Chapter 38
“It’s a bit chilly, isn’t it?”
“A bit? I’m freezing!”
In her rush to catch up with Tirzen and Elicia, Delina hadn’t even managed to grab a shawl.
The sea breeze, blowing without pause, only made the cold seep into her bare shoulders—exposed for the sake of looking beautiful.
“Wow, the wind’s really strong today.”
Ignoring Delina’s unspoken hope that he’d take off his coat and drape it over her shoulders, Kais instead pulled his own loosened collar tightly closed.
“Didn’t you hear me say I’m cold?”
When he buttoned his shirt all the way up to the neck, Delina snapped at him in the tone of a mistress scolding a servant.
Kais crossed his arms over his chest and pretended to shiver.
“Lady Sheeton, even without you saying so, I can clearly tell it’s cold. That’s exactly why I’m buttoning up so tightly, isn’t it?”
“I said I’m cold too!”
“Surely the duke’s daughter isn’t coveting someone else’s clothing? And not even women’s clothes—but a man’s?”
Delina could only glare at him without answering.
This was a situation where a gentleman ought to show chivalry, not something a lady could just bluntly ask for.
Elicia was walking ahead, flanked closely by two men—one like a bodyguard, the other like a lover.
Delina’s eyes gleamed.
She couldn’t just stand by and watch that.
Determined to claim the vacant spot beside Tirzen, Delina quickened her pace.
The original plan—to spend some quiet, quality time talking with Theus after so long—had already been completely derailed.
I’d thought Tirzen would leave right after bringing me here, but he insisted on seeing the cave.
My interest today lay far more with Theus than with any cave, so I politely declined, but Tirzen refused to take no for an answer.
When he suggested Theus should come along too, I reluctantly agreed.
In the Nethor Empire, the number of people who could refuse Duke Verato’s request could be counted on one hand. Only a fool would say no.
—Tap tap tap tap tap!
The rapid sound of footsteps caught up to us, and Delina appeared beside Tirzen, matching his stride.
“Is the cave far from here? I’ve been to this place a few times, but I didn’t know there was a cave.”
Her voice prattled on next to him.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tirzen shake his arm.
I hadn’t seen exactly what happened, but judging from his movement, she’d probably tried to link arms with him.
Tirzen then raised the same hand he’d shaken free, lifting it toward the sky.
Surely he wasn’t about to strike her?
But instead, he merely gave a small beckoning motion.
Immediately, Kais stepped in between Delina and Tirzen.
Delina’s body was nudged outward.
“Pushing a lady—how rude can you get?”
“Calling someone’s consideration rude is what’s truly rude. His Grace the Duke sometimes has sudden… episodes, during which he flails his arms around.”
“…”
“If you happened to be standing nearby and got hit even once, someone as delicate as you would have a bone broken. I noticed signs of an episode just now, so I was protecting you. But if you call that rude, I’m hurt.”
His elaborate excuse nearly made me laugh out loud; I had to bite my lip to keep the sound in.
It seemed Kais had a fair streak of con-artist in him too.
The four of us continued in an awkward single-file line toward the cave.
The wide beach made it possible, but the atmosphere was stiff and uncomfortable.
With these unwanted tagalongs glued to my side, there was no chance to speak privately with Theus.
The cave looked like a giant overturned bowl wedged between the sea and the shore.
Half of its entrance was submerged in water, making the passage inside narrow—only wide enough for one person at a time. But it seemed inevitable my dress would get wet.
To minimize the soaking, I gathered up my skirt in one hand.
Theus, watching from beside me, held out his hand.
“Elicia, take my hand. It’ll be hard to walk while holding your skirt like that.”
As always, he noticed what I needed almost instantly.
I liked that about him—his attentiveness.
“Thank you, Theus.”
I reached out to take his hand, but before my fingers could touch his palm, Tirzen caught my hand and pulled it away.
“Once we go in, your dress is going to get wet no matter how careful you are.”
“If we don’t go inside, there’s no point in coming all the way here.”
My voice came out sharper than intended.
The annoyance I’d been bottling up since my plans started unraveling finally broke loose.
Tirzen pressed his fingers to my lips, flattening them.
“I never said we wouldn’t go in. I’m saying I’ll make sure your dress stays dry.”
“How? The entrance is so narrow—kyaa!”
Without warning, Tirzen scooped me into his arms.
Startled, I gave a short scream and instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck.
“This way, it’s simple.”
From the gasps and muffled exclamations behind me, I wasn’t the only one surprised.
Completely unfazed, Tirzen carried me straight toward the cave.
Over his shoulder, I saw the shocked faces of the three trailing us—Delina’s expression was especially something to behold.
Like I had earlier, she gathered her skirt in one hand and lifted the other toward him.
“At least take my hand so I can get in!”
