The reporters were quite persistent. Even in that chaotic situation, unwilling to let go of their scoop, they kept chasing us.

After running for a while, we found ourselves in a narrow alley. When we reached a dead end, we hid behind a pile of boxes.

‘Who is he? This person? I’m sure I’ve heard that voice somewhere before.’

The man was wearing a robe, and the surroundings were dark. I was too caught up in running to see his face while being led away.

As I lifted my head to check his identity, I met his red eyes. I instinctively realized who he was.

‘It’s that man from the ball!’

As soon as our eyes met, the corners of his eyes curved into a smile. Before I could be entranced by that eye smile.

Tap, tap, tap.

The reporters’ footsteps grew closer.

He placed his index finger to his lips. Terrified of being discovered, I curled up as small as I could.

‘If they found Lady Hayworth running away with a strange man, that would be an even bigger scoop.’

My head throbbed, but what’s done was done.

The man pressed closer to me, shielding my crouched form from view. The man pressed closer to me, shielding my crouched form from view. Suddenly, I found myself in the embrace of a stranger whose name I didn’t even know. I squeezed my eyes shut.

“Didn’t she go this way?”

“I thought I saw her too.”

“There’s not even a mouse here.”

The reporters’ grumbling voices could be heard.

“I think I heard something from over there.”

Surely they weren’t coming this way?

Unlike me, who was covering my mouth and holding my breath, he seemed completely unfazed.

“Let’s hurry over there.”

“Come quickly.”

As I strained my senses, the men started running toward the opposite end of the alley.

The footsteps grew more distant. Once the men disappeared, silence fell over the alley once again.

“They’re gone.”

He whispered to me, who was still trembling. His voice clearly contained a hint of amusement.

Finally raising my head, I looked around like a frightened herbivore.

Just as he said, there was truly no one there. Only then did I let out a long breath and clutch my startled chest.

“Still scared?”

“N-no. Just a bit startled.”

“You looked troubled, so I stepped in. I’m sorry if it was presumptuous.”

I couldn’t just brush it off when he helped me out of a crisis. I placed both hands neatly at my waist and bowed politely.

“Thank you for helping me.”

“Just a moment.”

He chuckled and pulled my robe’s hood back up.

“It’s chilly at night.”

Thankfully it was dark and he couldn’t see. My cheeks were burning with embarrassment.

“Did you come to watch the fireworks too?”

“Yes. Well, there’s someone I want to see too. Two birds with one stone.”

“Did I keep you from your appointment?”

Like Leon and me earlier, the fountain was a meeting place for people.

He must have been waiting nearby to meet someone too. When that thought occurred to me, I felt somewhat guilty.

“If I missed it, will you play with me instead?”

“Ah, well. I was supposed to meet my brother at the fountain…”

As I trailed off awkwardly, he asked with a broad smile.

“So shall we go back there now?”

I hesitated for a moment.

While I was worried about Leon.

Going back to the place that had turned chaotic because of me didn’t seem like a good idea.

“No. Better not. Anyway, thank you for helping me. I’ll definitely repay this favor.”

“Then watch the fireworks with me.”

“What?”

I asked in surprise at his sudden proposal.

“That’s what you came for, right?”

Well, that’s true but.

When I said I’d repay the favor, he suddenly asked to watch the fireworks together. It was such an unexpected response that I felt a bit dazed.

“Please. I snuck out just to see them.”

He made a disappointed expression.

I felt quite uncomfortable knowing his appointment was ruined because he helped me.

“I’m sorry.”

“You’ll take responsibility, won’t you? So.”

He met my eyes with a playful smile. Something about that harmless smile somehow moved my heart.

“Where will we watch from? We can’t go back to the square.”

“I found the best viewing spot.”

He suddenly turned his back to me and crouched down.

“What are you doing?”

“Get on my back.”

“What?”

“Or should I carry you like a package?”

“W-what are you…”

“Ah, this will work better.”

Suddenly my feet left the ground, and my head spun.

“Hold on tight.”

“Let, let me go… Kyaaak!”

He lifted me up like a princess and soared into the night sky.

***

When I came to my senses, buildings, and people looked as small as ants.

Being carried in the arms of a man whose name I didn’t even know, flying through the sky.

‘Is this man really human?’

No, I couldn’t even tell if this was a dream or reality. I could only tremble at the dizzying sight below my feet.

“Scared, aren’t you?”

“What?”

“You’re trembling.”

The corner of his mouth twisted.

‘Of course, I’m scared. What kind of comment is that!’

