TDSFE 35

chapter 35

2021.06.01

If she relaxed even a little, he looked like he might start grinning foolishly at any moment. Ruvenhart deliberately hardened his expression. The face that always smiled now settled into a calm, almost indifferent mask. His tightly closed lips even seemed somewhat cold. Seeing this, Thesia’s heart sank.

What should I do? Has Hart really gotten angry?

Thesia had never seen Ruvenhart look this cold. Until now, he had acted with a single-minded determination to please her. He had always smiled kindly. Now, seeing him suddenly aloof, worry began to rise within her.

Could it be that he’s already decided to return to Tiranavan?

That could never happen. Her heart racing, Thesia grabbed Ruvenhart’s hand tightly. Ruvenhart, who had been quietly gathering his own thoughts, flinched slightly at the touch, looking almost like a helpless lamb scared of a wolf.

“Hart.”

Thesia spoke as gently as she could. She had to turn Ruvenhart’s heart around somehow, starting now.

“Are you okay? Maybe Alex misunderstood my orders. I only meant for you to come with me.”

“…I’m fine, Thesia.”

Ruvenhart answered, avoiding her gaze. Thesia didn’t realize that his heart was pounding wildly beneath his calm exterior. Maintaining this composed appearance was its own struggle.

“Hart, there’s something I need to say.”

“…What is it?”

“I want to apologize for putting you in danger during the incident at the merchant’s guild.”

Ruvenhart’s brows furrowed slightly.

Is this not the right approach?

Thesia quickly added more.

“The knights should have led the action, not the mages. I acted hastily.”

“I volunteered for that duty.”

“No. Even so, I should have been the one to step forward.”

And after all, Ruvenhart wasn’t a combat mage—he was a healing mage. Even on the battlefield, healing mages typically stay beside allies, not on the front lines. It wasn’t strange for him to have been emotionally hurt.

“As the commander of the Valkyrie Knights, I vow to reward your efforts. If you wish, I can ensure you can continue to stay in the Estonian Empire. Even if you’re not my fiancée, I’ll help you enjoy the status you deserve as a valuable healing mage of the Valkyrie Knights.”

Thesia’s words made Ruvenhart’s eyes widen. This was unexpected. Assistance—he couldn’t imagine a greater benefit. After all, Ruvenhart had come to the Estonian Empire for a fresh start, hadn’t he?

Thesia didn’t stop there. She decided to express her recent feelings honestly, things she had thought about while he had been absent from her side.

“And I want you to stay by my side.”

“…What?”

“It feels empty without you.”

Life went on as usual, but it didn’t feel the same. It was strange to suddenly lose someone who had always been nearby. Once she realized that Ruvenhart had been avoiding her intentionally, she understood it wasn’t just her imagination.

“Hart?”

Thesia tilted her head at his silence. Ruvenhart, who had been hiding his face in his fists, suddenly turned his head. His ears were tinged red, visible even through the strands of hair he had tried to hide.

You want to stay by my side?

This was almost a confession. For Ruvenhart, who had worked tirelessly to seduce Thesia, this should have been a moment of joy. Finally, his plan was bearing fruit. But now, he felt more pleasure from the possibility that Thesia might feel the same way.

“Hart, look at me for a moment.”

“…No, Thesia.”

“No? Don’t act like that. You haven’t been looking at my face at all. Why are you avoiding me?”

Thesia grabbed Ruvenhart’s cheek and turned his face toward her. She could no longer tolerate him looking away. Today, she would get a clear answer from Hart. Ruvenhart’s eyes widened as their gazes finally met. It had been a long time since he had seen her this close. Her small, delicate features, her lively, sparkling eyes—anyone could see she was the kind of princess worthy of love. Her cheek, pressed under Thesia’s hand, burned red. She worried it might be completely flushed.

At that moment, fireworks signaling the start of the Spring Festival erupted brilliantly. Bang! Bang! The colorful fireworks, crafted with magic by Ruvenhart and the academy members, decorated the sky—unaware of the turmoil inside him. The magical light cascaded over Thesia’s face, painting her white skin red and blue, as if coloring her in his own hues. Her heart, which she had been trying to calm, thumped wildly. Her unchecked emotions reacted to every action Thesia made. Perhaps the moment she began seeking light in him, the game had already been lost. Damn it. I don’t even know myself.

