Ch. 221

I tilted the wooden beer mug and looked around.

‘So this is what nights feel like.’

Most inns—unless they were high-class—had a combined counter and restaurant on the first floor.

Breakfast for guests, supplies for travelers.
And at night, the place became a bar.

The inn we stayed at was no different. When we came downstairs, they were selling alcohol, so instead of going somewhere else, we decided to drink here.
Ash brought snacks, looking displeased.

“I wanted to bring your favorite sweets, but they didn’t have much. Should we go somewhere else to drink…?”

“No, that’s a hassle.”

“But the atmosphere is rough.”

Ash rarely showed it, but he had refined tastes—like the prince he was.
Since he kept grumbling for some reason, I tugged the hand he was using to set down the snacks and made him sit.

I also read his thoughts.

—I know I’m the only one thinking of this as a date… But having our first date in a place like this feels rude to her.

Doesn’t he think we’ve already shared enough experiences that dates are pointless at this stage?

[Master! Did you read Ash’s mind again?]

[Yeah.]

Rai couldn’t hear anyone’s thoughts but mine, so he always demanded explanations—truly exhausting.

[What’s he saying? What’s he saying?]

[He’s whining that this isn’t a good date atmosphere. He hates that we’re drinking here just the two of us. I feel like a translator.]

[Ooh, Ash is a hundred times more romantic than Master! What a commendable fellow.]

[Tch. You like romance.]

[Woo! Master has no sense of mood!]

It was true this was a shabby, low-class inn with plenty of drunks. Some men were already glancing at me.

I stood out among travelers—a young woman with a glamorous face, wearing mage robes over a hunter-style leather jacket.

It was a confusing look that made people wonder what I was. And I didn’t bother hiding my beauty with a hood.
Beauty should be displayed.

I was lucky enough to be born like this!

Still, somewhere quieter might be better for drinking.

I picked up the dried fruit Ash brought, widened my eyes at the taste, and asked:

“Should we drink in my room instead? I’ll bring this up—”

“No, here is better.”

Ash—answering firmly—sat down immediately and placed his sword on the table in obvious warning.

A silent threat: don’t mess with us.

If necessary, some would even stab a dagger into the table to make their point.
Ash was willing to draw his sword rather than be alone with me.

The more he guards himself like that, the more I want to pounce.
I always want to do something more when I’m told not to.

“Ash, try this. It’s good.”

I pushed the snack dish toward him with a smile.

It was dried fruit soaked in honey, perfect with beer.
The only flaw was that it was bite-sized—easy to keep eating—and your fingers got sticky, so you had to lick them.

Ash avoided looking at me when I licked my fingers.
Or he pretended not to notice by gripping his sword tighter.

It was my fingers I was licking, yet I felt like I was bothering him.
He was adorable anyway.

I liked Ash.

His restless expressions, his unnecessary seriousness.
His shy smiles, his eyes always thinking about me.

Hmm? Am I thinking too much about his face?

‘Do I… just like his face?’

A problem worth examining. His national-treasure-level face muddled my judgment.

Still, Ash’s gentle, calm personality was also an undeniable advantage.
Sometimes, he was so mature that he reminded me of Master Yael.

“Talk to me, Geenie.”

“Huh? What?”

“You’re struggling with your parents… I wish there were something I could do. But you don’t need to talk if you don’t want to.”

“…You wanted to talk about that?”

Then it wasn’t a date anymore.

No—was that normal date talk? I’d never been on one.

“I was worried. It’s the first time I’ve seen you have such a hard time because of someone. And they’re your parents… Is that too intrusive?”

“No…”

“Will you be okay tomorrow? Can you face them?”

“They came all this way. I have to. I can’t run forever.”

The bit of comfort I’d regained dropped instantly.
I stuffed snacks into my mouth until I couldn’t breathe.

Damn it—was I shaking?

I wanted to drink myself numb, but didn’t want to smell like alcohol when meeting those people.

Ash was right. Those people made me act unlike myself.

The fact that I was their daughter made me unbearably uncomfortable.

“You ran away? Why? Do you hate them?”

“This isn’t about liking or hating. It’s something else entirely. You know? How that feels.”

