✪ Chapter 8 ✪
I understood how Elline felt.
They say you can’t hide a sneeze, love, or a copier.
So this wasn’t surprising at all.
Even though Elline had only recently realized that I already knew about her relationship with Lucas.
“By the way, the scones here are delicious. Why did you order something different today?”
“Rosé… I’m talking about something really important right now.”
“But a latte already has carbohydrates. You really don’t know how to enjoy good food.”
As I looked over the menu and completely ruined the serious mood, Elline’s face slowly became more pitiful.
But that wasn’t my problem.
It had already been six months since the royal family and the Count’s family started discussing the marriage.
It had also been six months since Elline and Lucas fell in love at first sight.
‘The wedding is really getting close now.’
The wedding had been planned long ago.
And every day, I simply counted down the days until I could quit the Magic Tower.
After all…
My wedding could only be completed if Elline interrupted it.
That meant Elline’s determination, promises, and resolve were completely useless.
Because there was someone else who was destined to cause chaos inside the wedding hall.
“Every love has its timing. To His Highness the Crown Prince… I’m only a passing love.”
“For something that’s ‘passing,’ it seems to be limping.”
“No! It’s almost healed now! Soon it’ll be running at full speed!”
Even if it did…
My future groom would only run toward you.
“Don’t push yourself too hard. And don’t force things that simply can’t happen.”
“Rosé… you’re always so negative.”
“I’m just facing reality. It makes life easier.”
Apparently she couldn’t argue with that.
Elline lowered her head sadly.
The warm sunlight shone over us, and a gentle breeze began to blow.
Just then, our coffee and desserts arrived.
Along with several dishes…
That we had never ordered.
“Hm?”
The moment I noticed something was strange, Elline had already picked up the little bell to call a server.
But no matter how much she rang it…
It didn’t make a sound.
“Oh no… I think it’s broken.”
The large ribbon on her hat fluttered as she looked around in confusion.
After watching her for a moment, I quietly stood up.
“I’ll go. You start eating first.”
“No, I can go—”
“You’ve got a cramp in your leg. Let me do it.”
Without waiting for her reply, I left the terrace and walked downstairs.
Someone as righteous as Elline would definitely insist on correcting the bill.
But I was a shameless opportunist.
I’d simply pay for all the extra desserts ourselves.
‘They look really delicious anyway. We’ll just eat them all.’
Weekends were made for eating.
That was the whole reason we came to the coffee house—to heal our tired souls with good food.
As soon as I reached the first floor, I saw the counter crowded with employees.
I had barely taken one step toward it when—
“Oh, wait…”
I bumped into a large customer.
The impact pushed me backward.
If only I had stopped there.
Instead…
I stumbled straight into the storage room beneath the stairs.
Click.
The door closed.
At the same time…
Someone grabbed my arm.
In an instant, my vision spun.
Everything happened so fast.
I found myself pressed against a stranger’s chest.
Blinking in confusion, I finally spoke.
“Who are you?”
“Shh.”
“Telling me to be quiet in this situation is actually pretty scary…”
The stranger placed a finger against my lips.
He was so tall.
When I tried to tilt my head back to see his face, my neck immediately started hurting.
I grabbed the back of my neck with a groan.
I had almost strained it.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah… yes…”
His voice sounded strangely familiar.
“It’s me, Miss Rosé.”
“Sir Carlo…?”
Now I understood why I couldn’t see his face.
His black hair blended into the darkness.
His messy black hair covered part of his eyes, and even his thick black-framed glasses had slipped down slightly.
It was a face I knew all too well.
Sir Carlo gently supported the back of my head with one hand so I could look at him comfortably.
“You should be alright now.”
“Yes… I am.”
I wanted to step away from this awkward position.
But the room was far too small.
Other than a few trays and storage boxes…
There was barely enough space for two adults to stand.
Since I had suddenly fallen into the tiny storage room…
He must have thought hugging me was the only way to stop me.
