Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Stroking Silver Hair
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Have I ever looked down on Darsi? Because of his much larger build and height, I always had to crane my neck up at him.
But... this won't do! He's a prince. He can't just kneel to others so easily.
Especially not today, the first day meeting everyone!
I glanced around and urgently whispered to him.
"Darsi, get up!"
"If you praise me."
...Praise? Seriously?
"It'll just take a second."
Seeing him stare at my hand like that, I couldn't help but move it.
Silver hair like that is such a rare sight. Even the moon in the night sky wouldn't sparkle as brightly.
Then I snapped back to reality.
No, this is weird, isn't it? Even friends shouldn't cross this line.
Even if Darsi doesn't know because he's had so few relationships, I'm perfectly normal.
This sort of thing can't happen between rational friends.
My hand floundered in the air. I kept clenching it into a fist and unclenching it, when Darsi gently grasped my wrist.
"Huh?"
And he gazed up at me pleadingly.
'...Cute.'
I'm losing it—a man twice my size looks cute. My tunnel vision for him is terminal. That almost coquettish behavior didn't help.
My face had to be burning. I quickly raised my hand to cover it.
Darsi urged me on in a sly voice.
"So go on, pet me."
"..."
"Then I'll stand up."
His words were far too convincing. My resolve, which had been rock-solid moments ago, melted into goo.
Fine, just this once.
In the end, I reached out and gently stroked his hair.
Fortunately, not a soul was in sight in the corridor, but who knew when someone might show up.
In the end, I reached out and stroked his hair.
'The texture is so soft.'
The silver strands spilling from under my hand felt utterly unreal.
Darsi closed his eyes in contentment. A full-grown man squatting in the corridor, arms crossed, eyes shut.
A sight that could have been ridiculous felt strangely familiar instead. Comforting, even.
'Was he like this back at my place?'
Seeing someone's true nature up close was more profound than I'd expected. It was like glimpsing another handful of the self he'd walled away.
There would be plenty of exhausting moments ahead.
As a prince, dealing with people wouldn't be easy. Even if he handled it well, the pain wouldn't be absent.
I tapped his head lightly, wishing him good fortune.
At last, Darsi opened his eyes and asked.
"Marso, don't you think it's weird that I'm like this?"
"Huh?"
"That I only get serious about your business."
"Hmm, not really."
If I didn't know Darsi, I might have. But after hearing about his past, I understood.
He let out a small chuckle at my words and rose to his feet, murmuring.
"It's so hard to define the feelings I have for you."
It wasn't a question directed at me. It was quiet self-reproach.
He seemed confused.
Relationships don't always flow the way we want. People's hearts are the same.
...Honestly, I felt the same. I had no idea how Darsi saw me.
Whether he had romantic feelings for me, or if it was just something special from our first connection and knowing my past.
'And I'm just as confused.'
What did I want from Darsi?
I'd thought about drawing a proper line with him, only to get helplessly drawn in whenever he approached.
Did I want to stay friends like we were now?
Or did I want him by my side?
I hadn't found the answer even for myself, so there was no clear conclusion.
But I did have something to say.
"Then just figure it out."
If we don't know each other that well yet, we could just follow what our hearts tell us.
Whatever lay at the end of that, I didn't want regrets when it came to my relationship with Darsi.
I didn't want to casually measure or guess at the feelings of someone who'd altered the course of his life for me.
The same went for my own feelings toward him.
"It's not like we're only seeing each other once and parting ways. We'll be together for a while."
...Until you leave. I swallowed those trailing words and met Darsi's gaze.
"So we can talk more, spend time together, and get to know each other."
"...Right. I'll be here the whole time."
Darsi stared back at me, his lips moving. Until you're happy.
"Relationships can't be pinned down to just one definition. The confusion you're feeling right now? That's fine."
...Not that I had room to talk, after spending a whole year sorting out my mess with Resuan and her crowd. But I'd learned something along the way.
"First time anyone's told me confusion is okay."
"It's part of your life, too."
As he stood, he bowed his head to me.
