Chapter 112: Something I Do Because I Like You
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 112: Something I Do Because I Like You
After finishing another satisfying dinner, Blair gazed out the window at the now completely dark street.
Though it was quite late, the outskirts of the village were still bustling with activity. Everyone was busy preparing for the Harvest Festival, which was only a few days away.
As Blair stood there, momentarily distracted by the noise, Anna placed a cup of freshly brewed tea in front of her.
Watching Anna take a seat across from her, a thought occurred to Blair and she asked, “Anna, is there some kind of event with masks during the Harvest Festival?”
“Masks?”
“Yes. The children at school were talking about a masquerade ball today. And the village shops are selling a lot of masks, too.”
“Ah, that.” Anna clapped her hands as if she had just remembered. “During the ten days of the Harvest Festival, a masquerade ball is held in the plaza every night.”
“In the plaza?”
“Yes. Usually, that’s an amusement for the nobility, but during Nerha’s Harvest Festival, all the residents get to enjoy it together.”
Blair’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. A masquerade ball where so many people gathered to celebrate in the plaza—it sounded wonderful.
A new town, new people, and new customs. For Blair, who knew nothing of life outside the Imperial Palace, everything was unfamiliar and wondrous.
“The masquerade ball actually comes from a local legend,” Anna explained.
“What kind of legend?”
“You know that ‘Nerha’ is a city named after the God of the Sea, right, my lady?”
Blair simply nodded, not taking her eyes off Anna.
Anna chuckled at Blair, who looked like an eager child, and continued her story.
The legend that gave birth to the masquerade ball went like this:
Long ago, in the vast sea before the city, lived Nerha, the God of the Sea. He was not a guardian deity but a cruel tyrant, and the waters under his rule were always raging. As a result, many who ventured out to sea lost their lives. The people, who depended on the sea for their livelihood, had no choice but to offer a maiden as a living sacrifice each year to appease him.
One day, after years of such sacrifices, a woman named Loen was chosen as the offering.
However, Loen, who had already lost her father and older brother to the angry sea, refused to meekly accept her fate. Instead, she drew her sword, intending to take revenge on Nerha.
Unfortunately, a human’s attack could never harm a god, and her attempt ended in failure. Yet, her courage brought about an unexpected turn of events.
Nerha was intrigued by a mortal who dared to defy her fate and stand against him, so he spared her life. That small flicker of interest grew into affection, and that affection soon blossomed into love.
Under the god’s boundless devotion, it seemed Loen was beginning to fall for him as well, but she could not forget her resentment over her lost family. Ultimately, she fled from Nerha and hid herself in the city.
Enraged by her betrayal, Nerha pursued her and began to lay waste to the town.
Watching the destruction unfold, Loen proposed a condition to appease him.
‘If you can find me among the countless masked people before this night is over, I will accept your heart and return to the sea with you.’
Desperate to have her back, Nerha accepted the condition and began searching for her among the masked villagers. Just as the first light of dawn touched the sky, he succeeded in finding her.
True to her word, Loen returned to the sea with Nerha.
Afterward, peace returned to the city, and the raging sea that had swallowed so many lives grew calm. Believing that Nerha and Loen were now protecting the waters, the people named the city ‘Nerha’ and began to revere the sea god as their guardian.
“...So, the moral of the story is that true love can find you no matter what you look like,” Anna concluded. “The game originated from that.”
“What an interesting story. So, do lovers play by wearing masks and searching for each other?”
“Yes. And people who have feelings for someone will often set a condition that they’ll accept a confession if they’re found. Since it’s a promise made before the god, it can’t be taken back.”
“How romantic. It sounds fun.”
“Married couples play for a wish if they’re found. For example, not being allowed to leave the bed for the rest of the night, or letting your partner tie you up and do whatever they want…”
“Anna!” Blair hastily cut her off, her face turning as red as a ripe apple at Anna’s casual mention of such scandalous things.
Mischief danced in Anna’s eyes. Even though Blair already knew everything there was to know about such matters, she still got flustered like an innocent young girl. It was so cute that Anna couldn’t help but tease her.
