In the heart of the recently opened Imperial Capital was an amusent park.
Originally, amusent parks served as playgrounds for the wealthy elite or high-ranking nobles, but this particular amusent park introduced a concept quite different from the typical notion.
Instead of targeting a specific social class with financial ans, it was designed to allow the general public—ordinary citizens—to enter freely, provided they paid a relatively inexpensive ticket price.
As a result, the park was bustling with visitors from all over the Empire, and with today being a holiday, the inside of the amusent park was literally packed to the brim.
One could exaggerate by saying that everyone residing in the capital was cramd into this small space. With such a crowd, one barely had the capacity to pay attention to others, let alone protect oneself.
Despite this, there was a couple present who naturally drew all eyes by rely existing and taking steps forward.
First and foremost, the woman with violet hair was truly beautiful. It was easy to understand why everyone around her found themselves inexplicably captivated by her.
Her beauty was like that of a finely sculpted statue, hurriedly crafted with utmost care by a master artisan; her gleaming, violet locks shimred with an otherworldly allure.
It could be assud that her face originally bore an air of cold detachnt, and indeed, such a countenance would have suited her well, yet now, after the harshness of winter had passed, she wore an expression reminiscent of spring’s warm embrace.
However, given her essence, even her currently gentle deanor felt remarkably fitting. It was as if spring had always been flowing within her very being, rather than winter.
With a visage that resembled the Winter Goddess, she simultaneously exuded the aura of the Spring Goddess, causing everyone present to be drawn to her without realizing it.
Nevertheless, no one dared to approach her or speak to her out of a reckless bravado.
For without even realizing it themselves, the woman was gazing at the man by her side with the kind of gaze reserved for stars shining in the night sky.
Yet, the only person who occupied Kaya’s line of sight was Jin; thus, he was the sole shining star in her eyes.
Jin, acting as Kaya’s only knight and the lone man by her side, was currently escorting her.
Like a scene pulled straight from a fairy tale, a stunning woman and the man accompanying her made an unreal yet captivating pair ambulating gracefully through the amusent park in the heart of the Imperial Capital.
They did not display any overt signs of being a passionate couple, nor did they flaunt their elevated status as nobles.
Instead, they blended in as re tourists, allowing the crowd to carry them wherever their feet took them.
They showed little interest in the various attractions or sights within the park.
This was because Jin, having co from a world filled with much more advanced marvels, found these things rather trivial, while Kaya had no capacity to behold anything other than the man beside her.
Nonetheless, there were monts when they would abruptly stop, engaging in cheerful conversation about the trivial sights within the park or various events.
For instance, Kaya’s gaze was fixed on a sail-less boat swaying back and forth on a pillar—it resembled nothing less than a Viking ship in Jin’s eyes—and her eyes sparkled as she turned to Jin and spoke.
“Dear, how about we install sothing like that for our student council at this festival?”
“…Setting sothing like that up with the student council’s budget—is that even possible?”
Even if Nineveh had plenty of funds, installing and dismantling such an attraction every festival would be untenable for the budget.
“Hmm… If it’s utterly impossible with the student council budget, I could always pitch in from my own pocket to make it happen—”
Seeing Kaya, who seed genuinely serious and deep in thought, Jin couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Even while enjoying this ‘couple’s play’ with him, she was not neglecting her duties as the Student Council President, making her appear quite dignified and admirable.
The two were sotis seen sitting on a bench in the amusent park, sharing ice cream or enjoying the sight of animals from a distance in the safari.
As ti passed, the sun began to descend beyond the horizon, casting twilight over the amusent park.
Fortunately, since this amusent park was open at night, they were not in a hurry to leave as darkness fell; instead, they could leisurely appreciate the scenery.
On the outskirts of the park ran a vast river that pierced through the Imperial Capital, accompanied by a wide riverside park.
As darkness enveloped the surroundings, leaving no trace of human presence, Jin and Kaya began to stroll silently along the riverside.
“It’s truly beautiful here at night by the river, isn’t it, dear? It feels like it has a charm different from seeing the river during the day.”
While it didn’t compare to the sea, Kaya smiled gently as she listened to the sound of the water flowing in and out.
…In truth, Kaya had no particular interest or fascination with the scenery.
Her joy ca solely from the presence of the man walking alongside her, which transford the landscape into sothing special.
With him by her side, Kaya was certain she would find beauty in any place and in any view.
“…Dear.”
“Hmm?”
“Did you enjoy today?”
Kaya attempted to conceal the shyness bubbling inside her, directing her gaze toward the riverbank as she posed the question.
