Praise is Embarrassing on a Languid Day
The sun felt so warm, making me even more languid.
So languid that I might drop my parasol.
But it was too expensive to let it roll on the ground.
"Kane. Hold it for me…."
"Huh? Hold what?"
"My right hand. My whole body's so limp, I might drop this parasol you so generously bought me."
It was the parasol I'd left with Kane yesterday because I knew they'd snatch it away if I took it home.
He bought it for me, but since he'd given it to me, leaving it with him was the right call.
And now it was back in my hands.
Anyway, would he hold it or not?
Kane's fingertips twitched at my words, but he didn't move decisively.
In the meantime, my hand was growing too weak to even hold this lightweight parasol.
"There, like this?"
"Thanks. So, what do you think? My hand's pretty soft, right?"
It better be soft.
Does it feel good?
I beamed at him, hoping he'd be satisfied.
Right now, with no energy left for the intense "reward" from yesterday, I hoped this would be enough.
At the same time, I genuinely wanted him to like my hand.
Having someone like me—even just a part of me—felt amazing. It was me, after all.
"Does it hurt a lot? Should we rest?"
"Is that your answer? I'm disappointed…."
I really was disappointed.
Just say it's nice—why dodge it?
He could be casual with me.
Yesterday, I'd told him multiple times I'd do even more.
A little sulky at his evasive reply, I turned my head ever so slightly away from Kane.
But I kept peeking at him from the corner of my eye, gauging his reaction.
I didn't know why I was acting like this, but I just wanted his praise.
Maybe because he was the first in so long to treat me like a person—or better?
"Sorry. I'm so languid, I keep saying weird stuff."
"No, it's not that. Lea's hand is really pretty. Soft too. Not just empty words—it's true."
"Really? Thanks. This hand could touch you in all sorts of places if you want."
"Let's save that for when you're feeling better."
"Oh? Mind if I ask what you have in mind?"
"Days like today, let's hold off on that talk. It's tough."
"Hehe. No idea what you're imagining, but… maybe the same thing as me?"
I giggled at Kane, who could only roll his eyes without a word.
Just standing side by side, walking leisurely like this, felt so good.
Was it because Kane treated me kindly?
Or maybe because Kane himself was just a good person.
The people I saw at home were mostly irredeemable villains, stuck on the evil side.
Plus, even if I'd pressured him, his praise felt amazing.
How long had it been since I'd heard any?
I'd just learned I could even ask for it myself.
"So, what's with me today? Do I seem that different?"
"Uh… how to put it. The venom's drained out? You're calm and cute. But it feels unstable, like it could vanish anytime."
So that's how Kane saw me.
Fair enough—I'd never checked a mirror on a day like this.
Wanting to leave forever on days like this and live peacefully? Cute aside, it fit.
But I wasn't the cute type.
Kane's eyes must be weird.
I'd never thought of myself as cute.
Pretty? Every day. But cute and pretty were different.
"I see. Thanks for the praise. Not sure about the cute part, though."
"Lea really is cute. I, the fifth noblest in the empire, guarantee it."
"Stop. My face is heating up, making me even more languid…."
"Why? I'm just saying my fiancée is cute."
Why say that?
Too limp to fan my face with my free hand, I buried my head in Kane's shoulder to hide.
My face was definitely flushed.
Of all times, attacking when my mind was this soft.
Payback for teasing him yesterday?
Of course "cute" felt good… but my fingertips curled in embarrassment.
A body that had never heard praise in its life.
"We've only been together a day, you know? Save the cringey compliments until you know me better. I might not be cute later."
"Doubt it. Hiding your face like this is cute too."
"Don't tease. Even if it's a joke, I really don't want to show my face right now."
I had no idea what I was doing or saying.
I'd pressured him for praise first, now telling him to stop.
What a flip-flop.
But I had zero resistance to compliments—it was mortifying.
Couldn't play it cool like yesterday on a day like this.
Teasing came naturally from my head, but anything more? No way.
Deep down, I knew languid days crumbled my defenses.
No pain meant they naturally fell.
A mental attack through that gap? No clue how to respond.
"Why'd you go quiet…? Keep talking, minus the cringey stuff…."
"No, that was no joke—you're that cute…."
No words left.
Say that, and I'll collapse.
Head already spinning from anemia, now heat rushed to my brain, making it worse.
I actually staggered from his killer line.
Dizzy enough already, now I could barely stand.
But Kane was solidly by my side.
The moment I wobbled, he switched the parasol to his other hand and wrapped his right arm around my waist to steady me.
"Let's sit and rest a bit."
"Yeah. Thanks to my Kane, I really need to."
"Should I apologize for this?"
"Nah, probably not."
I'd gotten flustered because I liked it.
No need for apologies.
With his support, I sat on a roadside bench.
Perfect spot—no building shade, full warm sunlight.
My delicate skin couldn't handle sun, but with this ultra-expensive parasol, it was prime real estate for me.
Warm like this, with a gentle breeze… made me want to say things I shouldn't.
Feeling sleepy too.
Sleepy people wanna talk nonsense.
Just do it.
"You said earlier I seem like I'd leave. That's kinda true."
"What is?"
"On days like this? No one bothers me, so I feel free. Makes me wanna go somewhere no one's at, somewhere I can truly relax~ Yeah, I thought that a lot in my spare time. It's a habit now."
Normally, I'd never say this.
Showing weakness gained nothing.
I'd clung on fiercely to hide it.
Why wasn't Kane responding?
I'd mustered the strength to share my inner thoughts—react or something.
Silence was awkward.
I'd bared just the surface of my heart.
What was up with Kane? I lifted my head from his shoulder and looked up.
He smiled right away, but I'd caught the expression before.
Like he wanted to demolish my house right then.
And Kane could if he wanted.
So I languidly reached out, placing my hand on his cheek.
"Don't dirty your hands on trash, Kane. They'll self-destruct anyway. Just wait a bit longer."
"But Lea suffers in the meantime."
"I've been suffering forever—what's a little more? Just worry about how to tease and enjoy your peerless beauty fiancée."
"Wish you'd watch your mouth. Every time you speak, it's like street thugs."
"Guess that's what happens when you're the daughter of a street whore."
I giggled at Kane, now completely silent.
He always clammed up when I mentioned my faceless mom.
For the empire's fifth noblest, he could go wild.
But one taboo word, and he froze.
Still, I'd stop for today.
Too languid to keep going.
"Wish we could go to the academy together. You're old enough to enroll."
"I'd love that. Academy life with you sounds fun."
"Then let's go."
"Need my parents' permission. No way they'd give it."
"Just need permission, right? Got it."
Kane said that with a resolved look.
Too languid to care, I just watched, then buried my head back in his shoulder.
Maybe because it was warm, and I had a reliable ally treating me like one—I felt sleepy.
So I closed my eyes for a quick nap.
Perfect weather and vibe for it.
