Chapter 50
Impulsively
He pulled a small jewelry box from the inside pocket of the jacket that had been lying beside him and held it out to Himena.
“What… is this?”
“A gift. I didn’t plan or prepare it ahead of time, but somehow… it turned into a commemorative present for the start of our contract relationship.”
Himena opened the black jewelry box.
Inside was a transparent pendant necklace shaped like a small crescent moon, glimmering with a mysterious red light.
“This is…”
“A necklace made from magic stone mined only in Acticos. The magic sealed inside has detoxifying powers. The amount is small, but it can purify the wearer’s body to some extent.”
“Wow… it’s beautiful!”
Himena lifted the magic stone necklace and held it up to the chandelier’s candlelight, her face beaming.
“Wow! I really, really love it! I’ve never received anything like this from a man before!”
“You can’t be serious.”
“It’s true! Ah, could you… put it on me yourself?”
“Ah… y-yes. I’m glad you like it.”
Himena gathered up her hair with both hands, baring her pale neckline so he could fasten the necklace.
Just as this was the first time Himena had ever received jewelry from a man, it was also Kylean’s first time putting a necklace on a woman.
Unsure of what to do, he hesitated. Instead of moving behind her, he clumsily reached around as if embracing her, trying to fasten the clasp from the front.
Earlier, perhaps thanks to the alcohol, he had been so bold. But now, as his face drew close to Himena’s lowered gaze, his heart pounded again and his fingers trembled.
When his hand, fumbling behind her pale neck, couldn’t find the clasp, Himena lifted her eyes to meet his. At that very moment—
Click!
“Huh?”
Startled, he dropped the clasp. The mysterious red crescent moon slipped and disappeared right between the two soft curves of her chest.
Their eyes followed it downward, lingering there before meeting again.
Kylean swallowed hard.
“S-sorry.”
“The moon… must have set already. Haha. I-it’s fine. I’ll just get it out.”
Quickly, Himena slipped her hand inside and retrieved the crescent, while Kylean turned his face away, his cheeks flushed as red as the jewel.
“Found it!”
“T-thank goodness.”
“Could you… try again?”
“This time… I’ll do better.”
Kylean carefully fastened the necklace, this time looping it properly from behind.
“Wow… thank you. I really love it, Kyle.”
Calling his name naturally, Himena smiled brightly.
The red crescent that rested against her pale skin, perfectly centered on her collarbone, seemed made to match her wine-colored dress.
“Beautiful. It suits you…”
But Kylean wasn’t looking at the necklace—he was gazing at her flushed face, murmuring in a low voice. Meeting his crimson eyes, Himena didn’t look away this time.
The early autumn night deepened.
Outside the window, the faint sound of crickets. Inside, only the flickering shadows of chandelier candles filled the quiet, cozy bedroom.
Two young hearts, faces heated, leaned closer and closer…
A breeze slipped in through the window, brushing Himena’s flushed cheeks with strands of her brown hair.
Kylean gently tucked her hair back…
Caressed her pink-tinted cheek…
Lightly touched her reddened lips…
And impulsively whispered:
“That wish you mentioned earlier… may I use one now?”
“Wish? What do you—”
Two hearts pounded violently.
Two lips, slowly parting, drawing closer… breaths hot, mingling…
“Himena…”
“Kyle…”
Bang!
“Gasp!”
“Commander! No, you two—what on earth are you doing on the floor?”
An uninvited guest barged in, shattering the mood. Both of their eyes widened in shock.
Outside the bedroom was chaos.
A maid carrying tea had panicked at the sounds of shouting and scuffling inside. She rushed to fetch the butler. When Himena’s crying voice followed, the servants became flustered, rushing up and down the stairs.
Something’s wrong in there! Could that wicked woman be…?
From the parlor, Whale (the deputy commander) noticed the commotion and couldn’t hold back.
“Butler! What’s happening in the lady’s room?”
“Eh? W-well, I… I’m not sure…”
If that temptress dares to do anything foolish to the Commander…! No, Hermes himself could be at risk!
“We can’t leave it! They’ve been up there too long without coming down—it must be serious! Let’s go in under the pretense of serving tea!”
“Eh? B-but…”
Thus, with misplaced courage, Whale barged in to “protect” his lord.
But instead of some scandal, he found the two of them sitting on the floor, faces flushed, staring blankly at him.
“Uh… M-my Lord? This carpet’s… quite unique, isn’t it?”
“Ah… y-yes. Where could one find such a thing?”
