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chapter 37
“If it weren’t for me again, you wouldn’t have said a single word until we parted, right?”
Siegfried asked with a rather hurt tone. Maybe it was the nearby firelight, but his eyes looked slightly red.
I couldn’t deny it. I had been more conscious of him than last time, but still, I was planning to let things slide.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“Because it feels like Your Highness already knows everything.”
What was I supposed to do with this Siegfried? Seeing him smile so sadly made my chest tighten.
“Even so, I’m trying hard. So see me in a good light.”
“Your Highness is beautiful.”
“Not my face.”
“Then… what part?”
I tilted my head. He could probably conquer the world with that face alone—what more could he want?
Siegfried lightly bit his lip. Then he leaned down and nudged his head toward me. His soft hair swayed gently. He clearly knew exactly how to get to me.
Without hesitation, I reached out and stroked his hair. It was soft and warm from being near the fire. I wanted to compress it and carry it around in my pocket to touch all day.
“You’re like a puppy…”
“Now you’re even insulting me out loud.”
“It’s not an insult. It’s a compliment.”
“Hmph.”
“Seriously, it is.”
“A male one?”
“Yes, a male.”
“Then I’ll let it slide.”
I wasn’t sure why, but he seemed satisfied. After petting his hair to my heart’s content, I lowered my hand.
“So, was that all just to get your head patted?”
“Of course not. What do you think I am? I was going to ask your opinion. How do I best flaunt my wealth?”
“I’m not sure what kind of answer you’re hoping for, but definitely not by bribing Killian like earlier.”
I replied firmly.
“Next time, read a romance novel or two. The male leads in those don’t act like that.”
“Then how do they act?”
“That’s for Your Highness to figure out. At this rate, when will you ever date or get married?”
I wasn’t his nanny—I didn’t need to spell everything out for him.
He looked oddly sullen again. Seeing him wear that expression so openly, it was clear any so-called “cold war” between us had already ended long ago.
He seemed about to press me for more answers but sighed when he saw Abyssion approaching.
“Ariel, the Corte grapes are here.”
“I’ve waited so long for this day.”
I noticed now that the villagers were bustling near the dining table. They were stacking heaps of grapes into silver platters from baskets woven from twigs.
“Your Highness, let’s go eat grapes!”
I eagerly grabbed Siegfried’s arm and urged him. I wanted to show him just how delicious Corte grapes were.
“Abyssion, hurry up too.”
“I already had a bunch.”
“What? You sneaky little—!”
I grabbed Abyssion by the collar and shook him. No wonder his lips looked a bit red…!
“If it were me, I’d spend this time eating more, Ariel.”
Abyssion gently set me down, smiling. He had the smug confidence of someone who’d already tasted it.
“You didn’t even think to sneak some to your beloved sister and ate it all yourself?”
“I couldn’t help it. I helped carry the grape sacks from the farm here.”
“I could’ve helped too!”
“How could I bring you along in the dark at night?”
Lame excuse. I knew Abyssion loved grapes just as much as I did.
“Hurry and go eat. I even left a bunch in your room for later.”
“I love you, oppa!”
“You only say that at times like this…”
Abyssion shook his head.
But my eyes were already fixed on the table. Can you believe a single bunch of grapes costs nearly 500 Erks? It was right there in front of me. With a small farm and complex cultivation methods, the price was however high they wanted to set.
I led Siegfried quickly to the table.
“Why are you making such a big fuss over fruit?”
After witnessing my tussle with Abyssion, Siegfried frowned in confusion.
“We were having a far more important conversation and you cut it off for this.”
He clearly wasn’t thrilled Abyssion had interrupted. I left Siegfried to grumble on his own.
He might be complaining now, but one bite of those grapes and all that would disappear. Just look around.
The others were already hugging their plates. Count Paresa, seemingly having forgotten all about heartbreak, didn’t even notice me nearby. He had his eyes closed, savoring the taste. Juice dripping down his chin made me want to hand him a napkin.
