Pride and Prejudice (2)
Long ago—so long ago that it felt like another lifetime—Ariel's fate, born between Duke Reinhardt von Saint and a lady from an unnamed fallen family, hung in precarious uncertainty.
Why did people fear the Saint Ducal House? Was it the prestige of the empire's sole Swordmaster? The ferocity and cunning of the Red Rose Knights? Opinions varied, but the most condemned tale was their education system, bordering on child abuse from the earliest ages.
Ariel's mother was honorably assassinated within the Saint family the moment she gave birth. Deemed guilty of producing a child unfit for the lineage of an exemplary patriarch, she lost her life. Yet the duke spared her out of mere whim. The newborn child bore no sin, so she was left to grow wild.
From age four, Ariel showed talent with the sword, proving her Saint blood bit by bit. Even Duke Reinhardt had no choice but to acknowledge his daughter's gift—and she took the vice-head position from her wastrel older brother. In time, she ascended to head of the house.
It was a brief summary of a short life, but within it, Ariel had to grow strong.
"....A woman as vice-head? Absurd. She should never have existed—"
"......"
Every day, Ariel lingered outside her father's study, eavesdropping on discussions of her fate to survive, clinging to a life that could end any moment. With Rachel's help, she painstakingly built her faction within the family.
"...Lady Ariel. Listen well—you must grow strong."
".....Ra, Rachel. I..."
"I don't care if you cry alone, my lady. But show that weakness... and you'll be eliminated in an instant."
She forgot how to cry.
"No positive or joyful emotions either. Let your guard down... and you're done for."
And she forgot how to smile. This emotionless mask, forged from obsessive survival, became her very essence. Even after claiming the ducal title and becoming the empire's empress, it persisted.
Grip—
"Ahaha, it's your birthday, right?"
....Except for one person.
Leon and Ariel's first meeting was chance. Rumors swirled of a nameless mercenary knight making waves, and Rachel scouted him for a spar before her. The match ended in a draw. Leon earned recognition and joined the Saint Ducal House.
And somehow, he was assigned as her guard. Unwittingly, he learned of her political and emotional isolation at the hands of Crown Prince Cedric and Emilia.
Ariel stared at Leon with a blank face, glaring at the cream smeared on her cheek.
"I told you to be casual, and you forget your place."
"B-but you said you liked me chattering and acting normally by your side. That was you, my lady."
"......"
".....Pfft."
Strangely, only beside him did odd emotions bloom. She laughed. She cried before him. He restored the colors she'd lost.
That was Leon.
Of course, she never told him about her past life or the regression she still couldn't explain.
Finishing her tale of the past, Ariel began drying the clothes she'd worn as activewear. She gazed at her trembling arms.
It wasn't fear—just her body's reaction, trying to reclaim heat from her soaked form.
"....I see. Even that expression has a story...."
Leon dried his own wet clothes by the fire, listening silently to Ariel's words with an unreadable face. He seemed deeply shocked, silently poking the logs for a long while.
"......"
"......."
"Oh, it's all done."
That was all.
Ariel loved how Leon acted. When sharing painful memories and scars, he never spouted the clichéd comforts. He simply stayed by her side with an understanding look, healing her heart just by existing.
Taking the grilled fish skewer from him, Ariel pondered how to eat it before nibbling delicately, savoring the oily fish.
"How is it? Good, right?"
"....Delicious. Better than any fish dish at a fine restaurant."
"Food always tastes better by the stream."
I nodded and bit into the fish. Perfectly seasoned, the tender flesh shone— the taste of well-grilled fish.
After finishing, we stared into the fire, deciding to spend about two hours here.
Crackle—
Crackle—
Ashes soared skyward from the dying embers, fresh logs igniting with pops.
"......"
"........"
Gazing at the flames stirred many thoughts. Regrets from the past resurfaced, or tangled feelings resolved. For me, the latter.
My recent spectacular life made this quiet moment perfect for sorting the insights from my experiences.
"The crackle of the fire is nice."
"......."
It wasn't just the logs. Distant chirping crickets, whispering winds—they all drew me deeper into the flames.
The long silence broke with Ariel's voice.
"I wanted to wait longer, but... sorry."
"....Pardon?"
".....Can you answer now?"
"......."
"I like you. I... I think I like you so much."
Stammering, she poured out her feelings. Infinite affection, overflowing now, filled her voice.
"....I really, really like you. So I wanted you to like me. To love only me."
"......"
I could barely respond. Even hearing it burned; speaking it must have taken immense courage.
"I, I can't take it anymore."
I glanced at her face. Head bowed, hiding as if refusing to show it, she continued in a small voice.
"I'll, I'll do better..."
"......"
"......"
Crackle—
Crackle—
With the fire's sound, I slowly turned to her.
"....I like you too."
"....."
"I like you, Ariel."
"......Ah."
She frantically tried covering her face with both arms, but I grabbed her hands, meeting her eyes.
".....Don't, look..."
Her eyes were already red-rimmed.
"Why cry? Was my confession that bad?"
".....The opposite. It was... what I wanted to hear most..."
Shy expression. Happy. Joyful. Adorable. Even her flustered movements—all lovable.
As she backed away hesitantly, I approached, whispering softly.
"...You said so confidently you'd make me like you—I was a bit flustered."
I brushed her cheek, wiping away tears.
"......Hic."
"I like this side of you, my lady. Showing me your true self."
Whoosh—
Suddenly embraced, I froze briefly before holding her gently. Ariel clung long, then lifted her head with a shy smile.
"....Hold my hand."
"....Yes."
I took her hand awkwardly—body contact still embarrassed me, so just palms. Unsatisfied, she overlapped both her hands on mine.
"Look only at me forever."
"...Yes."
"Talk only to me, eat only with me, smile only for me.... Stay by my side always. For life."
"Of course."
"......."
At my firm reply, she hesitated, then added,
"....I won't forgive cheating."
"......"
"....An, answer."
Her sudden demand made me chuckle; I nodded yes. Relieved, she smiled faintly.
"....Wa-wait. What are you—"
A drop from her wet clothes fell on me. Pinning me down like prey, she gazed naturally.
"I want... our first kiss now."
"......"
".....No...?"
Damn. Pouting with interlaced fingers, begging— what man could refuse?
Dazed by her scent, I nodded. As she leaned in—
Splash!!
A sudden water spray startled us; we sprang apart.
"....Wh-what—"
Ariel's mood sharpened instantly, sword drawn, but softened to confusion.
"....A water spirit?"