a dream. I’m always by your side.”

“Sir Costance.”

“And I always will be.”

* * *

After becoming lovers with him, reality was always happy. New experiences, new emotions, new sensations.

On the other hand, dreams were different.

The day of the incident known as the ‘NOK One Laboratory Explosion’ kept playing like a film. She remembered everything that happened in the laboratory vividly, but the memory of the explosion was so vivid that it always lingered around her.

Sometimes she would look at intact buildings and think of the explosion, and seeing unharmed people would remind her of the researchers dying in the explosion. Some people called her ability a blessing.

But she resented her ability.

“Uh… Where did I put the bill? I’m sorry.”

After finishing their meal, she and Sir Costance called for the waitress. When he requested the bill, the young waitress fumbled and moved her hands busily.

“Well, I’m sorry. I put it in my pocket… So, the seafood stew and…”

The waitress glanced at the plates on the table and took notes. Looking at her now, she seemed like an inexperienced waitress who hadn’t worked for long.

“So, the price is…”

“40 Bru.”

At her words, the waitress quickly started writing. Although she hesitated with the prices of other dishes, she was able to write them down as she told her one by one.

“I’m really sorry. By the way, you have a great memory, Madame.”

Madame was a title she heard for the first time. She and Sir Costance exchanged glances and burst into laughter at the same time.

He paid for the meal. When she offered to contribute a little and took out her wallet, he firmly stopped her. He slyly said, ‘How can a couple pay separately?’ The waitress nodded slightly, not knowing anything.

She stood up holding his hand. They retrieved Irini, whom they had left at the counter during the meal. As soon as Irini saw Costance, she jumped out of the waitress’s arms and ran to them.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“Not at all. I’m fine.”

It was already dark outside. They found the car parked slightly askew.

“…I’ll practice parking more in the future.”

He said in an embarrassed tone.

“More importantly, can you drive at night?”

“Of course, I can.”

“…But it might be dangerous, so how about staying overnight? Anywhere nearby. I’ll pay for the accommodation.”

He hesitated, understanding her suggestion.

“Do you… not want to?”

“I like it, but I’m dissatisfied with you paying for it.”

“Please let me pay. We’re staying because I want to rest.”

“Then let’s do this.”

He opened the passenger door for her.

“I’ll pay for the accommodation. But you can’t sleep until I allow it.”

“…Sir. Are you really trying to kill me?”

“No, I’m going to love you. What do you think, Vivi?”

At his sly question, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Alright, let’s do that.”