TTOSS 41

Chapter  41

“It’s a tea leaf called Snow Eres.”

It was one of the tea leaves the duke’s estate had sent recently — a leaf so uniquely shaped and beautiful that she had admired it at first sight.

“Oh, so this tea is called Snow Eres?”

“Yes. It’s the leaf of the Eres tree, which grows only in the North.”

Ah, that explains it.

Liriope nodded.

When Gemma had brought the tea earlier, she’d mentioned that Theo had said Liriope would definitely like it.

It made sense now — he’d said it with the pride of someone whose homeland produced a rare treasure found nowhere else.

Liriope took a sip of the steaming tea.

But the flavor… was different from the one she had tasted at the duke’s manor.

Back then, the first sip had strangely reminded her of a winter forest — though the tea was hot, it somehow evoked a cool, crisp image.

But now, the taste was the complete opposite.

“Hm?”

When Liriope tilted her head in puzzlement, Theo smiled languidly.

“Does it taste different from the tea you had at the duke’s estate?”

“Oh! How did you know?”

“Because Eres trees are affected by the weather. Their leaves change in flavor and fragrance depending on the climate.”

Lifting his teacup gracefully, Theo inhaled the aroma before continuing.

“In the warm southern regions, it tastes cool and clean. But in the cold northern lands, it gives off a gentle fragrance and a warm, sweet flavor — reminiscent of the South.”

“That’s exactly it! How can the same tea leaf taste so different?”

“That’s what makes Eres — which grows only here in the North — special.”

“That’s amazing.”

Liriope murmured as she gazed down at the tea leaves floating in her cup, shaped almost like tiny snowflakes.

The soft, sweet aroma was one thing — but for the flavor itself to change was astonishing.

No spices, no sugar — just the tea leaves brewed in hot water — yet the taste was sweet.

The tea she’d had at the duke’s manor had been clean and refreshing, not sweet at all.

“I’ll show you an Eres tree later,” Theo said after taking a sip. “It’s the most beautiful tree in the North.”

Seeing how lovely its leaves were, Liriope could easily imagine how breathtaking the tree itself must be when covered with them.

She smiled brightly.

“Let’s go see it right after we finish our tea.”

“Alright.”

Theo smiled back.

As they sat together enjoying tea and the scenery, Liriope suddenly became aware of Theo’s gaze fixed on her — so intent it felt almost burdensome.

Unable to ignore it any longer, she turned to him in flustered confusion.

“Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something on my face?”

Theo didn’t answer. He simply looked at her, expression unreadable.

Her neck began to feel hot under the weight of his gaze. She swallowed nervously and turned toward the window to escape it.

But the next moment, Theo stood, his long legs carrying him in a few strides to her side.

Before she could even react, his hand gently lifted her chin, turning her face toward him.

Liriope’s eyes widened in shock — and just as Theo’s face drew closer, she squeezed her eyes tightly shut on instinct.

A moment later, something brushed the corner of her lips, followed by his low, velvety voice murmuring near her ear:

“There was a tea leaf stuck here.”

Peeking one eye open, she saw a tiny green fragment resting on Theo’s fingertip.

“Why’d you close your eyes? Did you think I was going to kiss you?”

Theo’s voice was tinged with laughter, and Liriope’s already flushed face turned scarlet.

“If you want me to, I could — right now.”

“Wh–who said I wanted that?! You’re insane!”

Her indignant shout made Theo chuckle, a deep sound rumbling in his throat.

“You’re the only one who dares call a royal insane.”

“You say ridiculous things — that’s why!”

Still blushing furiously, she glared at him, but Theo only smiled wider, finding her reaction adorable.

“What if I want to?” he asked quietly.

“You really must be crazy.”

Her face now burning beyond control, she covered her cheeks with both hands and turned away, muttering.

Theo leaned closer, bending down slightly to see her face.

“Mm. I think I really am crazy — for you.”

His voice was low, sincere, and impossibly sweet.

Liriope’s face grew so hot she could hardly bear it. She covered her entire face with her hands.

