EP.88
In the heart of the recently opened Imperial Capital was an amusement park.
Originally, amusement parks served as playgrounds for the wealthy elite or high-ranking nobles, but this particular amusement park introduced a concept quite different from the typical notion.
Instead of targeting a specific social class with financial means, 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 amusement park was literally packed to the brim.
One could exaggerate by saying that everyone residing in the capital was crammed 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 merely 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 shimmered with an otherworldly allure.
It could be assumed that her face originally bore an air of cold detachment, 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 demeanor 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 amusement 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 mere 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 come 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 moments 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 something like that for our student council at this festival?”
“…Setting something 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 seemed 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 sometimes seen sitting on a bench in the amusement park, sharing ice cream or enjoying the sight of animals from a distance in the safari.
As time passed, the sun began to descend beyond the horizon, casting twilight over the amusement park.
Fortunately, since this amusement 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 came solely from the presence of the man walking alongside her, which transformed the landscape into something 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?”
“Immense. Almost to the point of wishing this time could last a little longer.”
A lie.
Kaya knew better than anyone else that, unlike others, Jin had not enjoyed today’s time spent with her.
Did he not realize that, though he was with her, his demeanor conveyed a sense of anxiety and unease rather than enjoyment?
It was clear that, while he might look at her at this moment, his gaze did not truly reflect her presence.
What could cause him not to enjoy the time spent with her?
…Was it perhaps another woman? Was it that he had already held some 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 something that she could not comprehend.
Though he outwardly showed no signs and seemed exceptionally carefree, he had always lived with an awareness of something that kept him restrained, which prevented him from savoring this time with her.
“…Dear.”
It hurt. The thought that Jin could not fully enjoy his time 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 seemed unyielding to anything?
At this moment, Kaya was deeply pained by the realization that she could do nothing for him…
It was heartbreaking that she couldn’t relieve even a fragment 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 me 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 midsummer night came to an end. Today’s sweet dream for Kaya concluded right here.
It was now time 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 members 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 merely a fleeting dream, it would be troublesome 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 remembers.
Because it is my duty to become family with him and ensure his happiness.
“I told you to call me Kaya from now on, didn’t I?”
“…Huh? But that’s only when we’re playing around—”
Once again, as he stammered clumsily, Kaya managed a bitter smile in his direction.
“I said, everyone close to me calls me 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 names?
That would be troublesome. He must recognize me as a woman, feel his heart race when standing before me, and regard everything about me with desire and awareness.
Thus, a mark must be made. Other unsophisticated women 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 merely 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 me.
“…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 remember, everything that happened here today is a secret from others.”
Because she wished that today’s moments would remain as a treasured secret known only to the two of them.
Isn’t that right, my dear?
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