Chapter 33
Seeing the flustered Tarin, Agnes laughed. He had such a striking appearance that she hadn’t expected Tarin not to recognize him, especially since Tarin had once complimented him on his looks.
Apparently, she must have thought that some random man in the middle of a busy street was flirting with her mistress.
“Tarim, don’t you remember?”
“…Huh?”
Tarin, still bewildered, looked back and forth between Agnes and the man, her face on the verge of tears.
Then the red-haired man raised a finger to point at her neck. Following the direction of his hand, Tarin’s gaze naturally fell on the necklace that Agnes had bought for her.
“Ah… ah!”
Upon seeing the necklace, she instantly recalled the memory, letting out a loud exclamation of realization as she looked at him.
“I didn’t think I’d be someone easily forgotten, but somehow, I feel a bit hurt.”
His bright, smiling expression revealed an incredibly charming man—the same one she had seen at the jeweler’s recently.
Even though he had seemed mysterious in the dark, cramped shop, under the bright sunlight he was truly dazzlingly beautiful.
“They call me Kirkan. I used to be a noble,” he said.
“W-wow. A magician? I’ve never seen a magician before!”
Agnes introduced him briefly, and Tarin immediately brightened, looking at him with awe.
“I feel like I’m seeing a creature from a legend. I don’t have great powers—just enough to make jewels even more beautiful.”
“And now he speaks politely, too.”
Agnes gave him a similar smile. When they had first met at the jeweler’s, she had thought he was some unknown noble’s heir. His casual tone, regardless of who he spoke to, made him seem much higher in status.
“After that day, my colleague scolded me: ‘Do you still think you’re a noble? Something bad could happen…’ So, well, that’s how it went,” he said, shrugging nonchalantly and smiling as if dealing with a comfortable friend.
Though initially wary of a man approaching her, she couldn’t help but recognize him instantly. His striking features made that unavoidable, especially in the sunlight.
“I didn’t expect you to recognize me so quickly. I guess it’s more surprising that the maid forgot this face,” Kirkan said, turning his gaze to Tarin.
“Uh, uh, um… I’m sorry, Kirkan-nim,” Tarin stammered, offering an apology. She seemed like she might cry if he pointed her out again, so Agnes patted her shoulder.
“No need to worry. It’s normal not to recognize someone you’ve only met once, especially in the dark. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”
“That’s not a smile that would just brush it off…”
“Well, if you wanted to be remembered, you could have revealed your identity back then,” Agnes teased.
“You’re right,” he said.
Agnes and Kirkan had a good rapport. Their short, casual conversation created a light atmosphere even Tarin noticed.
“What brings you to the capital…? Ah, but first, did the gift reach safely?”
Previously, Kirkan had asked this with utmost formality, making Agnes smirk.
“Coming out here… well, I probably won’t come out much anymore. Things have been a bit complicated,” she said.
“Sometimes it’s better to face complicated things outside rather than brood over them alone,” he suggested.
Agnes hadn’t intended to discuss anything deep. He had simply caught her passing by, and she realized he was a familiar face. Still, he didn’t seem like an ordinary jeweler. Something beyond nobility about him drew her in.
“So, are you just wandering without direction?”
“Something like that,” he replied.
Agnes suddenly remembered why she had come out. She had momentarily forgotten, caught up in this surprising encounter.
“Right. A light stroll is fine before heading back.”
“It seems fate brought us together again. Shall I guide you? There’s a place popular among young ladies recently.”
“I’ll pass on that,” she said, recalling that the place she had just visited was already crowded with young ladies.
“By the way… did the gift reach safely?”
Kirkan asked with the kind of curiosity as if ready to guide her immediately. Agnes, briefly confused, recalled the time Theowin had given her the necklace and chuckled.
She remembered his uncertain expression when receiving a gift from a woman for the first time. Though he was usually stern and blunt, she had seen another side of him.
At the time, it ended with a simple “thank you,” which seemed slightly disappointing, but in hindsight, it was actually endearing. Later, he genuinely appeared pleased, which was a relief.
“He accepted it gratefully. He even said it resembled my eyes. Another person was very pleased as well,” she recalled, a faint smile escaping. Tarin’s ears reddened at the side.
“Whoever it was, he seems capable of understanding a woman’s feelings.”
But the slight pout in his voice—was it imagination? A woman’s mood? Theowin might not have known, but the other person was her father, wasn’t he? Agnes was about to refute when suddenly—
“Whoa! Danger!”
At that moment, Kirkan, standing on the roadside, suddenly grabbed Agnes’ arm, pulling her back. She collided with his broad chest as a carriage rushed past with a terrifying screech.
“Drive properly!” Kirkan shouted after the carriage as it sped away. Agnes had to calm her startled heart in his embrace.
“Miss! Are you alright?”
Tarin took a moment before shouting, too shocked to react immediately.
Agnes, unaware she had been holding her breath, felt a hand pat her back, finally regaining composure. She exhaled, panting slightly to catch her breath.
“Th-thank you. That was frightening,” she said, taking several deep breaths before stepping away from his chest. When she first pushed him back, he seemed to resist slightly, but soon released her.
“I’m glad you’re safe. Was there an urgent matter? It’s crowded; you should be careful.”
Though internally annoyed, Agnes spoke calmly. She was still shaken, and thinking of her upcoming role as Crown Princess made her act cautiously.
“Don’t worry. I saw an elderly woman inside the carriage. Probably a midwife. Likely a noble household expecting a child, but no one experienced enough to receive the baby,” he explained, recounting what he saw in the speeding carriage. Though unverifiable, Agnes nodded, finding it plausible.
“This way. There’s a quiet park with few people where you can rest. I’ll guide you,” Kirkan said, his voice, tone, and movements fluid and graceful. Passersby glanced at him curiously, likely wondering about this seemingly noble stranger.
Agnes and Tarin followed him to a tranquil park with a lake at its center, trees around, and benches for resting.
“I didn’t know such a place existed. Not as grand as private gardens, but still quite pretty,” Agnes said, admiring the sparkling water and towering shade trees.
“If you like this place, perhaps you could join me for outings occasionally,” Kirkan suggested softly, as a breeze played with her hair. His eyes were fully on her, and his kind tone and gaze felt strangely familiar.
“I won’t be able to come out often from now on. The royal wedding is soon,” Agnes murmured, following the sense of déjà vu, speaking almost as if to herself. Kirkan furrowed his brow.
“The royal wedding…?”
Agnes suddenly remembered she hadn’t introduced herself, though he had.
“My introduction is late. I’m Agnes of the Viscount Lizerne family. Soon, I’ll be marrying the Crown Prince. The owner of that amber necklace is His Highness, the Crown Prince.”
She introduced herself simply, almost as if introducing the maid Tarin beside her. There was no boastfulness about becoming Crown Princess.
Hearing this, a slight shadow crossed Kirkan’s face.
“Well, the Crown Princess isn’t someone confined, so I’ll come again later. Thank you.”
With her calm laughter, the quietude of the park settled between them.
