Chapter 94

“….” 

 

“Actually, the prince seems mischievous at times. However, in reality, even with such beautiful snow falling, you’re someone who considers the discomfort of others.” 

 

No, that’s…He doesn’t think so. 

 

Valentine had a guilty conscience. 

 

He didn’t mean it that way, as Clarisse said. 

 

He just didn’t like Clarisse focusing on other things in front of him.

 

In fact, he didn’t consider the discomfort of his brother or the nobles at all.

 

All he wants is one thing. 

 

He just wanted Clarisse to look away from those damn snows and look at Valentine. Just stop…

 

‘Hmm?’

 

Come to think of it, didn’t he have a similar thought a little while ago? 

 

When Clarisse mentioned Noah’s name. 

 

‘…What is this?’

 

Looking at it this way, doesn’t it seem like Valentine has been crazy about Clarisse’s attention for quite some time?

 

So, he wanted the person who was with him to be polite in a simple way because…

 

At the word ‘politeness’ he couldn’t help but pause again.

 

‘Does a man who talks so politely embarrass a lady by saying something he doesn’t even mean?’

 

His words and actions were also not polite enough for a royal gentleman. 

 

No, there was no need for grand words like royal or gentleman. ‘Do not embarrass people’ was a very basic thing in human relationships.

 

Didn’t he even look at Clarisse, whose face was red and embarrassed, with joy? 

 

He felt like he had to honestly confess this fact and apologize right away.

 

“Clarisse.” 

 

Hearing his serious call, she opened her eyes wide and looked back at him. 

 

“…Yes?” 

 

At the same time, a ‘thud’ sound was heard.

 

It didn’t really hit anything. It was just an illusion that his heart stopped for a moment…No, maybe it was real.

 

Suddenly, his mind felt dizzy. He couldn’t even breathe properly. 

 

‘This damn carriage!’

 

Seeing him looking strange, Clarisse leaned forward slightly. 

 

“Prince, are you uncomfortable?”

 

A face full of worry got closer.

 

So much so that the thin breath flowing from those pink lips touched his cheek and made it tickle.

 

“….!” 

 

Without realizing it, Valentine’s entire body became stiff.

 

All he could do was stare blankly at Clarisse, who was looking back and forth at him and worrying. 

 

‘Was she… always this pretty?’

 

So much so that he unconsciously has a terrible urge to touch it. 

 

He tightly grasped the edge of his clothes with fingertips that were flinching.

 

If he doesn’t do it like this… Somehow, he feels like he won’t be able to endure it anymore.

 

It was then.

 

Kiiik, paaak! 

 

The sound of something hitting the carriage hard and breaking was heard.

 

The lamp hanging on the outside of the carriage was shaken by the snow and wind and eventually hit the wall of the carriage and broke. 

 

For a moment, the interior of the carriage lost its light and became dark. 

 

“….!” 

 

He heard Clarisse gasp in surprise.

 

It is quite common for lamps to break while carriages are running, but this was probably the first time Clarisse had experienced this.

 

This is probably natural, considering that she was raised in such a way that she was protected from even going outside on bad weather days. 

 

As he got used to the darkness that was soon filled with nothing but moonlight, he could still see Clarisse’s frozen face, still surprised 

 

“It’s just that the lamp broke because of the wind.”

 

Valentine smiled as if it were nothing.

 

“I, I…” 

 

Clarisse muttered and barely answered.

 

“I thought… it was an attack.”

 

So it seems like she couldn’t even scream and was barely holding her breath.

 

“Then what about it? It’s good to see the skills of the knights, right?” 

 

“…Still.” 

 

“Or are you afraid that I won’t be able to protect you at all?”

 

“That’s right.” 

 

Now Clarisse smiled a little. She must have remembered something he always teased. 

 

“Even if you say that, in the end, you’ll probably ask me to protect you, won’t you? Such a strong-willed person.” 

 

“Uhm.”

 

If it were a normal Valentine, he would probably have answered ‘of course’ without even thinking much about it in this situation. 

 

But now, for some reason, how should he say it?

 

Clarisse looked pretty, and his heart was pounding happily, so he didn’t want to talk about it like that. 

 

“…It’s not like that.” 

 

The voice that came out was so calm and soft that even he himself was unfamiliar with it.

 

“Yes?” 

 

“Even in such a tense situation, it means I wouldn’t make such a joke to you, Clarisse.” 

 

The moment he said that, his hand cupped her cheek. The pleasure that touched her soft cheek was as strong as he had endured it all along. 

 

“That’s….”

 

Clarisse, who was confused for some reason, finally laughed a little.

