I went to my room and opened the book, but I couldn't focus at all.

While I was away for seven years, Blake spent all his time at Amoria Palace, without ever attending the festival.

"If your curse is lifted and you're tall enough to not get lost, then let's go to the festival together."

"Yes, we'll definitely go to the festival together."

It must be because of that promise...

It was because of me. If I had known this would happen, I would've never made such a promise.

According to Chelsea, Blake didn't attend the imperial ball unless it was an important event. Even then, he would just show his face and leave quickly. He never danced with another woman.

I guessed that it was because of me again.

I shouldn't have given any meaning to our first dance or festival...

Once the curse was lifted, he should've had fun and been happy. He should've attended festivals, enjoyed parties, and lived a happy life...

Tears rolled down my face and blurred my vision. I couldn't make out the words in the book, but It wasn't because of the tears.

I felt dizzy. How long could this body last?

I had to leave before I caused Blake any greater sadness, but I hadn't built up the courage yet.

I had the confidence to survive alone outside the palace. It was the same in Korea.

After my grandmother passed away, I had to live alone. I had already experienced it once, so there would be a way to make money again somehow.

But if I left now, I would never see Blake again. So, I still hadn't made up my resolve.

I wasn't ready to leave him yet.

"Rose."

I heard Blake's voice following a knock on my door. I wiped my tears in a hurry, but Blake still saw it.

"Rose, what's wrong? What's the matter?"

From the sound of his voice alone I could tell how worried Blake was.

I quickly scribbled in my notebook.

— The story in this book is sad.

"Is it really because of that?"

I nodded my head as Blake pulled out a handkerchief and wiped my tears himself.

"It must be very sad."

I nodded again.

"Shall we go outside and get some air?"

I looked at him in surprise. He wants to go outside? I heard Blake rarely went out unless he was going to the valley of chaos.

If I said I wouldn't go, so would Blake. I hope he forgets our promises, becomes free of all traces of me.

Blake smiled brightly as I nodded.

"Actually, I prepared this."

Blake gave me a white box. It contained a simple mask made of silver. It was the same shape that Blake used in the past.

"I don't mind it, but if you want to, try this."

He spoke cautiously, as if afraid that I'd hurt.

Blake was once cursed. He didn't feel repulsed by my appearance, because he was also despised and hated for being a monster back then. As a person who had experienced the same thing, he was very considerate of me.

'Thank you.'

I expressed my gratitude silently.

***

Even if the founding day celebration had yet to begin, the square was already buzzing with a festive mood.

There were many stands that sold various local foods, and there were many more people than usual.

No, I wasn't sure if it was more than usual. All I remembered was the square from years ago. Anyway, the square was crowded with a lot more people than it was seven years ago.

'There's a lot of people.'

"I know. The festival hasn't even started, but there's so many people already. Are you alright?"

I nodded. My scars weren't visible because I wore a mask and white gloves. Besides, there were many people who wore unique costumes because of the festival, so no one paid any attention to my mask.

"My Rose, I have to make sure you won't get lost."

He held my hand tightly.

"......"

Was it because of what I said before?

Seven years ago at the Festival of Lights, I once said that I was afraid I would get lost in the square.

Did he still believe I was Ancia? Or was it just because there were a lot of people?

"Are you really okay? You have to tell me if you're scared because there are so many people."

He checked over and over again. He was overprotective to the point that I wondered if he saw me as a child.

'It's alright. I'm glad there are so many people.'

"That's a relief then."

He smiled.

"I was afraid of the square. Of course, not right now, but when I was young, I thought it was a really scary place. I was cursed and couldn't get out of the palace."

He confided in me in a calm voice.

"So I learnt about the world only from books. Every time I read a novel, there were always problems happening in the square. So I thought it was much more dangerous than the valley of chaos. It's stupid, isn't it?"

'No, not at all.'

I smiled and shook my head.

"When my wife went to the square, I felt very scared and restless."

"......"

"I wish we'd gone out together like this."

He looked at me. His eyes were filled with sadness and regret. I couldn't face him and turned my head away.

If he kept looking at me like this, I felt like I would really cry.

We walked with our hands clasped together.

Even though the festival hadn't officially started yet, there were plenty of things to see. There were many unique foods, and many people performed, song and dance filling the streets.

How long had it been since I laughed so freely? Even after living in Korea and returning here, I had always felt uneasy.

As soon as I woke up in the morning, I always checked to see if Blake's curse had spread, whether he had a fever or if he was sick. I was nervous and often couldn't sleep well because I couldn't find a way to lift his curse.

Now that I looked back, when I wandered through the pitch-black door of darkness, I felt that it was painful and arduous, but I didn't feel as anxious.

I looked at Blake. His appearance and growth made me smile.

Even if my life would end soon, it was enough as long as Blake wasn't sick.

As I was looking at his flawless left face, Blake turned his head.

"Don't make that kind of expression."

"......?"

I didn't know what he meant so I looked at him puzzledly. Suddenly, Blake came closer.

"You look like you're going to leave."

"......"

I just smiled. Even if I didn't want to, I had no choice but to leave.

Now I couldn't even tell white lies.

'I'm hungry.'

"...okay. Let's get something delicious to eat."

Blake was heading toward a restaurant, but I shook my head and pointed at a food stand. Since we came out like this, I wanted to try dishes that I couldn't usually eat.

We ate traditional food from the Canua Empire. It looked just like dumplings on the outside, but its insides were like pizza. Overall, it tasted like pizza bread.

It was quite delicious. I bought a refreshing candy apple to eat for dessert. While I was eating it, it somehow fell into the ground.

Ah, that's too bad...

As I stared at the dusty candy apple in despair, Blake burst into laughter.

"I'm sorry, but you're so cute."

'What me?'

"You look like a little kid who just dropped their candy. You didn't do that even when you were a kid."

The moment I heard him, my heart sank.

'...how do you know whether or not I did it when I was a kid?'

Although I denied it quickly, Blake just smiled.

"Why are you so sullen?"

'It's a shame.'

"I can buy you a thousand more if you want."

'No need.'

If someone dropped something in the middle of eating it, they would certainly experience a mental shock.

When I lived in Korea, I accidentally dropped a watermelon. At that time, I couldn't stop thinking about the shattered watermelon.

I didn't get in trouble with my grandmother because I was young, but thinking about it even now, I felt it was such a waste.

As I looked at the big candy that fell to the ground with eyes full of lingering emotions, I could hear Blake's voice.

"My Rose is so cute. What am I going to do?"

I looked at him in surprise. He was looking at me as if I was really cute. I still felt shocked by how much Blake adored me.

"Do you want to get one more?"

I shook my head. The candy was just easy to eat and pretty to look at.

"I'll buy it for you."

'I won't eat it.'

"Okay. I'll stop teasing. Don't be mad."

'I'm not mad.'

"Really?"

Blake bent his knees and looked up at me. His eyes glistened like an innocent boy and he looked breathtakingly beautiful. Even if I was really angry, I couldn't get mad at him anymore.

I think he knew very well that he was handsome. I burst into laughter.