Chapter 2
The first-class rooms were already incredibly luxurious, but the special rooms were even better.
They even came with a private smoking room and reading room, along with access to a private terrace deck. Phew, it seems I may have not overdone it with the more expensive gift.
After unpacking and changing into comfortable clothes, I explored the opulent room.
The sight of the powder room with a crystal bathtub and a dressing table with a three-sided full-length mirror was simply breathtaking.
I wonder who will be staying in the other special room? It's like a princess's voyage to the Empire.
I sat down in front of the dressing table and looked at my reflection under the bright lights, thinking of my mother.
The older I get, the more I resemble her. Her curly, rich reddish-blonde hair, soft eyes, and chevron-shaped eyebrows are exactly the same. Though my eyes are not as red as hers were.
If Mom were alive... If she hadn't passed away... I wonder if things would have been different.
I snapped out of it when I saw the dark red shade in the eyes of the woman in the mirror. Come on, why am I acting so pathetically? Let's not do things that don't suit us in such an expensive room.
* * *
The sunrise on the deck was beautiful, especially on the deck dedicated to the special room. Haah, it's almost time for this long trip to end. I'm glad I brought plenty of reading material.
To make up for my promise to enjoy the journey this time, I haven't done much else besides going to and from the reading room and strolling the decks.
At dinner, I invited Marianne to join me. I felt a bit too lazy to deal with people who would approach me with curious eyes.
The salty wind gently caressed my damp hair. As I approached the railing, standing with my arms crossed, gazing at the orange-tinged horizon, memories of the past couldn't help but resurface.
The memories of watching the sunrise together with Benya atop the gargoyle statue... The time when I waited and hoped for a glimmer of light, much like the rising sun, filled with desperate hope.
Shaking my head, I tried to push away those old memories. Ugh, why do I keep dwelling on the past? I promised not to.
Over the past seven years, countless letters have been exchanged, but we never mentioned it to each other.
It's as if we made an unspoken pact to keep our messy memories buried and only spoke about pleasant things in the present, the future, or memories from long before that time.
Too many tears have been shed already. It's just a waste of time to drown ourselves in useless sentiments.
Wow, the scenery here is fantastic. Should I stand with my arms open and declare, "I'm the king of the world?" If I do that, the crew down there will surely be surprised...
"Hey there."
It was then that I felt something peculiar. Well, not really peculiar, but there are times when people suddenly feel their eyes drawn and their heads turn reflexively. At the same time, a voice called out.
"What is your name?"
... My fault for fantasizing that perhaps a princess from a neighboring country might be my fellow passenger in the special room.
Of course, I already knew that other than me, the other passenger in the special room was a man. I've seen him a few times in the dining rooms.
He always seemed to be surrounded by foreign women and there was the sound of laughter echoing every night.
However, it seemed that neither the other passengers nor the crew knew exactly who he was. He must be one of those spoiled young masters from a noble family.
"Who are you?"
When I asked back with a smile, the man standing on the deck opposite my left frowned slightly.
"I asked you first."
Right. If you ask first, do I have to answer? He's a rude one, throwing his manners into the sea. It wasn't surprising, considering I've encountered many like him.
"Isn't it basic common sense to introduce yourself first before asking others to do the same?"
"That is rude. You seem to be a citizen of the Empire, but which family do you belong to?"
"Do I have to tell you that?"
I purposely replied in a teasing tone, which seemed to irritate him based on his eyes. The one who teased first got angry. Why does he look like that? Tsk, what a waste.
As the handsome man with black hair continued staring at me, I smiled back and met his gaze.
Oh, I see. Your eyes are purple. Hmm, purple eyes remind me of someone. Although it feels a little unfair to compare him to such a person...
I didn't think we would have a particularly productive conversation, and I didn't want to deal with him anymore, so I ignored his persistent stare and headed inward.
I need to pack up my belongings before we arrive.
* * *
"Arf, arf, arf!"
Who else travels with dogs? Stop the dog from barking.
It was a sunny midday when the ship finally reached the port of Valencia. I disembarked slowly, taking in the splendid scenery of the harbor, even more beautiful than the last time I saw it.
Stepping into my hometown for the first time in seven years, I felt a throbbing and trembling feeling all over.
