MDCHC 24

chapter 24

“Um, is it okay if I sit in front?”

For the first time, Daniel voiced his opinion. It was at the puppet troupe’s performance. Hugging Tosuni tightly, Daniel asked with slightly flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes.

“Of course. Where do you want to sit?”

Nodding at the permission, Daniel quickly moved his little legs and went to the front row.

How cute! A little doll going to watch a puppet show!

I watched with a pleased expression as Daniel hopped onto a chair in the front row.

Then I decided I’d sit next to him…

“Ah!”

I suddenly realized something and froze in place before reaching Daniel. Sir Winchester, who was walking beside me, also came to an abrupt stop.

“Please wait a moment.”

I left Sir Winchester standing and approached Daniel.

“Daniel, you’ll sit here quietly and watch by yourself, right? Your father and I will watch from back there.”

The child looked a little uneasy, but when he heard we’d be watching, he clutched Tosuni and nodded. It was so cute that I patted his head and then returned to Sir Winchester’s side.

“I think it’s better if we sit over there, to the side or behind.”

Seeing that he wanted to sit away from Daniel, I noticed a slightly puzzled expression on Sir Winchester’s face, but he nodded.

We decided the edge of the back where Daniel could see best, and Sir Winchester silently sat beside me. The chairs were small and close together, probably because it wasn’t a proper theater but temporary seats brought by a traveling troupe. His large frame pressed closely to mine.

Through our touching arms, I felt Sir Winchester’s lukewarm body heat. I slightly pulled my arm inward, and I felt him glance at me.

Worried it might look awkward, I relaxed my arm again. His firm arm touched mine again. Just an arm touching another arm, yet his presence was overwhelming.

“Was that considerate of you?”

Right before the curtain rose, Sir Winchester asked quietly.

“If we sit in front, the little ones behind won’t be able to see.”

Among the front row kids gathered closely together, Daniel’s eyes were shining as he watched the stage. The other children were the same.

“We didn’t come to watch it as adults anyway. It’s probably a little childish from our perspective.”

“You…”

“Wow~ So many of our friends are here today! Hi! I’m Rabbit!”

“Waaaah!”

“It’s starting!”

“Waaaah!”

As the curtain opened and the cute rabbit puppet appeared, the children screamed with excitement. I couldn’t hear what Sir Winchester had said.

“Excuse me? What did you say?”

Leaning toward him to hear again, all I could hear was the clear, shrill voices of the children, not his deep voice.

“I can’t hear you, Sir Winchester.”

I leaned closer and tilted my face toward him, bringing my ear right to his. Now, there was barely any space between our arms either.

It was at that moment.

“Miss Naery?”

A low voice whispered in my ear. Along with the words, warm breath brushed against my earlobe, and I stiffened without realizing it. Goosebumps rose on my arms, and every hair on my body stood on end.

“Miss Naery…”

Unaware of the changes in my body, Sir Winchester continued whispering. His breath and low voice seeped into my ear without any filter.

“Ahhhh!”

Instinctively, I clamped my hands over my ears and leapt from my seat, shouting.

I felt all eyes around me turn toward me. Even Sir Winchester, who was sitting beside me, looked up, slightly startled. Even Daniel’s innocent eyes were on me.

“Ah, uh, er, ah!”

I couldn’t tell them what had happened. The moment my husband whispered my name in my ear, I had felt something I couldn’t control.

“Ra-Rabbit, so cute!”

I raised my hand high and waved toward the stage.

“Go, Rabbit! Ahahaha~!”

Cheering for the puppet, waving my hand, and laughing exaggeratedly, I slid back into my seat, lowering my head as much as possible so no one could see my face.

“….”

Sir Winchester’s gaze pierced my lowered head, but I couldn’t lift it. My face felt as if it were about to burst from heat.

“That was fun!”

After the puppet show, Daniel shared his thoughts. Even without saying anything, his flushed face and slightly higher voice clearly showed he had enjoyed it.

“Really? That’s good.”

Smiling, I held Daniel’s hand. After the show, everyone rushed out of the theater, making it crowded. I held Daniel’s hand tightly to make sure we wouldn’t lose him.

“And Sir Winchester…”

I realized the space beside me felt empty. He had been right here just a moment ago.

“There he is.”

Daniel pointed with the hand holding Tosuni, and indeed, Sir Winchester was there. Though there were people around, his tall frame made him easily visible.

“Sir Winchester?”

It wasn’t until I got closer that I realized he was standing at a stall. Not only were colorful puppets from the show displayed neatly, but cute animal-shaped snacks that children would like were also sold in charming boxes.

“What do you think, Daniel? Should we buy a puppet as a souvenir?”

“No, I’m fine. I have Tosuni.”

Ah~ even loyal to puppets! How adorable is that?

“I’ll take this and this.”

“Ah! Sir Winchester, Daniel says he’s fine.”

I hurriedly stopped him from buying a snack and a puppet. It seemed he hadn’t heard Daniel’s refusal due to the noisy crowd. I gave a look to the salesperson as an apology, but he ignored me and handed the puppet and snack to Sir Winchester quickly.

But refunds are a consumer right!

Just as I was about to return the puppet saying it wasn’t necessary, he suddenly extended the puppet toward me.

“?”

Was he giving it to Daniel? Or was he too shy to hand it directly? I glanced at Daniel—he already had a snack in his hand.

What’s going on?

“You didn’t like it?”

“Huh?”

I instinctively widened my eyes at Sir Winchester’s words.

When did I? Honestly, the story was too neat and predictable; I nearly fell asleep! My tastes were strictly adult romance dramas that brought a few tears…

“Go, Rabbit! Ahahaha~!”

Then it hit me. The goosebumps I got when Sir Winchester whispered in my ear made me jump from my seat, and my over-involvement in the puppet show was just an excuse.

And the puppet I had cheered for was the very one Sir Winchester now held out to me.

“Th-That’s true, but I’m not really at the age to receive puppets as gifts.”

“……”

Sir Winchester paused at my words. His gaze shifted between the puppet and me. He didn’t speak, but I could feel his embarrassment.

“Oh, no, thank you, Sir Winchester!”

I quickly took the puppet from his hand, not wanting to embarrass someone who had gone out of his way for me. I held it to my chest with an awkward smile and thanked him. Sir Winchester gave a slight nod in response.

“I’ll take good care of it.”

Perhaps because the lies I’d told him were piling up, my heart pounded as it touched the puppet.