Translator and Editor: Effe and Nabi

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Chapter 17 – Mahaken Da Pepeldomoon (2)

Sienna never spoke back as her ears burned red, which she had not yet adapted to.

“Uh… I think.”

She just answered what came from her heart, but she unintentionally embarrassed him. While Dandelion froze, she gazed at him properly.

“Did you take a bath or something?”

Dark hair soaked in moisture, the subtle scent of soap, and peach-colored cheeks. The most shocking moment of her life was when she first saw Dandelion, and today was just as destructive as that day.

‘It’s—it’s lovely!’

Her breathing became unnatural.

‘I think someone just punched me in the heart.

Every time he made a face like that, Sienna had to grab her heart. As she caught her breath, he finally calmed down and continued the conversation.

“What were you thinking about me?”

“When are you coming, I guess.”

“Have you been waiting?”

“Yes.”

Sienna replied as if she had waited. Hearing that, he subtly hardened his lips.

“I may not have come.”

“Then, I can come back tomorrow.”

“What if tomorrow I didn’t come?”

“Maybe I’ll wait a few more days.”

“And then?”

“Well. I didn’t think of that…”

She stretched her words and peered at Dandelion. Unlike usual, he seemed a bit nervous.

What kind of answer does he want to hear? What does he want to know?

She couldn’t figure it out no matter how much she thought, so Sienna just said what she wanted to say.

“But, I’ll probably come here anytime before you say you hate this suspicious encounter.”

“….”

“I do.”

She was a pushover expert.

“Well, if you’re heartbroken, you might stop coming for a few days.”

“It won’t happen.”

He looked at Siena, who had a gloomy expression on her face, and Dandelion smiled softly. “It’s just… I’m a little frustrated.”

“….”

“Someone has to wait, you can’t meet when you want to, and even if you have something you want to say, you can’t tell it right away.”

He glanced out the window for nothing as he meaninglessly fiddled with his nails.

Meanwhile, Sienna was in trouble.

‘Hey, is this a green light?’ Should we accept this as pure friendship and liking, or should we pass it on beyond that?

She was already in a state where objective judgment was impossible.

‘No flirting. Not that, not that.’

As she did, she barely touched her heart and she grabbed his hand.

“I’ll solve that problem!”

“What?”

She then took his hand and led her to the deepest part of the library. It was mainly where the dictionary was. As she skimmed through the bookshelf, she pulled out a green leather-covered botanical book from the bottom compartment.

“We’re going to make this our mailbox.”

“A mailbox?”

“Since we can’t see each other every day, if we have something we want to say, we put it here. Since we are the only people who come and go here, anyway.”

In fact, it was something she had been thinking about for a long time.

In a world without smartphones, they communicated through letters or people, which was quite time-consuming and costly.

At first, they didn’t even know what each other’s last names were. The conversations were mostly about flowers, travel, books, and sweet desserts that had nothing to do with the family.

“How is it?”

“How did you come up with this idea?”

“Same as you….”

‘I was thinking the same thing as you.’

She was going to say that. However, Sienna, who turned her head, could not continue her words. He was too close, the distance between the bookshelf and the wall was tight, and she was still holding his hand.

“….”

“….”

An awkward silence lingered between them.

And so, she let go of his hand a beat later.

“Sorry…”

“No.”

To change the sudden awkward atmosphere, she pulled out her trump card. “Ah! I have something to give you.”

“You mean… to me?”

Sienna returned to her seat and handed him a box that she had carefully wrapped.

“It’s a gift.”

He was surprised and immediately opened the box. It was a moment when the giver became even more nervous.

“This…”

“It’s a dream catcher.”

“A dream catcher?”

“A talisman to filter out your nightmares.”

“….”

“I hope only beautiful dreams come through this.”

Dandelion was silent for a moment.

‘Was he happy or something?’ She couldn’t read his expression. Still, Sienna would do everything he wanted, whatever he was going to do.

“Also, one more.”

“Another one?”

“Hmm-hmm.”

She relaxed her neck lightly and lifted her index finger.

“Mahaken Da Pepeldomoon.”

‘Abracadabra!’ With that feeling, Sienna waved her fingers in a circle.

‘Is this right?’

After a short order, silence came again.

“…Is this it?”

She gazed at him with her eyes squinted, and a short laugh escaped his mouth.

“Huh? I laughed…?” Unable to hold back the one burst of laughter, he turned his head to cover his mouth.

“It’s a spell that makes you forget sorrow and pain.”

“How the hell do you know that?”

She was proud of her broad and shallow knowledge.

Dandelion cherished Sienna’s gift. He even tried to shine the light on the window where the sun was just starting to set.

She clenched her chin and whispered softly as she watched the figure.

“I want my friend to sleep soundly.”

“….”

“The effect will be obvious.”

“Thank you very much.”

His face, which had been smiling warmly, suddenly darkened. “Ah, I have nothing to offer…”

“It’s not what I wanted, giving you that.”

