Chapter 40
He hesitated as he asked. It was the result of being scolded repeatedly by his younger sister and swinging his sword around in the training ground while lost in thought.
He wanted to spend the last day of the festival with Elinor.
He wanted to try a little bit of desire and courage before going back.
“Tomorrow?”
Hmm. Elinor, who had no way to understand Cain’s feelings, hesitated and couldn’t answer immediately.
Even walking through the desert for ten days wouldn’t make her this anxious or thirsty.
Feeling as if he were burning up dry, he waited for her answer.
“If it’s just the two of us going, won’t Stella feel upset?”
From Elinor’s point of view, seeing Cain as a friend’s older brother, this was a perfectly natural worry.
“If you want to go to the festival, just go with Stella. You don’t have to worry about her feelings.”
A kind and gentle smile appeared on Elinor’s lips. She was already deeply grateful that the siblings had given up half their vacation to help.
Since they would leave the day after tomorrow morning, it seemed nice to create a memory together before then.
Cain could already imagine what kind of scolding he would get for an hour if he told Stella about accepting Elinor’s words as they were.
“I don’t just want to go to the festival, I want to go with you.”
But not because he was afraid of being scolded—he was more afraid of leaving without trying anything—he reached out one more time.
“And Stella said she’s not interested in the festival.”
Cain shamelessly said something he never heard from his sister, putting on a poker face.
Stella didn’t like crowded places anyway, so it made sense she wasn’t really interested in the festival.
“Ah…”
Elinor also knew well about her friend’s personality, so she didn’t doubt Cain’s words.
However, she couldn’t understand why he wanted to go to the festival with her.
Why with me?
Her eyes filled with genuine curiosity.
“Why do you want to go to the festival with me?”
Elinor looked at him with a truly puzzled expression.
Since this reaction was somewhat familiar, Cain smiled slightly.
“Curious?”
At the natural question, Elinor nodded.
“Yes.”
“If we go together, I’ll tell you.”
He couldn’t lay his cards on the table just yet. Cain was a man who missed timing but knew how to read the atmosphere.
Right now, it wasn’t the time to be completely honest.
“…?”
Elinor was a bit baffled. She was curious about the reason for going together, but his answer that he would tell her if they went together was puzzling.
Wouldn’t he have to tell her the reason first so she could decide whether to go?
Cain usually wasn’t like this, but today was different.
Seeing Elinor’s slightly awkward expression didn’t make Cain back down. Once started, to back down now would truly be losing.
“Let’s just go for a little while in the evening and have some fun, okay?”
He lightly grabbed the edge of Elinor’s sleeve and shook it. He thought it might be disgusting if a big, dark man acted too cutesy, so he kept it minimal.
If it meant going to the festival together like this, he could do anything.
He was pouring all his pride and courage into this moment.
“Elinor.”
His voice calling her was so earnest that Elinor paused. Looking at Cain’s sharp eyes and sleek face reminded her of a cat.
What to say—he was like a good-natured cat? It wasn’t unpleasant.
He also looked like he’d be a little hurt if she refused.
‘Is going with me really that meaningful? It probably won’t be much fun.’
Though she didn’t quite understand, since he wanted it so much, she decided to accept.
After all, going to the festival briefly with Cain wouldn’t make the world collapse.
“All right. Then let’s go to the festival together.”
When the agreement finally came, Cain’s face lit up more than ever. He was happy that the courage he had first summoned toward Elinor didn’t end in rejection.
“Thank you.”
“No, I’ve always wanted to go to a festival at least once.”
Elinor smiled gently at Cain, who couldn’t hide his pleasure.
If they were just going to be away for a little while on the last evening, it would be fine.
Good is good, and seeing Cain so happy made her feel better too.
“So, you two are going to the festival?”
Stella was surprised when she heard Elinor say Cain had asked her to the festival.
They hadn’t spoken properly for years. Suddenly, he was making such a bold move?
Whatever she did yesterday must have had quite an effect. Stella, who had only seen her brother act foolishly, was even touched.
Finally, my idiot brother has come to his senses.
