Chapter 105
A beautiful classical melody drifted through the air.
The restaurant felt cozy yet elegant, steeped in old-world charm.
Candles burned brightly in the holders placed on each table, and oil lamps cast a warm glow against the cherry-colored walls. The lighting was soft and warm—not too bright—just enough to make the person across from you look especially handsome or beautiful.
Wow… seriously.
I placed the napkin over my lap and looked at Frederic.
He already doesn’t need good lighting, but with this glow on him… he’s really absurdly handsome.
I admired his face openly.
“……”
Noticing my gaze, Frederic abruptly turned his head away.
Seriously, what’s with him today?
He’d been strange ever since earlier.
The way he suddenly ran over when I was looking at the new house was odd enough—but ever since then, he’d barely spoken unless absolutely necessary.
It’s almost like he has something he wants to say… but can’t.
Breaking the silence, I spoke first.
“Frederic, thanks for earlier. Because of you, the contract went really smoothly.”
“……”
Frederic looked at me without saying a word. I could see his deep green eyes trembling ever so slightly.
“At first, I hesitated a bit. I wondered if it was really okay to sign a contract right after seeing the place for the first time. But the layout felt perfect, and the price seemed reasonable too.”
Frederic cleared his throat and replied,
“For a building of that quality, at that price, it’s an excellent deal. Even if you kept looking elsewhere, you probably wouldn’t find something as good.”
“What are you, a real estate agent or something?”
I joked, amused by how seriously he was praising the building. But even at that, Frederic didn’t react.
He probably doesn’t even know what a real estate agent is.
Normally, he would have asked right away. But today, he didn’t ask—he just stayed quiet, which made it all the more suspicious.
Ignoring his mood, I continued excitedly.
“But really, how could the building be so beautiful? It’s on the third floor, so climbing up might be a bit tiring—but it’s not that bad. I can just think of it as daily exercise. And the hexagonal living room was gorgeous! Plus, the way the rooms connected one after another like train cars—it was so unique.”
“……”
“I feel like I’d never get bored living in a place like that.”
Once I got started, my excitement only grew.
“More than anything, the view from the windows was incredible! Seeing the ocean sparkle like that—right there! I didn’t know the sea was so close to downtown Shiro!”
I clapped my hands lightly as I spoke.
“It was so, so beautiful. I feel like I could just sit by the window drinking tea and lose track of time. Living in a place like that… I think I’d be happy without a single worry.”
Unlike me, chattering away with excitement, Frederic simply nodded, his expression unchanged.
Is he even listening? Or not?
I started to feel uneasy.
“And about the Flerin family house—”
Frederic’s eyes suddenly flashed.
“I’ll take care of it as soon as possible so the house can be under my name. Right now, I don’t have anything in my name anyway. Everything I have is thanks to you.”
“Don’t worry so much about that. Take your time.”
Frederic turned his gaze away again.
Then why did we even come out to eat? We could’ve just eaten at home. Why ask me out and then say nothing the whole time?
Feeling awkward myself, I turned my eyes elsewhere. The restaurant was slowly filling up, table by table. Most of the guests were elegantly dressed nobles. As expected of a famous spot in Shiro, the food was well-known too.
“Your appetizer.”
The waiter placed the plate on the table. Seeing the beautifully plated food instantly lifted my mood.
Yeah, whatever. As long as the food’s good!
The appetizer was cured ham, aged for a long time, paired with cheese and a bit of bread.
I took a bite of the ham first.
What?! It just melts in your mouth—this is amazing!
Completely delighted, I sampled everything on the plate.
Frederic ate silently as well. Once we finished, the waiter came and cleared the plates.
Resting both elbows on the table, I propped my chin on my hands.
“But Frederic… what’s wrong with you?”
I asked bluntly.
“Are you worried about something? Or… what are you thinking about?”
“……”
“Why ask me out to eat if you’re just going to sit there without saying anything?”
At my words, Frederic lowered his eyes.
“Are you okay? What’s wrong? If you have something to say, just say it.”
“Ah…”
His eyes trembled.
Just then, the waiter arrived with the main dishes.
“Your beef steaks—medium rare and well-done.”
The medium rare was mine. The well-done was Frederic’s.
