TRWVPS 77

Chapter 77

The Reason That Villain Wields a Sword

The sound of the princess scolding Helix reached her ears.

“Helix Exart, tell me what you realized in the West!”

“Yes… it’s all my fault.”

“You’re truly despicable.”

“I also think I’m a despicable person.”

Amon’s mocking laugh could be heard as he watched Helix being scolded by the princess.

Derek seemed pleased that Ferdin had been stockpiling alcohol, and Karon had somehow joined in with them.

It was a seemingly happy daily scene.

Erin brought her hand to her cheek. She could feel her skin was warmer than before. She hadn’t had many drinks, but the alcohol was already starting to take effect.

She walked out, leaving the prospective knights behind, still holding her wine glass.

She intended to get some fresh air to sober up.

A biting cold wind blew.

Sitting on the railing, Erin rested her head against a pillar and thought about what needed to be done next.

‘I have to go save my father now.’

Her time at the academy was running short.

Going to rescue her father inevitably meant confronting Corelia.

She had confirmed what Charlotte had done in the West. Her brief visits and research had revealed some of it, but there might be something far more serious and dangerous in the later stages they had been staying.

Even knowing this, Erin planned to go there alone.

Karon would probably be angry if he knew her plan. He’d ask how she could leave him behind.

But Erin had no intention of telling Ferdin’s prospective knights, Karon, or even Ferdin himself about her plan.

This was something she had to handle on her own.

Leaning against the pillar, lost in thought, Erin felt her body begin to lose control. Her eyelids were so heavy that they closed on their own.

She fell asleep just like that.

“Lady Erin.”

Erin opened her eyes at the voice calling her. Ferdin stood before her, a look of worry in his eyes.

Ah, beautiful.

Erin thought suddenly. His blue eyes, gazing at her, and his moonlit blonde hair…

It was like a masterpiece crafted by a master artisan.

“I found you after you disappeared from your seat.”

Unconsciously, Erin reached out her hand.

Her hand brushed against Ferdin’s cheek. Even the moment he widened his eyes in surprise was beautiful.

“Is this a dream?”

“Huh?”

“I’ve been dreaming a lot lately.”

Saying that, Erin took Ferdin’s hand and pulled him closer.

Ferdin, unsure of what was happening, was drawn toward her. Erin’s cheeks were flushed like they had been dyed with balsam.

“But it’s strange. I used to only have nightmares… but lately, I’ve only been having good dreams.”

Ferdin placed his hand on Erin’s forehead. Her face was warm.

He spoke to her with a look of concern.

“You should go back inside…”

“Sir Ferdin appearing in my dream…”

Ferdin couldn’t finish speaking. Erin had taken his hand from his forehead and interlaced her fingers with his.

Ferdin looked into Erin’s eyes, now blurred with sleepiness.

After confirming that Ferdin was sitting next to her, Erin got up and pressed her lips to his forehead.

It was such a brief moment that she herself wasn’t sure if they had even touched. Once on the forehead, once on the cheek, and then the lips…

Ferdin, frozen in surprise, instinctively held Erin as she tried to pull away.

He tried to restrain himself.

He wanted to wait until Erin had the chance to process her feelings.

He remembered the confused expression on her face when he had once confessed his love.

He kept thinking about and regretting how burdensome it must have been for her to hear him say he had loved her, remembering the past.

But the moment Erin’s lips touched his, he could no longer stop himself.

Erin was flustered.

‘Why do I feel so strange?’

A warm sensation spread through her.

‘This is definitely a dream… but if it isn’t, it doesn’t make sense…’

Ferdin’s hand was still holding her cheek, his eyes looking down at her.

Erin felt her entire body go weak. What on earth was happening?

Ferdin pressed his lips firmly against hers. Erin’s mind went blank, and she felt as if her brain was melting.

Ferdin held her so firmly that she almost collapsed. His strong arms supported her waist.

It felt as if the world was spinning. Why was he doing this?

A strange sensation ran from her lips throughout her body. Every part of her that Ferdin’s hand touched felt hot.

A thrilling sensation spread from her stomach outward. It was unfamiliar.

It felt utterly strange. It was as if everything in the world was melting away.

“Haa…”

Erin blushed at the sound that escaped her without realizing it.

She looked straight at Ferdin. His eyes reflected her face.

Her face was redder than it could possibly get. When her lips parted briefly, Erin couldn’t help but ask:

“Was… this a dream?”

Ferdin answered with another brief kiss.

“No, it wasn’t a dream.”

Erin was confused.

She had assumed she had fallen asleep drunk and was dreaming a happy dream, like when she met Titi.

But it wasn’t a dream, and Ferdin had kissed her?

Erin couldn’t continue her thoughts. Ferdin pressed his lips deeper against hers.

The dizzying sensation left her unable to think. Her mind went hazy and her breathing became rapid.

She felt herself going strange.

If Amon’s voice hadn’t been heard, she might have stayed frozen like that.

“Ferdin! Erin! Where on earth have you gone?”

Erin startled and pushed Ferdin away. He also stepped back, looking somewhat shocked.

“Lady Erin, I…”

“No, I’m sorry, Sir Ferdin.”

Erin regretted falling asleep outside after drinking.

The wine had been unbelievably sweet, and she was exhausted from several days of activity.

But all of that was just an excuse.

Erin covered her face with her hands.

‘What on earth did I do to him?’

Even if Ferdin scolded her, she couldn’t object. She had suddenly kissed him on her own accord.

By now, in Erin’s mind, the fact that he had kissed her first had disappeared.

Erin felt afraid. Now, even if Ferdin completely despised her, she couldn’t argue.

Ferdin came closer, but Erin shook her head.

“I’m sorry, I…”

“…”

“I thought it was a dream. I know it’s a ridiculous excuse, but…”

“…”

“I’m sorry. You must have hated it. I… I acted on my own…”

Her heart was pounding like crazy.

She worried it might even burst out of her chest.

Ferdin shook his head at her words.

“Ferdin!”

Amon’s voice was getting closer.

“Where are you two?”

Ferdin, thinking quickly, grabbed Erin and hid.

Amon passed right by them as they hid behind a pillar.

“Sir Ferdin?”

Erin looked up at him, puzzled. Ferdin spoke firmly.

“I didn’t hate it.”

“Huh?”

“I didn’t hate it at all. So don’t apologize.”

Erin took a step back at his words.

She pondered Ferdin’s words for a moment. He didn’t hate it?

What didn’t he hate? The kiss, perhaps?

The sudden thought left Erin frozen.

Erin loved Ferdin. But because she loved him, she had to stay away instead of getting close.

She had done well up until now.

But when Ferdin approached her first like this, she didn’t know what to do.

“I didn’t dislike you, Lady Erin. In fact, I’m glad you came to me first.”

“…”

“And you did nothing wrong. I would be at fault, not you.”

Erin staggered at his words. If Ferdin hadn’t hastily held her, she would have fallen.

Ferdin was about to tell her that she constantly lingered in his thoughts, that he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

But he had to pause. Erin’s eyes looked anxious as she gazed at him.

He held her hand, as if to ensure she wouldn’t run away.

“I think I’d go mad if anything happened to you, Lady Erin.”

“I…”

“That’s probably because I like you.”

Erin shivered at his words. Her eyes went wide, and she tried to pull back.

But she couldn’t bring herself to push his hand away, so she couldn’t escape elsewhere.

Ferdin felt a complex mix of emotions at her rabbit-like, helpless appearance.