FMLDM 23

Chapter 23.

 I Wasn’t Trusting That Man
2020.11.21

Coral in a pure white dress! Her tiny tiara sparkling on her head made my heart skip a few beats—each time feeling like it died and then came back to life. She looked like a little bride, so cute and delicate.

“Coral, where did you leave your wings?”

I didn’t even realize how intently I had been staring. Ah, Coral was cute, charming, and beautiful again… It felt like all the cuteness in the world had been poured into her. Everything about her pleased me, but this pure white dress this time was especially breathtaking. If I had to pick the best thing I’d seen so far, it would be this.

“What do you like the most, Coral?”

Coral hesitated for a long time, clearly finding it a tough question. After thinking, she pointed to a small party dress adorned with glittering pearls. Ah yes, she looked adorable in that too. Choosing my own outfit was easy, but picking for Coral was dozens of times harder.

Then, a rumbling sound echoed through the hall. I wasn’t hungry just looking at our Coral, so it couldn’t be me. Macaron? Judging by the faint smile on his face, it wasn’t him either. Coral, looking a bit flustered, seemed to be the culprit. Shopping takes stamina—Coral hadn’t even had breakfast and had been playing model for over an hour, so it was no wonder she was running out of energy. Macaron even found her belly rumblings cute, a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth.

“Coral seems very hungry. I think we’ve looked enough, so let’s go have a meal.”

We rode a carriage to a nearby restaurant. I was told it was run by the royal chief chefs. The restaurant was perched on a cliff with a breathtaking view, its transparent dome structure giving a sense of openness. Inside, the view through the glass windows looked like a painting: a beautiful sea, majestic cliffs stretching across, the sound of waves crashing and birds chirping… Coral stared at it as if entranced. Macaron met my gaze, the satisfied expression on his face softening.

“Do you like it? If not, we can go somewhere else…”

“It’s perfect.”

I said quickly, not wanting him to get up, though it seemed ambiguous to him.

“I love it completely.”

Only then did a smile appear on his lips.

“I was worried, so I’m relieved.”

He worried that I might not like it here… What kind of places does he usually take people to? Maybe I should have said I didn’t like it and tried another place? Seeing my reaction, Macaron seemed a little more confident. He subtly adjusted his posture and pointed beyond the window.

“Do you see the cliff over there?”

A sheer, beautiful cliff was in view.

“Yes, I see it.”

“The sunrise from there is breathtaking. You can see the entire Craide territory, and the sea stretches endlessly.”

He spoke as if he often went there.

“It was my hideout when I was a child. Being there made me feel free.”

For the first time, Macaron was revealing his world. His profile looked strangely bitter. Even someone born as a handsome prince, who seemed like he would have no worries, had a difficult childhood.

“I see.”

It was the first time he shared something so personal, and I naturally listened. The silence stretched on, and I noticed his ears were slightly red, facing me.

“Would you like to go there with me next time?”

This was his world, the one he was showing me for the first time. Why was he telling me this? Simply wanting to grow closer? Or did it mean something deeper? Either way, there was no reason not to take the chance.

“…I’ll go.”

A rare smile appeared on Macaron’s face. Under the scattered sunlight, his face looked decadent, yet the smile within it seemed pure. I wanted to imprint that expression in my memory. As I quietly observed him, the plates of food began arriving in order. Macaron must have instructed the chefs, because every dish suited our tastes. They said beautiful scenery makes people sentimental—perhaps that was why I felt a strange flutter of emotion, as if someone precious had become even closer.

In my previous life, my family called me ugly and abused me, and the world looked at me with ridicule. Every disdainful gaze built a wall inside me. Changing my exterior or environment didn’t change me overnight. It was instinct to suppress any flicker of hope—disappointment after hope only brought regret. That naïve fool who hoped for even small things was left in that past world. But now, the walls felt like they were crumbling.

Macaron sliced the steak neatly and placed it on Coral’s plate.

“Is it good?”

“Yes, it’s delicious!”

He gazed at Coral with a honeyed expression. Coral could smile so beautifully thanks to him—he was clearly a good father. Coral quickly ate all the food without hesitation. Is this what happiness feels like? I tried the food myself—the juicy steak melted in my mouth, perfectly paired with asparagus. Even I, usually not fond of salad, finished a plate. The chefs here were truly skilled. When dessert came, I hesitated about returning to the dressing room.