Elinor felt sorry when she saw Stella’s silent, surprised face.
Even if she wasn’t interested, it was natural to feel a bit left out when her brother and friend went together without her.
“Sorry, Stella. You must feel a bit hurt, right? But now it’s just you and Cain…”
“No. I’m not hurt. Not at all. Not even a little.”
If she interrupted here, she might get some resentment later. She’d probably be sulking for months.
How could she bear to see that?
“I absolutely don’t want to see it!”
Stella firmly denied with a cross mark made by her arms.
Just as Cain expected, she was not interested in crowded festivals at all.
“I don’t like crowded places.”
“But… is it really okay if only the two of us go?”
“Of course.”
Stella nodded her head positively.
Of course, she hoped they would definitely go together no matter what.
Not that she wished for her friend and brother to get along perfectly, but it was time to end her brother’s years of foolishness.
Knowing that Stella truly wasn’t upset made Elinor feel relieved. Although it was a bit sudden that they were going alone, it wasn’t so bad since Stella was fine with it.
She was curious because it was her first festival after all.
“I’ll buy you a present.”
“Get me something super delicious or super pretty. Preferably the latter.”
Elinor laughed at the sassy reply. It was obvious—after all, she knew Stella’s tastes better than anyone else.
While the two were sipping tea and the conversation paused briefly, Yahin came out of the next room.
He was just putting Yasmin, who had been nodding off, down for a nap.
Passing close by the sofa where Stella sat, he deliberately sat next to Elinor on the opposite sofa, leaving enough space for a person.
‘Why do they all do this on purpose?’
Seeing a big man like a black panther sitting beside Elinor like a loyal black dog, Stella clicked her tongue.
Her idiot brother was out, scouting the festival structure in advance for tomorrow.
At least that was a relief.
“Yahin, I’m going to the festival briefly tomorrow with Cain. Do you want me to get you something?”
Just as she showed no selfishness toward Cain, she seemed to show none toward Yahin.
So it made sense to ask him what he wanted while telling him she was going to the festival with Cain.
A dark cloud seemed to gather behind Yahin’s face at Elinor’s innocent question.
Seeing Yahin’s broad shoulders slump, Stella shook her head.
Yahin hurriedly pulled out his notebook, the one Elinor had given him, and started writing quickly with the fountain pen she gave.
At the apricot festival, men and women cannot go together.
“What? Men and women can’t go together? Why?”
Elinor looked up at Yahin with clear eyes, puzzled.
Why couldn’t men and women go together? Isn’t a festival something you can enjoy alone?
Because if two people go together, it means they are lovers!
Yahin added a big exclamation mark, as if reflecting his feelings.
At Oklama’s apricot festival, there was a well-known superstition among the residents. If a man and woman go together that day, it meant they had become lovers.
Because the territory was small, young men and women often started romance that way, so the superstition was born.
Elinor had no idea and eagerly accepted Cain’s invitation, and Cain had just luckily stumbled upon it.
“I see. I didn’t know.”
Elinor nodded quietly at the superstition she heard from Yahin for the first time, with a serious expression.
Will you not go? Yahin looked at Elinor with hope that she would refuse.
“But Cain and I are not that kind of relationship.”
Even Stella, who had been perked up and nervous, faltered at Elinor’s carefree and weary reply.
Elinor stopped Yahin from writing. She knew what he was going to say, but that wouldn’t happen.
Because—
“Yahin, you don’t really know. In noble society, I can’t be linked easily with Cain.”
Unlike Elinor, a noble lady who had been broken off three times, Cain was a noble gentleman who had never been engaged.
Moreover, Cain was a marquess’ son, higher rank than Elinor who was the daughter of a count, and Elinor was to inherit a baron’s title, so it was even less likely.
“Superstitions come true only if someone desperately wishes it. I tend to believe in superstitions, but neither of us wishes for that to happen.”
Elinor’s face was as pure as a child’s as she smiled and said that, leaving Stella speechless. Yahin also froze and couldn’t move his hand.
It was fortunate that her brother wasn’t here.
