At those words, Carcel seemed to freeze in place.
“Carcel?”
When I parted my lips and called out to him, Carcel squeezed his eyes shut.
Colorful hues rippled over his face, which was shrouded in darkness.
As if he had spilled something, I smiled at Carcel, who was staring at me with his brows slightly furrowed.
"What's wrong? Honestly, I thought Carcel already knew, too."
Even though it was only a matter of time before we revealed our feelings after even kissing.
He smiled with difficulty.
Carcel's eyes were on edge.
"Asha, I..."
His lips trembled painfully, as if he had chewed on puppy love.
"I feel like I could die right now."
I couldn't help but burst out laughing at the words he spat out between his lips.
"You can't die. What about Linea and me?"
“I will live no matter what.”
"That's how it should be, my husband."
With a smile on my face, I cupped Carcel's cheek.
In the midst of this, Linea sat between us, completely absorbed in the fireworks.
So I took the opportunity to kiss Carcel.
Simply because there was no other way to express this feeling; only a seamless connection could I pour out the emotions filling my heart.
Then Carcel pulled my cheek closer and pressed his lips against mine more deeply.
He closed his eyes desperately and kissed me again and again.
It was different from before.
Unlike back then when our lips merely touched and pulled away, this time I couldn't help but feel what Carcel had been enduring all this time.
Hot breaths tangled roughly together.
"Ha."
However, as if Carcel’s reason had returned, he hurriedly pulled his lips away.
"I'm sorry. I did it without realizing..."
Carcel's eyes were completely red.
He bit his lip slightly and let go with a look of regret.
The people shrouded in darkness paid no attention to us, just like Linea, as they were busy watching the fireworks.
So I pulled him by the nape of the neck and kissed him again.
Beneath the flames that bloomed like spring flowers, our intertwined shadows formed a heart.
Until the fireworks ended.
***
As the fireworks, the highlight of the festival, ended and people began leaving one by one, Carcel asked me.
"It feels a bit of a shame to just head inside. Would you like to grab a quick snack before you go?"
"A late-night snack sounds good."
My lips were slightly swollen from kissing Carcel for a long time just moments ago.
I felt awkward for no reason, so I couldn't meet his gaze.
Feeling a young warmth on my lips, I asked Linea.
"Is there anything you want to try besides ice cream?"
“What about Mom?”
"Hmm... Mom is suddenly a little thirsty!"
At those words, Carcel also cleared his throat beside me.
He, too, avoided meeting my gaze and made a suggestion while staring into the void.
"Then how about pairing it with some beer and a light snack?"
"Sounds good!"
It hasn't been long since I ate, but walking is also exercise.
'I'm a little hungry.'
Soon, Carcel approached a stall where there was a seat.
"Asha, how is it here?"
"It smells really good. How about you, Linea?"
Then Linea shouted excitedly.
"They sell pancakes topped with strawberries and whipped cream too!"
"Yeah. Hmm. But the fried cheese looks delicious, too?"
After looking at one item on the menu, my eyes were naturally drawn to the other options as well.
"Ha, beef sandwiches and paprika chicken skewers are delicious with beer, too!"
There was a savory and sweet smell everywhere.
There were too many items on the menu, so I made a sad face.
"I don't think we can eat all of this. We need to pick out one more thing, including the pancakes for Linea."
It was just when I had finished a hearty meal and had no choice but to pick out a beer and a snack to go with it.
"Give me everything on the menu I just mentioned."
"Yes! Please sit at table number 12!"
Carcel ordered everything on the menu we mentioned!
I hurriedly tried to dissuade him.
"I ate dinner too, so I can't eat it all!"
“I eat it all.”
I shook my head at Carcel's words.
I saw him approach table number 12 first, pull out the seats for us, and wipe the chairs and table with a napkin.
"You didn't have to go to such lengths. Thank you."
"I cannot let Asha and my daughter sit just anywhere."
