Chapter : 53
“Well…”
I remembered that I had run out in a rush straight from bed.
No need to look—I probably looked like a mess…
I hurriedly smoothed my hair and said,
“Let me quickly fix myself before we go out.”
Sirinew looked at my face and shrugged.
“You look the same as usual.”
“Huh?”
What?
I couldn’t help but frown.
The same as usual? Do you know how much effort I usually put into getting ready?
Ha… what was all that effort for…
If Ruri and Yurie had heard this, their pride would have been badly hurt.
I even remembered the reality where someone told me, “Even with full makeup, today’s your bare face?” for a moment.
Feeling a bit sad, I looked at Sirinew. He watched me adjust my hair, then reached out toward my head.
“Huh?”
He draped the cloak he was holding over my shoulders and placed a hand on my head.
Huff.
Wrapped in Sirinew’s cloak, I gasped from the sudden rush of his scent.
The air coming through the tent was chilly, but being wrapped like this made me feel as if I were in his arms, and my face heated up slightly.
Without noticing my expression, Sirinew began stroking my hair with his large hand.
Feels like he’s petting a puppy.
With a concentrated gaze, Sirinew pressed and kneaded my hair. He tilted his head slightly, as if things weren’t going according to plan.
“It’s not working well.”
…You’re so cute. So cute that I let it slide. Really. If you weren’t this cute…
I couldn’t help bursting out laughing.
“Haha.”
When I laughed, Sirinew looked up from my hair and met my gaze.
His beautiful violet eyes looked puzzled.
“Why?”
“Because… you said I look the same as usual, so I’ll just do it roughly.”
I gently removed his hand from my hair and tucked my hair behind my ear.
Sirinew glanced at his hand and then stared blankly back into my eyes.
Someday, I’ll dress up properly and make him say I look completely different today.
“Shall we go?”
“Let’s.”
I followed Sirinew to the fire, where logs were arranged for sitting.
He had me sit on one of the fallen logs and then sat beside me.
The warmth of the fire made my body feel relaxed.
Camping has a nice vibe… but sitting on a log is uncomfortable. Can’t lie down either…
I clicked my tongue softly and glanced at Sirinew, who was staring into the fire.
“Is there something you want to say?”
Sirinew took his gaze from the fire and looked at me.
The firelight made one of his eyes look red.
“You said before that your heart beats faster when you see me, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
Of course, even now. People’s hearts normally beat fast sometimes.
I nodded slowly, and Sirinew spoke carefully.
From his otherwise expressionless face came a shocking question from his beautifully parted lips:
“Then… do you like me?”
I froze, my mouth agape.
Did I just hear that right?
Like… “Do I like you?” Are you joking?
I wanted to say: I’m always grateful to your parents for giving birth to a face like yours; all the hardships I endured here vanish every time I see your face; it pains me to think I won’t see your face again when I return to reality; your face is perfect—why is your body good too, and your personality so sharp that you fit perfectly into my heart? I’m really struggling here…
…but I couldn’t say that.
It wasn’t easy to gush in front of my favorite person.
I pondered carefully how to convey my feelings clearly without overdoing it.
“As much as the sky and the earth?” No, that’s too narrow.
“I’d like your face no matter how many times I’m reborn?” Then it sounds like I only care about looks.
I turned my head to look at Sirinew while thinking over my words.
He didn’t look away.
“Why aren’t you answering?”
“Well… why are you curious?”
I had been wildly gushing inside my head, but I thought I hadn’t shown much to him.
But since he brought it up… maybe something slipped out after all?
Can’t hide being a fan? Or does Sirinew have a hidden lover like Noel? I asked him carefully,
“Do you… have a fiancée?”
Sirinew frowned.
“No.”
“Then… am I making you uncomfortable?”
“….”
He suddenly let out a deep sigh.
“Are you feeling frustrated?”
“Why?”
“Because I’m worried.”
“…Why are you worried?”
Why wouldn’t I worry? Aside from eating and sleeping, I only worry about you.
