TMSB Ch#15

“The wind is quite mischievous.”

The man spoke lightly as he glanced over Psyche.

When Psyche looked at him with wide eyes, confused, he smiled gently.

Then, raising his index finger, he pointed to her hair. Psyche realized the wind had tousled her hair and let out a small sigh.

“My apologies.”

She quickly turned around and adjusted her appearance. She couldn’t bear to be seen in an unladylike state.

Aster waited for her in silence. He could have said something, but chose not to.

That small gesture of consideration brought Psyche a sense of stability. Thanks to that, she was able to maintain a calm demeanor.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Suddenly, the man’s gentle voice came, followed by something soft wrapping around Psyche’s neck.

“This should be better.”

A warm texture brushed her skin. Her body heat rose instantly, and the back of her neck felt flushed.

“There’s an old saying in the Grand Duchy,” he said.

“…”

“They say that if you fall ill right before the Great Snow, you won’t recover until the next year — that the sickness will linger and torment you.”

Psyche didn’t reply. Or rather, she couldn’t.

All her attention was focused on the man’s hands moving busily behind her.

“If you keep your neck warm, you should be able to retain your body temperature.”

The attendant seemed to be tying the scarf securely to ensure it wouldn’t come loose. He still stood behind her.

Ah…

Warmth lingered on his fingertips.

Psyche felt shivers not from the cold wind, but from the human warmth touching her.

It was strange. There was no emotion in his touch, and yet she kept holding her breath as if she’d forgotten how to breathe.

“It’s done.”

Psyche awkwardly touched the scarf wrapped around her neck.

It felt odd. Perhaps it was because she liked the subtle scent rising from the fabric — that made it all the more strange.

“I’ve called a carriage so you can return first.”

The attendant’s blue gaze landed on Psyche’s awkward hand movements. His eyes, glowing like sapphires, slid over her gently.

A moment of silence bloomed between the two.

“Shall I clear the table for you?”

It was the server assigned to their table who broke the silence.

She had been watching them intently since Psyche entered the tea house. She must have realized tea time had ended.

“Yes, thank you.”

When Psyche replied softly, the server gave her a long look.

Her eyes gleamed warmly, as if she held affection, and her lips curled into a pleasant smile.

When Psyche met her curious gaze, she returned a faint smile.

Still, something felt uncomfortable — like a thorn caught in her throat.

And in that moment, she remembered something she’d forgotten.

I have to return to the Grand Duke’s estate before it gets dark.

This was no time to bask in the rising warmth from the scarf’s scent.

The darker the sky grew, the closer came the time Psyche would have to face the Grand Duke — who arrived with the night.

Unlike her discomfort, the server looking at her wore a kind expression.

She seemed to want to talk and moved her lips as she watched Psyche carefully.

“By the way, your hairstyle is really lovely. Did you braid it and tie it in one?”

“Ah.”

Psyche let out a small sigh, having expected a question about her appearance.

She reached back to touch her hair and replied.

“Yes, it keeps my hair from coming loose, which I like.”

“It suits you well. And it goes perfectly with the scarf you’re wearing!”

The server exclaimed with a bright expression. Psyche blinked at her for a moment, then let out a small laugh.

“Thanks for the compliment. You’ve made my day. Your earrings are pretty too.”

If this had been the Empire, people would have started out gazing at her with interest but ended with judgment.

The so-called swan of the Sigur Empire, daughter of the debt-ridden Clement family.

Even if people didn’t know what she looked like, everyone had heard the stories.

Once they found out she was the tragic figure in those tales, most either pitied her, looked down on her, or were merely intrigued.

“Oh, really? Actually, they were a gift from my little sister. She recently started working at a boutique, and bought them with her first paycheck. Isn’t she so sweet? They’re very special to me.”

The server seemed happy Psyche had noticed her earrings. Her voice grew lively and quick.

The drop earrings, adorned with a gemstone about the size of a child’s pinky nail, matched her blue eyes perfectly.

“Looks like your sister knows how beautiful your eyes are. The earrings look just like your eyes.”

Psyche’s comment made the server’s blue eyes widen.

“How kind of you… My name is Melias.”

As Psyche looked into her gradually widening pupils, she thought again how beautiful her eyes were.

Blue eyes weren’t common in the Sigur Empire. Psyche’s mother had blue eyes too, and as a child, Psyche had always admired them.

“If it’s not rude to ask, may I know the name of the lovely young lady before me?”

“Hmm.”

Psyche instinctively glanced at the man beside her. Their eyes met — the attendant who had been quietly listening to their conversation.

“Well…”

Psyche trailed off.

I want to tell her… but…

She wasn’t sure if it was okay to reveal her name.

Looking to the attendant for guidance, he gave her a soft smile and nodded.

“…I’m Psyche.”

“Oh my! Like the Psyche in the myth?”

“If the myth you’re talking about involves the god of love, then yes, probably.”

“Oh wow! That’s amazing!”

Melias covered her mouth with both hands. She had even set down the tray she had been holding tightly.

“Really?”

“Of course! I don’t think there’s a single person in the Grand Duchy who doesn’t love that story. If someone doesn’t feel moved by it, they must not be from around here!”

Psyche raised her eyebrows in surprise. She was one of those few who weren’t moved by that story.

“You must also find a beautiful love like the myth, Miss—”

“Melias?”

The excited words from Melias abruptly stopped.

Psyche looked at her curiously. Melias’s gaze wandered in mid-air.

“I apologize for interrupting your conversation, Miss Psyche. Your carriage has arrived.”

It was Aster who broke the brief silence.

When Psyche heard the man’s voice — one she had been trying to ignore — she lowered her gaze to the floor. Then she slowly lifted her head and met his eyes.

Blue. Deep.

Like winter — pure and cold.

The moment their eyes met, something stirred within her chest.

“Ah, I forgot for a moment because I was enjoying our chat. Thank you for the warm welcome. Melias, have a wonderful day.”

Turning away from the cheerfully smiling Melias, Psyche exited the tea house.

Aster gracefully opened the carriage door and held out his hand.

“Until next time, Lady Clement.”

“Yes, …it’s been a long time since I enjoyed myself.”

He seemed pleased by her response, lifting an eyebrow ever so slightly.

Taking his hand, Psyche looked at him quietly and spoke.

“My name is Psyche.”

“I know.”

The attendant silently inspected the carriage she was about to enter — perhaps checking for any issues.

“What I mean is… You may call me by m

y name now.”

I give you permission.

As she softly added those words, the man slowly looked up.

Their eyes met midair, and a gentle smile played on his lips.

His ocean-blue eyes shimmered like waves.