Chapter 10

*Snap.* A tree exploded.

Watching the warm bonfire, both physically and visually, was soothing to the soul.

Seeing the fire flickering in the fireplace was one of the few things Sophia liked, but she thought the bonfire was even better. She squinted her eyes and sniffed. *Sniff.*

“………”

“………”

Across from her, Livionis was looking down at the bonfire.

His long, thick eyelashes cast heavy shadows and trembled as he quietly gazed at the fire, looking like some kind of spirit. It was so beautiful, it was almost eerie. In front of this man, Sophia had just displayed a level of ugliness she never wanted to remember.

She had cried her heart out. It was unbelievable. She wanted to think it was a lie, but it was reality. The real deal.

If there had been a crying contest for children, she would have won the grand prize and carried it home.

When Livionis, who was visibly shaken by her crying, asked, “W-Wh-What happened???” while stumbling over his words, Sophia had blurted out, “I feel sick, I’m scared of heights, uuuuuh.” Ah, no, not physically. Not that kind of “vomit.” It means confessing, not throwing up. Ah, I’m sorry to those who are eating.

Anyway.

Sophia’s confidence in her endurance had been punched in the face by Livionis’s beauty and was easily knocked out. There was no sign of it coming back.

Although she couldn’t move or eat on her own when she was a baby, Sophia, who had never cried in front of anyone as far as she could remember, had completely lost control of her tear ducts in front of this knight. It was so embarrassing, like a famous well that never runs dry, her tears were gushing out. Hey, didn’t we not even have a pump until yesterday? I’d like to ask the person in charge, but since the person in charge is Sophia herself, all she could say was, “I don’t remember.”

She wondered if Livionis could forget that ugly scene as she stared at him.

“...Um”

“Yes?”

Livionis lifted his face quickly.

Beautiful.

Wow, his face illuminated by the bonfire was so beautiful. His purple eyes, which had suddenly become her favorite, were sparkling in the firelight, glowing red.

Sophia, who was staring at his brilliant blinking, tilted her head in confusion. His black hair swayed softly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Oh, no, it’s just that...”

She couldn’t say she was admiring him.

Sophia clenched her fist tightly.

“Earlier, um...”

“Have you calmed down?”

“Huh?”

“Your nausea.”

“Oh, yes, yes. Yes.”

“I’m glad.”

That’s what it was.

Sophia nodded. For a while, she felt nauseous even though she was off the horse, but now she was much calmer. Along with that, her tears, which had been falling heavily, had also calmed down.

It was really good.

Looking at the beautiful face with narrowed eyes, Sophia bowed her head and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito, “I’m sorry for causing you trouble...”

“No, I’m the one who should apologize for not noticing.”

“No, no! It’s because I’m weak... Besides, um...”

“?”

Eh, are you making me say it?

Sophia wanted to hold her head but, determined, she raised her face. His innocent, surprised expression was so cute that she almost cried.

“I, I cried so loudly, um...”

“Oh.”

Oh. Oh, what.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she felt a chill. Livionis narrowed his eyes and blushed.

“You were so cute.”

“Huh?”

What is this incredibly cute face?!

His smile was so adorable. A smile that could buy a country, but Sophia had no country to offer. Should she steal a country or something? What a ridiculous thought.

But, you know.

Sophia was cute. What was cute? What part? Why??

Sophia was so overwhelmed that she froze.

“Oh, no, that’s not appropriate. You were in so much pain, I’m sorry.”

“No, no, it’s not that. I’m just... I’m a bit strange now, so I’d be happy if you could forget it.”

If possible, Sophia wanted him to never remember it, but Livionis chuckled.

“There are requests I can and cannot fulfill, even from you, Sophia.”

“...Is this one of the ones you can’t fulfill?”

“Yes. It’s a memorable day for me, seeing you cry so openly in front of me.”

It became a memorable day.

He wasn’t mocking or teasing her. He probably wasn’t. Because of that cute smile.

If he could say such things with that face, she wouldn’t believe anything in this world.

But, even so, it was okay. If it was Livionis, she wouldn’t mind being deceived or betrayed. Even if he mocked or teased her, it was okay as long as it was Livionis. Because she could see such a cute face.

People might call it resignation or giving up, but Sophia knew that Livionis wouldn’t mock or tease her, and he didn’t seem to have any plans to deceive or betray her. So it was fine. Happy life, final answer.

Because if Livionis were to cry in front of her, she would probably feel overwhelmed and make it a memorable day.

Comparing Livionis’s beauty and strength to her own plain face made Sophia feel embarrassed and a bit crazy, but because of that cuteness.

“...Can I ever see your crying face, Livionis?”

“Me? Hmm...”

Livionis crossed his arms and looked up.

He blinked his long eyelashes and his gaze returned.

“Probably not. If I were to cry, it would be...”

“If you were to cry?”

Livionis laughed.

“Probably when you leave me.”

“!”

You wouldn’t be able to see my crying face when you turn your back on me, he said with a smile. How sneaky!

Sophia felt like shouting and lifted her chin.

“Well, then. Yes, I probably won’t be able to see it. Because...”

Because.

...Because.

......Because, because. Because, you know.

She closed her mouth, opened it, and finally looked down.

“...Because I’ll never let go of your hand...”

Something snapped, but Sophia couldn’t lift her face.

“S-Sophia, please show me your face! Please, lift your head up!”

“Mmm, no, no, no, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t.”

Even if it’s a request from Livionis, there are things she can and cannot do.

Right? Hahaha.