Chapter 39
“…So, all I have to do is return the handkerchief and key, right?”
Claude quickly followed up. He seemed to be shifting tactics, trying to take the items directly from me—to stop me from chasing after him again.
“That’s not exactly it, but…”
“No, you said you followed me to return the handkerchief and the key. Where are they? Do you have them with you now?”
He strode toward me. I reflexively stepped back and answered.
“I-I left them in the carriage.”
“The Desmier family’s carriage, right? Good. Then let’s go get them now.”
“Right now?”
“Is there a problem?”
Now it was he who raised an eyebrow aggressively. I retreated a step and made an excuse.
“Well… I ran after Your Highness earlier, and now my legs hurt. I don’t think I can make it back to the carriage.”
“Then you stay and rest. I’ll take you to an empty guest room, and I’ll fetch it myself.”
“You’re saying you’ll go alone into an unattended carriage and rummage through a lady’s belongings?”
“You know better than anyone that those items are mine. It’s not strange for someone to retrieve their own belongings from someone who’s begging to return them.”
“But still…”
Each time I stepped back, Claude came closer. I could feel the twigs and leaves brushing my hand behind me.
I had reached a wall of tall shrubs, taller than me. I couldn’t retreat any farther. Yet Claude continued approaching.
My pupils widened and my breath quickened. He reached out his hand. I shut my eyes tightly. I could feel his unfamiliar presence distinctly near my skin.
“…Ah!”
I opened my eyes. He had merely removed a branch that had been brushing my cheek.
Claude had a dazzling smile on his face. Like an escort, he extended his arm.
“Well then?”
With a trembling hand, I placed mine over his. It was irresistible.
*
Squelch.
“Let’s rest for a moment.”
“I’m busy. Aren’t you as well?”
“I’m not that busy. I don’t mind taking it slow.”
“You’ve got time to spare?”
“Yes.”
“Good for you. Make sure to use it wisely.”
I tried to resist, barely putting any strength into my legs, but the prince, under the guise of escorting me, took my arm and pulled me along.
His last remark was so absurd, I had to protest.
“Was that supposed to be a joke?”
Claude glanced at me, then looked forward again and continued walking briskly.
“That wasn’t the intention, but if you found it amusing, then I suppose it was.”
His attitude was firm and unyielding, leaving no room to squeeze in even a pin.
‘Should I summon Undine again…’
As I was being dragged along, I thought to myself. As if he had read my mind, Claude spoke.
“Summoning a spirit again won’t help. I’m not so frail that a little water will make me ill.”
If only I were an earth spirit summoner—I’d call a gnome and tie his ankles.
I had never wished to summon another spirit before, but today, I found it frustrating to be a water spirit summoner.
Regardless of my feelings, we steadily made our way to the mansion’s front gate.
The party didn’t seem to be over yet. There were no people at the central entrance or gate connected to the mansion.
A few carriages were lined up near the gate and road, presumably for high-ranking nobles who either planned to leave early or stayed for a quick departure.
“Where’s the carriage?”
Claude looked around. I kept my eyes on a distant spot and evaded.
“I’m not sure. I was too focused on the route to remember where we parked.”
A scoffing sound quickly followed.
“There it is.”
Of course, Claude recognized the Desmier family crest and headed straight for it.
‘Why did it have to be parked right in front of the gate?’
As one of the most prestigious noble houses, our carriage stood proudly closest to the gate.
The coachman, who had been sitting blankly, jumped in surprise when he saw us, quickly dismounted, and bowed with his hat in hand.
“Pardon me.”
Click. Claude reached for the carriage door, and I grabbed his hand.
My grip was hardly strong enough to stop him, yet he didn’t shake me off.
He simply glanced at me.
What should I do? How can I return his belongings without him avoiding me again?
My mind spun rapidly.
“If you have something to say, say it.”
His tone was calm. He acted as if there was no rush.
It was the kind of tone you’d use when you plan to quietly retrieve your items and never see the person again.
I didn’t understand why Claude, who had once laid bare his deepest, most vulnerable thoughts to me, was now acting like this.
