-18-

Up until now, I had thought of Roan as angelic. His face certainly looked like that of an angel.

But maybe that wasn’t the whole truth. The current expression on Roan’s face, with its captivating smile, looked like that of a devil luring people in.

“Ro… Roan.”

“Even so, are you sure you’re okay sharing a room with me, Duchess?”

If Roan had said such a thing normally, I would have been overjoyed, wondering if it was a dream or reality.

But now, there was a dangerously intense atmosphere around him. Because of that, it was hard for me to even open my mouth.

As I remained silent, Roan slowly smiled again and returned to his usual demeanor.

“In that case, let’s just use two rooms.”

Even after returning to my room, I was still in a state of chaotic confusion.

Because it’s hard to resist.

Because it’s hard to resist.

Because it’s….

Roan’s words kept lingering in the air. I shook my head vigorously to erase the thoughts that kept resurfacing.

Oh right. The fireworks show will start soon. I should ask Roan to watch it together, but I felt a bit hesitant. It felt awkward for some reason. Roan seemed indifferent, though.

What should I do? I was pacing back and forth in the room like I had something urgent when there was a knock.

Knock, knock. The sound of knocking echoed.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.”

!! Roan had come.

Gulp. I felt my saliva go down my throat. I tried to put on a nonchalant expression as I naturally opened the door.

Roan had put on the iron mask he took off when we entered the inn.

This was actually good. I put on my white cat mask again to hide my confused expression. It made me feel a bit more at ease.

“They say the fireworks are about to start.”

“Oh, really?”

“Where would you like to go?”

“Hmm. Do you think the rooftop will be open?”

“It probably will be.”

“Then how about we go there? Anywhere outside will be crowded with people now.”

“Let’s do that.”

As we talked, I felt a bit more relaxed due to his usual behavior.

Yeah, perhaps Roan didn’t mean anything significant earlier, and I was just overreacting. I rationalized it to myself.

We went up to the rooftop. There were fewer people than I expected, with only a few visible in the distance. Leaning against the railing and looking down from the rooftop, I saw numerous lights and people.

It felt like a festival, and it lifted my spirits. And watching the fireworks with Roan…

Honestly, that was the main reason I was happy right now.

“Today was really fun, wasn’t it?”

“…Yes, it was.”

Roan gazed intently at the night festival scenery and said,

“Thank you for spending the whole day with me.”

I said playfully, but I meant it. We had done things I never imagined we would do together.

Then Roan spoke.

“I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

He was still looking at the scenery.

“There are many things I’m thankful to you for these days.”

“What?”

“There have been many first experiences, thanks to you, Duchess.”

“Ah, that’s great.”

Is Roan also starting to find joy in things? I felt a mix of pride and happiness. Then I remembered something I wanted to ask Roan.

“Roan. What did you wish for back then?”

“When?”

“When you made your birthday wish.”

“…….”

Roan didn’t respond.

“Surely, you didn’t just close your eyes and open them again, right?”

“…No, I didn’t.”

As he said that, Roan turned to look at me. His composed mouth started to move.

-Pop. Pop.

“Than… al… ou.”

Roan’s words were drowned out by the sound of fireworks. Colorful, beautiful fireworks adorned the night sky.

“What did you say? I couldn’t hear you because of the fireworks.”

I quickly asked during a brief pause in the fireworks.

Roan just smiled. The fireworks started again. Pop. Pop, pop.

Wow. I heard exclamations from others, including myself.

“Roan, it’s really beautiful!”

I stared at the fireworks spreading across the sky and said to Roan with a bright smile.

Even Roan, who seemed indifferent to most things, would surely find this beautiful.

Then suddenly, Roan took off his iron mask, revealing his well-sculpted profile. Why did he take off the mask?

As I looked at him curiously, I felt something unfamiliar on my forehead above the mask. Suddenly, Roan’s well-defined jawline was right in front of my eyes.

The sensation vanished in an instant. It happened so quickly that I couldn’t fully grasp what was going on. Did Roan just kiss my forehead…?

“Roan… just now.”

The words “what did you do?” were drowned out by the sound of the bursting fireworks. Pop. Pop.

Bright fireworks were reflected in his dark eyes like a mirror.

It felt like magic from the fireworks. Am I dreaming? If not, how did Roan…?

I looked up at the night sky. The fireworks were still illuminating the dark night.

***

“Well then, good night, Duchess.”

“Good night, Roan.”

After exchanging goodnight greetings, we returned to our respective rooms. Although Roan’s room was right next to mine, I stood there in a daze after coming back to my room.

His words and actions replayed in my mind.

Roan was acting strange today. He seemed the same as usual, yet he was definitely different.

