Chapter 2.8

At that moment, as Brienne tried to get up, a firm arm wrapped around her waist. Herace pressed Brienne, who was halfway up, back down and whispered in a low voice.  

“Where are you going? I’m scared to be alone.”  

For such a large man to say something so childish. And with a face that showed no sincerity at all.  

“You even took off my clothes yourself…… And now you’re just going to leave, how cold-hearted.”  

“That’s not why I took them off……!”  

Really, since last time……  

Brienne glared at Herace, her eyes narrowing into triangles. Her face was burning so much her ears felt like they might burst, but all that perfect face did was smile.  

“The result is the same, isn’t it?”  

“You’re laughing? You can laugh right now?”  

“Yes, I can laugh.”  

“What on earth is so funny?”  

“Well, I didn’t say it was funny.”  

At his calm attitude, Brienne’s strength left her body. No matter how much she argued, this man would just answer with a smile. In the end, she would only tire herself out. As Brienne’s eyes lost their force in frustration, Herace continued.  

“Ah, come to think of it, Miss Ford, you asked me if I was crazy. Twice, in fact.”  

“……”  

“Maybe I am. Because from now on, I plan to do even crazier things.”  

Brienne held her breath and looked up at Herace. The man’s low, husky voice and the sound of his pounding heart resonated deeply through her body.  

“You said you didn’t even consider it a confession, so I’ll say it again.”  

“……”  

“……I like you, Miss Ford.”  

Brienne’s light green eyes trembled at that gentle gaze. He held Brienne’s chin and smiled languidly. Brienne swallowed hard. What would happen next was obvious.  

Just as Brienne tightly shut her eyes—  

“……”  

A low chuckle sounded above her head. 

Wh-what was that? 

Brienne peeked open her eyes and looked at Herace. He was smiling brightly.  

“……Wh-what is it? Why are you laughing again!”  

As Brienne tried to grasp the situation, her face turned bright red and she struggled to get up. But it seemed Herace had no intention of letting her go.  

Smack—a brief kiss landed on her forehead.  

“With a face looking so horrified and your eyes closed like that, how could I do anything?”  

“……You, you trickster! Saying you couldn’t lift your arm because it hurt was a lie, wasn’t it!”  

Brienne clutched her tingling forehead, raising her voice for no reason. Herace lowered his eyes and shook his head right away.  

“That part was real. But now that I’m like this, it feels a bit better. Your body is warm, Miss Ford, so I’m getting sleepy.”  

He closed his eyes gently, as if he meant it. The pounding of his heart grew faster and faster. Brienne, realizing that sound was her own, quickly tapped the arm holding her waist.  

“Let go. I’m, I’m really leaving now.”  

“I’m just so cold. Could you stay like this for a moment?”  

“If that’s really it, then the fireplace……”  

“No need for firewood. This way is more efficient for you too, Miss Ford.”  

Not understanding what he meant, Brienne stared at Herace. He wiped the sweat from her forehead. Now that she thought about it, not just his hand but his whole body felt cool. The chill from his body pressed against hers was suddenly noticeable.  

Because her own body temperature was so high, she hadn’t noticed the icy coldness. When Brienne looked up at him, wondering why, Herace answered quickly.  

“Let’s call it a mage’s fate.”  

Of course, it wasn’t a proper answer. Brienne pouted and muttered quietly.  

“You always give such vague answers. You must have a lot of secrets.”  

“That’s not true. I can answer everything honestly.”  

“Like what?”  

“Anything you ask, if it’s from you.”  

At those words, Brienne quietly looked at Herace. More than anything, his voice had been growing lower and lower for a while now.  

Come to think of it, his eyes did look a bit unfocused. The doctor had said he’d prescribed a strong painkiller, so maybe that was making him sleepy.  

“……Are you sleepy?”  

If Herace said yes, Brienne was about to say she would leave. But in the end, she closed her mouth. The face of the man who had quietly fallen asleep looked too peaceful.  

He looked almost like an angel who had landed in the human world by mistake.  

She didn’t want to disturb that peace. Brienne didn’t shake off the hand holding her back but just let it be.  