“You’ve been clutching your chest since yesterday…”
Not that I actually saw his chest… I muttered this under my breath. Sirinew turned his gaze back to the fire.
“I can’t explain in detail… but I’m under something like a curse.”
“Really?”
I was startled and looked at him. The shadows of the fire flickered across his profile, shimmering warmly.
“That’s probably why your heart races when you see me.”
“How can the curse be broken? Is there anything I can do?”
I asked in a worried voice, and Sirinew slowly turned to face me.
Even now, his face was thrilling and new. His gaze was so deep I couldn’t meet it directly.
As I averted my eyes, he carefully took my chin in his long fingers.
“To break my curse, you have to be on my side.”
His hand cupped my cheek gently. I couldn’t look away.
“I will.”
Of course! Unless society erases me, I’ll be on your side forever.
I nodded gently. Sirinew leaned closer and asked,
“What did you do with the Crown Prince yesterday?”
“…We ate bread.”
“Sitting side by side, looking at each other’s faces?”
“No, I just got messy and he tried to wipe it off for me.”
I confessed honestly to soothe the slightly disappointed Sirinew.
He lowered his eyes and looked at my lips.
My heart was pounding harder and harder.
Haven’t I been in a situation like this before with the Grand Duke?
As his face drew closer, I thought to keep distance, but I couldn’t move.
We’re going to touch!
Suddenly, Sirinew tilted his head, brushing the tip of his nose against mine, and then his lips met mine.
Amid the crackling of the fire, I could hear the faint sound of skin meeting and separating.
I stared blankly at him, unable to blink.
Am I… dreaming?
The brief touch of his lips spread warmth throughout my body.
Soft? That word wasn’t enough. It felt like the smoothness of the finest satin I had ever touched, now on my lips.
Sirinew, who had been looking down, raised his lashes and met my gaze with his deep violet eyes.
I hastily pulled back. He moved his hand from my chin to the back of my neck, leaving me no escape.
As I froze, his lips returned to mine.
Despite the sudden approach, his movements were careful.
This time, the touch was warm and moist, slipping between my lips.
I felt dizzy and on the verge of collapsing. I frantically grabbed his shoulders to steady myself.
As my hands touched his body, his movements became slightly rougher, probing my mouth as if to trap me.
A sweet taste filled my mouth. In this small, inescapable space, I was held by Sirinew.
Pulling on my lower lip made my entire body feel like it was being dragged along.
I swallowed hard and gently pushed him.
Only then did Sirinew pull away. His violet eyes were flushed with warmth, unlike usual.
I muttered almost instinctively,
“I like you.”
At that moment, the tent flap opened, and footsteps approached.
I jumped up in surprise.
“Huh? Lady Selene? Your Highness?”
Noel’s voice sounded confused. I bowed my head and removed the cloak, placing it on Sirinew’s lap.
I didn’t have time to see his expression. I hurried to my tent and collapsed inside.
“Am I crazy?”
I touched my trembling lips in disbelief. I had never imagined something like this happening.
Was it a dream? Did I finally lose control and kiss Sirinew?
I shook my head as I adjusted my slightly swollen lips.
Sirinew had been the first to move.
How could this happen…
I pinched my cheek to reassure myself.
“Ouch.”
I spent the rest of the night sitting in front of the tent, unable to sleep.
By morning, I heard the sounds of others taking down the tents.
I have to get up…
But I couldn’t bring myself to move.
Then, someone called my name from the tent entrance.
Left alone, Sirinew quietly touched his lips.
He regretted the fleeting sensation that had slipped away.
How can I…
He had never felt like this before. How could he feel it again?
He wanted to hold Selene, who had slipped from his arms, once more.
Even if it was the lingering aftereffect of a terrible curse, he didn’t care.
True love?
He didn’t know what that meant, but he only knew he had to keep Selene by his side.
A thought passed through Sirinew’s mind, a reminder from his butler:
Marriage… how does it work?