 

“I shouldn’t get hurt. That’s one of the things promised to the royal family.”

 

“Uhm.” 

 

Valentine didn’t like Clarisse’s words and actions. It’s definitely a story about capital punishment.

 

So, Valentine usually tried to ignore her situation.

 

That… Because it wasn’t a problem that Valentine could do anything about.

 

“No, that’s not it, I just…” 

 

Because you are precious.

 

Valentine was surprised by the words that were naturally coming out of his lips.

 

‘Oh my.’

 

He quickly dropped the hand that had been holding her.

 

Even as his face turned red with embarrassment, he didn’t forget to clench his fists, as if recalling the sensation that lingered in his hands.

 

‘I can’t believe it’s precious.’

 

That girl who only licks stones?

 

That girl who played in the canal with all kinds of dirt on her body?

 

Even though he thought it was ridiculous, he couldn’t bear to deny it.

 

‘This…can’t be.’

 

He knew the name of this contradictory feeling.

 

Because when he read novels, these damn emotions would come out of nowhere in the scenes he hated the most.

 

“…Ha.” 

 

So Valentine had no choice but to admit it.

 

He fell in love with Clarisse.

 

‘Oh, damn it! Damn it!’

 

The moment the conclusion was reached, he couldn’t hold back the swear words that came to his mind. 

 

“…Prince?”

 

The lovely voice he heard again sounded like it was tempting him.

 

Of course, Valentine knew better than anyone else that Clarisse had no such intention. 

 

Feeling annoyed for no reason at that fact, he glared at Clarisse with a twisted expression and said this.

 

“…As expected, it would be better for you to fight. Because you are so strong that no one can beat you.”

 

“Aha yes, I was wondering why you spoke like a gentleman.”

 

Clarisse giggled as if she knew that would happen.

 

It looked just like a child, so Valentine unconsciously thought, ‘It’s cute.’

 

Of course, he quickly shook his head to shake off those useless sentiments.

 

“Now let’s go quietly.”

 

He looked out the window with his arms crossed.

 

More snow was falling through the thick darkness, which made him feel somewhat better.

 

…Anyway, Clarisse will be happy when the snow falls and piles up.

 

* * *

 

Suddenly it started snowing, so Noah Sinnet stopped drinking the decoction of herbs, took his umbrella, and went down to the entrance of the monastery. 

 

Snow in early winter.

 

Noah tried to imagine what Clarisse’s expression would be like right now.

 

She would be leaning close to the window with her wide-open eyes and her mouth wide open, like a child. 

 

And she will begin to look forward to being able to build a snowman.

 

When he asked why she was making a snowman when she wasn’t even a child, Clarisse said, ‘It’s a secret.’ and whispered a very interesting thing in his ear.

 

She likes the buildings.

 

If someone else had said it, he would have asked what nonsense it was, but she was a Golem master and a real magical master of a mansion.

 

When a snowman was made in front of the buildings like a medal, they were sure to be proud. 

 

‘She’s not going to ask to build a snowman here too, right?’

 

He smiled slightly as he looked down at the snow that was starting to pile up at his feet.

 

‘But.’

 

He looked out across the dark road.

 

It was almost time for Clarisse to come, but she got back a little late, maybe because of the sudden snow.

 

‘Nothing… should happen.’

 

The carriage she was riding was strong and safe enough for a prince of a country to ride. So, nothing special would happen. 

 

Nevertheless, he found himself sadly looking into the long road ahead

 

Somehow…he wanted to meet Clarisse quickly. 

 

Clarisse, who is happy that it’s snowing.. 

 

Noah stretched out his palm straight. Above it, a small spherical light was born.

 

Noah gently pushed it away and sent it flying across the dark path.

 

Light will find Clarisse one step ahead.

 

And it will light her path and keep her safe. 

 

After that, he adjusted his umbrella several times and spent a slightly anxious time walking around the entrance.

 

Then, all of a sudden. 

 

The sound of wheels began to be heard in the distance. He lifted his head high and looked out.

 

“Ah…!” 

 

Finally the carriage came into his sight. The light sent in advance was safely guarding his side.

 

He let out a deep sigh of relief.

 

He was really worried that Clarisse might get in trouble due to the heavy snow.

 

Eventually, the carriage stopped in front of him.

 

Noah, who had become impatient for some reason, turned away the light, opened the carriage door before the attendant, and held out his hand.

 

“Girl!” 

 

He did it with as much passion as he waited.

 

 (t/n : FYI this novel will have a manhwa adaptation released on February 4th, and here is the art~)