He said he was cold, so maybe I should stay for a bit.  

Yes, I would. When this man fell into a deep sleep, then……  

Brienne made up her mind and rested her cheek lightly on Herace’s chest. Of course, this big decision wasn’t made out of consideration alone.  

Her body was already overheated. Now that she was aware of it, the coolness spreading through her body didn’t feel bad at all.  

Not bad.  

Yes, that was all there was to it.  

Brienne quietly stayed by his side, asking nothing.  

* * *

The sun that had decorated one side of the blue sky now stood at its zenith. When the dark clouds gathering somewhere finally covered the sun, a dry rain came to the capital of Rontiano as well.  

Kaiden had just stepped into a nearby bookstore to escape the sudden downpour. As he shook the dampness from his hair and wiped his cheek with a handkerchief, the bookstore owner, who had been arranging books, recognized him and hurried over, delighted.  

“Oh my, Young Master Bannon! It’s been a while. Have you been well?”  

At the owner’s question, Kaiden gave a small nod. The owner peeked behind him and, with an innocent face, added a harmless remark.  

“What brings you here alone today? Miss Ford, ah, ah……!”  

Suddenly, as if reaching a conclusion on his own, the owner tapped his lips with his palm. Kaiden kindly pretended not to notice the embarrassment in the man’s trembling eyes.  

“Any new books in?”  

“Yes, what are you looking for?”  

Knowing Kaiden was trying to move past it, the owner smiled instead of apologizing. Kaiden slowly looked around the old bookstore, and soon his gaze landed on one spot.  

It was a space by a wide window, set up with big cushions like a sofa. Brienne used to sit there and read.  

A chilly wind blew in from outside, making the thin windowpane rattle. The soft lamp flickered along with it, and her figure filled his vision like an illusion.  

Brienne Ford smiled at him, holding open a thick book. Her hand tapped the cushion next to her, inviting him to sit. He felt as if he were about to step over, drawn in.  

“Young Master?”  

“……Ah.”  

Kaiden snapped back to reality. He must have lost his mind for a moment, probably from lack of sleep. Blinking a few times at the empty cushion, he soon gave the owner a practiced smile.  

“Romance novels. New ones.”  

“Pardon? Romance, you say……”  

The owner stammered, looking puzzled. After thinking for a moment, as if coming to another conclusion, his eyes widened.  

“Ah, I see! Understood.”  

Watching the owner scurry away, Kaiden glanced at the window again.  

Feet bouncing at a funny scene. A pale face holding back tears at a sad line. How many romance novels had he read, at her urging, despite not liking them himself?  

So, asking for a romance novel now was just a fragment of that memory. Maybe reading such childish stories had become a habit.  

If that was all, there was no need to reject this odd taste. He added a reason to his empty feeling.  

There was no weight in his steps as he approached the window. As he habitually recalled the calm voice that used to call his name—Kaiden—  

“Kaiden.”  

Ding.  

Over Brienne’s voice, a bright voice overlapped.  

A woman who had just come in, closing her umbrella with a light gesture, shook off the water. Round wet spots appeared on the carpet at her feet. Watching the whole process, Kaiden felt a strange sense of disappointment cross his face.  

‘……Why do I feel like this again.’

What was I expecting? Who was I really…

“Young Master! Here are the new romance novels you asked for. There are ten in total, so take your time browsing and pick whichever you like. Ah, and this lady is…”  

The bookstore owner, wheeling over a cart, spotted Melosi and stopped. Bowing politely, he offered a courteous greeting.  

“You must be the Young Master’s fiancée. It’s an honor to meet the young lady of the Bailey family.”  

“…Oh my, what a gentleman you are.”  

Melosi flashed a gentle smile, then shifted her gaze to the books arranged on the cart. The owner, with a proud look, grinned broadly and said,  

“Ah, these are the new romance novels. I suppose they’re to your taste, Miss? I was surprised when the Young Master asked to see romance novels, but if such a beautiful fiancée likes them, it makes sense.”  

Contrary to the owner’s boldness, a look of puzzlement spread across Melosi’s face. She took a few steps toward Kaiden, who was rising from the window seat.