Published at 24th of January 2023 10:53:02 AM

Duchess of Valienne, the carriage sent by His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!

At Victoria's words (she looked happy for some reason), I looked out the window.

A huge golden carriage engraved with the Axelferion imperial emblem had arrived in front of the ducal residence.

As the black horse, with gleaming luster flowing all over its body, swung wildly, I could see the coachman resolutely calming the horses.

Should I go or not?

Victoria raised her eyebrows slightly at my murmur.

Is there any particular reason not to go?

'There's no reason not to go.'

'But strangely, I've been upset since last night.'

Like a haze, it felt like a strange sadness was creeping up from my chest.

'But I don't know why I'm sad.'

'Is it even being 'upset'?'

'Don't tell me it's because he didn't thank me yesterday?!'

Didn't I save his life?

Heck, that's a very childish reason. Childish Annette, I should try not to show it.

Tell them I'm turning down the invitation.

Yes. I was a childish and condescending person.

As I lowered my eyes and spoke, Victoria replied, stroking her chin.

But, he did almost die yesterday I don't think there's a law that says he'll be safe today?

He will be fine.

He looked very strong.

In response to my calm response, Victoria grinned, holding up her index finger and said a horrible thing.

My maternal uncle collapsed and recovered well the next day, but he died suddenly the day after.

!?

'No, please don't say scary words with such a bright face, Victoria.'

I thought for a few seconds, and then I got up.

Tell them I'm coming.

Eventually, when I arrived at the Imperial Palace in a carriage, the attendants took me to the greenhouse as if they had been waiting.

It was a pretty greenhouse full of colorful flowers grown by magic, and little birds chirping.

My heart was refreshed as if I had been invited to a spring festival.

'I like the air.'

There was an occasional delicious smell amidst the scent of the fresh greens.

It looked like I was invited to dinner.

Welcome.

At that moment, a familiar yet low, deep voice slipped into my ears.

Annette.

.

Turning around, I saw him, standing under the gleaming magic stone lights.

Red eyes under jet black dark hair. He leisurely stuck a hand in his pocket, and he looked much nicer in today's suit.

A jacket that fell snugly over his broad shoulders made my chest pound.

'Why is Sislin so good looking today?'

I forgot to speak for a moment, then opened my mouth belatedly.

Thank you for inviting me, Your Highness.

He narrowed his eyes and gestured.

Sit down.

There was a small dining table in the greenhouse. The table wasn't so small that one had to eat up close, but the menu composition was unique.

Everything

'It's what I like.'

'Is this how you say thank you?'

I felt a little relieved, so I sat down and savored the delicious food little by little.

Your Highness, did you call me for dinner today?

Yes.

He nodded and answered briefly.

I ate some of the starter bread and asked.

Are you all right?

I'm perfectly fine. Rather, I'm full of energy. As much as to be able to use it anywhere.

Red eyes narrowed playfully towards me.

'What are you going to use it for?'

'Why are you looking at me like that, Your Highness.'

'Why are your eyes like that, Sisl?'

It's a misunderstanding, I must be wrong.

It was clear that a strange demon was disturbing my mind because I kissed him for no reason yesterday.

As I stared at him skillfully handling the knife, the 12-year-old 'sister' asked the 11-year-old naughty kid in an admonishing tone.

You're thankful, aren't you?

.

I saved you from dying

Of course, thank you. You saved my life.

At that moment, Sislin interrupted me and said thank you right away (although it was a bit vague).

A chunk of meat dripping in blood was pushed into his clean lips. He chewed casually and stared at me.

Then he just said,

I'll pay you back.

Like it's some kind of debt relationship.

Okay.

I, too, gave a short answer and diligently worked the tableware.

And I realized.

'It wasn't that I was upset because he didn't say thank you.'

Strange.

Then why do I feel like this?

After dinner, we went for a walk (Sislin's recommendation).

Having dismissed all the servants, we enjoyed the refreshing night air alone in the garden of the Imperial Palace.

We walked side by side.

As slow as I was, I knew he would match my strides.

