Chapter 50
Our eyes met. My heart fluttered instantly.
A pair of beautiful green eyes looked at me as he stood up from the fountain.
Even in the crowded square, he was impossible to miss. He was a head taller than most people, with a slim waist and broad shoulders that naturally drew attention.
A smile crept onto my lips.
‘What do I do now?’
No matter how much I denied it, I already liked him. He seemed special to me.
Among the sea of people in the vast square, I could recognize his gaze instantly. The moment he turned his head toward me, my heart trembled as if it had been struck by a harpoon.
Without realizing it, my steps quickened. I didn’t even notice the loud clicking of my heels. As I neared him, I was almost running, my skirt fluttering behind me.
Then, I stumbled over a crack in the stone pavement. My body tilted forward.
Just as I was about to fall, I felt a pair of strong hands securely catch my waist.
The scent of Max surrounded me.
The sunlight was dazzling, and a cool breeze carried the first hints of autumn.
“What’s the hurry? You could have gotten hurt.”
I looked up into those kind and worried green eyes.
Ah, I had to admit it. I was in love.
“Oh no, the flowers I wanted to give you are all scattered…”
He looked around, troubled.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s fine. They looked beautiful floating in the air, so it’s as if I’ve already received them.”
Then, blushing slightly, I mumbled, “And… Thank you for catching me.”
His hands had been firm, his chest broad. Now that I was aware of it, I felt even more embarrassed.
Max must have noticed too because he quickly turned his head away.
‘His ears turned red.’
He politely but swiftly let go of me.
“I held on too long. My apologies.”
Just then, my skirt lifted slightly. I gasped and grabbed it quickly.
The fabric had gotten caught on the decorative cuff of Max’s sleeve.
“Oh…”
My ankle was exposed. I fumbled, trying to free it.
“Ah… why isn’t this coming off?”
Max hesitated, his hands hovering uncertainty. Then, as if making a decision, he gently stopped me.
“Step back for a moment. It might be dangerous.”
“…?”
Confused, I stepped aside, and he drew the sword from his belt.
With one swift motion, he cut off his cuff.
“Oh my!”
The expensive fabric and cuff button fell to the ground.
I let out a small gasp.
“Oh no… You didn’t have to go that far.”
But Max shook his head.
“No, I’d rather do this than inconvenience you for even one more second.”
I looked at him with a mix of guilt and admiration.
“But now I feel even worse. This happened because I was running…”
Feeling responsible, I hesitated before an idea came to me. I hurried after him and called out,
“Oh! I know! Can I pick out a new shirt for you? And a new pair of cufflinks to go with it?”
For a moment, Max looked unsure, as if he were thinking of a polite way to refuse.
Worried he would say no, I reached out and gently held his sleeve, looking up at him with pleading eyes.
“Please, Max. Let me give you something that suits you.”
His green eyes studied mine carefully.
Was he thinking I was being difficult? I felt a familiar sense of doubt creep in, and my grip loosened slightly.
Bern used to do the same—staring at me coldly whenever I made a request, his gaze sharper than any words. It always made me shrink back.
But then, to my surprise, I heard a soft chuckle above me.
I looked up to see Max smiling—a warm, affectionate smile that reached his eyes.
A gentle, sunlit green, so clear it felt like it was engraving itself into my heart.
Somehow, I knew I would remember this moment forever, like a painting.
Still smiling, he finally answered.
“If it makes you happy, then as a gentleman, I’d be honored.”
Max was puzzled by himself.
He had never been the type to struggle with saying no. If anything, he was used to giving orders, and controlling situations.
Yet, when she lightly held onto his sleeve and looked up at him, he found himself unable to move, as if under a spell.
Her face was soft and pale, and there was something irresistibly childlike about her expression.
Her purple eyes, filled with silent pleading, made his heart waver in a way he didn’t quite understand.
Without thinking, he smiled.
And in that moment, he knew—he would give in to her.
“If it makes you happy, then as a gentleman, I’d be honored.”
Carmilla wasn’t just beautiful and elegant—she was curious, playful, and surprisingly endearing.
As they walked, he held her hand lightly to guide her through the crowd.
She gasped in surprise at first, her eyes widening. Then, after a brief hesitation, she held his hand properly in return.
“…Y-Yes…!”
Being with her made the world feel brighter. Lighter.
It was strange. He usually disliked touching others, but her hand felt soft and warm—like cotton candy.
“You have such small hands.”
Carmilla blushed and muttered,
“M-Max, your hands are so big. And… warm.”
Noticing that she had to take quick steps to keep up with him, Max slowed his pace and smiled.
“I never thought of my hands as big. But compared to yours, they are.”
Lately, he has been smiling more.
And yet, he didn’t feel vulnerable or off-guard.
It was simply because of her—this small, bird-like woman by his side.
Just then, she spoke up excitedly.
“Max, if you don’t mind… Would you like to try that treble clef bread?”
He turned to see what she was pointing at.
It was a street vendor selling uniquely shaped pastries, sprinkled with honey.
Next to them were book-shaped pastries, dusted with sugar that glittered in the sunlight.
“These are famous in this area,” Carmilla explained, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “This street is full of musicians, artists, and poets, so they made bread in their honor.”
Then, lowering her voice shyly, she added,
“I’ve always wanted to try them. But I usually come here with my maids and knights… It wouldn’t be proper for a noble lady to eat on the street.”
Hearing this, Max made up his mind.
“Then let’s try them today.”
He led her to the stall, paid stiffly, and returned with two treble clef pastries wrapped in paper.
‘If anyone from the palace saw me now, they’d be shocked,’ he thought.
The man who used to despise sitting on bare benches, who always wore gloves to avoid touching others—was now holding street food.
He eyed the pastry warily.
Then he heard a crisp bite next to him, followed by a delighted exclamation.
“Wow, it’s better than I expected! Freshly baked, so it’s nice and crispy.”
He turned to see Carmilla happily eating her bread, a little drop of honey on her nose.
Chuckling, he pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped it off.
“Eat slowly. At this rate, your whole face will be covered in honey.”
His teasing tone made her face turn red.
Then, he finally took a bite himself.
‘Not bad. Actually… It’s really good. Better than anything I’ve had at the palace.’
And as they walked into the tailor shop together, he realized—he liked this.
He liked being with her.
