CH 26

Esadien’s lips were hot.

And the hands that hugged and pulled my waist and back while I was not sure what to do, and the breath that flowed from between the lips that repeatedly touched and fell were all hot.

It was hot and sweet.

“Mi-Minuelle.”

“Esadien, you idiot.”

I smiled as I put my forehead to Esadien’s. And said, I put my hand near my heart and said.

“I always think of you. Wherever you go, wherever you are.”

Esadien silently placed his hand on mine.

“Because I like you.”

“…..”

The sea-colored eyes, which had risen in heat, opened wide and began to tremble uneasily. The sight of it made my heart flutter.

‘Is it okay for my emotions to keep jumping like this?’

I myself was on the point of becoming anxious, but I slowly raised the corners of my mouth so that it wouldn’t show.

“But, yes.”

I didn’t know why Esadien was so anxious or what he didn’t believe.

“If it feels too fast…. I’ll stop here.”

“Minuelle!”

It was the first time. Esadien raised his voice. In addition, the hand that grabbed my shoulder became tighter.

But my words are not over yet.

“I’ll wait until you come to me and can express it honestly without feeling anxious.”

Slowly, very slowly, the strength drained from Esadien’s hand. In the meantime, I pushed him away and took another step.

“I really have to go now.”

As Esadien’s face disappeared from view, my face burned belatedly as I remembered everything I had done.

‘What the hell did I do? Ugh!’

“No, I will go with you.”

And I don’t know why Esadien follows me so well.

“Oh, no.”

“How come?”

It was the first time I refused so flatly. Perhaps that’s why Esadien asked a little shocked.

I couldn’t look him in the eye because I was embarrassed, and I only looked at the front and whispered if anyone would hear me.

“Esadien… some rouge on your lips.”

I felt like my face was going to explode. Perhaps it was the same for Esadien, but his face was as hot as before.

“Ah, I, I see. I’ll see you later.”

“Yes, later.”

Just a moment ago, this was the thought that filled my head.

‘When will I tell my parents that I am going to break my engagement?’

But how can things change in such an instant? I couldn’t believe it, but there was a smile on my lips.

But even after saying goodbye, Esadien was still walking next to me. As I was about to ask why, he called my name first.

“Minuelle.”

“Yes?”

“This. I wanted to give you.”

Esadien took something out of his arms and held it out to me. I thought it was an envelope, but it was a very thin box.

“What’s this?”

The box clicked open.

“Gloves?”

“I went to the store and bought it. I thought it would look good on you.”

It was a pretty glove. Especially the pink lace at the end of the wrist.

“Thank you! You’re so pretty.”

And Esadien who gave it to me was prettier.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes, very much.”

“Then…. Is it okay to let me put it?”

Thud. My heart dropped.

It was different from the happy look of Esadien who was shy and held out her hand.

“Oh, no. it’s okay.”

Unconsciously, I clasped her hands tightly and stepped back a little.

“If you don’t like it, you can always exchange it…..”

“That’s not it!”

“It’s really good.”

“I really am. That…. Oh, it looks better with the dress for the reception, so that’s why.”

“I see.”

Although feeling remorseful, I nodded my head vigorously. It felt like the inside of my palm was burning.

“Well, then, I’m really going.”

“Yes.”

I turned around and walked like running. No joke, time really ran out.

‘I’m not following you anymore.’

That was the moment I thought about it.

“Minuelle.”

“What?”

There were no footsteps.

The shoulders were gently held and the body was turned like a dance. And at the same time.

Chu.

My lips touched briefly with a ticklish sound and fell apart.

“Then be careful.”

Esadien, who smiled faintly, turned his back and disappeared across the hallway.

“What…..”

Left alone, I licked my lips in disbelief that it had just passed.

“I saw you smile for the first time…..”

The pledge to wait until Esadien approaches has already been shaken.

***

“I’m bored.”

As soon as the wedding was over, I returned to my daily life of playing and eating without much effort, but even if I had time, I had nothing to do.

I told Esadien I’d wait, so I couldn’t visit the imperial palace every day like I did before.

“I want to see Esadien.”

“It’s already the 37th time you say that today.”

Ramande, who was reading a book, looked down at me lying on his legs and clicked his tongue.

“I can’t help it. It’s sad.”

I also organized all the lists of Juella’s wedding gifts and read all the books I had postponed to read after work. It’s a coming-of-age ceremony and I’m done with fitting a dress for the next season.

There was nothing more to do.

“What is Esadien doing….”

Half a day passed by looking at his face.

“It’s been a long day….”

“Ugh. Then, would you like to go for a walk?”

Ramande said, pretending to be generous, but he didn’t like it. He really just didn’t like it.

“Would you like to go for a walk again? Are you just going for a walk all day? Do you mean exercise? You drag me around every meal to exercise?”

“You need exercise. You’re too weak.”

“Tsk...”

You’re too weak. That’s what sister Elga always says to me, too.

‘No, then who wouldn’t look weak in the eyes of a sister who cuts a bear with a single knife? My mother?’

Ramande made me go for a walk three times a day as soon as I had free time.

“In the temple, I was forced to move. You’re either lying down or sitting down all day because you’re at home? Yes?”

“Ugh! Nagging!”

My body isn’t going to get better after a walk!

However, all the family members applaud Ramande. Everyone seems to want to force me to exercise.

“After all, there is no one in the world to trust!”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“I don’t know. I want to go see Esadien.”

“What?” 

I tried to get up, but Ramande pressed my forehead hard, so I fell back on my back.

“Hey, Ramande. What, you’re not going to remove this hand?”

“You haven’t seen him in days. You said you’d wait for the prince.”

“I haven’t seen you for days already. If you let me go quickly, there will be no bloodshed.”

I tried hard on my eyes, but the price of the insignificant threat was a fierce flick.

“Aah!”

“You’ve learned something strange from somewhere.”

“It hurts! I’m going to be blue with bumps and bruises on my pretty forehead. Take responsibility!”

“Ugh. Okay, okay. Seriously anyway.”

Ramande clicked his tongue again and lifted me up.

“It’s not a lie It really, really hurts a lot.”

In fact, I was half-assisted, but it was not a lie that my forehead was throbbing. When I cried, Ramande’s voice became cautious.

“….Let me see.”

Ramande, who took off my hand rubbing my forehead, bowed his head and approached me.

“Fuuuu…..”

The hot and soft breath touched my forehead. A small amount of divine power delivered together calmed the burning pain in the forehead.

“It doesn’t hurt anymore, right?”

As the distance got closer, Ramande asked as if in a whisper. I grinned at the glittering purple eyes even though the shadows were cast.

“Yeah. Because our Ramande is really great. You mix divine power with your breath.”

“Stop praising me because it’s tickling.”

“To be ashamed. Now, even if our Ramande breathes, everyone will get better.”

Finally, Ramande smirked.

“Is that so?”

It was good. The atmosphere was relaxed. Everything goes as planned!

“Anyway, I will go to the imperial palace!”

“Did you mean it? No wonder I thought you held it in for a long time.”

“For a while, I’m really going to see Esadien’s face for a while. I won’t give him any pressure.”

“Oh, come on.”

“Yes! I’m.”

I hurried in to change my clothes, leaving Ramande, who was snoring behind.

But when I came back, the parlor was empty.

“Huh? Where did he go?” Did someone call you in a hurry?”

It didn’t take long. It’s only been 15 minutes.

But somehow. When I went to ride a carriage, Ramande, who had disappeared, was sitting inside.

“Oh, my gosh! Ramande, why are you here?”

“Just go with me.”

“You? Why?”

“I thought about it, but I thought you’d be less embarrassed if I went with you.”

“Embarrassed?”

Is that so?

‘I was just going to hug you once.’

On the contrary, if I stop visiting without visiting at all, Esadien may be disappointed. It was after I finished changing and convincing myself.

‘But what’s wrong with him?’

While I was tilting my head, an idea crossed my head.

‘Ramande, did he want to see the imperial palace?’

Since Ramande was from the Sumender region, he would never have seen the Imperial Palace. I suddenly felt sorry that I hadn’t thought of Ramande even though I had been going in and out alone.

“What, those eyes.”

“No, no, no. Let’s go.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“It’s nothing. Here, hold my hand.”

I held out my hand to Ramand so that I could see his palm. But he alternately looked at my hand and raised one eyebrow.

“Are you treating me like a lost child?”

“You’re quick-witted. Oh, my arm is falling”

“I can’t believe it.”

Ramande grumbled but held my hand tightly. 

‘It’s cute anyway.’

It was obvious that Ramand would say something else if I was caught smiling. Ramande asked me, trying to make no expression as much as possible.

“But it’s these gloves again today. I think you only wear this these days.”

“Hehe. Did you notice?”

Chuckle. 

A smile came to my lips.

The gloves Esadien gave me always stayed in my hands except for the minimum amount of time for washing.

‘I love it.’

Wearing this, it seemed that the emptiness of not being able to see Esadien was filled a little.

“You usually match the color of the dress.”

That’s right. Gloves were a fashion item and a daily necessity for me who never took off my gloves. Of course, there were several pairs by material and color, and there was a drawer with only gloves on display.

I would have worn sky blue or navy gloves on a day like today.

“It’s all right. White looks good anywhere.”

“It’s not because the prince gave it to you?”

“Of course it is.”

Yeah, sure.

When she nodded her head and made a proud expression, Ramande trembled.

“Ah, I got goosebumps. Who are you? Where’s Minuelle Karinen?”

“This is the real one!”