Ruvenhart placed his hand over Thesia’s, which had been pressing against his cheek. Their hands overlapped, warm and intertwined. Treating her hand as if it were the most precious thing in the world, he lowered it gently.

“Ruvenhart?”

Thesia’s eyes widened in surprise at his actions. Without a word, Ruvenhart leaned in and kissed her.

He gently cradled her head. Her soft pink hair slipped through his fingers, tickling his hands. Startled by the sudden kiss, Thesia froze, but she didn’t push him away or refuse. Ruvenhart smiled softly. Though it wasn’t their first kiss, the joy it brought was unprecedented. A deep, overwhelming satisfaction bubbled up from within him. Strangely, the kiss seemed to resolve all the worries that had been swirling through his mind. Flames began to ignite in Ruvenhart’s heart as well.

Alex, who had been keeping the knights at a distance, was aghast.

“Oh my….”

Did they really just… kiss? Even seeing it with his own eyes, he could hardly believe it. Thesia, our commander, in a relationship! And the timing of the Spring Festival fireworks made it even more romantic. Alex wasn’t the only one surprised.

“Am I dreaming right now?”

“The gossip was true!!”

Thesia—the commander who could detect living monsters on the battlefield but whose romantic senses were completely nonexistent—was now kissing someone! They had doubted she could ever date, let alone marry. But their healing mage had just revived Thesia’s long-dead romantic cells.

Moments later, Thesia suddenly strode toward them. The knights, ready to cheer at their commander’s romantic news, quickly dispersed upon seeing her serious expression.

“Why does her face look so serious after kissing a handsome, young man?”

“I don’t know.”

Whispered guesses among the knights suggested that this might not be a celebration but the preparation for a funeral. Thesia passed Alex and addressed him in a firm tone.

“Alex.”

“Y-Yes!”

“You’ll lead the evening patrol. Can you manage it?”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

Alex, still wary of her stern expression, hurriedly responded. Thesia nodded slightly and walked past him, leaving the area. All eyes turned toward Ruvenhart, who remained alone by the riverside where the fireworks burst.

Tsk tsk… he’s been rejected.

A sigh of pity accompanied the thought.

Thesia strode through the festival-packed streets with purpose. Even amidst the crowd, her steps were unhesitant.

I need to see Dora.

Today, Eldora had said she would go to the opera with her date and then enjoy a private evening together. The performance had started in the early evening, so it was likely ending now. If she moved quickly, Thesia might reach her before she left the theater. Her pink hair flowed vividly, visible even from afar. People who recognized the war hero of the empire tried to approach her, but upon seeing her serious expression, they backed off. Those watching whispered among themselves:

“Why does the princess look so serious on a festival day?”

“Has something serious happened?”

Something serious had indeed happened—in Thesia’s heart. Thump, thump. Her heart had been racing since the moment Ruvenhart kissed her.

A kiss… right?

Thesia unconsciously touched her lips, still feeling the lingering sensation. That had been her first kiss. She was completely serious. She wanted Ruvenhart to stay in the Estonian Empire, so she promised him the best treatment and persuaded him. She had expected him to respond to her proposal with words, not a kiss! First, she was shocked that he kissed her. Then, she was surprised to find she didn’t dislike it. Of course, when Hart tried to prolong the kiss, she panicked. Ultimately, she had pushed him away without realizing it.

“Dora!”

“Ah! Oh, Thesia?”

Eldora, coming out of the theater, was caught off guard by Thesia’s sudden appearance. She let out a small sigh of relief.

“Thesia. What’s going on? Did you come looking for me?”

“Dora, I need you to make time for me.”

“Huh? But didn’t you say you’d be busy from today?”

Thesia shook her head vigorously. Patrols and royal events didn’t matter now. This was her first kiss! Even a woman with “dead” romantic cells could tell that this wasn’t just a greeting kiss. Seeing Thesia’s serious expression, Eldora sighed. Something must have happened between Thesia and her fiancé. Thesia grabbed Eldora, her face tense, and whispered:

“…I think I might have a heart condition.”