**Episode 20 –
I Like You**
“Even if I’m accused of being a witch, the Duke will understand me, right?”
“……”
“You’ll know that I wasn’t a witch, but only someone who wanted to save you.”
“……”
“Just like how I tried to understand who you were, and how you understood me too….”
“……”
“Thank you. That day with the rabbit… for watching over me.”
I looked quietly into those beautiful, trembling eyes that shone like midnight delphiniums.
Then, though my heart ached, I smiled softly. My voice no longer shook as I whispered calmly:
“That’s enough. That’s more than enough… So I’ll try to endure this.”
“……”
“Then, may I check your wound now? I was trying to see if it healed completely… but you caught me.”
—
Time passed, and the night sky deepened, wrapped in a clean navy-blue veil.
White and blue stars bloomed together, twinkling like clusters of delphinium flowers.
A soft lilac aurora shimmered above, creating a picture as beautiful as watercolor.
Inside this dreamlike scene, I walked with Killian through the garden.
Just like on the night of the ball, when everything ended, he walked silently beside me without saying a word.
Then it happened.
A bright streak of light crossed the sky, catching my attention.
A shooting star.
It left a glowing trail, falling across the night sky.
“Oh…! Duke! It’s a shooting star! Quick, make a wish! Hurry!”
I stopped and closed my eyes tightly.
The man’s watchful gaze was still on me, and the wind scattered my hair like flower petals.
After a moment, I opened my eyes again.
But Killian still looked calm and unchanged. Tilting my head, I asked curiously:
“Did you make a wish? You didn’t, right?”
“That’s right. I didn’t.”
“That’s okay, maybe you just missed the timing. Anyway, wait here! I’ll go find another open spot and look for one more shooting star!”
I ran ahead, shouting brightly.
But suddenly, Killian grabbed my hand.
He pulled me back toward him and whispered softly:
“Wait, Lily.”
“……!”
“I don’t need a wish. Just come here. There’s something I must say.”
Eyes wide, I stumbled into his arms.
Killian bent his head toward me.
He cupped my cold cheek, his voice low, sorrowful, yet beautiful.
“Shooting stars are useless. Because the person I’ve wished for all my life is already in front of me.”
“……!”
“You are more precious, more gentle, and more important than anyone else.”
“……”
“I’ve never met someone like you.”
“……”
“Someone who shines so brightly, like a divine being, like an angel…”
Killian’s voice cracked like he was letting go of tears that had been trapped inside for years.
It was warm like candlelight, beautiful like sunset, and filled with deep sorrow.
“Thank you… for the flowers.”
“……”
“I won’t accept them if they came from someone else, but your heart alone is enough for me.”
He gently brushed the flower stain on my collar.
Then, a warm kiss touched my lips.
His lips trembled faintly, like they carried tears that couldn’t be shed.
But that trembling kiss was the most precious and loving thing in the world.
So I wrapped my arms tightly around his strong waist and accepted it.
‘I like you.’
I repeated those words in my heart, over and over, as many times as the countless shooting stars hidden by the moonlight.
And with that, I wished only one thing—
That my morning star would always be happy.
—
A few days later.
It was a bright morning, the sky blue and the leaves shining in sunlight.
An invitation from the Imperial Palace arrived at the Count’s residence.
It was about the victory banquet and ball to be held four days later at the palace.
Apparently, the first invitations had already been sent long ago, but this one was special.
It said the celebrations would continue for fifteen days, ending with the founding day ceremony.
But my invitation was different from the others. At the bottom was a special note:
\[Tomorrow morning, a carriage will be sent for high nobles. Please ride it to the palace and remain there until the events conclude.]
“I’m not a high noble, so why…? Could this be Carlos’s doing?”
I tilted my head in doubt and set the letter down on the dressing table.
Joanne, braiding my hair, spoke carefully:
“Do you not want to go? I mean… lately, you’ve been meeting the Duke more often than the Prince, haven’t you?”
Her blunt question made me flinch.
I quickly looked away from the mirror, my face clearly suspicious and overreacting.
“W-What are you talking about? I want to go! I’m really looking forward to it, of course!”
“Oh, because the Duke will also be staying at the palace for the events?”
“No! That’s not it at all! I don’t care about him one bit…!”
“Hmm…?”
“Really! I don’t care whether he’s at the palace or not! Even if we bump into each other a hundred times, I won’t be excited!”
I fussed with the most ridiculous expression ever.
Then I turned away with a sulky face, muttering like a stubborn woodpecker:
“Anyway, prepare the most gorgeous dress in the world! I want to look prettier than any other woman in the palace!”
“Oh-ho?”
“…Sorry. That sounded really arrogant, even to me.”
Joanne chuckled warmly, as if to say she would let it slide.
“You’re already prettier than anyone, my lady.”
I pouted at her sly smile, but inside, another thought had already bloomed.
I wanted Killian to say I was pretty.
Realizing my feelings for him made such childish wishes spill out, one by one.
Just then, the chamberlain knocked and entered, carrying another invitation.
This one was from someone… far less pleasant.
—
* “I must have eaten too much lunch. This dress feels tight.”
* “Still, you should have a cup of tea. I want to hear more about that giant pumpkin you’re growing.”
* “Yes, my pumpkin is barely the size of a walnut. I can’t even make soup, let alone pie. I must learn your secret.”
* “Oh my, in that case, I suppose I must share it with you all.”
A group of women laughed together as they entered the tea house.
Quickly, I pressed against the wall and lowered my hat to hide my face.
It wasn’t much, but ever since the insults I had endured last time, facing people felt uncomfortable.
I was curious about their talk of pumpkins and fertilizer, but still…
I couldn’t stay outside forever.
Pulling my light-green hat down low, I rushed into the tea house.
“Haa… haa… P-Please, show me to the VIP room! Here’s my invitation!”
The startled staff member stepped back.
But when he saw the royal seal on the invitation, he lowered his voice and guided me to the VIP room.
—
Soon, I entered an elegant and refined chamber, face-to-face with Azela.
Delicate steam rose from the flower tea set on the table.
Following the drifting steam with my eyes, I sat awkwardly, but Azela spoke first, calm as ever:
“Don’t be nervous. I came to apologize to you.”
“Apologize…?”
“For taking the flowers without asking your permission last time. I want to say sorry for that.”
I blinked, caught off guard.
But when the Crown Princess lowered her head, I could only bow even deeper in shock.
“It’s fine, Your Highness. I’ve already forgotten that day.”
“No. I lost my composure and acted beneath my dignity as Crown Princess. I must apologize.”
Insisting firmly, Azela pulled out a small box.
She slid it toward me with sincerity in her voice.
“Please accept this as a token of apology. Take it with a glad heart.”
—