“The passage is too narrow for two people to walk side by side. Since you’ll be walking anyway, it’s better to use both hands to hold your skirt than to ask someone to hold your hand.”
Kais neatly refused her and stepped into the cave ahead of her.
Turned down, Delina turned to Theus.
But he was staring at me, completely oblivious to her extended hand.
“Why is your attention on the back when I’m right here in front of you?” Tirzen murmured.
I lowered my head from where I’d been holding it up, resting it obediently against his chest.
The cave wasn’t deep; a few steps in and the back wall was already visible.
The ceiling was high enough that it didn’t feel cramped.
“From here, the sea looks different.”
Inside, the ground rose above water level, leaving a wide dry area.
Tirzen set me down gently there and offered his hand again.
The others followed, stepping up to the dry section.
“Theus, did your feet get wet?”
Tirzen and Kais were wearing boots, but Theus had on dress shoes, and the hems of his trousers were damp.
It seemed he hadn’t been prepared, expecting only a light stroll along the beach.
“The water didn’t get into my shoes, so it’s fine.”
He lifted the hem to show me.
Even so, I felt bad.
“Sorry. I should’ve just met you in the capital. I dragged you out here for nothing.”
“I chose to come, so you don’t need to apologize.”
“But still—”
Before I could finish, Tirzen tugged my hand, cutting the conversation short.
“If you leave without seeing that view, you’ll regret it.”
He cupped my face from behind and turned me toward the cave entrance.
Framed by the uneven triangle of the opening was a view so stunning it stole my breath.
It was like standing before a painting.
“No artist could paint this. Only nature can create something like this.”
“If you want, I’ll find an artist who can capture it exactly.”
If anyone could, it would be Tirzen—but I preferred this moment as it was.
“A painting would be nice, but I’d rather come back someday and see it again with my own eyes.”
“It’s not far from the capital. If you want to come often, you can.”
His tone was casual, but I could feel he meant it.
When Tirzen said something aloud, I knew he would keep it.
“The sea from here is truly beautiful. Thank you for showing it to me.”
The quiet, warm mood between us was shattered by Delina’s muttering.
“Hmph! The sea’s the sea—doesn’t change just because you see it from here. Making a fuss over nothing.”
It felt like someone had dumped black paint over a masterpiece.
The spell was broken, and I felt a pang of frustration.
“Let’s head out.”
Whether or not he sensed my mood, there was consideration in his tone.
I nodded, and he lifted me again.
This time, Delina was close enough that I got a clear look at her face—murderous.
I tightened my arms around Tirzen’s neck and snuggled closer.
I won’t end up poisoned by that woman like Princess Risha in my past life.
I looked up at the man holding me.
He was big and solid.
I didn’t want him to meet the same unjust death as before—taking the blame to save Roena after Delina poisoned Princess Risha and tried to pin it on her.
Roena had been his only weakness. That much hadn’t changed.
This time, I won’t let Delina kill me. I’ll protect both Roena and you.
All the way out of the cave, Delina’s complaints echoed behind us.
“You’re no gentlemen! What, did you put your manners in a soup and eat them?”
Since neither Kais nor Theus had helped her, she kept squawking.
Her voice bounced off the cave walls until my ears rang.
“Kyaaaah!”
A shrill scream, followed by a splash. I craned my head over Tirzen’s shoulder.
“My dress! Look at my dress—it’s ruined!”
Delina was sprawled in the water, her gown drenched and drooping like seaweed.
After two days of decidedly ungraceful incidents, this was the worst yet.
All that venom she’d been directing at me had backfired.
Instead of pity, I felt a surge of satisfaction.
Still, gloating too much over someone’s misfortune didn’t seem wise. I turned my head—only to meet Theus’s gaze.
He looked sorrowful, almost lonely, before schooling his features into a gentle smile for me.
I felt guilty. I’d been the one to suggest a walk, yet hadn’t given him a moment’s attention.
He came all the way here for me, and for what? I can’t even talk to him properly. Probably because of Tirzen…
It wasn’t that having Tirzen nearby made conversation impossible—but whenever I tried to talk to Theus, he somehow interrupted.
Outside, the wind had grown chillier.
When Tirzen set me down, I took off the coat he’d draped over me and handed it back.
“The wind’s cold. You’ll catch a chill in just a shirt.”
He hesitated, then took it.
I missed the warmth, but it was fine.
“Your warmth is still in it.”
“I was warm too. Thank you.”
His face remained impassive, but I didn’t mind.
Even if reading his expressions was hard, I could read his mood perfectly—and right now, there was a strange warmth radiating from him.
Tirzen spread his coat wide and tilted his head toward me.
“I can’t be the only one who’s warm. Come here.”
The suddenness of it made me suck in a sharp breath.
