TMET 19

Chapter 19. May I Kiss You?
 

Damion had mulled over the girl’s words for countless hours. If everyone had a reason to live, then what was his?

And in the moment he nearly died by Orphe’s hand, he made his decision.

He would claim House Orphe—his home, and his personal hell.

That would be the reason he lived. And fatefully, the very girl who had helped him discover that reason had, after many twists and turns, appeared before him once more.

As if telling him not to die—at least not until he achieved the life he had chosen.

“We’ve come quite a long way. Shall we head back now?”

“Let’s do that.”

The boat began moving again, and the previously still water rippled gently. Before long, more people came into view. Under their gazes, Damion escorted Anshi up from the riverbank.

Instinctively shrinking under the attention, Anshi flinched slightly. Damion gave a soft squeeze to her hand to focus her attention solely on him, and gently said:

“There’s somewhere I’d like to take you.”

At the last party, Damion had brought a chauffeur, but today, he was driving himself.

It was Anshi’s second time riding in an automobile—the first being that party night. Though still called a “monstrosity” by some, Anshi found it fascinating, perhaps because it was still unfamiliar.

Pretending to be indifferent, she darted her eyes around, curiously observing the interior. While she was engrossed in the unfamiliar structure and movement, the car came to a stop.

They had arrived at a small two-story house with a blue roof. Looking puzzled, Anshi followed Damion as he knocked on the door.

When the door opened and she saw who stood there, Anshi’s eyes widened.

“Marie?”

“Young Miss!”

The middle-aged woman was a former servant who used to work as Sophia’s personal maid at Count Rubelsa’s estate. Their ties had been cut when the family was stripped of its fortune a year ago.

But it wasn’t just Marie’s face that surprised her.

“Anshi, you’re here! Oh my, Lord Damion is here too.”

Sophia came down from the second floor, beaming with delight. Anshi’s face twisted with confusion.

“What is this place…?”

“This is our house, Anshi,” Sophia said with a bright smile.

Anshi frowned. Was Sophia lost in the past again? Then why was Marie here?

“What are you talking about, Mother? This isn’t our house.”

“Lord Damion says he received the deed from your father.”

Anshi turned sharply toward Damion.

That couldn’t be true. Her father would have no reason to purchase a house like this, and even if he had, this house didn’t suit his usual tastes.

Even setting all that aside, no matter how much her father trusted this man to consider him a match for his daughter, handing over a building deed was absurd.

“I know that’s a lie.”

She whispered quietly to Damion. Her voice was firm and guarded. Damion calmly admitted it.

“I was the one who called you to the capital. I thought it proper to arrange a place for you to stay.”

“But still…”

“It’s not for you—it’s to ease my own mind.”

“Even so, this is…”

“Did you enjoy the boat ride, Anshi? Lord Damion too,” Sophia interjected.

Anshi wanted to say more, but Damion stepped inside. He exchanged a few words with Sophia, who smiled brightly.

Seeing that, Anshi found herself at a loss for words.

“It’s before dinner, right? Let’s eat together.”

“It smells delicious. Is that stew?”

“Oh my, how did you guess? Marie and I made chicken stew together.”

“Anshi, come sit.”

Damion reached out with a soft smile. Anshi’s eyes wavered. She couldn’t reject that hand, and gently placed hers in his.

The dinner atmosphere was warm and cheerful. Seated around the small dining table, everyone laughed and spoke happily—as if they were a real family.

“It’s just a simple meal. I hope it suits your taste, my lord.”

“I’d say it was far better than the hotel restaurant meal from the other day.”

“Oh, Marie, we should open a restaurant.”

“I’ll start scouting a location tomorrow, madam.”

In this cozy, immaculately clean place, surrounded by beloved faces smiling as if nothing were wrong—it felt strange. Comforting, like the past. But also so surreal, it was unsettling.

“…do you, Anshi?”

Why was this man going so far for her?

“Anshi?”

Suddenly, she realized he had been calling her. Damion had leaned slightly toward her, concern in his eyes.

“Are you all right?”

“…I was lost in thought. What did you say?”

