Chapter 80

When we left the Terriisu Tei, it was already quite late at night.

I had stayed a bit too long because it had been a while. The light-headed, pleasant feeling in my feet might have been due to drinking too much.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm just having fun."

"Well, that's good. If you start feeling unwell, let me know right away."

"Will you carry me?"

"Of course."

I knew he wasn't lying.

Yesterday, when he actually picked me up, Noah didn't hesitate at all.

At the time, it wasn't the right moment to think about it, but now, it feels a bit embarrassing.

My heart was fluttering, and I clung to Noah's arms.

Even though I clung to him with considerable force, Noah didn't flinch. He just smiled calmly, which made me a bit frustrated.

"Are you drunk, by any chance?"

"Well, I did drink, so of course I'm a bit tipsy."

"More than usual, it seems."

"Maybe."

I laughed ambiguously, but I was aware that I was drunk.

After all, there was delicious food and drinks, and I was enjoying them with someone I liked. It's only natural to drink a bit too much when you're happy.

I had always been looking forward to days like this.

"Shall we stop by the park for a bit? It might help you sober up."

"I'm fine, really."

"Come on, let's go. Sobering up is just an afterthought, anyway."

"You want to stay with me a bit longer, don't you?"

"Yeah."

Even though I teased him, his straightforward response made me blush.

Feeling frustrated, I clung to him even tighter, and he laughed low and amused.

"Ah, but... don't we need to deliver that to Lars?"

"We can give it to him with breakfast."

Noah held the paper-wrapped package in his hand, opposite to where I was clinging to him.

It was a late-night snack that the master had made for us, but it seemed he was going to give it to Lars as a gift. Apparently, Lars had wanted to come to the Terriisu Tei today, but Noah had firmly refused. Still, the fact that he prepared a gift showed how close they were.

On the way back, there was a park.

During the day, it was a lively place for relaxation, but now, only the sound of our footsteps echoed.

We sat down on a nearby bench, and I stretched my arms up high.

"Ugh, I'm so full."

"Well, after eating two tarts and then a pot of stew, that's to be expected."

"But it was delicious."

Noah laughed low and pulled me closer by the shoulder.

I let my body lean into him, and the warmth that spread from the points of contact felt wonderful.

The sky above was dotted with twinkling stars.

There were no clouds, no wind. It was a quiet night.

"About the wedding... is it okay to move it up?"

"Yes, but will the renovation of the mansion be finished in time?"

"It's already arranged. It will be done by the end of summer, so it's fine."

"That's good. Hehe, I'm looking forward to it."

"Looking forward to the library? Or to living with me?"

His teasing voice made me look up, and I could see a hint of purple through his bangs. His mischievous smile made my heart skip a beat.

It's obvious.

How much I've been looking forward to marrying Noah. Of course, I'm excited about living together, but I also want to make our connected hearts visible.

"...Alicia?"

"Hmm?"

"...It's on your lips."

I gasped and covered my mouth with both hands.

I had only been thinking about how to convey my feelings. My heart was pounding embarrassingly, and I could feel my face turning red.

But—

"...Noah, are you blushing?"

Looking up at Noah's face from below, I thought I saw a faint blush. He turned his face away, but even his ears were tinged with heat.

It seemed I wasn't the only one blushing, and I felt relieved, letting out a soft laugh.

"Stop laughing so much."

"But... it's rare to see you like this."

I'm usually the one being toyed with, so seeing Noah like this made me happy.

Because I was drunk, I couldn't stop laughing. Even trying to hold it back, my shoulders were shaking, and Noah must have noticed.

Noah sighed and pushed his bangs back. He secured the raised bangs with his glasses and gently lowered my hands from my mouth.

In his eyes, only I was reflected.

"I want to be with you soon."

"Me too."

We could get married right away if we wanted to.

But preparing for the wedding and the new home—maybe that's his kindness and sincerity.

Noah's fingers touched my lips, tracing their shape, making me breathe out in a mix of ticklishness and embarrassment.

His fingers moved to my chin, tilting my head up. Knowing what was coming, I slowly closed my eyes.

His breath touched my lips, and they met.

His hand moved from my chin to my cheek, then to the back of my head, tousling my hair, making my heart race just from that touch.

His lips were warm.

Even though it was just a moment, it was enough to ignite a flame of heat.

His lips slowly pulled away, but the heat lingered, unaffected by the night air.

"Your face is red."

"Whose fault do you think it is?"

"Mine."

When I opened my eyes, Noah was smiling happily.

With a smile like that, I couldn't possibly complain. So I buried my face in his chest and clung to him tightly, wrapping my arms around his back as if I couldn't hold on any tighter.

Noah chuckled low in his throat and wrapped his arms around me.

How can I make him understand how dear this warmth is to me?

"I love you."

The low whisper in my ear made me feel dizzy.

I love you too. I wonder if my words were drowned out by my heartbeat.

But when his arms around me tightened, I thought they must have reached him.

My feelings of love overflowed, bottomless.

When I raised my eyes to his chest, I could see him smiling. In the glow of the evening star, which seemed to cherish me, I fell in love again.