“Still…”

Sienna quickly hit the chance.

“If you still want to repay me…”

She did not decline twice. “Will you grant me a wish?”

“Wish?”

“Yes, but not now.”

“It’s not like you can just ask for something, anyway.” He said a little playfully.

“No. I’m afraid you’ll feel uncomfortable.”

Sienna rolled her eyes with her wit. She shrugged her shoulders up and down once.

“Yes. I’ll grant you a wish. Anytime, whatever.”

“Would you like to go for a walk?”

The reason she first went to the library was to research a place to escape abroad, but somehow she was getting farther away from the books.

It was more enjoyable to get to know Dandelion and take a walk in this untouched backyard.

All kinds of flowers bloomed in Stern, which always boasts a mild climate except in the middle of winter.

“What flower is this?”

As Sienna asked, Dandelion gave the answer.

“It is a flower called cucumber herb.”

“How do you know this?”

“Because my mother liked flowers.”

“Hmm, he has a sweet son.”

“…She was a loving mother.”

The two looked at the small sky-blue flower.

When she was with him, she could see the wildflowers that she had to lower herself to see. Sienna strolled slowly and stopped for a moment like this, and it was dyed with spring, though the biggest reason she likes to go for a walk was something else.

Looking at the flowers, she turned her head to look at him.

‘Who is really the flower?’

She really doesn’t know.

In natural light, he shines even brighter than any flowers. Would you say that innocent features are breathed to life?

If the wind blows there, he was perfect.

When the delicate and thick eyebrows and the sculpted forehead were exposed coolly, it was also strangely sexy. She was blankly admiring, and she made eye contact with him.

Sienna then shifted her gaze to the distant Mount Hermit.

‘Good. It was natural.’

As she gazed only at the distant mountain, his hand suddenly blocked her view.

“Dan…?”

He gently bruised her hair. It wasn’t just his hair that was ruffled by the wind.

“This scar…”

Sienna traced her forehead, looking for the scar.

“Ah, this… I fell when I was young.”

Of course, Pierre had tripped her over his foot and she fell. The wound healed quickly, but the scar was still there ten years later.

‘That bast—’

Sienna bit her lip with unusual patience.

Seeing this, he didn’t ask anymore since he noticed that she didn’t want to bring this story up. Instead, Dandelion brought up another topic.

“Are you coming to the debutante ball?”

It was the most spectacular event of this blooming spring.

They now knew each other as aristocrats, and if they were a single man or woman of any aristocratic family, it was common for them to attend. It was what they had guessed from the moment they practiced the dance.

At that, Sienna nodded her head.

“Then, I’ll see you in three days.”

His words darkened Sienna’s face a little. She muttered quietly, “This is the end of this random library friend, isn’t it?”

“Are you sad?”

“A lot…”

She knew better than anyone what her reputation was.

Even though her name is a princess, some call her Stern’s shame. Rumors are bound to inflate, and Pierre always ignites them. One of her slightest mistakes, mixed with the evil tales, made her a loner.

Ominous red hair, fragile crybaby, ugly princess.

Still, she doesn’t think he’s the type of person to be swayed by these rumors.

“Excuse me, Dan…”

Because of that, Sienna thought it was now time to confess the truth. She had no intention of growing such a bud of misunderstanding.

“Actually…”

‘My real name is Sienna Stern. I am the princess of this country.’

She was going to say that, but then—

“Sienna?”

All of a sudden, she turned to his body and hid close behind him.

“Hide me!”

In the distance, she could see Jad. His silver hair was shining in the sunlight from afar, revealing his presence.

‘Jad… Why is he here?’

Even though she didn’t understand, Sienna didn’t have time to think about the reason.

‘I’m not yet mentally ready!’

She hasn’t been able to see him yet. Even more so, at this timing.

Sienna grabbed the hem of Dandelion’s shirt tightly. She was completely hidden behind his wide back and his wide-open shoulders. Thanks to that, her heart has been beating like crazy since before.

Meanwhile, Jad got close enough that she could hear his footsteps.

“Jad?”

“Dan.”

“Why are you here?”

“I’ve been looking for you for a while.”

“Me?”

“Yes. After entering the castle, I heard you were here, too.”

“How do you know I’m in the library?”

“I’ve seen you once or twice. It’s obvious, well—I thought you’d be in the least fun and least crowded place. Though… you’re not alone?”

‘Huh? Didn’t he come to see me?’

There was something strange going on. Sienna didn’t know, but Jad was observing a skirt protruding behind Dandelion from the start.

“Who’s the woman hiding behind you?”

“Ah, that’s…”

“She seems shy.”

Jad greeted Dan without any excuses. He was originally a rough-and-tumble personality.

“Hello, unknown lady. I’m Sir Mont’s best friend, Jad Valencia.”

As he finished his words, Sienna almost collapsed.

‘…These two, they are friends?’

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