Chapter 2.2

“Hestia…?”

Ah, I really like this person. It’s fine if he’s a fool, and it’s fine if he forgets me once he returns to being the cold knight he used to be.

She could no longer hide her feelings. She leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. It was a soft, fleeting kiss, like a gentle tap, yet it sent a resounding echo through her consciousness, like someone had rung a bell deep in her mind.

His lips were drier than she had expected, softer than she had imagined, and warm.

Giggling at the unfamiliar sensation, she murmured, “It’s strange…” and looked up at him. Despite her drunken haze, she was startled by what she saw. His amber-colored eyes were filled with confusion.

Then, as if coming to a conclusion, he parted his lips and asked cautiously.

“Can I… kiss you?”

His voice was careful, and he slowly leaned closer. Watching his approaching face, Hestia instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck and replied, “Yes.” As she pulled him forward, his lips met hers again. From his slightly parted lips came the sweet, warm scent of chocolate. Curious, she pressed her lips against his once more.

“Mm…”

It was then that she felt a peculiar sensation, as though her breath was being drawn out of her. Something unexpected brushed against her lips—a smooth, wet texture, like a snake. In her dazed and excited state, she wondered, ‘What is this?’ before realizing it was his tongue, slipping into her parted lips and curling around her own. The slick, warm contact sent a dizzying rush through her mind, leaving her unable to think clearly.

What is this? What kind of sensation is this? It feels so good. It’s warm and soft…

Overwhelmed, she pulled him closer by the back of his head, immersing herself in the deep kiss. She wanted him to come even closer, to take all of her breath away. Thankfully, he didn’t reject her invitation. Surrounded by the growing warmth and intensity, she clung to him desperately.

The kiss grew more passionate, continuing for what felt like an eternity. Only when she began gasping for air did he finally pull away.

“Are you okay?”

He asked, breathing heavily. His amber eyes sparkled like jewels as he looked down at her. His flushed face, tinged with excitement, made her heart race even more. Reaching out, she touched his reddened cheek, and he leaned into her hand, nuzzling it affectionately.

“There’s… a guest room upstairs.”

“A guest room?”

“Mm. It’s for customers… Let’s go up for a bit… It’s cold here. Uncomfortable…”

Hearing her words, Clyde quickly turned his head, scanning their surroundings. Though the dark interior made it hard for her to see, he seemed to find the staircase. Without hesitation, he scooped her up again and carried her upstairs.

The second floor of the bakery was occasionally rented out as a guesthouse during busy seasons. There were four rooms in total, and Clyde chose the most secluded one, setting her down carefully on the bed. He tossed his wet cloak onto the floor and sat beside her, pulling her back onto his lap.

The kissing resumed, as though it had been promised. In truth, it was Hestia who initiated it again. She couldn’t resist the sight of his glistening lips, and her restraint crumbled.

Alcohol is terrifying. It felt as though all the emotions she had suppressed were bursting forth uncontrollably. The pace was overwhelming, and with it, the raw feelings she had kept hidden surged to the surface, shaking her consciousness.

She wanted to cling to him. She wanted him to keep liking her. Even if only for a brief moment, she wished they could become something special.

‘I want this person to like me more… I want him to think of me in the future. Even if it’s just once in his life…’

As the warm, intoxicating sensations overwhelmed her, Hestia raised her hand to stroke the back of his neck and his hair. Each time she moved, she felt him flinch. She couldn’t tell if her touch was tormenting him or spurring his desire further, but each reaction drew him closer, his tongue delving deeper into her mouth.

“Mm…”

A soft moan escaped her lips. Her body felt like a mess, overwhelmed by the heat and intoxication. She couldn’t help but press herself closer to his chest, moving slowly as their kiss deepened. The sensation of their chests pressing together, separated by only a few layers of fabric, sent a pleasant warmth spreading through her.

At that moment, Clyde, who had been skillfully exploring her mouth, suddenly stopped all his movements. He pulled away from her lips, his body tensing as he trembled slightly.

“Ugh…”

Hestia, unsure of what was happening, looked at him with half-closed eyes. She thought something might have gone wrong because of her. Turning her head this way and that to meet his gaze, she called out to him.

“Lian…? Are you feeling unwell?”

She deliberately avoided addressing him formally. It was something she had always wanted to do. Clyde often said, “Don’t call me Sir Clyde, just call me Lian,” but she had always refused, saying, “No, Sir Clyde.” She had been afraid that calling him so familiarly would make it harder for her to manage her feelings later on.

But now, after sharing a kiss, there was no reason to hold back. She had already made up her mind. Even if this night turned out to be nothing more than a fleeting moment to him, she would accept it.