Then he plopped down opposite.
Soon, a table was set full, just as Carcel had instructed.
"I'll enjoy the meal. Is this a famous restaurant?"
"As far as I know, that is the case. And I understand that they at least maintain cleanliness."
"But it definitely looks delicious just by looking at it. This kind of taste is truly the highlight of a night market."
Carcel answered me with a relaxed smile.
"After all, the atmosphere and food make up 80% of a festival. How about we eat, ride the carousel at 9:00, play a game of darts for prizes at 9:25, and then head home?"
As expected, Carcel.
He was thoroughly reviewing the entire schedule of the night market.
I just nodded without any sense of self.
'To think that thanks to Carcel, I can just relax and play.'
I felt a little sorry, but I just stayed quiet because I absolutely didn't have the confidence to plan the schedule that meticulously.
Linea also laughed excitedly at Carcel's plan.
"That looks fun! I really wanted to ride that carousel! I couldn't ride it yesterday, so..."
I guess it was like that.
Because in the fantasy magic, the children just ran around the long corridors and ate snacks.
Still, it was a relief that Linea enjoyed the last day of the festival today thanks to Carcel.
"Let's eat!"
"Yes!"
I put some of the pancakes Linea wanted to eat onto her plate.
In the meantime, a plate was quietly handed to me.
"Huh?"
Carcel put some food on my plate and then pretended not to notice.
I blushed and smiled softly.
"Thank you. Aren't you drinking beer, Carcel?"
"It's fine today."
He held up some water instead.
I let out an "Ah!" as I gulped down the cold beer.
It felt as if something that had been filling my chest was being washed away by the beer foam.
"It feels so refreshing! All the stress I've accumulated is completely gone."
“Is that so?”
I squeezed my eyes shut, overwhelmed by the refreshing coolness rising to the top of my head, and when I opened them, Carcel smirked at me.
"Carcel surprisingly eats this kind of food well, considering you doesn't look like the type to eat it."
To think he is eating the food that Linea and I couldn't finish, while exuding a sensual aura with a face like an obsessive madman.
'Cute.'
Is it because there is a little beer in it?
He looked particularly funny as he ate his food neatly with an expressionless face.
"I eat well if I eat with Asha."
“It’s happening again.”
"It seems like everything tastes good as long as Asha smiles."
My child is next to me.
As I glanced at Linea with a troubled expression, the child grinned, their mouth smeared with whipped cream.
“Why?”
When I asked a mischievous question for no reason, Linea also teased me.
"It’s not like it’s just a day or two, so feel free to relax!"
My face flushed bright red at the sound of those words.
Linea spoke quite maturely.
"Grandma said that it's good if Mom and Dad are affectionate. She says there's nothing bad about it."
“Yes, but..."
"They say the more affectionate we are, the more lively the household will become! She also said that while we're at it, Mom's genes must take over the Marquisate and eliminate Duke Lakan's genes, but I have no idea what that means."
At those words, I closed my eyes in dizziness.
What on earth is my mother constantly teaching the child!
I was embarrassed, so I just gulped down my beer.
However, Carcel actually smiled with a narrowed brow.
“I’ll try.”
“Carcel!”
I yelled at Carcel, who was setting things on fire.
Then he laughed softly.
He seemed to have quite a bit of fun teasing me now, too.
Soon after the meal ended, Carcel asked.
"Then, shall we go ride the carousel?"
It was only after Carcel, Linea, and I had fully enjoyed the festival—long past bedtime—that we were able to return to the latter's residence.
***
Last night, Carcel and I confirmed our feelings for each other and even kissed.
And when I returned to the room...!
Nothing happened.
I passed out because I stayed up past my usual bedtime for the first time in a while.
Even though I was conscious of Carcel being by my side, I couldn't withstand the surging drowsiness.
And when morning comes, let's wake up.
"Oh! My handkerchief!"
Previous Next
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment