AME 42

CH:42

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“Uh, yeah, this is it. I like… this. Anyway, I like it.”

“Like you know….”

He couldn’t even bring himself to say the word “doll” because it was too embarrassing, yet he stubbornly insisted anyway, making the whole thing rather funny. Still, Alesia decided not to tease him too much and just let it go.

In truth, Alesia was really enjoying the situation. Even though she knew she wasn’t in a position to be this comfortable around Kaon, she couldn’t stop the laughter bubbling up. It was almost a problem.

‘This is fun.’

To Alesia, the Bellium Square felt like a whole other world. She had never seen anything like it in her life. She’d never even been to a festival before—heck, the first shop she’d ever entered was the tailor’s with Kaon—so everything around her felt new and magical, like she’d stepped into a completely different realm.

At first, she was timid and hesitant, but as she slowly got used to the atmosphere, Alesia began to explore freely. She visited everything from tiny stalls to big tents and shops, and enjoyed the performances of singing bards and wandering clowns.

One clown in particular picked her out and gifted her a red rose with a white ribbon tied to it, claiming it matched her perfectly. Kaon didn’t seem too pleased, but Alesia accepted the flower happily.

‘There are so many people with unique talents.’

Breathing in the sweet scent of the beautiful rose, Alesia felt her heart swell. Until now, she had always believed that since she wasn’t a mage, she was useless.

But the people here couldn’t use magic either—and yet they lived confidently and vibrantly in their own ways.

‘Maybe I…’

Alesia imagined a future where she lived like that. She didn’t have any particular skills yet, but she was sure she could work hard and learn something to make a living. Hope swelled warmly in her chest.

“You said there was no point in looking around, but you’re having fun now, huh?”

“…Well, he just gave it to me, so I took it. What, was I supposed to refuse it?”

“Your smile’s practically touching your ears.”

Startled by his words, Alesia quickly turned her head, checking if there was anything reflective nearby. Was she really smiling that widely?

But soon, she realized he was lying. Kaon was quietly snickering to himself.

“It was a joke. You startled me.”

Normally, she’d shoot back with a sharp “Is that funny to you?” but no such words came. In the end, Alesia simply laughed a little along with him. Though she stopped soon after, flustered by how Kaon was now just silently staring at her.

“…Um, hey. You wanna eat something?”

As she met his gaze, Kaon quickly looked away, flustered, and pointed toward a distant food cart. A vendor there was diligently rolling out what looked like dough with a rolling pin. After all that walking, she was getting pretty hungry.

“I do.”

“Wait here.”

Still avoiding her eyes, Kaon bolted away as if he had been waiting for the moment. She already knew he liked her face—so why was he acting like this?

‘He’s so weird.’

Alesia chuckled to herself, tapping her head with the flower bouquet in mock reprimand. Being around Kaon Ferdinand made her feel too at ease. She was supposed to leave eventually—what was the point in getting attached?

“Ah!”

Just then, Alesia’s body tilted backward. The street was crowded to begin with, and it seemed someone had misstepped and tripped her.

Though it wasn’t a strong impact, Alesia was small and light. She nearly toppled over—but then someone grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her upright.

“Ka—”

She turned her head, assuming it was Kaon, but froze. It wasn’t him. It was a man she had never seen before, staring straight down at her.

The man had a slender frame and a face that could only be described as breathtakingly handsome. With golden hair, almost pale white skin, and delicate features, he radiated a genderless kind of beauty.

“…Ah, thank you.”

“……”

“If you could let go of me now…”

She was grateful, but she didn’t want to remain in such an embrace-like position. However, the man didn’t seem interested in letting go. Even when she applied some force to push away, he didn’t budge.

Frowning, Alesia tilted her head slightly as she met the man’s pale gray-blue eyes. The color looked familiar.

“Your eyes…”

“……?”

“They’re really beautiful.”

“What the hell are you doing?!”

At that moment, a familiar voice rang out, and a rough hand yanked the man away from Alesia. He’d barely moved when she pushed him, but now he flew like paper.

“You okay?”