‘He could’ve just pushed me away instead.’
Sir Carlo really was a kind person.
I reached toward the wall, searching for the light switch.
But he stopped my hand.
“I’m sorry, but you can’t turn on the light.”
“Then… why are you here, Sir?”
“…Something came up.”
“I see.”
I wasn’t interested in asking for details.
‘What is he, a child of darkness?’
I simply frowned and nodded as if I understood.
Well…
Everyone had secrets.
Including me.
The storage room felt chilly.
Unlike outside…
Not a single ray of sunlight reached inside.
‘I’ll catch a cold if I stay here.’
There was no reason to remain.
“I should go now.”
“Very well. I’ll move aside.”
“You don’t have to. I’ll manage.”
I lifted my face from his chest and tried to move around him.
But the room was even smaller than I expected.
Instead…
Our arms and legs became even more tangled.
Being so close to someone whose fingertips had never even brushed mine before…
Was unbelievably embarrassing.
As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I noticed Carlo looking away awkwardly.
“…I’m sorry.”
I had just apologized when—
“Where are you hiding, Cal?”
A man’s voice came from outside the door.
“Please excuse me for a moment.”
“Mmph?”
Without waiting for my permission…
Sir Carlo gently covered my mouth with his hand.
The voice outside grew louder.
“I’ve decided to accept your proposal.”
“…”
“Oh, come on. I already accepted it!”
“I can’t find you anymore! Just come out already!”
The man sighed dramatically.
He was probably talking to Sir Carlo.
I quietly looked up at Carlo.
Then suddenly…
The man’s voice disappeared.
“I-I’m leaving first!”
Silence filled the storage room once again.
Only our breathing remained.
Then—
“Rosé! Where did you go?!”
This time…
It was Elline’s voice.
“I… really have to go.”
Sir Carlo immediately stepped aside and opened the door.
As I reached for the doorknob, he spoke quietly.
“About what I said yesterday… I’ll be cheering for you.”
“If you mean the blind date, don’t worry.”
Even his goodbye sounded awkward.
I shrugged.
“The marriage is already decided anyway. I’m the type who accepts reality.”
“Ah… so that’s the kind of person you are.”
He nodded as if he had finally understood something.
Seeing that…
I couldn’t help laughing.
‘What a strange person.’
* * *
By the time I returned to Elline…
The desserts had already been paid for.
According to the waitress…
A very handsome gentleman had already settled the bill.
It probably wasn’t Sir Carlo.
I still had no idea who it was.
Maybe even the Crown Prince himself—who was said to be the most beautiful man in the world—had stopped by the café for a moment.
‘Free desserts? I’ll gladly take them.’
We happily picked up our forks.
From fruit tarts to the café’s newest donuts…
We enjoyed more than ten different desserts.
Before I knew it…
I was once again a worker going to the office even on the weekend.
“Life really has nothing but work…”
Going to work…
And getting trapped inside the Magic Tower.
In fairy tales, someone always comes to rescue the girl locked away in the tower.
But in this world…
There was no male lead.
No prince.
No one coming to save me.
My groom was going to be stolen right in front of me anyway.
If I wanted saving…
I’d have to save myself.
“The report isn’t due until next week. Having to work overtime on my day off is terrible.”
Elline climbed down from the carriage behind me.
She looked just as miserable.
We had talked all night at the Count’s estate and fallen asleep there.
Then, early the next morning…
The team leader suddenly summoned us.
“This is a joint project with the Special Management Department. Everything must be finished within two days. Conduct as many experiments as possible and record every result.”
The reason…
The Magic Tower’s security barriers protecting the continent from the Demon Realm…
Simply weren’t reliable enough.
And if it involved the Special Management Department…
That meant it was an order from the Crown Prince.
Meanwhile…
In just six hours…
I was scheduled to go on a blind date.
With that very same Crown Prince.