At her question, Jin looked at her with a puzzled expression and then responded nonchalantly.
“I had fun.”
“How much fun?”
“Imnse. Almost to the point of wishing this ti could last a little longer.”
A lie.
Kaya knew better than anyone else that, unlike others, Jin had not enjoyed today’s ti spent with her.
Did he not realize that, though he was with her, his deanor conveyed a sense of anxiety and unease rather than enjoynt?
It was clear that, while he might look at her at this mont, his gaze did not truly reflect her presence.
What could cause him not to enjoy the ti spent with her?
…Was it perhaps another woman? Was it that he had already held so other woman in his heart, making her feel like an inconvenience rather than a joy?
“…..”
No, that wasn’t it. Whatever it was, Jin was entangled in sothing that she could not comprehend.
Though he outwardly showed no signs and seed exceptionally carefree, he had always lived with an awareness of sothing that kept him restrained, which prevented him from savoring this ti with her.
“…Dear.”
It hurt. The thought that Jin could not fully enjoy his ti with her felt as if it was digging into her heart.
What was the nature of this burden that troubled him? What could weigh down a man as strong as he, one who seed unyielding to anything?
At this mont, Kaya was deeply pained by the realization that she could do nothing for him…
It was heartbreaking that she couldn’t relieve even a fragnt of the burden on his heart or truly make him smile.
“Dear.”
Yet, feeling compelled to speak her heart was a struggle, so Kaya mustered a forced smile and finally spoke.
“Shall we… just run away?”
“Hmm?”
“To a place where Nineveh, the student council, Pendragon—none of that matters… Shall we just escape to a place where no one knows us, and live looking only at each other?”
Though she spoke jokingly, her words were imbued with an endless sincerity.
I want to run away. I want to escape far, far away with you, without worrying about secrets of birth or the bad fate handed down from your ancestors, to avoid whatever burden you carry.
If the Pendragons and all those associated with it might hurt
or scar you, then perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad choice to distance ourselves from all of it.
But…
“Well, I don’t know. It seems like that might be a bit tough.”
As expected, Jin responded just as she had anticipated.
“…Why?”
“Because we haven’t taken our final exams yet, and we haven’t enjoyed the festival either. If we run away, the student council would be in complete disarray, wouldn’t it?”
Perhaps he thought Kaya’s suggestion was a joke, as he responded in a teasing manner.
In truth, her words were sincere. If he’d seriously agreed with her, she could have left right away with him…
And just like that, the dream of a midsumr night ca to an end. Today’s sweet dream for Kaya concluded right here.
It was now ti to wake up from the dream and return to reality.
“…Then, dear, shall we head back? It seems like curfew is approaching. If we delay, it wouldn’t set a good example as mbers of the student council.”
“Yeah, Erekaya.”
With that, Kaya looked at him gently as the river breeze tousled her hair.
That oblivious man. Even if everything today was rely a fleeting dream, it would be troubleso to dismiss everything she had given him as just a fantasy.
Because, unbeknownst to Jin, right here today, Erekaya had decided to hold the man Jin close to her heart and make him hers.
He is mine. Though I may not be the first woman to occupy his heart, I intend to be the last one he rembers.
Because it is my duty to beco family with him and ensure his happiness.
“I told you to call
Kaya from now on, didn’t I?”
“…Huh? But that’s only when we’re playing around—”
Once again, as he stamred clumsily, Kaya managed a bitter smile in his direction.
“I said, everyone close to
calls
Kaya.”
Could it be that he doesn’t see us as close? Or perhaps he thinks we’re not even at the level of calling each other by affectionate nas?
That would be troubleso. He must recognize
as a woman, feel his heart race when standing before , and regard everything about
with desire and awareness.
Thus, a mark must be made. Other unsophisticated won might try to approach him without knowing their place, and since he isn’t good at picking up on such hints, I must be vigilant.
But today is rely the first day, and I can’t afford to be seen as too cheap in his eyes.
So lightheartedly and kindly, yet ensuring that he can never forget .
“…Ah.”
Kaya’s finger gently moved, brushing just above Jin’s lips.
Above his lips, her taste and fragrance lingered. This was the flavor of Erekaya, the fresh and pure essence of the most precious gem belonging to the Pendragon house.
“Now we must be considered to be close, right? Because it’s unlikely that a man and woman who are not close would engage in such acts.”
With a light giggle, Erekaya turned away from him.
“Now let’s head back. And rember, everything that happened here today is a secret from others.”
Because she wished that today’s monts would remain as a treasured secret known only to the two of them.
Isn’t that right, my dear?
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