I felt my heart racing rapidly. It was only after calming my wildly beating heart that I could finally go to bed.

The next day.

We set out again on our journey to the Dwarf Forest.

“Duchess.”

“Yes?!”

Roan only called out to me, but I was startled.

Seeing my reaction, he wore a slightly displeased expression.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“No? Why?”

“You’ve been quieter than usual today.”

There was nothing I could do about that. Whenever I was around Roan, my heart kept racing, my mouth went dry, and I couldn’t talk much.

Normally, I did feel excited around Roan, but it had never been this intense.

“No, I’m fine.”

“Then why are you acting like this?”

He raised one eyebrow and wore a slightly skeptical expression.

“It’s just that… I don’t have much to say today.”

I couldn’t tell him that my heart kept pounding whenever I was near him, so I mumbled a vague answer.

Even now, my heart was pounding. Could this be a heart arrhythmia?

Roan’s expression didn’t look any better after hearing my answer.

It felt like it had been a while since I last saw his face harden. I wondered if he took my words negatively, so I glanced at him.

Roan seemed unhappy, though his face showed no expression. Did he think I didn’t want to talk to him?

I hoped it was a misunderstanding, but judging by Roan’s expression, it seemed to be the case.

He looked a bit sulky. It was so absurd that I almost laughed.

“Hey, Roan.”

“What is it?”

I could almost hear him saying, “Didn’t you say you had nothing to say?” I couldn’t help but laugh.

Pfft.

“No, it’s just. Pfft.”

He looked so funny when he appeared sulky that I couldn’t stop laughing.

It felt like the tension from the morning was finally easing. His expression became a bit strange. Did I laugh too much?

“Roan, I don’t know what you’re thinking right now, but the reasons you think I wasn’t talking are really not it.”

Being nervous and having my heart race when I see him isn’t exactly a reason for Roan to get sulky, is it?

It’s more of a reason to laugh at how ridiculous it is.

“Then why weren’t you talking?”

“Um… well, sometimes you just have those days.”

Those days when you get nervous around someone.

“Are you going to keep lying?”

His eyes were starting to show skepticism again. This wasn’t going to work.

Actually, if you think about it, the reason I’m like this is because of what he did yesterday. Good grief. Now I was getting mad at him. It felt so unfair.

“It’s all because of you, Roan!”

“What did I do?”

He said, looking innocent – at least from my perspective.

“What did I do wrong?”

“…Well, it’s not that.”

Roan asked with such a serious face that I became hesitant again.

“Then what on earth is it?”

“…….”

Suddenly, I realized.

I saw a bit of anxiety in his eyes. It wasn’t something I needed to hide that would make him anxious.

Alright, I decided to just be – very – embarrassed.

“…Because my heart races.”

Roan still had a look of not understanding what I was saying.

“Your heart races? Are you sure you’re not sick?”

I had a contradictory feeling, wanting him to understand but also not wanting him to understand.

If he understood, I’d want to disappear from here on the spot.

I had confessed to Roan before, telling him I liked him, but saying it directly was a whole different matter. It was several times more embarrassing than before.

“It’s not that…”

“If your heart is racing to the point where you can’t speak, I will call a doctor.”

“It’s not that!”

What would I even tell the doctor?

“It’s because my heart races because of you, Roan.”

He seemed to be piecing together what I was saying bit by bit.

“Your heart races because of me?”

Roan had an expression that seemed like he understood and didn’t understand at the same time. What am I going to do with this oblivious guy? I decided to bite the bullet for his sake.

“My heart keeps racing because of you, Roan, making it hard for me to talk!”

“…?”

Roan’s face displayed a question mark. His expression became increasingly blank. Silence settled between us.

“So, you mean, because of me?”

He spoke in a stiff, broken manner.

Yes. Because of you! You sinful man. I reached a state of resignation.

“Yes. Because of you, Roan.”

I told him everything that had happened.

“So, if you hadn’t kissed my forehead yesterday!”

As I explained, I felt even more wronged. He’s perfectly fine, but I’m the only one like this. Just me. Sigh.

Roan’s eyes seemed to hold a slight hint of amusement as he watched me feeling wronged.

Although it was better than seeing anxiety in his eyes, the more his amusement grew, the more I just wanted to disappear from embarrassment. Is there no hole to crawl into?

If there is, I’d squeeze myself into it.

“I see.”

Roan’s cold eyes now held something resembling a smile. Why does his face have to look so angelic, of all things?

“Now that you know, are you satisfied?”

Trying to suppress my embarrassment, my words came out a bit gruffly.

“Duchess.”

Roan called me, making me nervous.

“Is your heart okay now?”

His face clearly showed he was teasing me.