I placed one of the two plates I’d brought in front of Siegfried. Even in this moment, I was considerate enough to look after the innocent lamb.
Maybe this year was a bumper crop because the grapes were even bigger than last year. Their ruby-red skin shone brightly. I plucked one and popped it into my mouth. The moment I rolled it with my tongue and bit down slightly, sweet juice burst out, surprising me.
“Wow.”
How could it be even sweeter than last year? I cupped my cheeks and let out a silent squeal of joy. Honestly, my reaction was pretty composed. Some knights a bit farther down the table were crying.
Okay, maybe that was overreacting. It was heavenly, sure, but not enough to pray to the gods.
“Your Highness, please try it. You won’t find grapes like these anywhere else in the empire.”
I spoke with three grapes puffing up my cheeks. Siegfried chuckled at the sight.
“You can just eat mine too.”
“True love, truly.”
“Took you long enough to realize.”
“Geez.”
Clearly, he hadn’t tasted them yet. I quickly took one and popped it into Siegfried’s mouth. Startled at first, his eyes quickly curved into a smile. Seeing how delighted he was just from a grape made my chest flutter.
Then, as he chewed quietly, he murmured in admiration.
“…You’re right. This is really good.”
“Right? Now do you understand why I acted that way?”
“I do.”
Siegfried nodded calmly. Then he stared at my nearly empty plate.
“Did you use teleportation magic?”
“Yep. Into my stomach.”
“Impressive. Try transporting this too.”
He pushed his plate toward me.
“Eat it all.”
“Huh?”
For a second, he looked like he was glowing. I stared blankly, lips parted.
“What’s with that reaction?”
Siegfried leaned on one hand and smirked. Joking about food isn’t funny.
“Did you just swallow it whole without chewing?”
“Nope. Chewed thoroughly.”
“Then how…?”
“True love?”
“……”
He tilted his head slowly. I clasped my hands over my mouth and spoke in a shaky voice.
“I think I’m falling for you a little right now.”
“……”
Siegfried’s facial muscles twitched. I quickly corrected myself.
“Just kidding. Thank you for the food.”
“Wait, before you eat.”
He reached toward me. I instinctively hugged the plate to my chest.
“No take-backs!”
“It’s not that.”
He sighed. His gaze at the plate seemed to say, “Is this really worth all this fuss…?”
“Are you… jealous of the grapes?”
“…A little.”
“The grapes win.”
“Now I kinda want to take them and burn them.”
“Your Highness, you’re so cool! So handsome!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I’d complimented him so often that it barely affected him anymore. He tilted his head sarcastically.
“You’re not trying to take them back, right? Be honest.”
“No.”
“I don’t want to be greedy either. Maybe.”
“I said no.”
Siegfried ruffled his hair in frustration and stood up.
“Eat all you want.”
“I’d love to, but there are a lot of people here this year…”
I murmured regretfully. Siegfried clicked his tongue and called over a staff member.
I’d already lost interest in him and returned to my grapes. He whispered something to the staff and glanced at me. The staff member’s eyes widened, nodded, and hurried off. Siegfried sat back down.
“You really love them, huh? I must be invisible.”
“Yep.”
By now, I had almost finished my second plate. I could eat more, but I was satisfied. As I wiped my mouth with a sigh of bliss, Siegfried stared at me.
“Did you leave that for me? So kind.”
“Sorry, I cleaned the plate completely.”
I pushed it away with a smile. Siegfried shook his head.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Then, suddenly, he leaned in. Before I could pull away, something rough brushed against my lower lip.
“You didn’t wipe this, did you?”
He smiled softly, eyes crinkling.
…Did Siegfried just wipe my lip with his thumb? I blinked in shock.
“Tastes good.”
Still leaning toward me, he licked the grape juice from his thumb.
In that moment, he overlapped perfectly with the vision of the beautiful young man from the siren’s illusion.
My face burst into flames.