Seeing him grinning as if he found it hilarious, I felt somehow indignant.

“W-what are you doing all of a sudden! You could at least warn me before flying!”

“Ah, I forgot. I’m sorry. Should I put you down now?”

“Are you crazy?”

He seemed like such a savior when he helped me.

But looking at him now, he seemed utterly wicked. He was an utterly unpredictable man.

“I’m joking. I won’t drop you. Stop trembling.”

“It-it’s too high. I-I can’t help being scared. I don’t want to tremble either.”

“Then you should hold onto me tighter.”

“What?”

“Put your arms around my neck.”

To suddenly tell me to hold his neck. Even being held like this was embarrassing enough. I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

“I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“W-what…”

“Because I’m about to descend.”

He looked down at me and smiled mischievously.

“I did warn you.”

“Aah! Ah! W-wait a moment!”

In panic, I had no choice but to wrap my arms around his neck. As I buried my face in his shoulder, he began to descend as promised.

It was a strange sensation – my legs tingling yet refreshing at the same time.

The wind that had been enveloping my entire body subsided, and it seemed we had landed somewhere. I slowly opened my tightly shut eyes.

As I lifted my head from where it had been buried in his shoulder, I saw a familiar red pendant before my eyes.

‘This is exactly the same as the one I bought for Oscar!’

It was the same shape as the necklace and pendant I bought at the magic shop. However, while what I bought for Oscar was a necklace, what he wore was more like a choker that clung closely to his neck.

‘It’s a pendant that holds people’s energy. I guess he bought it from the same place.’

Well, it was the largest magic shop in the empire, and since he uses magic, it made sense.

‘Whose energy is stored in it?’

Suddenly, unnecessary curiosity arose.

At the ball and in the square, he said he was waiting for someone. Could it be that person he said he wanted to meet?

‘Sigh. What does that have to do with me?’

I caught myself having such pointless thoughts. I shook my head to clear away these unnecessary thoughts.

He chuckled at my behavior, then carefully set me down. The place where my feet touched was a small space just below the church spire. After clutching my chest in relief, I took a deep breath and asked him.

“Are you perhaps a mage?”

“A mage?”

“With that explosion earlier, and just now flying through the sky. These are all magic, aren’t they?”

“That’s right.”

He didn’t bother denying it.

Come to think of it, I remembered he was wearing a knight’s uniform last time.

‘Just who is this man?’

No matter how I thought about it, he was incredibly suspicious. I narrowed my eyes.

“At the ball, you were wearing a knight’s uniform.”

“Yes.”

“What exactly are you? Are you a mage or a knight?”

“Let’s say both.”

“What?”

“I’m good at both swordsmanship and magic.”

Despite my continued questioning, the man avoided giving a clear answer and kept talking in circles.

It seemed he had no intention of revealing his identity today either.

“You’re really suspicious.”

“Thank you.”

When I retorted with obvious doubt, surprisingly, he expressed gratitude.

“I’m being suspicious and you say thank you?”

“It means you’re very interested in me. And I like receiving attention.”

If only he wouldn’t say such things. Though his identity was unknown, one thing was clear – he was no ordinary person.

He took off his robe and spread it on the ground.

“Here, sit down.”

“Your clothes will get dirty.”

“They’re already dirty from spreading them out.”

“….”

“Come on.”

Though I felt bad about sitting on his clothes, he kept urging me so I had no choice.

As I sat down with my knees up, he sat down right next to me.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m cold since I took off my robe.”

“Should I give it back then?”

“No. Women shouldn’t sit on cold surfaces.”

This was only my second time meeting him, but he was strangely attentive and gentle.

‘Does he like me? Or is he just naturally kind to everyone?’

It seemed silly to guess his feelings when I didn’t even know his name, so I decided not to think too deeply about it.

“Why are you staring so intently?”

“What?”

“Am I that handsome?”

He playfully responded after noticing my gaze. I thought I was looking elsewhere, but had I been staring too intensely without realizing it?

I felt embarrassed at my own foolishness.

“W-who’s staring?”

I ducked my head as my face grew hot.

“It feels nice to have a pretty person looking at me.”

“I told you I wasn’t looking.”

“Then why don’t you look now?”

He leaned his head toward me as if trying to peer at my face. As if he wanted to see all the expressions I was trying to hide. It was a persistent gesture.

“….”

The closeness of his face was disconcerting. His sudden eccentric behavior made me hold my breath for a moment.

Thump thump. My heart started beating as if it would burst.