Caught off guard, Kylean and Himena loudly improvised, pretending to admire the carpet’s pattern.
“I think… I heard it came from a distant continent. A famous carpet once ridden by some fellow named Aladdin… Butler? Care to explain?”
“Ah, yes! My Lord, this carpet—why, it was brought back by the father of Duke Sylvestre, your ancestor…”
“Whale, perfect timing. Listen carefully and learn the source of this carpet.”
“Eh? Th-the carpet?”
“Yes. The lady and I must return to the parlor now.”
“Wait, but—”
“Deputy Commander, was it? Please, this way. I’ll explain everything. As I was saying, this carpet was brought from…”
And so, leaving a bewildered Whale to the butler, Kylean and Himena, both still flushed, quickly descended to the first floor.
“Thank you for coming today, Marquis.”
“Kyle.”
“Ah… yes, Kyle.”
“Heh. No, thank you for inviting me.”
At the door, Kylean smiled at her in farewell.
“Will you return to Acticos right away?”
“No. I’ve arranged lodging in the capital.”
“I see.”
“If you’re free tomorrow, would you meet me in the capital around lunchtime? The central district was lively today with the nice weather.”
“The capital…? Why there…”
Puzzled at his request to meet in the bustling central district, she tilted her head. Kylean leaned closer, whispering so Whale wouldn’t hear.
“Wouldn’t it be better with people around? If we’re seen together… the effect will be greater.”
“Oh! I see!”
Himena’s face lit up with understanding.
“If we walk around affectionately, someone will surely notice… and the rumors will spread faster?”
“Exactly.”
“Oh, I like it! Let’s do that. Marquis, you’re clever. Hehe.”
“Again—Kyle.”
“Right… Kyle.”
Her cheeks warmed as she corrected herself.
“Then tomorrow will be… our first date.”
“Our first… date… Y-yes, I suppose it will.”
“Let’s meet at noon, by the fountain in the central square.”
“Yes, I’ll be there.”
“Commander, the carriage is ready.”
Whale hurried ahead to open the carriage door.
“Then, take care on your way back.”
“Himena, your hand.”
“Ah—yes.”
Tap.
“Uh?”
Without thinking, Himena placed her right hand in his—just as she had when she was injured back in Acticos. Realizing too late, her eyes widened.
“Heh.”
Kylean, smiling faintly at her confusion, lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it for the first time.
“From now on, greet me like this too. Don’t just shake my hand coldly. Understood?”
“Ah… yes…”
Under the lamplight, his crimson eyes gleamed sensually as he kissed her hand and gazed at her.
“Then… good night, Himena. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, travel safely.”
Even after his carriage disappeared from view, Himena stood dazed for a long time.
“You should come inside, my lady. The night air is chilly.”
“Ah… yes.”
Prompted by the butler, she finally wrapped her bare shoulders and hurried indoors.
“My lady, how did it go? Did you follow my advice properly?”
Upstairs, Sophia couldn’t hold back her curiosity as she helped Himena change.
“W-well… it went… well enough.”
“What? Really? Then the two of you…?”
“Mm… we’re meeting tomorrow… in the capital… for a date.”
“Truly? Oh my! My lady! Congratulations!”
Sophia squealed with excitement as though it were her own good news.
“To think, after all that time with no progress, he suddenly changed like this? My seduction tips must have worked, right? Right?”
“…M-maybe?”
“Oh, I’m so happy for you! Tomorrow I’ll dress you up perfectly again. You need to sleep early for your skin, my lady. Only with good rest will you look bright and fresh in the morning, understood?”
Listening to Sophia’s fussing, Himena’s thoughts drifted.
It doesn’t feel like I seduced Kylean… It feels like… he seduced me. I was the one enchanted, my heart swayed… back when we were alone…
She touched the magic stone necklace he’d given her, recalling the moment his lips had nearly touched hers.
His gentle hand brushing back her hair.
His burning gaze.
His warm breath as his lips drew near…
The memory made her chest tighten, her face flushing hot.
“Ahh! No! Ugh, this is weird, so weird!”
She dove under the covers, burying herself completely.
No, I can’t fall for him! Kylean is destined for the heroine. Even if she’s the culprit or not, once they meet, he’ll fall head over heels! If I give him my heart, I’ll only end up hurt! No way. Absolutely not!
And so, despite Sophia’s reminders to sleep early, Himena spent the entire night tossing and turning, kicking her blankets, and clutching her pounding heart until dawn.