‘They were all beautiful… which should I choose?’

In the end, two options remained—the one I had chosen and the one Coral had chosen.

‘Can I ask him to buy both? Wouldn’t that be too shameless?’

As we got into the carriage, he spoke to the coachman and then sat beside me. The carriage gradually left the crowded center and headed outward. But… why does this scenery look familiar? The coachman seemed to have taken a wrong turn. Glancing at Macaron, he too was staring out the window. His indifferent but careful expression met mine with a subtle wink. Soon, the carriage reached Craide territory and returned to the mansion. He extended his hand for me to get down, and I was completely flustered.

‘I thought we were going back to the dressing room…’

Coral also seemed utterly dejected, thinking the same. My Coral—who made her feel discouraged! I instinctively glared at Macaron.

‘Could it be… he was shocked by the price of the clothes? I should have realized when he suggested going to eat…’

‘Then why go somewhere so expensive? If you go, you should buy it. Don’t just tease the child and leave. How can I let Coral be so upset? I feel awful…’

Macaron extended his hand again, but I ignored it and got off the carriage. Walking beside him, I felt absurd. I wanted to ask why we weren’t going to the dressing room, but I couldn’t. After all, he was going to buy it—if I asked, it’d feel like complaining. But I couldn’t remain unaffected. Honestly, even as we entered the mansion, my stunned feeling had turned into anger seeing Coral sulking. Then, Macaron smiled gently and in a voice as soft as cream puffs asked:

“What style of dress do you prefer, madam?”

Was he trying to tease me? I nearly swore, but clenched my teeth and reminded myself to be patient.

“I don’t have a preference.”

Macaron, seemingly unbothered, asked again innocently:

“Then do you have a preferred designer or store?”

What could possibly be in that brain of his? If he was teasing, I’d beat him until he couldn’t speak; if he was clueless… he wasn’t worth living. I clenched my fist and said firmly:

“I don’t have any of that.”

He looked slightly surprised by my harsh tone, but immediately went toward the west annex. He must have realized I was angry. Seeing sulking Coral, I couldn’t sleep from frustration.

‘That’s right. I shouldn’t have trusted him.’

Feeling helpless as a mother, my eyes blurred with tears. The more sorrowful I felt, the stronger my resolve became. I had stayed up all night studying the changer’s blueprints. I regretted trusting him to buy clothes. As morning came and tea time approached, I hesitated briefly before moving. I didn’t want to openly refuse tea as before—it would make me look too transparent… nor did I want to serve tea smiling sweetly. So, I took a small revenge. Macaron sipped the tea elegantly, but then looked at me as if ready to spit it out.

‘Bitter, right? I had a worse night yesterday, you fool!’

Watching him, I took a sip of the sweet tea.

“Is something wrong? Does the tea taste off?”

Noticing the strange atmosphere, Macaron lowered his head.

“…No.”

He drank the bitter tea while watching me. When the cup was nearly empty, he set it down with an expression as if he had completed a punishment.

‘He knows he did something wrong, right?’

So he wasn’t completely clueless—but why was he like that yesterday? At that moment, he cautiously spoke:

“Did I make a mistake yesterday?”

Mistake… where should I even start? This wasn’t something to explain. Did he really not know what he did wrong? And now he wanted me to tell him?

“Why do you ask?”

“Because you seemed upset…”

“Well, if it looks like that, then it probably is.”

As Macaron fidgeted awkwardly, Lord Momont entered. In the silent room, he looked around carefully.

“Shall I come back later?”

“No, tell me now.”

Lord Momont held a luxurious outfit stamped with the <Frill> brand we saw yesterday.

“This is the outfit Lord Kai will wear for the swordsmanship competition.”

So yesterday, the Coral clothes were just an excuse? He had actually been shopping for Kai’s outfit while Coral played model? The more I thought, the more my anger returned. Why didn’t he just say so? If money was tight, why lie and say it was for Coral? The world was cruel everywhere. I stood up abruptly, and both Momont and Macaron followed my gaze.

“I’ll leave now.”

Macaron’s deep gaze followed me as I walked out. In the space Calypso left, Macaron let out a long sigh. Seeing the serious expression on my lord after a long time, Lord Momont also looked grave.

“Did you wrong Madam in some way?”