"I will write you a letter. Let's stay in touch, okay?"
"Yeah, goodbye."
After shaking hands, I parted ways with my roommate for the past seven years. Her family came to pick her up. Nice to see you, Marian. Is that your sister? I once had someone as close as my own sister...
I was determined to live for her instead...
"Are you Sasha Sanchez?"
It was then. A gigantic man, pushing through the countless crowds, suddenly spoke to me. I tilted my head for a moment, then smiled.
"But who are you?"
"I came from the Duke's residence. Please come this way."
... Hahaha, the weight of the gift in the bag is getting lighter and lighter. I can just take the train, but guys, it seems like you missed this "Noonim" a lot?
(Noonim: a term used by younger boys to address a slightly older girl or their older sister in a formal manner. It seems that Sasha is implying that Lethias [probably Benya, too] were excitedly waiting for her like younger brothers impatiently waiting for their older sister who's gonna visit them after that said older sister just moved out)
A carriage with a familiar coat of arms was parked near a fountain on one side of the harbor. Serpents dancing amidst a shower of gold coins. Watching it made me feel like I was back home.
"Give me your luggage."
"Oh, I'll just carry it and ride with me"
"What? Why?"
Um, is that something to react so embarrassed about? I tilted my head and looked back at the man who came to meet me.
Seeing that, it's unusual. He doesn't quite look like someone who works at a Duke's residence. Although he's dressed like a bodyguard, he feels too rough for a guard from an aristocratic family.
Perhaps noticing my curiosity, the man suddenly blushed. It was to the extent that it seemed strange that his persona didn't match his intimidating size at all.
"Even if you look at me like this, I'm quite the Chief Bodyguard."
"That's exactly what you look like."
"Did you think I was suspicious just now?"
"You're a capable person. And you can speak comfortably with me. After all, we're both servants, right?"
"I can't do that.."
I see. Do whatever you want. Just don't give me a hard time later.
* * *
Serpente Duchy. When I finally arrived, at the place where all my childhood memories and tears lay, the sun was already setting.
I opened the window and admired the dazzling yard scenery, much grander than I remembered, and took a deep breath.
Who is that? No, could it be our Lethias? Really?
"… Sasha?"
Before I could think of an appropriate greeting, a man in an elegant suit, standing near the entrance to the hall, stared blankly up at the sky.
Softly curled aqua-colored hair, wide-eyed sky-blue eyes, and a flashy eye patch covering the other eye. It was Lethias!
"Sasha!"
"Lethy-oppa!"
Wow!
He arrived this way before the carriage had even stopped. As soon as I jumped off the carriage, I found myself spinning around in his heavy arms. Oh my, I’m so distracted!
“Sasha! Is that really you? You’re Sasha, right?”
I want to answer, but I can't because I'm out of breath. Man, is bear-hugging the first thing you’d do with someone you haven’t seen in 7 years?
This little shit, I’ve missed you too; it’s really nice to see you.
"No, I’m actually an undercover assassin!"
I gasped for breath and barely shouted, and laughter broke out. Side by side, we giggled with teary eyes and hugged each other for a while longer.
“Let me see your face. God, how tall are you? Maybe you’re about two meters!”
“I think I’m around one hundred and ninety? You, too, have finally come out of overseas. If I run into you on the street, I won’t be able to recognize you.”
It was the same for me. The thin and weak boy I remembered had disappeared, and a man who looked as beautiful and bold as a bloody stallion stood in front of me.
He's just like embodying his father's life… At the same time, joy and pride were mixed in me, and at the same time, my heart ached strangely.
I gently raised my hand and put it to the boy's eyes. Not the normal side, but toward the eye patch with jewels on top of black leather.
“It’s cool.”
He laughed again. It was a low, resonant, languid laugh that felt somehow unfamiliar.
"Do you want it? This is a real diamond.”
“No wonder the price of diamonds hit the sky.”
“Did you just collect jewelry instead of studying? You overspent your pocket money.”
“You left the fish to the cat, so what can you do?”
Warm warmth spread through our hands that held each other, and strength came in. I laughed for a while longer and finally asked a question cautiously.
“Benya is…?”
“Go to the hotel. He had been all over my mind these days. He'll be happy to see you, too."
Is that so…?
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