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Chapter 03
The first to react immediately was Beila.
She quickly looked at Yuse to check her position, and only then did she raise her guard toward the guest outside the door.
“Who is it?”
Then a familiar voice answered.
“Yuse, are you inside?”
“!”
Yuse’s eyes shook.
At the sound of his voice, her body reacted on its own. The tired look on her face disappeared, replaced by a bright smile.
With a soft smile blooming like a flower, she quickly prepared herself to greet Killian properly.
Even a child would not show emotion so quickly at the sight of candy.
Beila, who was usually relaxed but sharp in moments like this, gave a faint smile as she watched Yuse.
“Well… since Killian is here, hurry and open the door.”
As if embarrassed by her own reaction, Yuse fanned her flushed face and tried to speak calmly.
But Beila did not open the door right away.
She still looked cautious.
“My lady, you are not married yet. It is dangerous to let a man into your room so easily.”
“What? You’re here with me. I’m fine.”
“……”
“Killian is going to be my fiancé. And this is the Siarekatte estate. So hurry and open the door.”
“But, my lady—”
“Beila, please.”
At her insistence, Beila finally opened the door.
As expected, Killian was standing there. He was still wearing the same uniform as before, only his cloak removed.
It was such a small difference, yet to Yuse, he looked new and different.
“Did I disturb you?”
He lifted the corner of his lips.
Just that smile made her heart pound.
“N-No. Please come in.”
Yuse quickly shook her head and welcomed him inside.
“Beila, you can leave.”
And as if it were the most natural thing, she tried to send Beila away.
“Pardon? But, my lady—”
“You can just wait outside.”
In truth, Beila did not like Killian.
Their connection was only a promise made by their parents, and they had only exchanged letters. It felt like a formal relationship.
She could not understand why Yuse reacted so strongly, and that made her even more uneasy about leaving the two of them alone.
Still, Killian responded to Beila’s silent displeasure with the same calm smile.
That, more than anything, irritated her.
“Yuse, please don’t do that. There is no need to send Sir Beila away.”
Killian gently raised his hand and stopped Beila, who was about to step out.
Both Yuse and Beila looked at him.
Killian smiled brightly and leaned one shoulder against the door without fully entering the room.
Yuse could not take her eyes off his features.
He was also very polite.
She had not been able to see this side of him through letters alone, so discovering something new about him made her feel happy.
“I prepared dessert and tea downstairs for you. You must be tired after traveling so far, but I wanted to ease your fatigue even a little. It is simple, but I hope you will accept my sincerity.”
“H-How did you know I like desserts…?”
They had not spoken much face to face yet.
They had never shared their preferences directly.
“How could I forget?”
Killian shook his head warmly.
“In one of your letters, you clearly said you like desserts. I still remember your words—you said tea time with desserts is sweeter than anything else.”
“K-Killian! You remember that…?”
Yuse felt as if she could fly into the sky at any moment.
A man this kind was truly unfair.
And he was handsome too.
“You really remembered?”
She asked, trying to steady her trembling voice.
Killian nodded as if it were obvious.
“Yuse, I remember every letter you sent me.”
“R-Really?”
“Of course.”
Hearing that she was not the only one who remembered their letters made her blush deeply.
Her skin was especially pale, since she rarely went outside and had inherited her parents’ fair complexion.
No matter how much she fanned herself, the red color would not fade. Her face turned as red as the sunset.
With a soft laugh, Killian stepped away from the wall and held out his hand.
“Ah… y-yes, that sounds good!”
Still red-faced, Yuse slowly placed her hand in his, which was larger and stronger than hers.
Killian walked ahead quickly.
His steps were faster than when they had walked from the garden to the gate.
Even so, Yuse happily followed him.
Because the hand that held hers did not let go.
“It is only a small gesture, Yuse.”
When she followed Killian downstairs, she was greeted by a feast of sweet desserts.
Macarons, pudding, slices of cake.
And coffee to balance the sweetness.
Everything was prepared exactly to her taste.
Her father had always told her to limit sweets because they were not good for her health, but Killian did not say such things.
He simply remembered what she liked and prepared it for her.
‘I’m so happy… Killian is truly kind.’
Yuse shyly looked down at their joined hands.
“Please, have a seat.”
As if to pull out a chair for her, Killian released her hand.
It was a little disappointing, but it was fine.
Whatever he did next would surely be for her.
And she thought she was right.
At least, she thought so.
“Please sit.”
He first pulled out a chair for Yuse.
Then naturally, he also pulled out a chair for Beila, who had been standing behind her.
“Your Grace! Th-That’s not necessary.”
“Please don’t refuse. Sir Beila is part of Yuse’s party.”
“Th-Thank you… it is an honor.”
Ignoring the surprised expressions of both Yuse and Beila, Killian spoke smoothly.
“Please sit. I have also prepared seats for the others who came with Yuse. They will be able to enjoy this together.”
“Ah.”
For the first time, a small sound of disappointment escaped Yuse’s lips.
Only Beila, who was closest to her, noticed it.
Yuse had thought this might be a chance for her and Killian to get to know each other better.
But her expectation was completely wrong.
“Killian…”
Her quiet voice slipped out.
“Yes?”
Hearing the sound of many approaching footsteps, Killian answered.
To Yuse, his face still held the same pure smile.
His tone and actions were just as kind as before.
“N-Nothing.”
She had not expected him to hear her and quickly shook her head.
Yes, it must be her own selfishness.
Their relationship was still unclear, yet she was the only one moving ahead in her feelings.
“Rather, I should thank you, Killian. Not only for me, but for also taking care of everyone who came with me.”
Yuse forced her disappointed expression away and smiled brightly like him.
“It’s nothing.”
Killian gave her a quick wink.
And just like that, Yuse’s heart was captured again.
The dessert party was in full swing.
Yuse was the type who could skip a meal but never skip dessert.
But today was different.
Even with a large plate of sweets in front of her, her eyes kept turning toward Killian.
Killian often checked on her.
He asked if she was tired, if the desserts suited her taste.
That part made her happy.
But his kindness was not hers alone.
As the master of the estate, Killian was busy.
He moved around, taking care of Yuse’s companions as well, even making light jokes to make them laugh.
“Are you jealous?”
Beila, who had been watching Yuse’s gaze, suddenly asked.
“W-What? No! I just think Killian is good at speaking.”
“……”
Yuse was not good at lying.
Whenever she lied, her nose would twitch.
Of course, she did not know that.
And just now, her nose had twitched again.
Beila let out a small sigh.
“I-I really mean it…”
Yuse lowered her head, and her light brown hair fell to cover her face.
“Yuse.”
Beila was just about to suggest stepping outside for some fresh air.
But Killian, who had been talking with others moments ago, was suddenly standing in front of them.
At the sound of her name, light returned to Yuse’s face.
“You seem a little bored. Would you like to step outside for some fresh air with me?”
“K-Killian. Yes!”
The answer came out without thinking.
Her green eyes were already shining brightly.
Killian held out his hand, and Yuse took it.
“Sir Beila does not need to follow. Yuse will not leave my side.”
His words stopped Beila, who had been about to follow them.
Before she could even respond, Yuse reassured her and followed Killian.
Now, their walking pace was almost the same.
It was probably because Yuse was trying her best to match his steps.