“You’re already carrying a baby in your belly, so why are you so shy?”
“Th-The baby will hear you.”
“So what if they do? That’s how the baby was made in the first place.”
As Anna giggled, a knock sounded at the front door. She went to answer it and returned a moment later with Mikhail. Seeing him, Blair’s face lit up as she rose to her feet.
“Mikhail? What brings you here at this hour?”
“I have something for you, my lady.”
Instead of answering her questioning gaze, Mikhail brought in a large box from outside.
“This is…?”
Inside the box was a long body pillow.
“I heard it gets uncomfortable to sleep once your belly starts to show.”
“Oh my, most men don’t know about things like this. You’ll make a wonderful husband, Master,” Anna chimed in, making an even bigger fuss than Blair, who could only blink in surprise.
Blair, who was about to thank him, hesitated at Anna’s words. Though she knew it wasn’t the case, the remark felt directed at her and Mikhail, making her feel awkward.
Sensing her discomfort, Mikhail quickly changed the subject, lest she feel pressured to reject the gift. “By the way, what were you two talking about? I could hear you laughing from outside.”
But it was a poor choice of topic.
At that moment, remembering her conversation with Anna, Blair’s face flushed so red it looked ready to burst.
A mischievous smile, however, spread across Anna’s face. It was the perfect opportunity to tease both the naturally shy Blair and the man who became utterly helpless in her presence.
“Ah, we were just talking about the masquerade ball held in the plaza during the Harvest Festival…”
“M-Mikhail!” Realizing what Anna was about to say, Blair hurriedly ushered him out of the house. “Let’s go for a short walk.”
Once they were outside, Blair realized her hand was still gripping his and quickly let go.
“Ah, I’m sorry. I was in a hurry.”
“It’s fine. I wanted to take a walk with you anyway, my lady.”
The two walked along the village path in a comfortable silence, which Blair eventually broke.
“Thank you so much for the gift. It’s exactly what I needed. I’ll make good use of it.”
“I would be my pleasure if you did.”
“But from now on, I’ll only accept your kind thoughts.”
At her words, Mikhail’s brow furrowed slightly. “...May I ask why?”
Blair hesitated before answering. “Anna will misunderstand. And not just her, but anyone else who sees. It must be unpleasant and uncomfortable for you.”
“It’s not uncomfortable. Nor is it unpleasant.”
“...Pardon?”
Meeting Blair’s confused gaze, Mikhail paused for a moment before replying.
“...Because I want to.”
Blair froze.
Under the moonlight, his green eyes held a deeper hue than usual. The moment she met his gaze, her heart sank.
She quietly averted her eyes.
It must be sympathy. A kindness born of pity.
He’s a thoughtful person, so he must mean that he likes extending this kindness out of a sense of responsibility.
Blair desperately steered her thoughts in that direction. Facing feelings she could never return was far too guilt-inducing.
“I appreciate the thought—”
“I mean that I’m doing this because I like you.”
Mikhail drove the point home, as if to catch hold of Blair, who was trying so hard to twist his meaning.
No longer able to evade his feelings, Blair’s eyes shook with confusion. How had she not noticed? That other emotions could be mixed in with his endless kindness.
No, perhaps she had realized it subconsciously but chose to pretend otherwise. She was terrified of being alone and wanted to accept his help while ignoring his feelings.
Blair laughed bitterly at her own selfishness. She had to draw a clear line, right now.
“...I’m sorry. I will likely be a fugitive for the rest of my life. I was married to another man. What’s more, I’m carrying his child. I am not the right person for you.”
“I didn’t say this to hear you demean yourself, my lady. None of those things could ever diminish your worth.”
“…”
“It’s just… I felt that if I didn’t say it, you would never know.”
How was she supposed to react?
Men had confessed their love to her before, but none had ever approached her with such sincere, polite earnestness. She didn’t know how to reject someone without hurting them.
Watching Blair’s face fill with apology, Mikhail chuckled, his tone becoming much lighter than before.
“Then, if I manage to find you at the Harvest Festival’s masquerade ball, will you agree to court me?”