In fact, part of her even felt relieved. She would carry the memory of this warm kiss for the rest of her life. Even if he later pretended not to know her, she would never forget the moment they shared. So, even if she regretted it later, she felt it was better to go through with it now.

Clyde raised his head at her call, meeting her gaze. Beads of sweat glistened as they rolled down his surprised face.

“Did you just… call me by my name?”

His sparkling eyes seemed filled with joy. This radiant person was looking at her. Overwhelmed by her emotions, Hestia acted impulsively, expressing her feelings freely. She hugged his head to her chest, rubbing her cheek against his hair, just as he had done when they first met. For a moment, his body stiffened again, hardening like a rock. Then, cautiously, he brought his hands up to wrap them around her waist and asked softly.

“Do you… like me now?”

What kind of sudden question was that? Would I act this way if I didn’t like you? 

For a moment, she wanted to ask him that, but her drunken body didn’t cooperate. Instead, laughter kept escaping her lips like a fool. She understood why he might not believe her actions. In a somewhat slurred voice, softened by her drunkenness, she answered his question.

“I think… I’ve liked you from the beginning.”

“From the beginning?”

“Mm. You were so cool… from the moment you came to save me.”

“…”

“I always liked you… even when I first woke up and saw you.”

“But I was such an idiot back then.”

“Mm. You were cute, so I liked you… and I still like you now.”

She murmured, rubbing her cheek against his hair. Then, noticing his flushed ear, she leaned in and placed a short kiss on it. Clyde flinched immediately, his body trembling slightly as he asked again.

“Will you still mean it… when you’re sober? Are you sure this isn’t just the alcohol talking?”

“No…”

She replied slowly, pulling back slightly. Looking at him with hazy eyes, she asked.

“But you don’t feel the same… do you?”

Now that she had started confessing, she couldn’t stop herself. Her deepest secret spilled out, and tears began streaming down her face uncontrollably. Despite her intoxicated state, a small part of her rational mind tried to stop her, begging her to end it here. But the alcohol had dulled most of her senses.

She became a pitiful drunk, rambling on about her feelings.

“When you remember everything… Lian, you won’t like me the way you do now…”

“What? That’s not true.”

He shook his head immediately, but she didn’t believe him. Ignoring his protests, she continued speaking.

“How can it not be true…? Think about it… Someone like you… how could you like someone like me…? It doesn’t make sense… I know it. Even Sir Forrest… he said the same thing… That when you remember everything… you won’t like me anymore… So, he told me not to let myself fall for you.”

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit her, as if someone had grabbed her and shaken her. She stumbled, falling into his arms. Burrowing into his chest, she sniffled and continued.

“That’s why I tried to hide it… But I think it’s all ruined now. I kissed you…”

“That wasn’t a kiss. That was a peck.”

Clyde sighed and held her tightly. It seemed like he was trying to steady her as her body grew weaker and began to slump.

“Since it’s already come to this… could you hold me… just once?”

She mumbled softly. She meant it. She just didn’t have the strength to express it properly. Gathering the last of her energy, she lifted her head again and spoke.

“Just for today… can’t we forget everything… and just hold each other? That’s what I want…”

“Are you serious? …Hestia?”

But before he could finish his question, an overwhelming drowsiness overtook her. Her vision darkened in an instant. As her consciousness faded, she rested her cheek against his neck. Then, she completely passed out.

“Wait, are you… asleep?”

“…”

“Ha… What am I supposed to do with you?”

Through her fading senses, she vaguely heard him muttering in frustration. Then, she felt him gently lay her down properly on the bed. Using the last bit of her consciousness, she reached out and grabbed his hand. His hand was so large that she could only hold onto three of his fingers, but he didn’t pull away. Instead, he let her hold on.

“Hah… ah…”

Occasionally, she heard him let out strained breaths, as if he were groaning. It sounded like he was sitting next to the bed. Thinking he might be in pain, she tightened her grip on his hand each time. Strangely, every time she did, his breathing grew more ragged.

“Hestia… ugh, ha…”

Eventually, he clasped her hand tightly in return. Feeling the warmth of his grip, she turned toward him and rested her cheek against his hand.

Immediately, she felt a sudden wave of heat. It seemed as though he was exhaling hot breaths, like someone who had swallowed fire. Then, she felt his lips press against her fingers. At the same time, a rich, unfamiliar scent brushed past her nose. After that, he let go of her hand and moved away briefly.

A while later, he returned and lay down quietly beside her.

“Mm…”

When she fidgeted, searching for his hand in her sleep, he responded softly and took her hand again.

“I’m here.”

From beside her, his warmth radiated. Instinctively, she burrowed into his embrace. Although he flinched for a moment, he soon wrapped his arms around her carefully.

With his gentle pats, Hestia finally fell into a deep sleep.