“I suggested a walk after dinner.”

“Oh yes! Go on, Anshi. You might see fireworks tonight.”

On nights with boat rides on the Bennu River, there was always a firework display over the water. A grand spectacle many looked forward to.

But Anshi had never really enjoyed fireworks. It wasn’t that she hated them—she just didn’t understand why people got so excited about them.

She looked out the window.

Dusk had already fallen. The light would fade quickly, and night would soon follow.

“It’s going to get dark soon…”

“All the more reason to go now.”

Sophia gently pushed her forward, as if telling her to hurry outside.

And so, Anshi found herself being ushered out with Damion before she even had time to protest.

“There’s a hill nearby where you can see the fireworks clearly. It’s a bit of a climb—is that okay?”

“No problem.”

“Then let’s go.”

With a gentle smile, Damion began walking. Fine, for now, it was best to go along with Damion d’Orphe.

Anshi followed silently.

“…This is farther than I expected.”

She might’ve said nothing if they hadn’t been climbing for so long.

“We’re almost there.”

“That’s what you said earlier.”

“This time I mean it.”

“Liar…”

“Here.”

He held out his hand. Without thinking, Anshi took it—and stepped forward.

“…!”

This time, he was telling the truth.

From the top of the hill, they had a panoramic view of the Bennu River and the surrounding city lights.

“Have a seat.”

Damion laid out a handkerchief and placed a lantern nearby. Anshi carefully sat down on the handkerchief, and Damion sat beside her.

“It’ll begin soon.”

He checked his watch and smiled. As she gazed at his silhouette bathed in the lantern’s glow, Anshi lifted her eyes to the sky.

Pop. Just as he said, bursts of colorful fireworks lit up the sky.

Anshi watched them, transfixed.

For some reason, her heart was racing.

“Damion… do you like fireworks?”

She asked quietly, eyes still fixed on the sky. It was a simple, almost foolish question, but he gave her a sincere answer.

“I think I do. They’re not something you get to see often. They really do look like flowers blooming in the sky. But rather than pushing through crowds at the riverside, I prefer watching them alone from afar like this.”

“I see…”

“Do you like fireworks, Anshi?”

“I… Honestly, I never understood why people get so excited over them.”

“Hm…”

Damion hesitated awkwardly. Anshi continued calmly.

“They say adding different chemicals to gunpowder makes different colors. Sodium makes yellow, lithium makes red. I wonder if people know that.”

“Probably not something most people want to know.”

“Exactly. Ever since I learned that, they just looked like… gunpowder to me. And climbing a hill to see gunpowder? That’s something the usual me would never do.”

“Are you blaming me for dragging you up the hill?” he teased.

Anshi chuckled and shook her head. She wasn’t trying to complain, nor explain her usual view on fireworks.

“No, it’s just… today they look beautiful. I think I understand why people like fireworks now. I just wanted to say that.”

Damion didn’t reply. Anshi turned her head to look at him.

He was staring at her with a calm gaze.

And in an equally calm voice, he asked:

“Will you marry me?”

“….”

Anshi held her breath. Her whole body seemed to vibrate—perhaps from the exploding fireworks. Or maybe from the thrill of taking one step further.

“Damion… are you really okay marrying someone like me?”

She had no idea why she asked that impulsive question. But she was sure of one thing: he would give an unwavering answer.

“Anshi, I don’t care about the conditions or circumstances surrounding us. I confessed because I see you, and only you. And I believe we will absolutely be happy.”

This man believed in an ideal marriage—one filled only with happiness and no worries.

To her, it just sounded like chaos.

That contrast stirred a familiar disillusionment in her once again.

“…All right.”

Regardless, the answer had already been decided. When Anshi nodded, Damion broke into a radiant smile.

He wrapped his hand around hers. Her cold fingers slowly regained warmth inside his large, gentle grasp.

“I’m so happy.”

His eyes, still smiling, wandered from her smooth forehead, to her delicate eyebrows, to her clear eyes—and finally, to her lips.

And then, as if it were a natural progression, as if swept up in the atmosphere under the dazzling fireworks, he asked:

“May I kiss you?”