11. A bird that flew over the nest – 09
“…is, is this going to be okay…?”
Amidst a luxurious residence in the heart of the trading city of Istad. Standing in front of a full-length mirror, Arya was in a state of extreme agony over what to wear.
It was a date. A date with Cain, his one and only owner, no one else. In addition, the background of today’s date was none other than the festival site, and there were no miscellaneous things that might interfere with Cain’s date with himself. In other words, the date that was to come after a while meant that it was an intimate time to build up just the two of you and Cain.
‘…If, perhaps, today’s story turns out well…’
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Maybe Cain, who was intoxicated by the atmosphere, would hug him like he did to Bianca del Castana. may bear So, let’s get a little more specific about what’s going to happen-
“…..”
It was a little, but the heat rose to his face. Suddenly, enthusiasm begins to rise. First of all, fitting the first button of a date with Cain well starts with choosing the right outfit. Today, a woman named Arya was the only partner standing next to Cain. In other words, Cain, who would inherit the Duke of Estelle in the future, could never become someone!
He unpacked his luggage and put on and took off the clothes he had several times. In the end, Arya put on a black pleated dress with frills all over the place and tied at the back with a string, and looked around herself. This dress was a dress that Cain gave to Aria as a gift in preparation for a banquet in the imperial capital in the past.
‘Would you like to find out?’
In Arya’s opinion, this choice of a black pleated dress must have been a choice full of romance. The first dress that decorates the first date with Cain is the first dress he gave her as a gift!
“…Well, Arya. I don’t think so.”
But that was the time. Sara, who stood behind Arya and watched her actions from beginning to end, shook her head.
“It’s not that Arya’s choice was bad. Because that dress suits Arya very well. but…”
“…but?”
In response to Arya’s question that she doesn’t know why, Sarah sighs softly and continues her explanation.
“The dress is so cute. A dress with frills and ribbons all over it. Didn’t you say that dress was the one the Duke bought for Aria? At that time, I think I know a little bit about what kind of gaze the Duke looked at Aria at that time.”
Bona Mana, it must have been that she saw Aria as someone she had to take care of and gave her this dress as a gift. It didn’t mean that the dress didn’t fit. Aria’s appearance had enough power to sublimate it into fashion even if she was wearing a blanket that was rolled around the street. What Sara wanted to point out was the story of the direction Aria wanted to pursue on her date with Cain.
“A dress decorated with frills and ribbons like that is usually worn by little girls. If I go out on a date wearing a dress like that, I’m sure there won’t be any progress in my relationship with the Duke.”
Perhaps, passers-by might also see Cain and Aria and think that it was not a date, but rather a relationship between uncle and nephew. Arya’s appearance has matured a lot compared to a year ago, but nevertheless, there is a fresh corner left somewhere.
“aria. Didn’t you want to appear as a woman to the Duke?”
When Sara said that to Arya, as if quietly admonishing her, Arya slowly took off the dress she was wearing with a sullen expression on her face.
Still, this dress was the first thing Cain gave him as a gift…
Sarah, as if aware of Aria’s carefree mind, took out a dress from her luggage bag. It was an off-the-shoulder dress with all the shoulders exposed in pure white color. It was a dress that I bought and never wore because I thought it didn’t suit me, but somehow I thought it would suit Aria well.
“…ah.”
Aria’s appearance in the dress Sara gave her is reflected in Sarah’s eyes. It happened to be reflected under the magic lights installed in the inn, and Aria’s pure white shoulders and arms were shining brightly.
“…Well, it suits you.”
Sara muttered those words involuntarily. Even to Sarah, the same woman, Aria’s appearance in a pure white dress was truly beautiful. In Arya’s overall appearance, a noble dignity was leaking out from somewhere. Sarah had only seen a woman in her life who made her feel so honorable. He had felt this way when he looked at Iris el Devhart, the princess of the empire, at the banquet hall of the island.
‘…Come to think of it, he lost his memory and said he didn’t know where he came from.’
Could it be that she was the illegitimate child of an aristocratic family with a long history and tradition? Otherwise, I couldn’t explain how an ordinary woman could have such grace. That kind of elegance was never something that could be learned postnatally.
“Sit here. aria.”
