Translator: Nox

Chapter 59

Episode 59. The Taste of Marshmallow

2023.10.29.

‘Herdin doesn't like desserts.’

In her previous life, she had offered him desserts she was eating alone several times. But he never once touched them.

It was awkward when her desire to share delicious things with him was rebuffed, but since it was his taste, she couldn't force him.

That he, of all people, brought marshmallows every night meant it was purely for her. She didn't know why marshmallows specifically, though.

While Blair was deep in sleep recovering her strength, Herdin was busy tracking down the kidnapping culprits, returning late every night.

When Blair, who had fallen asleep early, briefly opened her eyes in the middle of the night, he was always sleeping beside her, along with the unextinguished fireplace.

But by morning when she woke, he was already gone. Thus, it had been about a week since she'd properly seen Herdin.

‘Is he waiting for my body to recover?’

Of course, he wasn't heartless enough to slake his desires on a sick person, so it was probably partly out of pity for her illness….

But that didn't mean his waiting held no desire at all.

If so, she was leaving him high and dry every time by falling asleep early.

Fortunately, her body had recovered a lot today.

Blair approached the drawer where she'd placed the geography book she'd borrowed to read while waiting for him, but her idly turned gaze caught the balcony view.

Beyond the balcony glass doors, something white fluttered lightly in the sky.

‘…Snow?’

But it couldn't snow in spring.

Looking closely, it was scattering cherry blossom petals.

The day before the Hunting Tournament, the buds had been swollen as if about to burst, and while she was preoccupied recovering, they had bloomed.

Blair approached the balcony glass doors. Cherry blossom petals danced in the spring breeze under the moonlight, like winter snow.

Blair gazed blankly at the scene.

“…Pretty.”

The faint smile on Blair's face soon faded into heavy contemplation.

When the cherry blossoms fell and greenery blanketed the world.

Would Herdin come to hate her again, like in the past? Or since she'd offered to cooperate from the start this life to uncover the truth, maybe not.

But either way, the ending was set.

Once she had Asiel, she'd leave his side as per their original promise.

Before he came to hate her.

As Blair pondered her plans for the near future while gazing at the ephemeral scene, the sound of the door opening came from behind.

Turning at the sound, Blair met Herdin entering the room, who paused upon seeing her awake.

“You're awake today.”

He approached the table and set down what he'd brought: a bowl of marshmallows.

“How's your body?”

“I'm fine. But what's this?”

“Marshmallows?”

“No, not that… Why did you bring this?”

Herdin fetched a small candle from a nearby lamp and the lighter by the fireplace.

“Have you tried roasted marshmallows?”

“…No. Never.”

Roasted marshmallows cool quickly, so fire-fearing Blair always ate cold ones or those in cocoa.

Even before the accident, with abundant desserts in the palace, she'd had no occasion to try roasted ones specifically.

“Sit.”

Herdin sat first and patted the seat beside him. Blair sat next to him in a daze.

“Today, we'll roast marshmallows over a candle.”

Blair blinked at the sudden declaration, looking at him.

“You said you wanted to overcome your pyrophobia.”

Only then did she recall telling him before the Hunting Tournament that she wanted to overcome her pyrophobia.

“Lady Lorellaine recommended starting with a candle flame first.”

Of course, overcoming the phobia wouldn't be easy. But avoiding it wouldn't help; she needed gradual exposure to the trauma trigger.

Herdin pulled Blair's distant chair closer with one hand. Though heavy, it slid easily beside him.

“Tell me now if it's too hard.”

Blair alternated glances between Herdin and the candle before nodding resolutely.

“I think it'll be okay.”

Herdin deftly lit the candle with the lighter.

Blair stared tensely at the candle.

Watching the flame, terror surged that it might tip over and ignite the tablecloth, growing to consume the room.

“Uh…”

Even just imagining it, sweat beaded on her palms, breath quickening, like when trapped in fire unable to breathe.

Yet she couldn't look away. Afraid if she did, the flame would grow unchecked and swallow her.

Then, a large hand covered her eyes. A low voice soothed from above.

“Close your eyes, then open them.”

Blair slowly closed her eyes as told. But even closed, memories lingered as afterimages.

She reached out trembling hands to grasp the large one softly covering her face. The encroaching fear gradually subsided.

Because in this moment, she wasn't alone.

“Breathe slowly too.”

Blair steadied her breathing, following his voice faithfully.

“When you open your eyes, do the same.”

Herdin removed his hand from her eyes.

Blair slowly opened her eyes to face the candle. As her breath quickened again, Herdin spoke without covering her view.

“Eyes.”

Blair followed step by step as he'd instructed: blinking, deep breaths.

“Now, we'll roast the marshmallow.”

He held a marshmallow skewered on a stick over the small flame, slowly rotating it. The surface began to turn golden brown.

Anxiety gripped Blair again, but recalling his words, she squeezed her eyes shut then opened them.

Herdin extinguished the candle and cooled the perfectly roasted marshmallow before offering it to her.

“Eat.”

Blair hesitated briefly before popping it in her mouth. The warm, sweet marshmallow melted on her tongue. Better than plain ones, freshly roasted was delicious.

The fear in Blair's eyes as she chewed faded, vitality returning.

Such a face over one roasted marshmallow.

Watching her, Herdin's gaze softened oddly. Their eyes met as she turned to him.

“Soft… and sweet.”

“Now, try it yourself.”

Herdin handed her a marshmallow and relit the candle.

Blair looked slightly scared but nodded without hesitation.

But as soon as she brought it near the flame, her hands trembled. Her breath quickened again.

Then, Herdin's hand grasped hers. Their right hands overlapped, half-embracing her.

His voice descended over her startled, stiffened head.

“It's okay.”

Like magic, his touch stopped the trembling.

Herdin held her hand and roasted the marshmallow.

After trials, Blair blankly stared at her roasted marshmallow.

“You did well.”

Herdin raised his right arm to lightly stroke her hair, then released her and extinguished the candle.

Blair offered him the marshmallow in her hand.

“Aren't you going to eat?”

But as always, he shook his head.

“I don't like them much.”

Thus, this roasted one was hers too. Biting into it, soft sweetness filled her mouth.

Savoring it, she felt his gaze, turned, and met his eyes. As she blinked, Herdin chuckled softly.

“That delicious?”

His unusually soft gaze made her heart flutter—a too-familiar feeling.

And with it, realization dawned.

‘I'm falling for this man again….’

Despite disappointment, hate, pushing away, no matter the long detour, she loved him again.

“…Ah.”

The sudden realization surged uncontrollably, tears welling and falling.

Seeing her sudden tears, Herdin's expression hardened.

“Want to stop?”

“No, no. I'm fine.”

Blair hurriedly shook her head.

But once started, the tears wouldn't stop—like her emotions.

Herdin stared stiffly before sighing softly, wiping her tears as he asked.

“Then why are you crying?”

Feeling her pounding heart at his touch, Blair blankly met his eyes.

Crying in this situation must seem odd. She needed an excuse, but none came.

Lips moving, Blair finally uttered an absurd reason even to herself.

“Because… it's too delicious.”

“Ha?”

Herdin let out an incredulous laugh.

To keep him from guessing her feelings, Blair smiled brightly on purpose.

“I want more.”

Her heart aching toward him stung sharply.

Like a wound that didn't hurt until noticed now throbbing.

Yet today, she decided to ignore that feeling and just smile.

Because the marshmallow in her mouth was sweet enough to make her forget everything but this moment.