While she was inwardly panicking — wondering if this man had taken a blow to the head — Theo gently took her wrist, pulling her hand down from her face.

“Let me see you, Lipe.”

* * *

Late that night.

Knowing she would return to the duke’s estate tomorrow, Liriope went to bed early — though, in truth, it was partly to escape Theo, who had suddenly begun acting far too flirtatious for her to handle.

She had no idea why he’d started behaving so boldly, but worse than that… was the fact that she didn’t dislike it.

That’s the real problem.

She had already lost half her heart to him, and every time he drew closer, she couldn’t help but flounder in his charm.

If this continued, she might end up giving him everything — heart, soul, and sanity — until even her resolve to avoid her “doom ending” vanished completely.

Staring at the ceiling, she let out a long sigh.

No — she couldn’t let that happen.

She’d twisted the original story to survive; she couldn’t let that twist strangle her in the end.

She had to pull herself together.

Then, a thought crossed her mind — the Harvest Festival was coming soon.

The very event where Theo and the story’s true heroine were destined to meet and fall in love.

Right. They’ll meet there, as fate intended. And I’ll quietly sign the annulment papers. Then we’ll both have our happy endings.

Even though she’d just resolved to keep her heart guarded, the thought of their destined romance made her chest ache.

Liriope pulled the blanket over her head, trying to stifle her sadness.

Outside her door, Theo stood.

He had been there ever since she’d gone to bed, staring blankly at her closed door.

He didn’t knock. He didn’t go in.

He simply stood there, unable to bring himself to leave.

He didn’t want to send her back to the duke’s estate — yet he had no reason to ask her to stay.

He had never wanted anything before.

It wasn’t that he lacked greed — just that there had never been anything he truly desired.

His life had always been dictated by duty, by survival, by the weight of the lives entrusted to him.

He had believed he would live and die for the North, never knowing love.

So it astonished him — this deep, desperate longing for one person.

Is there any way to bring Lipe to the Grand Duchy sooner? Would she hate it if I skipped the engagement and went straight to the wedding?

Those were the absurd thoughts running through his mind as he stood outside her door.

He let out a small, helpless laugh.

What kind of fool stands outside a sleeping woman’s room, thinking such things in the middle of the night?

And yet… those foolish thoughts had become his dearest wishes.

Theo covered his eyes with one hand and sighed.

Click.

A nearby door opened — Gray stepped out.

“Your Grace?”

Gray froze when he saw Theo standing motionless before Liriope’s room.

“You’re not asleep?” Theo asked quietly, voice low enough not to carry through the door.

“I heard a noise and came to check,” Gray replied, subtly hiding the sword he’d been holding behind his back.

Theo’s lips curved faintly.

“Now I see why Duke Staila trusts you so much.”

“…Then why aren’t you going in?” Gray asked.

Theo kept his gaze fixed on the door.

“She’s asleep. I don’t want to wake her.”

“And you, Your Grace? Aren’t you going to rest?”

“I want to. But… the urge to see her is stronger.”

Gray’s eyes widened slightly.

He had never imagined hearing such words from Theo Artein.

But he quickly composed himself.

“Perhaps Lady Liri would like to see you too.”

“She’s asleep.”

“How do you know?”

“She’s breathing softly.”

“…You can hear that?”

Theo turned his head slightly toward Gray.

“Did you forget I have excellent hearing?”

Gray blinked. Of course, he knew Theo had an uncanny ability to detect monsters on the battlefield before anyone else — but he hadn’t realized it was due to his sharp ears.

Now it made sense. He nodded unconsciously.

Theo smirked.

“You don’t really believe that, do you?”

“…Isn’t it true?”

Seeing Gray’s genuinely confused expression, Theo gestured with his chin.

“Go to bed. That was a joke.”

Gray bowed slightly and retreated to his room — though now he was wondering how Theo really knew she was asleep.

Once Gray was gone, silence once again filled the corridor.

For a long while, Theo stood there, staring at Liriope’s door.

Then, slowly, he lifted his hand — and rested it gently on the doorknob.

His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed hard.