Chapter 18

“We’ve arrived.”

It would have been a long walk, but by carriage, they reached Lake Criang in no time. Lucan, who had gotten off the driver’s seat, opened the door of the slightly worn cab, and Lake Criang sparkled before their eyes in the sunlight.

“That was fast. Thank you, Lucan.”

“I’m grateful that you’re pleased.”

Eileen let out a sigh of relief at Lucan’s playful reply and got out of the carriage.

After feeling Kallian’s body, it was a bit difficult for her to look him in the eye and smile. The carriage had sped along, leaving her no time to worry about what to say or how to start a conversation, and Kallian hadn’t tried to speak to her either. For Eileen, that was a relief.

‘That kind of body…’

Eileen had learned about s*x from popular novels, had her first experience with Leios, and her second experience was also with Leios. So the presence of another man’s physique and the sensation of his arousal against her thigh brought both curiosity and a touch of fear.

Today was the first time she’d had a proper conversation and outing with Kallian since the banquet, so the sudden physical contact was shocking and overwhelming for her. Even though she was bold enough to bring another man into her bed before marriage, that man was Leios.

She’d known Leios since childhood, and their mothers often spoke of their engagement, so choosing Leios as her ‘first man’ felt natural to Eileen.

But even though she was engaged to Kallian, her sense of familiarity with him was still developing. She never imagined she’d suddenly have such intimate contact, so she was trying hard to calm her pounding heart.

“Is this the place you mentioned, Eileen? That famous cake shop?”

“Y-yes! Ang Bourque’s Gift Shop. The name’s unusual, isn’t it? I heard it’s named that way because the cakes are so delicious, they’re like a gift.”

Kallian, having gotten out ahead of her, looked over Lake Criang, then nodded in surprise at the large building behind the carriage and asked. As his silver hair fluttered in the breeze and his shirt opened again, Eileen quickly turned her gaze and answered.

Maybe she should have just gone home quickly.

Eileen wondered if she had made the right choice in accepting Kallian’s invitation at the atelier. She didn’t regret it—she’d enjoyed coming here, shedding the heavy title of Princess and walking with him as just herself. And, and…

‘Ah, I didn’t dislike it.’

Eileen easily found the reason for her confusion.

She wondered if she’d awakened to something sensual, for although she was startled by the contact with Kallian, she didn’t dislike it as much as she thought she would.

She didn’t know anything about Kallian.

That he was a Prince, that he’d chosen marriage with her over the Crown Prince Succession Contest, that he’d live with her in Staerfix after marriage, and that rumors swirled about his affairs with women.

Other than that, she knew little, and the fact that a single touch of his body could affect her so much was a problem for Eileen. She couldn’t understand when she had become someone who, as a royal and the highest-ranking lady in the country, could be so moved by a man’s touch.

“Shall we go in? The sunlight is stronger than I thought.”

“Alright.”

“Will you grant me the honor of escorting you, Lady?”

“Of course.”

Eileen tried to push away the thoughts that had been troubling her, lifting the corners of her mouth in a smile. With her thin lace-gloved hand on his arm, Lucan silently followed behind them.

‘Just enjoy this outing. You’ll spend your wedding night with him anyway, right? It’s not a bad thing. It might even be a good thing.’

Eileen kept reassuring herself as she walked forward with him. The ringing of the bell above the entrance and the sweet scent flooding her nose made her feel as if half her worries had vanished.

“Impressive.”

The cake shop was huge even from the outside, and its display was even more fascinating. There were cakes topped with chocolate, cakes piled high with seasonal fruit, and tarts glazed with melted sugar, all beautifully arranged. There was even sherbet, which amazed Eileen—how did it not melt on display?

“How do they keep these cakes fresh? I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“Welcome, Lady. This display is quite special. It came from the Hyksar Empire.”

“Hyksar?”

Hyksar?

Eileen glanced at Kallian, who seemed to know about it, or perhaps was just so relaxed that he shrugged at her.

She turned back to the shop owner, her eyes shining as if asking for more details. The owner, mesmerized by her gaze, cleared his throat and continued.

“In Hyksar, there are many mages you won’t find in Staerfix. One of them made a box using magic stones so the cakes won’t melt. It’s not permanent, though—the magic stones need to be replaced occasionally. I’m sure this is the only cake shop in Staerfix with such a display.”

“Hyksar really has things like that?”

As Eileen asked with sparkling eyes, Kallian chuckled. Seeing her tense face relax at the sight of cake made her seem all the more charming.

“In Hyksar, there are plenty of mages who study such things. The Mage Tower has many who research practical magic. Now, shall we choose a cake, Lady?”

“Oh, right. Then… hmm…”

Eileen tilted her head in thought, then began to gesture at several cakes. She wanted to choose the best one since she was out for a special occasion, but to Kallian, her sparkling eyes looked just like a child tasting candy for the first time, and he couldn’t help but smile.

In the end, Eileen chose a slice of mango and fresh cream cake. There were so many options it was both happiness and agony. Pleased with her choice, she turned to Kallian.

“I’ll have this one.”

