CH 276

Unlike the excited Elin, Orhan, who was standing next to her, had a dark expression.

Estelle's red eyes slowly turned to Orhan.

"Orhan doesn't seem so happy to see me, does he?"

"It looks like you're returning to the Raff Kingdom, do you have time to spend at the community?"

"Right now, I'm trying to focus on this moment. The time I lost… I don't want to regret it."

Because she won't be coming back.

Estelle lifted one corner of her mouth and smiled softly.

"Oh, I have to hurry up to serve the Queen delicious food! Mr. Orhan, I'll be going to the community first, so please come slowly with the Queen."

Elin, who was watching the situation, made an uncharacteristic overreaction and spoke.

Emphasizing the word ‘slowly', Elin's little body quickly disappeared beyond the bushes.

"…"

Unlike before, when they would growl at each other every time they met, there was a strange atmosphere between the two people that were left behind.

Despite quite some time passing, neither of them was able to speak.

They simply kept their position for a long time, checking their reflections in each other's eyes.

After some time passed, Orhan turned his gaze the other way with a short sigh.

"Go back. There are many people who are waiting for you. Go back to the Raff Kingdom and enjoy herring as much as you want."

In an instant, Estelle's gaze heavily subsided at Orhan's formal voice.

Although he could feel a lot of emotion, including sadness, on her tightly closed red lips, Orhan tried to ignore it.

The two of them were too different, from the moment they were born. Orhan himself knew that fact better than anyone else.

He recalled countless times during the past few days that it was just a momentary feeling.

He knew that it was a relationship that couldn't be fulfilled, so he shouldn't get any closer.

He wasn't naive or foolish enough to be driven by his childish feelings and act foolishly.

He had no choice but to use the best way he could.

Orhan rolled his two fists and held his posture.

"You might regret this moment right now."

Estelle's figure, as she lowered her long eyelashes, looked alluring.

At Estelle's low voice, it seemed like his innermost feelings had been discovered, and his heart was sinking with a thump.

"…"

"For not being honest to yourself."

Orhan's somber eyes filled with Estelle.

Desperately, so as not to miss even her smallest movements.

There was once again a moment of silence between the two of them.

His heart throbbed as he watched Estelle's eyes fill with tears.

"Ah…"

With a deep sigh, Orhan scrambled through his pants and pulled out something small.

Then, as if asking her to open her hand, he held out his other palm towards Estelle.

"Give it to me."

"?"

"Your hand, give it to me."

Orhan frowned and waved his hand up and down, as if frustrated by Estelle's hesitation.

Soon after, Estelle moved her lips slightly and extended her long fingers towards Orhan.

Tap.

At the same time, something glinting fell on top of Estelle's hand.

The transparent glass bead contained pink petals inside it.

Even though it was the first time she was seeing something like that, the glass bead that shone brightly in the sunlight was extremely beautiful.

Estelle's eyes, which were slightly squinting as she smiled beautifully, moved in search of Orhan.

"What is this?"

"In Ruit, we put petals inside a glass bead and give it to someone."

"Is it a tradition from that country?"

"Something like that."

"It's unique. But why are you giving this to me?"

Estelle glanced at Orhan and spoke in a coy voice.

At her uncharacteristic appearance, Orhan rolled up one corner of his mouth and let out a small snort.

"Because I wanted to give it to you."

"…"

"I didn't expect to meet you like this… It's a relief. I was able to give it to you."

"It's pretty. What kind of flower is inside it? I've never seen it before."

"It's a flower that doesn't grow in the Raff Kingdom. Carnation. It's a pretty name."

Orhan's eyes, as he looked at Estelle, shook slightly for a moment.

"Does it have any meaning?"

"No way. I'm just giving it to you. Well… Should I say that it's an apology for behaving rashly? I may be taken away without anyone knowing after getting on the wrong side of the Queen of the Raff Kingdom."

Unlike a while ago, Orhan was playful.

Seeing that, Estelle showed disapproval with her lips pursed.

"Very well. Since you are giving it to me, I'll use it well. It seems like having a mean will be impossible… I should go now. I don't have the bad habit of holding on to people who don't like me."

"…"

Estelle turned and stared straight ahead, leaving Orhan hesitant to answer.

Estelle stepped forward with her slender waist tightly upright, as if to be caught by a handful.

Tap, tap.

When the distance between the two people gradually widened and she was moving away, a low voice echoed in Estelle's ears.

"I won't forget you. Never. It's the meaning of that flower."

At that instant, transparent tears flowed down Estelle's cheeks.

Estelle's stride turned to Orhan, without stopping.

Her red eyes filled with his image.

The pitiful Estelle's fingertips slowly touched Orhan's cheeks.

"I'll wait."

Immediately after, a warmth settled on top of Orhan's lips.

***