chapter 100
After finishing our preparations, Kenih and I quietly left the Black Dragon Castle.
Free from his ducal duties, he looked like an ordinary young nobleman.
He probably thought he was in disguise…
‘Hmm, looks like he’s going to draw the attention of every woman again today.’
I silently nodded.
As I studied him, my gaze stopped at one spot.
A red mark stained the white silk of his shirt, flowing along the lines of his body.
A bite mark, clearly visible on his pale neck.
‘Why did he unbutton two buttons?’
Unlike me, who didn’t know where to look, Kenih simply stared straight at me.
Then he tilted his head slightly to make the mark more visible.
He didn’t have to say anything—his hypnotic gaze already communicated his thoughts.
Probably thinking…
‘That little squirrel is such a pervert!’
I frowned slightly, and Kenih smirked, parting his lips.
“Seems like Cherry is greedy.”
“What do you mean by that?”
If you asked me, I was the kind of squirrel who shared even a single acorn in winter with friends—full of selflessness.
And now he was calling me greedy.
I frowned in disbelief.
“I just put my mark on it, didn’t I?”
Kenih tapped the red mark with his finger.
“Th-That’s not it…!”
“Then what?”
“I didn’t want you to get hurt.”
“Hmm… so you like my face, huh?”
“I guess you could say that… No! That’s not it!”
“Then I’ll have to take better care of it so you like me even more.”
“That’s not what I mean…!”
As Kenih and I bickered, the carriage arrived at the center of his estate.
It was the festival’s final day, and the streets were crowded with people.
“Cherry.”
“Hmm?”
Kenih simply extended his hand toward me.
“If someone who knows you sees us…”
I worried about unnecessary rumors spreading in high society.
But Kenih was firm.
“We can’t lose each other again, can we? Then you wouldn’t even be able to go out.”
With a hint of threat, I had no choice but to take his hand.
Kenih finally relaxed, wearing a satisfied smile.
Then he asked about my plans for the day.
“Cherry, is there anything you want to do before the fireworks?”
“Hmm… just a second.”
I pulled out a small note from my handbag, the list I’d written with Ria since early morning.
Today’s To-Do List!
-
Visit the most famous dessert shop in the square, Amélie
(Even if there’s a long line, it’ll taste better waiting!) -
Explore the festival stalls
(Cheddar recommends: grilled sausages from the mustachioed uncle!) -
Walk across the bridge in the square with Kenih
-
Watch the fireworks festival
-
Make a wish with Kenih
“Since we’ve already had lunch, should we start with the dessert shop?”
Kenih glanced at my note and smiled lightly.
“The line must be really long right now.”
I worried, but he pointed to the tiny note I’d written:
“It’ll taste better if you wait, right?”
“But Kenih…”
He didn’t like wasting time.
I muttered quietly, and Kenih tilted his head to meet my gaze.
“Being with you—how could that be a waste of time?”
“Kenih.”
“Hm?”
“You can say things like that…?”
I blinked in surprise.
He too seemed a little embarrassed, his ears turning red.
“First date.”
He muttered softly under his breath, as if making an effort.
I couldn’t help but smile.
‘I’m the only one in the world who knows that the terrifying Duke Kreuz can be this cute.’
A strange mix of curiosity and emotion welled up in me.
‘What exactly counts as a first date?’
Was it our first date together, or my first date ever?
Shoving the question aside, our first date began.
The dessert shop Amélie was always crowded in the square.
Kenih and I were shown to a private table within five minutes.
Ria had said these tables were only for reservations…
“You’re the lucky 77th customer. We’ve specially reserved a private room for you.”
Perhaps sensing my surprise, the staff added,
“They didn’t recognize Duke Kreuz, though. How did this happen?”
But I stopped pondering.
‘Good enough is good enough!’
I pushed the cake toward Kenih.
“Kenih, eat as much as you want. Today, it’s on me!”
“Cherry?”
“Yep!”
I triumphantly held up my handbag.
Before leaving Black Dragon Castle, three people had given me cash envelopes: Ferdinand, Yelloyze, and Gerard.