Her clear voice rang out in the first-floor shop. Luckily, all the seats were upstairs, so only Kallian, the owner, and Lucan witnessed her delight. With her hat slightly lifted, her golden hair fluttered, and her beauty was so striking that if more people had seen her, Kallian might have wished to gouge out their eyes.

“Is one enough?”

“But this looks the most delicious. If I pick too many, I’ll end up leaving them. What about you, Kallian? I’ll pay for yours.”

“Are you telling me to be the fool who lets a lady treat him?”

“N-no! Marianne gave me some money earlier. Since I’m showing you this place for the first time, it’s only right that I pay. It’s not that I’m looking down on you…”

“Heh, alright. No need to get so flustered.”

Laughing at Eileen’s flustered explanation, Kallian caught her hand in midair. Feeling the warmth through her glove, Eileen’s eyes widened, but after today’s events, she managed not to cry out.

“I appreciate your thought, but just for today, let me treat you.”

Kallian winked at her and told the owner,

“We’ll taste every cake on display. One slice of each, please. And some unsweetened tea.”

“A-all of them?”

“Is that hard to understand?”

“No, Sir! I’ll prepare them quickly. The staff will show you to your seats.”

The owner, eager not to lose Kallian’s favor, hurried inside. Eileen blinked at the sudden order.

“What will we do with all of them? We can’t eat them all!”

“If there’s any left, we’ll take them to Ruby Palace. It’s a famous shop, so I doubt the maids will refuse.”

“Oh…”

Excited by the outing, Eileen had only thought of what she’d eat, forgetting about the maids waiting at the palace.

“Then I’ll only touch what I’ll eat, and the rest will be boxed up. We can’t bring half-eaten pieces.”

“That’s up to you, Eileen.”

Kallian replied gently, and she finally smiled in relief. Soon, the staff led them upstairs, and Lucan left to wait outside. Unusually, the cake shop had no tables outside; all the tables were either by small windows or behind thick curtains. Eileen found it fascinating that guests never saw each other and sat at a small terrace overlooking Lake Criang.

“This is amazing. I didn’t expect it to be like this!”

“It’s expensive, so most customers are wealthy. These arrangements must be for them.”

“Is it to avoid awkward encounters?”

“Perhaps.”

Kallian’s lips curled upward. Sitting side by side facing Lake Criang, his shoulder slowly lowered toward Eileen’s, then he lifted her wide-brimmed hat and kissed her cheek.

“Some people might want to do things like this.”

“K-Kallian!”

“They could do even more.”

Eileen’s hat was completely removed. Her messy hair was scattered about, but her beauty outshone everything. He’d wanted to kiss those small, bird-like lips for so long—she had no idea. Kallian gently smoothed her hair and cupped her chin. He’d restrained himself for a while now. Something that had been his was taken by another, so his desire grew even more intense.

The body he’d held earlier, trembling in his arms—Kallian was sure Eileen had some affection for him. He planned to claim both the heart and body Leios Dreikan had taken. His touch grew more lingering as he stroked her neck.

At this point, Eileen realized what Kallian was trying to do, tensed her lips, and shivered.

“Close your eyes, Eileen.”

Kallian smiled lazily, slowly leaning in. Today, just this much would be enough.

“Mmph…”

Eileen, knowing his lips would soon touch hers, instinctively leaned back to avoid him. At first, Kallian didn’t mind and continued to close the distance, but soon realized she wasn’t coming closer.

It was a rejection.

“K-Kallian. That… that isn’t right.”

“…Because we’re outside?”

“It’s just, we only really talked for the first time today, so…”

Eileen stammered. She wasn’t sure why. She had felt excitement from his gaze and words, but this intense mood made her uneasy. She knew she’d have to do “adult things” with Kallian someday, but as a lady on her first date, his behavior felt too much like that of a flirt.

“Maybe you’re used to this, but I…”

“I might be used to it? What do you mean? Oh, you think I’m the dirty type who’s been with lots of women?”

“N-no—”

“There are rumors about me, and yes, many women do chase me.”

Kallian’s face seemed peaceful, but his sideways glance was sharper than his smile. His tone was casual, but his words had a sting. Eileen tensed, unconsciously clenching her dress in her fist.

“And you’re the first not to give in to me.”

“……”

“I’ll have to try harder, won’t I?”

“K-Kallian.”

Was he angry?

Eileen didn’t know how to handle men as women in salons did, but she realized Kallian was somewhat upset, and she was the reason. Wanting to comfort him, she called out, but her voice was drowned out by the staff knocking and entering behind them.

“Your cakes and tea are here.”

“Perfect timing, I was getting bored.”

Ah. Kallian had returned to his mischievous self. As the desserts and tea were arranged before her, Kallian moved Eileen’s chosen cake to her and smiled.

“Enjoy, Princess.”

“…Kallian.”

“Then I’ll try this one.”

Eileen’s feelings were always visible on her face. Right now, her guilt and discomfort must have been obvious, but Kallian just looked at her and smiled as if nothing was wrong.

“It’s a good place. In many ways.”

With that, Eileen couldn’t bring up the near-kiss again. She thought the date would end there, at least until she finished her cake and set down her fork.

She should have known more about what kind of man Kallian El Salvia Hyksar was, and what price came with rejecting his kiss.