{ Chapter 36 }
Ricardo seemed to know his way around Dians quite well, walking through the streets confidently.
I followed him while wrapped in the blanket he had given me—he must’ve noticed how lightly I was dressed.
“Do you come to Dians often?”
Ricardo gave a small nod. I wanted to ask why he came here, but he didn’t seem too willing to talk.
Before I could say more, he changed the topic.
“There’s something I want to show you.”
“What is it?”
When I asked, Ricardo hesitated.
“…The path there is dark. It might be a little scary.”
“What’s there to be scared of when I’m with you?”
You’re supposed to be one of the most talented swordmasters in the Empire!
Ricardo’s eyes widened slightly, and then he quickly looked away, avoiding my gaze.
“Th-this way…”
Wait—he’s acting nervous?
He’s the strongest swordsman in the Empire!
As I followed him quietly, the path started to feel familiar. I asked,
“Wait, are we going to Whale Beach?”
No wonder it felt familiar—this was the same dark road I hesitated to take earlier.
“How did you know that…?”
“Someone I know told me about it.”
Rayla’s nanny had told me about this place, after all.
Ricardo’s expression looked a bit disappointed.
Oh… Was this supposed to be a surprise?
“Don’t worry. I only heard there’s something special to see—I don’t know what it is exactly.”
“That’s… good to hear.”
He let out a sigh of relief and reached out his hand to me.
“The road is very dark. Even the townspeople don’t know about this place.”
“I’m not scared. I don’t need to hold your hand.”
Ricardo chuckled and gently pulled me toward him by the hand.
“I’m scared. That’s why.”
…Is he being serious or just teasing me?
If he’s not scared, then is he doing this just to mess with me?
So strange.
Still, he seemed to know about Whale Beach, which made me wonder—does he have some kind of connection to this town?
He just didn’t seem like someone who’d be tied to such a small, quiet village.
As we walked down the dark path, the only thing I could rely on was the hand I was holding. Now I understood why no one else knew this trail.
The soothing sound of bushes singing filled the air, and then Ricardo suddenly asked,
“…Why haven’t you asked me anything?”
“About what?”
“You must’ve heard me talking with my knight in the alley.”
“……”
“You know who I was following… and what I did. Doesn’t that make you curious?”
You mean about following Idette and the crown prince?
Or how you killed those assassins who tried to attack them?
Or how you let that reporter go, even though he insulted Idette—whom you clearly like?
Yes, I was curious. Especially why he let that go, even though he supposedly likes Idette.
But… none of that had anything to do with me.
I only care about things related to my life.
“I mean… It’d be a lie to say I’m not curious at all. But it’s your business, isn’t it?”
“…So you’re not interested in anything about me?”
“What?”
“If that’s not the case, then maybe you…”
Just as he was about to finish his sentence, a small glow distracted me—a firefly had floated toward us.
I gently pulled Ricardo’s hand to keep moving. He followed instinctively.
“Why are you acting all awkward? We’re not even that close to ask those kinds of questions.”
“……”
He didn’t answer right away.
“…What if I want us to become close enough?”
“It’s already too late.”
Now I was sure of it.
Ricardo wasn’t truly interested in me—he was just curious.
He was drawn to the sudden change in Bianca. The girl who used to chase after him suddenly started acting differently, and that made him curious. That’s all.
I knew the original Ricardo well. I knew how he loved, how he treated someone he truly cared for.
So I reminded myself not to misunderstand.
Don’t get the wrong idea.
Trying to push those thoughts away, I quickly changed the subject.
“By the way… didn’t we meet before? Around when we were fourteen?”
“…No. We didn’t.”
He answered firmly.
So he didn’t remember the promise he made with Ailins either.
It was strange that both of us—Ricardo and I—couldn’t remember that day. Unless something serious had happened.
At least Grandfather had told Railor to keep it a secret.
Maybe he knew what really happened that day.
The fireflies that had guided us this far slowly disappeared, and we began to hear the sound of waves. The salty breeze in the air felt colder than I expected.
“…Hold on a second.”
Once we arrived at our destination, Ricardo climbed down a large rock and looked up at me.
“I’ll catch you. Just jump.”
It was higher than I thought, so I hesitated for a moment.
Oh well, here goes nothing.
I shut my eyes tight and jumped. Instantly, strong hands caught me, and I smelled the cool scent of peppermint.
“…”
We were so close I could feel his breath.
His pale blue eyes, lit up by the moonlight, were more beautiful than the clear autumn sky I once saw.
The skin that brushed against his felt like it was burning hot.
After gently setting me down, Ricardo took off his shoes. I followed, still in a daze, and we walked toward the sea.
Since we were far from the capital, the night sky was filled with stars, reflecting on the ocean like a mirror.
Ricardo took out a glass bottle filled with white powder from his coat.
“…What’s that?”
“It’s called mermaid powder.”
What the heck?
He sprinkled it on both his feet and mine, then walked straight into the sea.
“Wait, what are you doing—?!”
Worried, I ran after him… But Ricardo was calmly walking on top of the water.
“…”
Each step he took made the sea glow brightly.
He turned around and smiled gently at me.
“Sometimes… strange things happen in Dians.”
Just then, a breeze blew past, making his hair flutter. It looked so beautiful that I found myself stepping toward him without thinking.
“…!”
The ocean was freezing cold underfoot.
I thought I’d fall in right away, but the sea somehow held me up.
As I walked closer to Ricardo, the ocean beneath my feet lit up with each step.
When I looked back, the glowing trail I had left behind slowly began to fade.
Once I reached him, Ricardo looked proud and smiled at me.
The sea reflected the night sky so clearly that it felt like we were walking in space. Just the two of us in this vast, quiet world.
I must’ve looked a little scared, because Ricardo suddenly started running across the glowing sea with a playful grin.
“H-Hey, what if you fall—!”
He just shrugged with a carefree smile. He looked so genuinely happy.
Then, brushing aside the hair blown into my face, he said softly,
“Dians is my mother’s hometown.”
It was the first time I’d heard that.
“I wasn’t allowed to visit unless it was a special day. That’s why this place is precious to me.”
I didn’t know it meant that much to him.
Now I felt kind of bad.
“…Is it okay for me to be here?”
“Exactly. That’s why you’ll have to stay by my side from now on.”
“I already told you—it’s too late.”
Ricardo ignored me and glanced up at the night sky.
“More importantly… we’re about to fall into the ocean.”
“…What?”
“The powder doesn’t last that long.”
W-why are you telling me now?!
Panic rushed over me, and I quickly started walking back.
Behind me, Ricardo spoke calmly.
“Don’t worry. If you fall, I’ll save you.”
“We’d both fall in! How can you save me?!”
“…That’s a good point.”
He chuckled, and I glared at him.
“Was that a joke just to make me mad?”
“Doesn’t matter either way.”
Ricardo smiled.
“I’ve already prepared myself for that.”