Sara placed a chair in front of the full-length mirror and had Arya sit on it, then stood in front of it and began brushing Arya’s hair. Arya’s pure white hair was so smooth and beautiful that one might think it was made of melted silver, but somehow it gave off a sloppy feeling, perhaps because it wasn’t properly maintained. Sarah began to carefully style Arya’s hair, remembering what the family ladies-in-waiting had once done for her.
Swoop-
Arya’s hair was really soft and fluffy. Sara combed Arya’s hair slowly, and after thinking a little about what she could do for her, she thought of what she could do for her.
Sarah, who soon ate up her heart, began to slowly open her mouth to Aria, taking care not to let her voice tremble.
“…Small Duke, don’t enjoy noisy things that much. So even though it’s the festival period, it’s better to avoid places with too many people.”
remember In the past, when Cain had time with him, he had shown such an appearance. Cain preferred to sit down together and drink tea and chat, rather than strolling outside together. The memories of that time with him, here and now, I try to revive them once again.
“Duke So, you don’t enjoy eating vegetables that much. If you happen to have a meal, you’d better avoid it as much as possible.”
remember Back in the day when I used to have a meal with you, you used to swallow vegetables that you couldn’t eat well just to look good in front of me. Later, when I heard from Duke Estelle that you actually had a short mouth, I laughed so much that I still remember it vividly.
“The Little Duke pretends not to, but likes to hold hands. When you think you have a chance, if you gently hold hands, you probably won’t shake it off.”
remember After the engagement ceremony with you, every time you showed off your fiancé in front of adults, you liked to hold my hand tightly. You tried not to show off, but I know that the power was quietly in your hand that held mine.
“…The Little Duke…”
I tried to say something more, but I was at a loss for words. Sharing stories about you with someone like this makes me feel so vivid about the time, memories, and memories I had with you in the past. As if it would overflow at any moment.
At that time, the times were passed casually, but now, why is it that I can touch them if I stretch out my hand like this? Am I feeling so empty right now?
I felt like I was ugly. On that day, after being saved by him in that forest, hadn’t he made a firm oath to himself? to let him go. to not think of him anymore. For the rest of my life, I decided to live while atone for him.
But, why do I-
“Cain, no, the Little Duke… no, so Cain is…”
words don’t come out I lost track of what I was talking about. Unknowingly, I stuttered. The words that came out of her mouth did not become a single language, but only groans and fluttered in the air.
Why do I still remember you in such detail? In the past, I must have thought of the times I spent with you as insignificant times.
Now, why do you like what you like, what you don’t like, what you like, and what you don’t like.
Even though I am thinking of a lot of trivial things like that, is my heart overflowing?
“…cow, duke, you…”
Cain, I remember you like this, but are you remembering something about me, at least in a small way?
What kind of meaning does a woman called me remain to you?
“…that person, he is…”
Cain. Actually, I’m jealous of Arya. Also, I’m so proud of it. Because now, with only her own ability, she has achieved the qualification to be next to you.
…Actually, I wanted to be there. Instead of Aria, I wanted to stand by your side. I hated myself for not being able to do that.
I once wanted freedom so much, but now I hate it.
Rather, I thought that the ‘Sarah Cernard’ of the days when I was a bird trapped in a cage would not be enough to deserve to be next to you.
…but not like that. For that, I know well what he sacrificed.
Arya’s hand combing her hair trembles with jealousy. It was ugly. The white-haired girl in front of me hadn’t done anything wrong. It’s just that his mind is absurdly weak.
Barely suppressing something that was about to explode at any moment, Sarah managed to tear her trembling mouth away.
“aria. Cain, no, the Little Duke…”
No words come out. It feels like something is stuck in my throat. She managed to get over her neck, and she was able to speak. I didn’t want to say it, but I had to. I try to ignore the feeling in my chest, and speak as if nothing had happened.
scary. The desire for Arya to become better so that she doesn’t become like him coexists with the fear that Cain will really fall in love with this girl. Something black that I don’t know the identity of, slowly blooms in my chest.
What am I supposed to do? I replace-
“…well, please.”
Gathering up all her last bits of patience, Sarah smiles weakly at Arya.
A woman named Sarah wants a man named Cain to always be happy. I don’t know anything else, but she only wishes for Cain’s happiness without a single lie.
So, he just needs to be happy. Even if you can’t stand next to him. Even if there is another woman by his side. Even if it’s another woman that makes him happy. That alone was enough.
…okay. That one was enough for her.
yeah really