Chapter 11.7

Brienne frowned slightly as she looked at their hands, tightly clasped. Seeing Herace looking happier than usual, she felt a little tricked.

Had he planned this from the start?

Thinking back, she grew suspicious of Herace’s intentions when he’d asked so seriously about their relationship.

Brienne shot him a glare and sighed.

“Herace, you’re impossible. Shylo has never teased me this much in my life.”

If anything, she’d teased Shylo, not the other way around, so she felt unfairly treated. Herace and Shylo were the same age, but somehow only Herace seemed so much older.

“Really? I thought you’d be used to it by now.”

“Nope! I won’t get used to it. Just watch—I’ll tease you someday.”

“I look forward to that day.”

Herace nodded with a light laugh.

As the sunset deepened, Brienne found herself gazing at Herace’s face, then quickly turned away.

She was grateful the red sunlight hid her blush.

“Anyway, I really enjoyed eating with you. The owners are so nice. Let’s eat here together more often.”

“How often?”

“…Do you really have to ask?”

“I want to hear it from you.”

“Herace, you’re really….”

After a while of light banter, the two reached a three-way intersection leading to the center of the shopping street, where they spotted a large fountain.

Brienne, wanting to rest for a bit, pointed to the people sitting on the fountain’s edge.

“Let’s rest there for a while.”

Most people seemed to be heading home, so the area around the fountain was fairly quiet. But it wasn’t completely deserted, so Brienne slipped her hand out of Herace’s and walked ahead.

Herace followed, spreading a handkerchief on the fountain for her to sit on. Brienne responded with a smile.

But Herace didn’t seem inclined to sit beside her.

“Herace, aren’t you going to sit?”

Brienne tilted her head, looking up at him, and he reached out toward her face.

Before she could react, Herace’s fingertips gently brushed across her lips.

“I like these moments best, just looking at your face.”

At his unexpectedly affectionate words, Brienne was momentarily dazed.

Herace slowly leaned closer, placing his hand next to her on the fountain’s edge.

Suddenly trapped in his arms, Brienne swallowed hard.

“H-Herace. There are so many people here….”

She was about to push him away, worried something might happen like last time.

“That way, I can wipe off the sauce on your lips.”

Herace whispered softly, cleaning his thumb with the corner of the handkerchief and chuckling.

“I’ve been thinking about it since we left the restaurant.”

“…Herace!”

Brienne quickly covered her lips, her face flushing bright red.

“You should’ve told me earlier! Why say it now, after we’ve left?”

“Isn’t it cute?”

Brienne frowned at Herace’s mischievous laughter. She couldn’t believe she’d had sauce on her lips the whole time. She couldn’t help but resent Herace for teasing her about it.

“I can’t let this go. This time, really….”

As Brienne uncovered her lips and glared at Herace—

“Clear the way!”

A golden carriage came speeding toward them, catching Brienne’s eye. Realizing the carriage was heading straight for them, Brienne instinctively grabbed Herace’s collar.

“Herace, watch out…!”

Suddenly, she lost her balance and fell backward. Herace caught her back instantly, but it was no use. Brienne, convinced she was about to fall, clung tightly to his neck and wouldn’t let go.

“Brienne!”

…Splash!

Water splashed high from the fountain. Brienne, suddenly plunged into the water, blinked in shock. The sky above was glowing orange.

She quickly sat up, finally noticing Herace, half-soaked.

“Brienne, are you alright?”

Wading through the water, Herace hurried to cradle Brienne’s face. Brienne nodded dazedly, looking at him.

Tiny droplets glistened on his silver hair like ripples of light. Behind him, the water from the fountain arched in a faint curve of light. A beautiful rainbow shimmered and faded, as if dancing.

It was a scene straight out of a fairy tale.

Brienne slowly looked down at her clothes.

She’d fallen into the fountain trying to avoid the carriage.

Looking at herself, sitting in the water, Brienne burst out laughing.

“Herace, this isn’t a dream, right?”

How could something like this happen?

The more she tried to compose herself, the more she laughed. Thinking about how she’d clung to Herace and made him fall in with her, she couldn’t stop giggling.