Hey, Sisl

Hm?

He raised his thick eyebrows and glanced down at me.

As we walked side by side, I realized how much he had grown.

Do you remember what happened yesterday?

There were only the two of us, so I quietly asked. It would be good to talk honestly.

By the way

?

Sislin's reaction was ambiguous. He tilted his head briefly, as if he didn't know, and shifted it back.

'Uh, is that the end of your answer?'

What a fright it was yesterday!

I thought he was going to die, so I did anything to save him.

Really, I did.

It was my first kiss.

!

Oh, at that moment I realized.

I think I finally found the reason why I was disappointed.

Sislin didn't seem to care much about yesterday, unlike me.

'I guess he doesn't even remember.'

Well, he was really in pain.

It could be difficult to remember everything when in an insane state.

'I can't blame him.'

I took a deep breath, carefully unwrapped something and placed it on the palm of my hand.

Then I raised my eyes a little and asked.

Would you like some candy?

In the palm of my hand was a sweet pink candy.

It really didn't fit.

This big man and candy.

In fact, even when he was young, Sislin didn't like 'sweet things' very much.

Even more so when he became an adult.

I recommended it knowingly. I kind of wanted to play a very small (pretty trivial) trick.

Give it to me.

Sislin grabbed my wrist, lowered his head for a while, and took the candy from the palm of my hand, swiping it with his lips.

!

'He's really going to eat it.'

'It wouldn't taste good.'

'Although it's generally delicious.'

I looked up at him with curious eyes. How was he eating candy with such a mild face?

Would he look the same if he was biting gravel?

There was not even 1mg of liking toward sweetness on the face.

I asked carefully.

Sisl. Don't you hate candy?

Uh. No.

Then why did you take it?

He looked down at me with his hands behind his back. His eyes were somewhat naughty yet friendly.

What the duchess wants to feed me, I'll try it.

Isn't it delicious?

Very.

He furrowed his eyebrows while I laughed playfully.

'I'm sorry.'

I was just being grumpy

'It's not that I can't remember on purpose, it's because it hurts.'

In fact, I knew better than anyone that it was the first kiss.

No matter how many excuses were given, such as emergency treatment, it simply wasn't like that. The moment my heart felt like it was going to explode, the breath we shared and the sharp sensations all were still engraved in me.

I moved forward at a relatively short pace next to the broad, slow-walking Sislin.

I mumbled to myself.

How could you not remember?

Crunch.

He murmured softly as he chewed and swallowed the tasteless candy quickly.

So cute, I'm going crazy.

It was when I thought I didn't hear correctly and looked up at him.

A large hand wrapped around my cheek.

Sislin, who had stopped walking, lowered his head and stared closely at me.

Which one.

Yes?

Was it when I got down on my knees and begged like a madman for you not to leave?

The red eyes clearly captured me. My cheeks flamed up as they met.

If not

His gaze glided towards my lips.

The lips that had the taste of sweet candy bit the red lips.

The jaw muscles moved slightly; the kiss was so soft that I couldn't do anything.

Sislin, who disliked candy, melted the candy in my mouth, swallowing it instead of the candy.

I did not know what to do, unknowingly slightly lifting my hand.

My heart was pounding at the slight sound of his lips parting.

.

His big hand slowly interlaced its fingers as it grabbed mine, which was wandering in the air.

The bright, blazing red eyes seemed more earnest and sincere than ever.

It was like a man whose heart had been charred by thirst and heat for a sole person.

The little longing that I had felt all night was too moderate for him.

He whispered through bated breath.

I love you, Annette.

His lips touched again. A kiss that was sweet and soft enough to confuse the mind followed.

Mixed with hot breaths, a low voice revealed a single true heart.

I love you.

Ame:At one point, somewhere during the kiss scene, mtl gave me smelly/stinky lips LIKE WTH HAHAHAHA could've made me snort my apple juice outta my nose

Tassie:AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH IT HAPPENEDDDDDDDD I LOVE YOU TOO SISLIN!!!!! Istg if she doesn't want him I'll take him!!