WFMW 61

Chapter 61

Too Pretty for My Own Good

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April 24, 2024

After a short while, I managed to sit beside Cedar, who had hastily thrown on whatever clothes were within reach.

Even after sitting down, he didn’t say a word for a long time. Then, covering his face with both hands, he muttered,

“I can’t believe this.”

I shrugged.

“What’s there to be so shocked about? Accidents happen in life—sometimes this kind, sometimes that kind.”

Here’s what had happened: after finishing all the official events, Cedar had gone to change out of his uncomfortable uniform and into his Azure Dragon Knights’ work clothes.

But apparently, one of his bags was missing, so another knight was supposed to bring his uniform to him.

So that’s why he didn’t think it was strange when he sensed someone approaching.

He had mistaken me for his subordinate bringing his clothes.

But when no one handed him anything for a while, he’d come out to check—and then…

“I never knew you were such a shameless woman.”

“Whoa, harsh words. I just, you know…”

“Forget it. How did you even find my tent? You shouldn’t have known where it was.”

He wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t impossible to find. I shrugged again.

“The knights told me. I just asked around and they pointed me right here.”

“Those guys…”

I’d even noticed that his tent was clearly marked with a big flag, so I figured it wasn’t meant to be a secret. Guess I was wrong—apparently, it wasn’t something to casually share.

Muttering something incomprehensible like “Guess everyone’s having fun with this,” Cedar suddenly turned sharply toward me and asked,

“So? What did you come here for? Spit it out.”

“Oh, right! This is no time for you to be acting all indignant with me!”

Yes, my reason for being here! I hadn’t come to be scolded—I’d come to scold him.

Placing my hands on my hips, I glared at him.

“Why do you keep avoiding me?”

Cedar blinked rapidly, clearly taken aback. After a brief pause, he rubbed his smooth jaw and asked,

“…That’s what you came here to ask?”

He probably found it absurd that I’d come all the way here during a monster subjugation just to ask why he’d been avoiding me.

But absurd or not, he’d just made a fatal mistake.

I triumphantly pointed a finger at him.

“You just admitted it! You have been avoiding me!”

“Ugh.”

Cedar groaned, scratching his head awkwardly.

“You’re unusually sharp today.”

Unusually sharp? I wanted to protest, but I held back, afraid we’d veer off-topic.

So I pressed on, hands still on my hips.

“Why are you avoiding me? What’s your reason? You’ve been so obviously uncomfortable that I can’t stand it.”

Feigning innocence, he replied,

“Avoiding you? Why would I do that?”

“I’m asking you why! And don’t even think about lying—I hate lies.”

Our gazes locked—his mirrored silver eyes meeting my green ones.

Realizing he couldn’t dodge anymore, Cedar sighed deeply. But what came out of his mouth wasn’t the excuse I was expecting.

“…Why do you care about where my eyes go? You seem to have plenty of fun with Grisha.”

“Huh? What does Grisha have to do with this?”

What did he have to do with anything? I was asking about Cedar’s behavior, not Grisha’s.

Cedar slumped a little, propping his chin on one hand.

“I saw you hugging him earlier. Didn’t even care who might be watching from outside.”

“Wait, what?”

Hugging Grisha? When did that happen?

Oh… the carriage?

Right, there was that moment when Cedar and I locked eyes through the window. He must have seen that and completely misunderstood.

I waved my hands frantically.

“That was just a hug! We almost didn’t meet up, so it was a reunion hug.”

“Who hugs that intimately?”

“It was emotional! That’s all. It happens.”

Somehow, the tables had turned, and now he was interrogating me.

I quickly shook my head and straightened my posture again.

“But why do you care anyway? Are you… jealous?”

“……”

“Cedar?”

He didn’t answer. I thought he’d immediately deny it, but he didn’t say a word.

His expression was strange—quiet, subdued, almost… sad? Like something heavy was pressing down on his heart.

He looks almost bitter…

I thought, then scoffed at myself. Cedar, bitter? As if.

“Yeah, I…”

“You what? You were about to say something!”

My words overlapped his, and I missed what he said. When I asked again, his face flushed bright red—from his cheeks to his neck.

“I don’t know, woman!”

Then he spun around, turning his broad back to me. Somehow, he looked like a sulking child.

What’s with him? Is he going through puberty or something?

But instead of being annoyed, I found that childish reaction… cute.

Great. Now my eyes must be broken.

I rubbed them with the back of my hand, but when I looked again, Cedar still looked cute.

Nope, I’ve lost it. My brain’s the problem.

Silence fell between us, both lost in thought.

Eventually, Cedar broke it.

He reached out and ruffled my hair with a calm, composed face.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing. I’d never avoid you.”

If I could stop worrying, I wouldn’t have come here in the first place. For some reason, I had a strange conviction that I must’ve done something wrong.

Fidgeting with my fingers, I murmured,

“You never know. People’s hearts aren’t transparent pools. Maybe I did something to upset you without realizing.”

“Something to upset me, huh. Actually… yeah, something like that did happen.”

“What? When?”

Looking overly serious, Cedar answered,

“Don’t you remember? Last night, when you were drunk, you… put your head on my chest…”

He trailed off, lowering his head in mock despair. Last night? Drunk? I had no memory of that!

“Liar! Don’t make stuff up!”

“Oh? You sure it’s a lie?”

“W-what exactly did I do?”

Cedar crooked a finger, beckoning me closer. Hesitant, I leaned in.

His crisp, clean scent filled my senses. His low, heavy voice brushed against my ear.

“So don’t drink again.”

It took me a moment to realize what he meant.

Then, when I saw the faint smirk tugging at his lips, I knew it was a complete bluff.

“You’re such a tease.”

Cedar rose from the bed and gave my back a light push.

“Grisha’s probably looking for you. Go on. I’ve got a meeting soon.”

“You’re sure you’re not mad? Not upset?”

He looked at me quietly, then said softly, almost in a whisper,

“You didn’t do anything wrong. The problem is… you’re too pretty.”

“Huh?”

I thought I’d misheard, but before I could ask again, he was already ushering me out.

“Keep your hood up. Don’t be picky with your meals.”

He tapped my forehead lightly with his fingertip.

Though he smiled, it didn’t feel like a real smile—more like someone swallowing something bitter.

“And don’t show up like this again, suddenly.”

I couldn’t say a word as I left his tent.

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After kicking Nellie out, Cedar let out a long sigh.

Half of what he’d said about having a meeting was true—but only half. The meeting was scheduled, but it was supposed to be held in his tent.

And yet, none of his subordinates showed up. So even if he wanted to start, he couldn’t.

He rubbed his flushed face with his palm.

Those brats are messing with me.

They’d probably told Nellie where his tent was on purpose, then conveniently vanished once she went inside.

He licked his dry lips.

Always so damned perceptive.

Even though he’d tried to bring her in quietly, they must have recognized her immediately.

Well, with a face like hers, it’s hard not to.

Cedar bit his lip hard, the memory of last night flashing through his mind.