CLMCB CH 12

Posted by bed0zx_, Released on September 4, 2025

Chapter 12

Herace reached out. His long, slender fingers gently brushed my cheek and softly held my purple hair. He looked calm and confident—almost flirtatious.

He was leaning in now, bending slightly at the waist.

“Your hair is purple. That’s why I picked this color.”

“…There was no way I could’ve guessed that.”

“I never said you had to guess. I just wanted to hear your opinion.”

I looked confused, and Herace asked casually:

“So, do you think I look cool or not?”

“Even being logical about it, I’d say you look cool.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, I replied. Herace pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh.

The way he compared my hair to a rose… the way he held it… It was messing with my head a little. I didn’t like where this was going, so I gently pushed him away.

He stumbled a bit and fell back into his chair, which made a loud noise as it wobbled.

“I didn’t push that hard.”

I said calmly. Herace shook his head, clutching his chest with a wounded expression—like I’d really hurt him.

What an exaggeration.

“I don’t exercise much, and I don’t really watch my diet, so I don’t have a lot of muscle. Don’t pretend like I injured you.”

He looked down for a moment like he was catching his breath, then met my eyes again as if nothing had happened.

“I can’t wait to see my lovely girlfriend shine today.”

“If I run out crying, I’ll definitely get everyone’s attention.”

When Herace almost fell earlier, the entire place had gone silent. Even now, the nobles were pretending not to look—but they definitely were.

Sure, it was partly because of Herace’s reputation and the gossip articles about us. But the biggest reason was probably our location. We were so far from everyone else—it looked like we were stranded on an island. If I were them, I’d be staring too.

Just then, the servants came in with drinks and desserts.

“Here’s the lemon tea you requested.”

I do like lemon tea, but… I didn’t ask for it. Herace, however, smiled and added playfully:

“I’m looking forward to the show. Make it flashy.”

While I sat confused, the table filled with delicious desserts—apple pie, raspberry tart, orange pudding, and biscuits. As a dessert lover, I was thrilled.

Especially the apple pie! I tried not to show how excited I was for the sake of our “script.” I calmly reached for the pie…

But my plate disappeared in an instant.

“…Herace.”

He’d taken my plate. Trying to eat from two plates at once—how rude. I kept trying to take mine back, but he dodged me and hugged the plate close like it was treasure.

Not a good look if we wanted to seem like a sweet couple. More like someone trying too hard for attention.

“…Give me my plate back.”

“Of course, of course.”

He placed a slice of apple pie on the plate—but still didn’t return it. Instead, he held out a fork.

The sweet scent of cinnamon tickled my nose.

“Aren’t you going to eat? I’m not using my wish for this—”

Before he could finish, I took the bite of pie he was offering.

The crunchy texture and apple flavor exploded in my mouth.

“—but I wasn’t planning to use the wish coupon on this.”

Oops. I’d misjudged. I promised myself I’d let people finish their sentences next time. Still… it wasn’t the pie’s fault.

“Here, have another bite.”

Herace kept feeding me apple pie. And even though I was a little annoyed, I kept eating it.

Because again—none of this was the pie’s fault.

Nom nom, munch munch.

As I kept eating like I was in a trance, I suddenly snapped out of it.

Wait a second—we’re supposed to be fighting! But now we just looked sweet and cozy.

“This tart’s for you, my dear girlfriend.”

“Sure, I’ll take it.”

I pulled the plate toward me and whispered:

“Let’s cut back on the chatting. And keep our faces neutral.”

“Hmm…”

Herace tilted his head from side to side without a word.

Just then, Baron Hannes came near our table. He looked around and clapped his hands lightly.

“Everyone! Thank you for coming today!”

Of course, everyone’s attention—including mine—turned to him. His eyes subtly landed on Herace.

Something didn’t feel right.

‘This feels dangerous…’

Maybe the earlier compliments from Baron Hannes had actually been sarcasm? I hadn’t heard them that way, but people are hard to understand sometimes.

I started to panic a little. But the baron raised his voice and continued:

“Before we begin the main tea party, I’d like to invite the one who made today’s event possible—the Duke of Gray—to say a few words.”

My brow furrowed. Herace was the reason this party was possible?

“Let’s begin!”

As if on cue, Herace stood up, pushed in his chair, and slowly walked toward me.

Suddenly, I felt like I was back at the saintess ceremony again. My stomach twisted, and I couldn’t breathe. A siren went off in my head.

“Here, I mean, Duke—”

“Yes, Philena!”

Herace spread one arm wide dramatically, like he was acting on a stage. Then—tap tap tap—I heard the sound of fast footsteps.

I blinked, and suddenly, the baron’s servants had surrounded us. Each one held a rose.

And there was music! A melody started playing. Was there a band here? A violin… and a piano too? How did they even bring a piano in here?

“What is this?!”

I couldn’t keep my expression straight. Herace leaned down close and whispered:

“Your script was pretty dramatic—but there was one part I didn’t like. Also, I realized I have more impact than I thought.”

He smiled—mischievous and kind all at once. Just like when we first met, in that tense, mysterious moment.

“So I changed the setting. We’re not cheating on anyone. I’m the one chasing after you. That’s dramatic enough, right?”

He dropped to one knee and looked at me with such desperation.

“Philena!”

His booming voice filled the space like a commercial announcer.

“I know I’ve been clinging to you too much! I’m sorry! But I mean it—I’m serious about you!”

The music made everything feel like a blur. Violin and piano sounds swirled around me.

“I don’t care if you have Whisler! I don’t care if you have another man or anyone at all! The moment I saw you again at the selection ceremony—I fell for you instantly! I can’t live without you!”

Herace ran his hand through his hair. His glasses slipped off.

The glasses, which didn’t really match his outfit anyway, were gone now—and his looks stood out even more. Some of the nobles gasped quietly.

He looked just as handsome as Whisler—if not more.