Chapter 59: The Taste of Marshmallows
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 59: The Taste of Marshmallows
Herdin doesn’t even like desserts.
In her past life, she had offered him sweets a few times when she’d been eating them alone, but he had never once let them touch his lips. It had been embarrassing to have her small gesture brushed aside, but it was his preference, so she couldn’t force him.
For a man like that to bring marshmallows every night meant they were entirely for her—though she had no idea why he’d chosen marshmallows of all things.
While Blair slept to recover her strength, Herdin returned late each night, apparently busy hunting for the mastermind behind her kidnapping. Blair had been falling asleep early, but whenever she stirred in the middle of the night, he was always there, asleep beside her near the ever-glowing fireplace.
Then, when she opened her eyes in the morning, he was already gone. Because of their mismatched schedules, it had been nearly a week since she had last seen him properly.
Is he waiting for me to recover?
Of course, he wasn’t so heartless as to force himself on a sick woman just to satisfy his desires. His actions must have stemmed, at least in part, from sympathy for her condition. Still, she couldn’t say his patience was entirely devoid of lust.
If that was the case, then by falling asleep so early every night, she was rendering his visits pointless.
Fortunately, her body felt much better today.
Blair approached the drawer where she’d stored the geography book she borrowed earlier, planning to read while she waited for him. As she did, her gaze drifted casually toward the balcony.
Beyond the large glass window, something pure white was fluttering in the darkness.
...Snow?
There was no way it could be snowing in spring.
Looking closer, she realized they were cherry blossom petals. The day before the hunting competition, the buds had been swollen, ready to burst. They must have finally blossomed while she was recovering.
Blair stepped closer to the balcony window. The cherry blossom petals danced on the spring breeze, swirling under the moonlight like a flurry of winter snow.
She stared blankly at the scene.
"...So beautiful."
Her faint smile faded, replaced by a melancholy weight in her eyes.
When the cherry blossoms fall and the world is draped in green... will Herdin hate me then, just like he did before? Or will things be different this time, since I promised from the start to help him find the truth?
Either way, the ending was already set in stone.
Once she had Asiel, she would leave his side, just as they had agreed.
Before he could grow to hate her.
As Blair stood there, lost in thought and gazing at the fleeting scenery, she heard the door open behind her. She turned to see Herdin entering the room. He paused when he saw she was awake.
"You're up today."
He approached the table and set down what he was carrying: a bowl filled with marshmallows.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. But what is this?"
"Marshmallows."
"No, I don't mean that... Why did you bring them?"
Herdin retrieved a small candle from a nearby lamp and the lighter from the mantelpiece.
"Have you ever had a roasted marshmallow?"
"...No. Never."
Roasted marshmallows cooled down quickly, but Blair, terrified of fire, had only ever eaten them cold or melted in hot cocoa. Besides, there had been plenty of other desserts in the Imperial Palace; she’d never had a reason to seek them out.
"Sit down."
Herdin sat first, tapping the seat next to him. Blair, slightly dazed, sat beside him.
"Tonight, we're going to roast them over a candle."
Blair blinked, staring at him in surprise.
"You said you wanted to overcome your fear of fire," he reminded her.
Only then did she remember telling him before the hunting competition that she wanted to conquer her pyrophobia.
"Lady Lorellain suggested starting with a candle flame."
Of course, overcoming a phobia wouldn't be easy. But she couldn't conquer it by simply avoiding fire forever. She had to slowly increase her exposure and get used to it.
With one hand, Herdin pulled Blair's chair closer. Though it should have been heavy, it slid effortlessly to his side.
"If you think it's too much, tell me now."
Blair looked from Herdin to the small candle and back again, then nodded with resolve. "I think I'll be okay."
Herdin skillfully flicked the lighter and lit the candle. Blair watched the flame, her entire body tensing.
A wave of terror washed over her. She imagined the candle tipping over, the tablecloth catching fire, the flames growing and consuming everything in the room.
"Ugh..."
