Chapter 31…
The Princess of Mirage Goes to the Forest.
At the top of the slope, there was a lake.
When the clear wind blew across its glittering surface, the mirror-like water reflected the blue sky and trees, rippling softly.
“How beautiful…”
Felicia breathed out in awe, and Johan smiled.
“Right? I wanted to show you this view, Felicia.”
All her worries and small anxieties suddenly felt trivial.
It was a strange sensation—like the emotions smoldering inside her heart were being washed away and carried off somewhere by the wind.
As she silently admired the breathtaking scenery, Johan spoke quietly while gazing at the water’s surface.
“When I come here, everything that happens to me feels… distant. That’s why, whenever I felt burdened by sorrow, I would come here to let it out.”
Anyone who knew the path Johan had walked would understand the weight behind his words.
(How many sorrows has Lord Johan poured into this lake, all by himself?)
Felicia looked up at him gently, her heart aching as she imagined his loneliness.
She thought she could see a trace of sadness deep within his eyes—and she wished with all her heart that he would never have to bear that pain alone again.
“Felicia, you brought some sweets, didn’t you? Let’s have them here.”
Johan said this with an elegant smile; the shadow that had flickered across his face earlier was gone. Felicia felt relieved.
Johan dismounted first and carefully helped Felicia down from the horse.
Sitting by the lakeside, he took out a handkerchief and spread it beside him.
“Please, sit, Felicia.”
“Thank you.”
When Felicia sat down, Johan took out a small flask.
“Hugo packed this for us. Let’s have some tea while enjoying the view. —I’ve come here many times before, but I never imagined I’d one day be sharing tea with you here.”
He poured the tea into small wooden cups, and they drank together.
Even though it had cooled, it tasted wonderful—surely because of the scenery around them.
Johan took a bite of a financier and his face lit up.
“As always, your pastries are incredible, Felicia. The roasted almond aroma and browned butter flavor are perfectly balanced—it’s exactly the kind of taste I love. To be able to eat your sweets every day, I’m truly a lucky man.”
“I’m so glad they suit your taste. It’s an honor to have you enjoy them, my lord.”
Seeing Johan’s delighted expression as he ate filled Felicia’s heart to the brim—it felt as though he was telling her she belonged in his castle.
The two of them savored their exquisite tea time slowly, peacefully.