Ash had the most awkward, troublesome father in the continent—the Emperor.
He probably felt the same discomfort I did.

“If it’s that kind of feeling…”

“I don’t hate them. Let’s get that straight.”

“If that’s the case… then it’s really hard.”

“Maybe because we were separated too young. There’s no affection. I hardly saw them after entering the academy at five. But that wasn’t their fault—I wanted it that way.”

“…You were five?”

“It was awkward. Too uncomfortable.”

Ash’s face told me he understood.
Suddenly discovering the Emperor was your father probably did that.

Ash was one of the few people who could understand me.

“They’re good people. That made it worse. Their eyes looked like they’d do anything for me… It was burdensome.”

“You’re awkward with affection. I get that.”

“Me? Really…?”

“It’s the same with Annie. Rai. And Akia. Liking and being affectionate seem separate to you.”

“I don’t like Akia or Annie?”

[That means you like Rai!]

I hated third-person self-references.

I ignored Rai’s excited ear-flutter and took another drink.

“You know? When you say ‘I don’t dislike them,’ that’s basically liking them.”

“…Don’t analyze me too much. I hate that.”

“I know you’re terrifying when someone becomes your enemy. But once they’re ‘yours,’ you forgive easily. You’re not that hard to read. You’re too honest.”

“What are you talking about? I’m a woman full of secrets.”

“Your secrets don’t hurt anyone. I’d swear it.”

Rai was right earlier—Ash really was a romantic.

Even I, who hated cheesy things, felt mushy hearing that soft whisper.

“Want another drink?”

“Yes.”

“The staff is busy; I’ll get it.”

I handed him my empty mug and rested my chin on my hand.
My heart felt heavy again.

Facing my parents was a massive assignment.
I never knew what to call them. I’d practice it in my head each time, but saying it aloud was harder than invoking Endairon.

No matter how I thought about it, I needed more time.

Eight years apart—
I’d died recently—

What expression was I supposed to wear?
What words could I even say?

Have you been well?
It’s been a while?
I heard you held a funeral for me?

“Haa… I should’ve attended social etiquette classes instead of skipping…”

The bar was crowded, and I was so consumed by worry I didn’t notice someone approaching.

Not until Rai gave a short bark—which I didn’t even hear.

[…Ster! Master!]

“Geenie…?”

[I’m here!]

My hand slipped from my chin.
Because a familiar-sounding voice came from behind me.

Judging by Rai’s calm warning, the people behind me knew me.

Could it be—?

I turned around, trembling.

And my worst fear was right there.

“It’s really you, Geenie!”

“Our daughter!”

Tomorrow!

Behind the two people hugging me fiercely, Bright waved awkwardly.

Dropping a bomb was one thing—even that had timing!
If you make a plan, follow the plan!

I spoke while being squeezed half to death.

Using my parents as a shield—
You’re dead.

I bared my teeth hidden behind their backs and drew a finger across my throat.

“You’re really safe! Thank goodness. You don’t know how worried we were.”

“I’ve missed you.”

“…Hic. M-Me too… It’s nice to see you. But… weren’t we meeting tomorrow…?”

Please step away.
There were dozens of things I could not say while suffocating in their arms.

Very few people could make me speak evenly.

“That’s true! But once we heard you were found, we couldn’t sit still. You don’t know how hard I begged Kenian to take us right away.”

“The prince insisted you’d be surprised, so we should wait until tomorrow.”

“He told us to emphasize that.”

You must’ve been very busy planning your escape route, Bright.

Who would believe these glowing, energetic people were in their mid-40s?

The blonde couple looked like they were in their early 30s—their youthful genes were impressive.

My mother’s youthful cheeks and forehead, my father’s strong gaze—my blue eyes from her.

Anyone could tell we were family just by looking.

“…Thank you for coming all this way. When… are you leaving…?”

“Oh my! So distant again.”

“Are we unwelcome…?”

“I’m glad to see you. Really. But… I want to know when you’re leaving.”

I needed to know how many days I had to act unlike myself.

“I was going to leave tomorrow. I’ve been away from the territory too long. But since I met you! I’ll stay one more day… Do you not like it?”

“Are we a burden?”

“…Ye… es…”

I wish someone would save me.