That looks so good!
Just looking at the steak, juicy and perfectly cooked, made my eyes light up. I gave up waiting for Frederic’s answer, cut a small piece, and popped it into my mouth.
It’s incredible. It melts! Beef isn’t supposed to melt—this is insane.
Frederic took a bite too. A subtle change flickered across his face.
Looks like he likes it too.
Still without speaking, he continued eating. I gave up asking questions and focused on my steak instead.
So good. This is seriously amazing.
When we finished, the waiter returned and asked,
“What would you like for dessert?”
“Crème brûlée!”
Frederic and I answered at the same time.
For the first time that day, Frederic let out a small laugh.
Soon, the waiter brought two small plates, each holding a crème brûlée.
—Tap, tap.
When I tapped the surface with my spoon, the hardened sugar cracked with a satisfying sound. It made my mouth water instantly.
I dug deep with my spoon and took a bite.
So good. This is ridiculously good!
I couldn’t help saying,
“Isn’t this better than the crème brûlée at Salon de Chat?”
Frederic tilted his head.
“I think Salon de Chat’s is better.”
“Really? Why?”
“…Just because.”
His face turned red.
“There are memories attached to it.”
“I guess. Does that really count as a memory, though? That place discriminates and picks its customers—we couldn’t even eat together there. Anyway. This is delicious!”
Too busy eating, I answered casually.
Until we left the restaurant, Frederic barely said a word.
Several times, he looked like he was about to speak—his lips parting—but each time, he pressed them together again.
So frustrating.
I watched his back as he strode ahead out of the restaurant.
Well… if he wants to talk, he’ll talk.
Though he was on my mind, I didn’t ask anything more and climbed into the carriage.
—Clatter, clatter.
As the carriage rocked rhythmically, Frederic leaned back, letting the motion carry him. The repetition was strangely calming. He turned his head to look out the window.
They were almost back at the estate now. Outside, it was pitch black—nothing to see.
Frederic stared at his reflection in the glass.
I have to tell Delphine… so why won’t the words come out?
When he’d left Anthony’s office earlier, he’d felt certain he could run straight to Delphine and confess his feelings. But the moment he saw her face, his mouth went dry, and the words disappeared.
All he’d managed to say were stiff, businesslike phrases:
“Let’s sign the contract.”
“Don’t worry about the payment—I’ll handle it for now.”
Why is it so hard? I wasn’t like this with Charlier.
There had only been two people in Frederic’s life whom he’d truly loved: Charlier and Delphine. But the feelings he had for them were completely different.
With Charlier, desire had come first—like wanting to possess a beautiful jewel. Winning her heart had felt like it would bring ultimate happiness, as though nothing more could be asked for.
That was why he’d pursued Charlier boldly and without hesitation.
But his feelings for Delphine were different.
With her, he wanted to give the very best—the finest things, exactly what she wanted most. And because of that, he hesitated before every action, questioning himself:
Is this right? Is this what she’d want? Will she like this?
In front of Delphine, he always grew tense. He kept postponing the moment of confession.
I promised myself I’d say it the moment I saw her.
At the new house, he’d decided to talk over dinner.
At dinner, he’d decided to speak in the carriage.
Now, staring at his reflection, he promised himself he’d say everything once they arrived at the estate.
Yes. I’ll tell her everything.
Frederic sensed, instinctively, that he didn’t have much time left. Tiago would come looking for Delphine soon—and Charlier would come looking for him.
Even if Delphine didn’t return his feelings, he wanted to be honest at least once. If he could do that, he felt he’d have no regrets for the rest of his life.
Some things can’t be late.
He knew timing mattered—yet courage still wouldn’t come easily. This was new to him. In front of Delphine, he always turned into a coward.
Turning away from the window, Frederic glanced at her. Delphine met his gaze.
“What’s wrong, Frederic?”
She spoke first, as she always did. Delphine was always the one to reach out first, to speak first, to step closer first.
“Ah… nothing. Just… thinking.”
“What is it with you, seriously?”
Delphine laughed lightly. Her bright smile seemed to illuminate the dark carriage.
“……”
Frederic blushed. Grateful for the darkness, he turned back toward the window once more.