“Take this and buy something delicious.”
“Cherry, if there’s something you want, get it.”
“This is part of my salary. Enjoy your day, Cherry.”
As a result, my bag was full of gold.
I only brought a portion today. The rest was carefully stored in my drawer.
Even better, Gerard said he’d deposited the remaining salary in a ledger under my name.
In other words, I was no longer a penniless squirrel!
“Kenih, tell me whatever you want. I’ll buy it all.”
“So today, I just have to trust Cherry?”
“Of course!”
Seeing me shrug, Kenih couldn’t hide his smile. His half-moon eyes were full of happiness.
Just seeing his face made my heart flutter.
“Cherry always gives me new experiences.”
“New experiences?”
“First date, and telling me to ask for anything I want. Thank you, Cherry.”
I fidgeted under the table, embarrassed.
I hadn’t expected to hear a ‘thank you’ from Kenih—he should be the one thanking me.
“I… thank you too…”
Kenih tilted his head slightly without asking why.
“It’s actually my first time coming somewhere like this with a friend. And of course… my first date too.”
“I’m glad I’m your first date. If there had been someone else before me…”
‘Someone else?’
He didn’t elaborate. A faint smile passed, but some sharpness lingered.
Maybe I was imagining the unfortunate fate of this nonexistent ‘someone’.
I took a bite of Amélie’s signature Triple Chocolate Cake and cautiously spoke.
“Kenih… you probably know, but…”
Before arriving at Black Dragon Castle, I had quit the academy with no skills, been sent to a detached building, and heard about the raid on Aymond’s estate.
“…and that’s how I met you in the mountains.”
Kenih didn’t speak for a long while, only reaching out to pat my head.
“Going to that mountain was the best thing I’ve done so far.”
“Me too.”
Saving Kenih, collapsed and wounded, was the best decision of my 18 years.
Even if I could go back, I’d steal his watch again.
I rubbed my nose with my finger.
Leaving Amélie, we wandered through the festival crowds, holding hands tightly so we wouldn’t lose each other.
We bought grilled sausages from the mustachioed uncle Cheddar recommended and browsed the rows of stalls.
“A bracelet that grants wishes! Come take a look.”
I stopped at a small stall run by a slightly bent elderly woman.
“A bracelet that grants wishes?”
“Ah, what a lovely couple. Just one pair left—want them?”
“Do these bracelets really grant wishes?”
“Well… nothing’s 100% certain, but if you wish with all your heart, it comes true.”
She smiled warmly.
“Knots have symbolized promises for a long time. During the war, they promised to return safely. Later, they promised eternal love.”
“Did your wishes come true, Grandma?”
Her eyes twinkled as she smiled.
“Yes, indeed. If you wish earnestly, this knot will grant your wish too. That’ll be 1 silver.”
Before I knew it, the bracelets were on our wrists.
It felt a bit forced, but I thought it was part of the festival’s charm.
Finally, the fireworks.
“Kenih, I think we’ll get the best view here!”
We positioned ourselves in the middle of the bridge. The river below and the clear night sky above created a perfect horizon.
People around us closed their eyes, making wishes. I joined them, hands clasped.
“Please keep Ferdinand healthy, let Yelloyze’s business prosper, and let Ria and Gerard get along well, and…”
A soft whisper reached my ears.
“Me?”
“Hm?”
Opening my eyes slightly, Kenih was staring at me, nose almost touching mine.
“Aren’t you making a wish about me?”
“I… am wishing for you to stay by my side for a long time.”
“My wish for you is also my wish for myself.”
“What about you, Kenih?”
“I don’t make wishes. Only Cherry can grant mine.”
“What’s that…?”
My heart pounding, I watched his lips just as the fireworks exploded.
Boom! Bang!
The night sky was ablaze with color.
“Cherry――”
Amid the roaring fireworks and cheering, I couldn’t hear Kenih’s wish.
But I could read his last mouth shape clearly.
“I love you.”
Autumn winds blew gently, the clear sky painted in colorful sparks.
I silently wished this brief moment could last forever, knowing that trials could still try to tear us apart.