I wanted to scream out of frustration. I bit my lip.
Under those cool gray-blue eyes that stared straight into me, no clever plan, no sweet offer, no poetic persuasion came to mind.
No more lies, no more excuses, no more jokes that only skirted the truth.
In the end, I spoke from the heart.
“Once you get your things back, you’ll avoid me again, won’t you?”
If the prince chose to hide behind his shield, then truth would be my spear.
“Please don’t.”
Claude remained silent. His expression was unreadable.
“I… don’t want to grow distant from you.”
My voice trembled slightly. My shoulders curled. My hand slipped from the frock coat I had been gripping.
“…Don’t think of it as growing distant.”
Claude murmured softly. I lifted my head in surprise.
He looked tormented. The bright sunlight behind him cast deep shadows across his face.
In a quiet, rapid tone barely audible, he said:
“I thought I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have watched over you or spoken to you so intimately. It only gave you false hopes. That’s why I avoided you. That’s all.”
“Are you saying…”
“So it’s not distance. This is the appropriate space between us.”
“But you once said we were the same kind of person! That we shared the same fate, that we were both prisoners, and that we shouldn’t try to escape it alone…!”
“I did.”
He nodded. I felt a lump form in my throat. Before I could ask more, he continued.
“We each bear our sins in our own place. That’s it. Sharing unnecessary sentiments or interfering too much only leaves behind emotional residue.”
“…”
“Think of us as parallel lines. Though we may never meet, just knowing that you and I wear the same shackles in different places—that alone can be some form of solace.”
His expression was wistful and bitter. His beautiful face was full of melancholy.
My jaw dropped.
“Undine.”
I flicked my finger. Before Claude’s eyes could even widen, three Undines appeared behind and beside him, splashing him all at once.
“Gah.”
Startled, the coachman, who had been watching from afar, dropped his hat.
While he clutched his mustache in shock, I stood calmly.
[That looked refreshing, haha.]
[A water splash! Love it!]
The Undines twirled and danced around joyfully before vanishing.
Claude silently swept back his soaked hair.
His drenched golden bangs parted to reveal his forehead.
His cool gray-blue eyes turned toward me.
“You said a little water wouldn’t make you sick, didn’t you?”
He raised a hand to wipe his face. Water dripped from his sleeves, coat, and shoes.
His voice, like a droplet, fell slowly.
“Such arrogance… and yet somehow, it doesn’t come off that way. That’s quite the skill.”
“You flatter me.”
I lifted the hem of my dress and curtsied.
“Are you thinking more clearly now?”
“Yes. My head’s quite clear.”
He tilted his head and smacked his opposite ear with his palm to get the water out. Then he glanced sideways at me.
“So, may I ask what prompted this sudden and refreshing gift?”
“I was just so dumbfounded.”
I answered confidently.
“Dumbfounded?”
It seemed now he was the one left speechless. I went on, unfazed.
“Yes. You poured your heart out, called yourself a sinner born from denial, said not to try escaping alone and that we’d bear the burden together… and now you act like we’re just parallel lines and try to run away. Wouldn’t anyone be dumbfounded?”
“Kalia, that’s…”
“Don’t run from life. Or from me.”
I said it clearly. Claude clammed up. I pushed him aside and opened the carriage door.
Inside, I found the small silk pouch still where I’d left it.
Inside were the handkerchief and the metal key, items I hadn’t let go of since the day I received them.
I took them out and exited the carriage. Then, I held them out to him.
“These are…”
“Take them. They’re what Your Highness wanted.”
“You’re really returning them?”
He looked suspicious. I extended my hand again, urging him.
“Yes. I’ve given up the idea of using these to get close to you.”
“…”
“If you’re going to run, go ahead. If you want to avoid me, be my guest.”
A laugh escaped me. A soft, dry chuckle. Claude stared blankly at my smile. I said confidently:
“No matter what, I’ll catch you. You’re wrong, Claude. I’ll make sure you understand that—and etch it deep into that complicated mind of yours.”
What are you waiting for? Go on, take it.
A moment later, his water-drenched, trembling hand slowly reached out.