Kaon pulled her close and asked with concern. For the first time, Alesia realized he was not only a knight but also a man.

She’d never really felt it before, since he always seemed so ordinary. But standing this close, she couldn’t help but notice his large frame and strong body. And he wasn’t even fully grown yet—what would he be like as an adult?

“…Yeah. I’m okay.”

Kaon’s eyes turned sharp at her slow response. He must’ve thought she was shaken.

“You bastard. What the hell did you just do.”

Unlike the way he looked at her, Kaon now glared coldly at the man, his voice filled with anger. The fury in his eyes was unmistakable.

“I didn’t do anything. She was about to fall, and I helped her.”

Alesia tugged on Kaon’s coat. She had been surprised, yes—but not for the reason he thought. What surprised her more was Kaon himself. This side of him was unfamiliar.

The man had been a bit creepy, sure, but in the end, he had caught her before she fell. Nothing happened, so she didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.

If things escalated and people started talking, who knew what the folks at Ingelos would say. She didn’t want that.

“You’re sure you’re okay?”

“Really, I’m fine.”

Kaon still looked upset, but thankfully, when she insisted, he focused back on her.

Meanwhile, the man who had been silently watching Alesia turned and walked away. Kaon, still on high alert, finally released her shoulder.

“It’s all dropped.”

“Can’t be helped.”

Alesia looked down at the food on the ground. It must’ve fallen when Kaon had dashed over.

“We can just buy more. This time, let’s go together.”

Kaon pointed to the stall, and Alesia quietly followed him.

They wandered the streets a while longer and only returned to the palace after nightfall. They’d explored so much of the square that there was nothing left to see—she had no regrets.

‘Amityen… was it?’

Alesia kept repeating the name in her head so she wouldn’t forget it. They’d eaten all kinds of snacks together—fruit skewers, drinks—but the best of all had been a pastry called Amityen.

Thin dough, baked crispy, slathered in honey, and sprinkled with almonds—it looked simple compared to the desserts in Ferdinand, but it tasted amazing.

‘So this is happiness.’

Soaking in a hot bath, Alesia closed her eyes. She couldn’t believe happiness had been so close all along.

Even after that man left, Kaon had stayed right by her side like a loyal guard, clearly unsettled. He didn’t seem to like her paying attention to the other guy and even cracked some really dumb jokes here and there.

And she appreciated it. She was trying to push him away, hoping he’d stop liking her—but even then, she was thankful.

Kaon Ferdinand was just too kind. He was a truly good person. Alesia thought about whether there had ever been a day as happy as today. No matter how she looked back, there wasn’t.

Even after many years passed, and Kaon eventually forgot her, Alesia knew she’d never forget this day.

“I think… there’s too much I’ll never forget.”

She muttered bitterly. While she left Kaon with only bad memories, he kept giving her unforgettable ones.

‘He could be like that too.’

She suddenly remembered the way Kaon had protected her, shoving the man aside. It made her realize he really did care. Even though she’d lied to him, deceived his entire family, even blackmailed him—he never once raised his voice.

‘Oh, those eyes…’

Lost in thought, Alesia suddenly remembered where she’d seen the stranger’s eyes before.

They looked like Kaon’s. Pale sky blue mixed with soft gray. Not exactly the same, but rare enough to stick in her memory.

Then, she thought about the man again. He was strange. Certainly beautiful, but there had been something… off about him. Those cool eyes that stared only at her—they were almost chilling.

‘But I didn’t feel any malice.’

She’d been harassed so often as a child that she could recognize hostile intent easily. But that wasn’t what she felt from him. If anything, he seemed strangely pure. He was just… an odd man.

‘Come to think of it, we never visited the blacksmith.’

That idiot must’ve just silently followed her around all day. He didn’t even get what he needed and probably ended up buying a bunch of pointless stuff. The thought stirred some unnameable emotion in her.

Trying to shake the feeling, Alesia finished her bath and stepped out. As she was drying her hair with a soft towel, someone knocked on the door.

Who could it be at this hour?

Just as she wondered, a hesitant voice came from the other side.

“…It’s me.”