Even though it was just her imagination, sweat slicked her palms and her breathing grew ragged. It was just like that day, trapped in the fire, unable to breathe. Yet she couldn't look away from the flame, terrified that if she did, it would suddenly erupt and swallow her whole.
Just then, a large hand covered her eyes. At the same time, a low voice coaxed her gently.
"You need to blink."
Blair slowly did as he said. But even with her eyes closed, the afterimage of the flame flickered in her mind. Her hands trembled as she reached out and held the large hand covering her face. The simple realization that she wasn't alone began to push back the terror that threatened to consume her.
"Breathe slowly, too."
Faithfully following his voice, Blair calmed her frantic breathing.
"Do the same when you open your eyes."
Herdin removed his hand.
Blair slowly opened her eyes and faced the candle flame. As her breathing began to quicken again, Herdin spoke, this time without covering her vision.
"Blink."
She followed his instructions step by step, just as before. Blink. Take a deep breath.
"Now, we're going to roast the marshmallow."
He skewered a marshmallow on a stick and held it over the small flame. As he slowly rotated it, the surface began to turn a golden brown. Anxiety seized Blair again, but she remembered his words, squeezing her eyes shut for a moment before opening them.
Herdin blew out the candle, let the perfectly roasted marshmallow cool for a moment, and held it out to her.
"Eat."
Blair hesitated for a moment before putting it in her mouth. The warm, sweet marshmallow melted on her tongue. She had always liked them, but freshly roasted was on another level.
As she chewed, the fear in her eyes faded, replaced by a spark of life.
To make a face like that over a single roasted marshmallow.
Watching her, Herdin's gaze softened. Just then, Blair turned to look at him, and their eyes met.
"It's so soft... and sweet."
"Now, you try."
Herdin handed Blair another marshmallow and lit the candle again. She looked apprehensive but nodded without hesitation. The moment she brought the marshmallow near the flame, however, her hand began to tremble violently. Her breathing hitched, growing shallow and fast.
At that moment, Herdin's hand covered hers. Their right hands overlapped as he drew her into his side, half-enveloping her in his arms.
His voice fell over her, gentle and steady. "It's okay."
Like magic, the trembling stopped the instant he touched her.
Holding her hand, Herdin guided her as they roasted the marshmallow together. Blair stared blankly at the treat she had managed to toast after all the struggle.
"Well done."
Herdin raised his arm and lightly patted her head before letting her go. Then he blew out the candle.
Blair held the marshmallow out to him. "Aren't you having any?"
As always, he shook his head. "I don't care for sweets."
And so, this one was hers as well. As she bit into it, the soft, sweet flavor spread through her mouth. Savoring the taste, she felt his gaze on her and turned her head. He was watching her quietly. When Blair blinked, a soft chuckle escaped him.
"Is it really that delicious?"
His gaze held a soft light she rarely saw, and it made her heart flutter. It was an all-too-familiar feeling.
In that same instant, she knew.
I love this man... again.
Even after the disappointment, after the hatred and the pushing away, after the long, winding detour, it always came back to love.
"...Ah."
The realization crashed over her, and the dam of her control broke, spilling from her eyes as tears. Seeing her suddenly cry, Herdin's expression hardened.
"Do you want to stop?"
"No, no. I'm fine," Blair said, hurriedly shaking her head. But once the tears started, they wouldn't stop—just like her feelings.
Herdin stared at her, his expression tense, before letting out a low sigh. He reached out to wipe away her tears. "Then why are you crying?"
Blair stared at him, her heart pounding at his touch. Crying in this situation... he would surely think she was strange. She had to say something, but she couldn't think of a single good excuse.
Parting her lips, she finally came up with a reason that sounded ridiculous even to herself.
"Because... it's too delicious."
"Huh?" A disbelieving laugh escaped him.
Blair forced a bright smile, hoping he wouldn't guess her true feelings. "I want another one."
Her heart, beating for him, ached with a dull numbness. It was like a wound that didn't hurt until the moment you saw it, and then it began to sting.
Nevertheless, she decided to ignore that feeling and just smile tonight.
Because the marshmallow in her mouth was sweet enough to make her forget everything but this single, perfect moment.