DSFL | Chapter 89

~Chapter 89~ 

They say, “Strike while the iron is hot.”

Our ancestors weren’t wrong, so it’s better to follow their advice.

‘…Or maybe not.’

But once the front gate of the Hessen mansion came into view, her firm resolve started to waver.

“Lady Bianca?”

The guard at the gate looked at her with wide eyes. His surprised reaction made her feel a little nervous, but she forced herself to stay brave.

“I sent a letter to the Duke…”

That was when she heard a voice.

“Bianca!”

It was Ricardo.

He had run all the way to the gate—his face full of urgency, his hair messy from the wind.

Still, he didn’t look tired at all. He looked full of energy.

As Bianca watched his lively face, she awkwardly held out the robe she was carrying.

“Ah.”

His eyes clearly showed that he had completely forgotten about the robe.

…What should she even say about this situation?

She had seen Ricardo many times before, but today, he felt unfamiliar—awkward even.

Maybe it was because of the joy written all over his face.

She couldn’t remember what she used to talk about with him.

‘All we ever did was fight.’

Or maybe she was just too tired.

It was probably the side effect of Peril’s magic.

“W-Well then, I’ll be going now!”

Just as she quickly bowed and tried to leave, Ricardo suddenly stood in front of her.

“…?”

It didn’t seem like he had anything to say. It looked like he’d done it without thinking.

When she tried walking in another direction, he stepped in front of her again.

No matter where she turned, Ricardo kept blocking her.

“What are you doing…?”

“I’m not finished yet.”

She tilted her head, signaling for him to speak, and Ricardo cautiously suggested,

“Shall we take a walk?”

…Did he have something important to say?

His serious expression made her agree without thinking.

As they walked for a while, Ricardo suddenly said,
“Actually, I haven’t eaten yet.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Have you eaten?”

“I had a late lunch.”

Then Ricardo shamelessly added,

“Then you can sit beside me and watch. Maybe it’ll make you hungry too.”

…She had no idea where to even begin pointing out what was wrong with that.

***

Still, Ricardo wasn’t wrong.

It was surprising that he had even made a reservation at one of the capital’s most famous restaurants.

“By the way, the thing you needed to talk about—was it something that had to be done at a specific time?”

“Yes.”

Ricardo answered with a straight face.

So much for something important.

This was just his way of killing time!

She shook her head in disbelief and glanced at him.

“Where are you coming from, anyway?”

Ricardo visibly flinched.

His clothes definitely didn’t look like someone who’d just come from home.

He didn’t usually wear perfume, but today he had a soft scent on him.

“…Let’s just say I was out.”

What kind of vague answer is that?

His neck had turned red…

Bianca awkwardly touched her ear and changed the subject.

“So, where are we going now?”

“There’s a café I’ve been wanting to try.”

He answered right away, as if he had been waiting for the question.

“You know cafés? Doesn’t seem like it.”

“You really don’t know anything about me.”

Then he confidently led the way.

“Oh no, I’m terribly sorry. The place is full right now. You’ll have to wait a while.”

The problem was that the café had no seats.

Ricardo looked a little flustered but quickly returned to his calm self.

“That’s fine. There are plenty of cafés in the capital.”

“Y-Yeah, sure.”

But Ricardo seemed to forget that at this time of day, most cafés in the capital were full.

After being turned away from a few more places, he still kept a calm expression—but his eyes gave away his unease.

Unable to watch any longer, Bianca finally spoke up.

“Um, do we really have to go to a café?”

“I just wanted to do something you enjoy.”

“…What?”

“I feel like I’ve only ever done things you hated…”

His words left her speechless.

“So you looked up places for me in advance?”

“I also asked around for suggestions.”

“…”

“I’m not very familiar with the capital.”

After thinking for a moment, Bianca slowly spoke.

“I like walking. I also enjoy having simple conversations.”

Ricardo paused.

“What about you? What do you like? Do you have any hobbies?”

She never expected to be the one asking this.

“I…”

He didn’t answer for a while. He just looked at her.

When she tilted her head, he opened his mouth, then gave a bitter smile.

“I don’t have any.”

“Then you would enjoy finding out what you like.”

“…!”

“Isn’t it exciting? To find out what you’ll love?”

As the sun began to set, Bianca began walking back toward the Hessen mansion.

“The weather’s nice, so I’ll walk you there.”

“Haah… Bianca. Gentlemen don’t get escorted by ladies.”

“Then you should feel honored.”

When she stubbornly replied, Ricardo sighed and followed her.

“Anyway, isn’t Roygin’s carriage still parked at Hessen?”

“You leave no room for argument.”

“You’re the same. Always fighting back.”

“I’m nothing compared to you.”

“For someone who says that, you sure argue well.”

“Maybe it’s because I enjoy talking to you.”

See?

He really knows how to shut her up.

When she said nothing, Ricardo chuckled.

“Did I make you speechless again?”

“Yes. You’re really talented at that.”

“I’ll try to improve even more.”

“There’s no need for that.”

If he really did, she might never get a word in again.

“Bianca.”

Ricardo suddenly called her name.

“Now that it’s clear the Siren is connected to the temple, the imperial family will likely focus on covering up her existence.”

“…!”

“Through all that, I just hope you stay safe.”

His eyes twitched slightly.

“Brandon revealed himself to you for the first time after hiding all this time.”

Ricardo paused, struggling to continue. Then he forced a dry smile.

“…Did he show himself because he wants you to leave this place?”

Bianca flinched.

But she couldn’t bring herself to answer.

In the past, she would’ve said no.

And if she confessed she was a stranger in this world, she couldn’t predict how Ricardo would react.

Even if she tried to explain that it was because of Bianca’s wish, that would be the only part Ricardo would hear.

She knew she couldn’t hide the truth forever.

But Ricardo was the one who stepped back first. He changed the subject as if nothing had happened.

“We didn’t get to visit the café today, so… maybe next time?”

“So the café was the whole reason behind this outing, huh?”

“Well, partly.”

That didn’t even make sense.

They finally arrived at the Hessen mansion. But the carriage she expected wasn’t outside.

Maybe it was parked inside? Ricardo naturally led her toward the mansion.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here.”

But then, Ricardo suddenly stopped, and Bianca bumped into his back.

“…!”

She didn’t even have time to rub her sore nose before Ricardo turned around in a hurry.

“I think I should get going now.”

He gave her a faint smile.

“I had a good time today.”

At the same time, Bianca spotted Harness standing under the other side of the persimmon tree, his back facing us.

She gasped.

Ricardo turned and started walking toward Harness.

“…”

Seeing Ricardo’s face suddenly darken, Bianca instinctively clenched her fists.

…He can’t look like that.

Before her thoughts could catch up, her body moved on its own.

She hurried past Ricardo, rushing toward Harness. Afraid he’d stop her, she picked up the pace.

She reached the tree—and without thinking, kicked it hard.

Thud!

A pear fell straight onto Harness’s head.

Bianca didn’t wait to see the result. She grabbed Ricardo’s wrist and started running.

“Run!”

They ran for a while. Just when she started tasting blood from the back of her throat from overexertion, she finally stopped.

Breathing hard, she turned to look behind her.

Ricardo’s eyes were wide with shock.

“Do you think he recognized me…?”

Now that the chaos was over, fear crept in.

But Ricardo didn’t even seem to hear her. He just stood there, blinking in disbelief.

And then, he suddenly burst out laughing.

“Pfft!”

“I’m being serious!”

But Ricardo just kept laughing.

She had no idea what was so funny.