Herace, baffled, asked,

“…Brienne, you’re laughing?”

“Yes, it’s just too funny!”

Brienne wiped the water from her cheeks and spoke with a laugh in her voice.

“To fall into a fountain in the middle of the street—it’s ridiculous. Can you believe this, Herace?”

Just as she said, people’s surprised gazes were fixed on them, but Brienne’s eyes were only on Herace.

Herace, seeing Brienne’s genuinely joyful face, couldn’t help but smile along with her.

“…When you put it that way, it really is funny. I don’t think I’ll ever forget today.”

“Me neither. Even if I try, I don’t think I could.”

Just a few days ago, she’d blushed and run away after tripping in the street, but now she was laughing after falling in a fountain. She could hardly believe it.

Maybe it was all because she was with this man.

Brienne reached out and brushed the droplets from Herace’s hair.

“Sorry, it’s my fault.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t catch you.”

“But I’m the one who pulled you in, right?”

“I’m the type who moves when pushed, and comes when pulled.”

Herace, with a gentle smile, intertwined his fingers with Brienne’s. Their soft laughter echoed among the splashing water.

Brienne gazed at him silently for a long moment. His deep gray eyes were so beautiful that she didn’t mind the stares from others.

She was happy.

She wished this beautiful moment could last forever.

Under the setting sky, two people holding hands in the fountain.

No one spoke to them, as if they were in their own world. Not even the palace attendant holding a silver tray, who had stepped down from the golden carriage.

Brienne hadn’t noticed him yet, and asked with a smile,

“What should I do? I laughed so much I feel weak, and my clothes are heavy now.”

Herace let go of her hand and tilted his head.

“You make it so hard to ask for a hug.”

“Huh?”

As Brienne blinked, Herace rose lightly and scooped her up in his arms.

“Herace…!”

Brienne, suddenly held close, gasped in surprise.

Herace whispered softly in her ear,

“You’re not embarrassed to be held in my arms in front of all these people, are you? Especially after falling in the fountain.”

“….”

Finally noticing the people around, Brienne blushed and hid her face in Herace’s shoulder. As Herace calmly carried her out of the fountain, people quickly stepped aside.

Except for one person.

“…What is this?”

Herace narrowed his eyes at the attendant blocking his way. The attendant bowed and approached Brienne, presenting the silver tray.

“Miss Brienne Ford, you are summoned to the palace immediately.”

“…Me?”

Brienne looked up at the attendant in confusion.

On the silver tray was the crest of the Royal House of Roeta.

“Zen…?”

Brienne frowned in puzzlement. But the attendant gave a different name.

“By order of His Highness, the Second Prince of the Holy Kingdom of Roeta, Prince Perian.”

* * *

Tick, tick, tick—Perian tapped his toes to the ticking of the clock’s second hand. Lying on his bed, a cigar between his lips, Perian stared endlessly at the clock, his face sour.

He’d sent an attendant to summon her to the palace ages ago.

Why hadn’t she dropped everything and rushed over? He couldn’t understand why there was still no news.

Just as he was growing irritated by the woman who still hadn’t appeared, finally, there was a knock at the door.

“Your Highness, Lady Brienne Ford has arrived!”

Perian suddenly sat up, put out his cigar, and quickly lay back on the bed. As he gently closed his eyes, it wasn’t long before the sound of the door opening was heard.

As instructed, only one person entered.

Light footsteps gradually approached.

“Ah, you’re finally here?”

Just as those footsteps stopped, Perian opened one eye and lifted his head slightly.

But the relaxed smile on Perian’s face froze in an instant.

“I greet His Highness, the Second Prince of the Holy Kingdom.”

“…Huh?”

Water was dripping from the hem of Brienne Ford’s dress, standing in the middle of the bedroom. Perian immediately sat up, tilting his head in disbelief as he asked,

“This is strange, Lady. Why did you come in here soaking wet? I don’t think it rained today, either.”

“Because someone abused his authority and insisted I come to the palace the moment I received his letter.”

Perian was speechless at her calm voice.

Was this woman angry? But he was the one who had waited for hours.

Perian let out a laugh of disbelief and tilted his head at the brazenly late guest.