Chapter 78: Imperial Capital Edelmarion (6)

    Returning to my lodging, my initial plan was to fall asleep immediately. I quickly washed up and brought a cup of tea to my room.

    Sirien would savor the aroma and taste even when drinking a simple cup of herbal tea. To me, tea was just water with a slightly different flavor.

    I was born with an unrefined palate; there was nothing I could do about it. If I were to blame anyone, it would be my parents for making me this way.

    However, the world often favors those with unrefined tastes. A lower threshold for happiness makes life more convenient in many ways.

    From outside the room, there was a knock at the door. In the cabin, I could distinguish people just by their footsteps.

    Naturally, I recognized who it was. In fact, at this hour, the only person who would visit me was Sirien.

    “Razen. Are you asleep already?”

    “Not yet. You can come in.”

    “Then, excuse me.”

    Sirien entered my room directly.

    Perhaps because it was late at night, she was dressed comfortably. That didn’t mean her beauty was any less striking.

    A deep blue evening dress. The delicate fabric softly embraced Sirien’s body.

    The first thing that caught my eye was her slender waistline. With each breath she took, her alluring silhouette gently swayed, and her noble silver hair playfully swished.

    A bright smile, like that of a child up to some mischief late at night, adorned her lips.

    I realized now. That bashful smile of Sirien’s was a look she showed only to me. Knowing this seemed to grip and shake something deep within my heart.

    “What’s the matter?”

    “Tomorrow might be dangerous. I wanted to suggest we have some snacks together to cheer up.”

    “Sure. Come in quickly. The cold air is getting in.”

    “Is tea and snacks okay?”

    “You know me; I eat anything without fuss.”

    Sirien set down a tray. On it were a few snacks, as usual.

    Today, there were simple biscuits, milk, and a single piece of candy.

    Seeing only one candy, it was likely meant for Sirien. If I were to snatch it now, she’d probably resent me greatly.

    Imagining her puffing her cheeks and playfully hitting me was quite endearing.

    An annoyed Sirien seemed to evoke a certain mischievous desire in a man, making one oddly want to tease her. Perhaps it was because her expressions were so varied.

    Sirien placed a biscuit in my mouth. Her fingers lightly brushed against my lips, and that fleeting moment seemed to linger on them.

    “Eat this and stay strong for tomorrow. Try not to get hurt again.”

    “Still, haven’t I been avoiding injuries lately?”

    “Cover that scar on your neck before saying that. It’s really upsetting. Just recently, you got hurt despite being so confident.”

    “Oh, you can see it now.”@@@@

    There was a small burn mark on my neck.

    It happened when we were escaping through the forest. Anyway, demons, demonic beings, monsters, beasts—anything with ‘demonic’ in its name seemed to have a bad connection with us.

    A monster that self-destructs when near death? Who could have imagined that?

    I usually kept it well hidden, but having just washed up, I hadn’t thought about it. I used a nearby towel to cover my neck.

    Worry was already evident in her beautiful red eyes.

    “There’s likely to be a strong demon involved. Don’t let your guard down.”

    “I know. I’ll be careful.”

    “I really mean it this time, okay?”

    “Yes. Trust me.”

    Outwardly, a demonic beast appeared to be just a slightly larger animal. Moreover, there were occasionally ferocious or massive predators more fearsome than demonic beasts.

    “So, I was thinking... How about we try changing what we call each other?”

    “...Specifically?”

    “Um, well... How about, uh, Honey?”

    “Honey? Like this?”

    “Eep!”

    Sirien flinched and shrank back. She’d told me to try it, so why was she reacting like this when I did?

    Her flushed cheeks grew hotter as I lightly pinched them, and yet, her lips couldn’t hide the smile spreading wide with delight.

    Seeing her like this, I couldn’t just let it go.

    “Honey? What’s wrong? You told me to say it.”

    “W-well, my heart wasn’t ready...!”

    “Honey, Honey, Honey?”

    “Ahh... N-no, stop! My heart won’t survive at this rate!”

    Sirien covered my mouth, but did she really think that would stop me?

    My superior physical strength wasn’t something her slender frame could counter.

    I dodged her hands and asked teasingly,

    “You don’t like being called Honey? What about something like darling? That might be too much for now, though.”

    “Haaah... I said stop!”

    “Pfft!”

    “Ugh, this is a disaster. I just came to cheer you up for tomorrow!”

    “Thanks to my Honey, I think I’ll have plenty of energy now.”

    “Ah! Quiet! Until I’m ready, that nickname is off-limits!”

    In the end, Sirien lunged at me with the determination to shut me up, covering my mouth with her hands.

    Feeling it was better to let her win this time, I obediently allowed myself to be silenced.

    When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by Sirien’s flushed face and a pouty expression. It was that expression—the one so irresistible that I couldn’t help but tease her just to see it again.

    Perhaps it was because it was a rare sight, or maybe it was the mix of annoyance and love pouring out of her that made it so incredibly sweet.

    Whatever the reason, one thing was clear: the fact that this person was my lover filled me with immense joy.

    Had she noticed my thoughts? Sirien made an exaggerated show of being upset.

    “I’m leaving now. Eat the rest of the snacks yourself,” she huffed.

    “Then I’ll eat this candy too,” I teased.

    “Huh? No way!”

    As I reached for the candy, Sirien quickly snatched it up from the tray. Without hesitation, the round, jewel-like candy disappeared into her mouth.

    “Is it a rare candy or something?” I asked, amused.

    “Yep. Baron Esquente said he got it from a famous pa?tissier.”

    “Ah, I see.”

    Sirien slowly rolled the candy around in her mouth. I wasn’t particularly interested in candy, but the sight of her pale cheeks subtly moving was so endearing that I couldn’t look away.

    “Curious about how it tastes?” she asked with a playful glint in her eyes.

    “A little. Not a lot,” I replied casually.

    “Hmm, is that so?”

    Her eyes curved mischievously into crescents. A shiver of unease ran down my spine.

    This was trouble brewing.

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