Hair cascaded down between the tilt, framing a shadowed face blooming with a smile as gentle as spring.
"You always have the answers for me."
"..."
"You're never wrong, Marso."
No spring shoot could be fresher than that smile. My heart pounded. I took a deep breath for no reason.
"Th-then let's go."
We'd just agreed to take it slow, and I didn't want to rush ahead on my own.
Hoping my movements weren't too jerky, I started walking. Darsi caught up right away.
The servants who'd been nowhere in sight earlier now filled the corridor like an illusion come to life.
Servants and nobles alike stared our way.
The murmurs were more intense than usual today.
"The rumors are only going to get bigger."
"I don't care."
Darsi shrugged at my words, and he seemed sincere.
If the person involved was fine with it, no need for me to stir up trouble. I nodded.
At the door to the hall, I remembered the words I still hadn't said and turned to him.
"Dars..."
I couldn't even finish his name because the sight of him retying his loosened cravat was photoshoot-level gorgeous.
With his jacket perfectly in place on top, he exuded an ascetic air utterly unlike his earlier disheveled state.
Darsi tilted his head at me.
"Why?"
I clamped my mouth shut and spoke to him like a warning.
"I told you I give you answers."
"You did."
"Then give me one."
"What..."
"Tell me how you can be happy."
Because I wanted him to be happy, too.
I ignored the way he blinked in embarrassment.
"You deserve to be happy. And I won't take no for an answer."
"..."
"If you don't tell me, I'll figure it out on my own. This is the first time I've ever asked you like this. I'll be waiting for your answer."
I declared it like an ultimatum and stepped into the hall.
"Lady Marso Etwar has arrived!"
The servant bellowed my name, and the jewels embedded in the chandelier stabbed at my eyes.
A ceiling soaring toward the heavens. Waltz-like music flowing into my ears. Eyes latching on instantly.
It really hit me that I was back in high society.
I plastered a confident smile on my lips and shifted my gaze from person to person, meeting them head-on.
"Long time no see."
"Long time indeed, Lady Marso."
Plenty of people were waiting to greet me. Many sneaked glances at Darsi, who'd entered right after me, even as they bowed.
"Indeed."
Of course, I just played dumb and exchanged greetings.
As I continued with leisurely smiles, I paused.
Resuan and her grandfather the marquis stood at the far end.
I bowed my head to the marquis in greeting.
"Glad to see you're well."
He offered a brief well-wish. Then came time to speak with Resuan.
"..."
The natural greeting that had flowed so easily with everyone else wouldn't come.
'I didn't expect it to feel this awkward.'
Just as I opened my mouth anyway, a clear voice rang out first.
"...Long time no see, Lady Marso."
Resuan greeted me with perfect etiquette. The faint smile on her face carried a different air from the last time I'd seen her.
Something I couldn't quite put my finger on.
"...Yes, long time no see."
I'd received her greeting, so I returned it in a fluster.
She gave a slight nod and turned away from me.
She wanted nothing from me. No friendly words, no approach.
There was a sense of proper distance—something that had felt impossible between us forever.
'She was the same way at the play.'
Had she really changed after hearing my words?
I'd wanted her to change. But I hadn't known what it would feel like if she actually did.
I stared at her retreating back.
A mix of relief and regret.
Even after the greetings ended, people swarmed me in the wake of Pitol's earlier words. Plenty asked exactly what kind of help I'd given him.
Of course, I kept it vague, saying I couldn't talk about it yet.
"Why haven't you been out and about?"
"Was there some kind of trouble...?"
Many inquired about my whereabouts during my absence, too. They were clearly curious about my sudden vanishing act.
Rumors had circulated, sure, but no one had pinned down the facts.
Of course not.
It wasn't because I'd done anything wrong.
I was just tired of seeing faces like yours, plus the heroine and hero and all them.
I'd pondered how to answer that one, but today it resolved itself thanks to Ryan.
I had the perfect bait right now.
A massive one, at that.
"I cleared up the misunderstandings that had built up with Prince Ryan."