Stella felt a bit sorry for her brother. If only he hadn’t acted foolishly all these years.
But looking on the bright side, since there was no doubt at all, the superstition wouldn’t cancel their plans.
Anyway, the important thing was that they were going to the festival together.
Seeing Yahin at a loss for what else to say, Stella silently gave her brother a hollow victory.
Lisa was thrilled to hear that Elinor was going to the festival.
One of the joys of life for a maid was dressing up her mistress.
She had been disappointed that Elinor would be at the castle all festival long, so this golden opportunity was very welcome.
She found it a little odd that Elinor was going with Cain, but it wasn’t important to her.
After all, Cain was the brother of her close friend Stella, so it made sense.
What mattered was dressing Elinor up for the festival.
“Miss, please sit here so I can style your hair.”
Lisa’s earnestness about decorating impressed Elinor.
When Elinor asked, “Can you pick out some clothes to wear for the festival?” Lisa had already gathered all the accessories as well.
Lisa braided Elinor’s soft honey-colored hair and twisted it down gently. She tied it carefully with a ribbon with pearls so it wouldn’t hurt.
Elinor wore small flower-shaped jewel earrings and a pearl necklace and stood up. Lisa brought shoes matching the dress color.
Elinor put on moderately heeled shoes and stood in front of the mirror to check herself.
The pale pink dress had a wide lace ruffle neckline and semi-transparent puffed chiffon sleeves.
The trimming satin ribbon at the waist was a darker shade of deep pink.
The fabric was light and airy, neither hot nor tight. Confirming that the dress was perfect, Elinor got ready to leave.
“Did you agree to meet at the central hallway on the first floor at Maxil’s place?”
“Yes. It’s about time to go.”
Lisa opened the door first and was surprised. Cain Maxil was waiting right in front of the door, even though they were supposed to meet in the hallway.
“What’s wrong?”
Lisa stopped, expecting to leave immediately, and Elinor asked as if nothing had happened.
“Miss, Lord Maxil is right in front.”
“Really?”
It was earlier than the agreed time and not the meeting place.
Lisa opened the door wider and turned her body, revealing Cain Maxil dressed in dark blue uniform.
In Oklama, he usually wore just a shirt and vest casually, so this formal look was rare.
He looked like the deputy commander of the royal knights they had seen visiting the Maxil marquess family.
“I came to pick you up early.”
Cain cleared his throat when he saw Elinor’s wide-open eyes and reached out his hand.
“Let’s go, Elinor.”
Fighting off his shyness, he said this. Elinor, who was silent for a moment, took his hand.
“Both of you be careful.”
Since Cain came early, Lisa didn’t have to accompany them to the central hallway. She bowed politely at the door and saw them off.
After parting from her maid, Elinor headed to the castle gate with Cain. The Ponpuri carriage was waiting.
Helping her into the carriage, Elinor suddenly chuckled. Cain looked at her, puzzled.
“What’s so funny?”
“No, it’s just that it feels like I’m being escorted to a ball even though it’s just a local festival.”
There was no need to hold hands and escort her. It wasn’t a ball gown nor a heavy dress, and after all, they were just going to watch the festival.
So when Cain reached out his hand, Elinor accepted with a slight delay. She hadn’t expected the escort.
“I wasn’t planning to escort you originally.”
Meaning, he wasn’t trying to overdo it.
Stella had nagged him until she was hoarse to keep it casual and not burden Elinor.
But when he was waiting for Elinor on the first floor, he got nervous and went up without realizing it. Seeing Elinor appear lightly, his hand reached out without his knowledge.
“Then why did you do it?”
“Nervous.”
“Nervous?”
A laugh came from Elinor’s voice. What was there to be nervous about a man who was deputy commander of the royal knights in front of a noble lady?
Cain glanced at her with a soft smile and admitted honestly.
“Yes, I was nervous.”
“Why?”
“Just… because I’m shaking. And I’m always nervous in front of you.”
Wow, not even Lisa thinks it’s possible or that he might be interested.
Oh Cain.. you are completely friend zoned