Subliminal Wayfarer

If it weren’t for this ridiculous situation, the cruise ship would undoubtedly have been the best date spot.

The sea visible outside the window was splendid, and just being on it was incredibly romantic.

After our brief and intense diversion, we lay side by side on the bed, resting.

There was plenty of time until my scheduled dinner with the family.

Before long, the sun had almost set in the vast sea, filling the room with the red glow of sunset.

“Still, it’s nice to be doing this after so long.”

“Indeed.”

It’s true that Cassion has been incredibly busy lately.

Even after the incident where I had transmigrated into the story of Cinderella, Cassion worked like mad with the sole aim of proposing to me.

Knowing that he worked so hard because he wanted to marry me, I wasn’t particularly upset.

…No, wait.

Was I a little upset?

Could it be that Blanca noticed my feelings and orchestrated this?

I was just beginning to harbor a slight suspicion when he said,

“Shouldn’t you go out for dinner soon?”

“Ah, yes, that’s right. But what about your meal?”

“I won’t die from skipping meals for a few days.”

“But then you’ll lose muscle. I don’t like men without muscles, so that won’t do.”

My casual remark was followed by a serious response.

“Then I guess I should make sure to eat.”

I suppressed my laughter, got out of bed, and started to dress myself.

Cassion, who had been watching quietly, slowly got up to help me dress.

“I’ll talk to the steward. During the time my family uses the dining hall, I’ll have them bring a meal for you here in my room.”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

As Cassion tied the ribbon on the back of my dress, breath tickling the nape of my neck, goosebumps arose.

At the same time, I felt the desire that had settled stir once again.

Oh my. Was I always someone who blushed so easily?

With a self-deprecating thought and a glance to check how much time we had until the appointment, suddenly—

Knock, knock, knock.

There’s someone at the door.

Cassion and I looked at each other at the same time.

“Sister, are you in your room?”

It was Alicia.

“……!”

“……!”

Faced with an unexpected situation, the two of us exchanged desperate looks.

What should we do?

Pretend to be asleep?

I don’t know. Should we hide?

In the midst of our panic, searching for a place to hide, my foot accidentally kicked the nightstand.

Crash—!

The elaborate ornament on it fell over with a loud noise.

Ugh, damn it.

“I heard a noise just now… Sister, are you okay? Should I call someone?!”

Pretending to be asleep or simply not here was no longer an option.

I cleared my throat and shouted,

“I’m fine. But could you wait a moment? I just spilled some water, I need to clean it up first.”

“Oh! Then let me help you clean it!”

“No, it’s okay! I’ll clean it up quickly, so just wait a bit.”

“Yes, Sister! I won’t go anywhere and will wait right here!”

If only she could go somewhere else and wait.

But, there was no time for such thoughts.

“Quick, hide.”

“Where?”

“Anywhere.”

Whispering, we looked around for a place for Cassion to hide.

“Bathroom? Or maybe the closet.”

After a moment of thought, Cassion headed straight for the bathroom.

I nodded and opened the door.

“Come in, Alicia.”

“I hope I’m not bothering you?”

“Not at all.”

It wasn’t bothersome, just a bit complicated.

“Then I’m relieved.”

I led her to the tea table.

“So, what’s up? There’s still quite some time until dinner.”

“Ah, well…”

Alicia trailed off, rolling her eyes with an awkward smile.

What is it? Something important?

Instead of pressing her for more, I patiently waited.

“You’re not overexerting yourself because of us, are you?”

“…What?”

The words that came out of Alicia’s mouth were unexpected.

“Am I overexerting myself?”

“It’s just… I was a bit worried. I wondered if you were forcing yourself to make up with Father, even though you haven’t forgiven him in your heart.”

The small hands resting on her lap fidgeted nonstop.

A bitter smile crossed my lips, eyes slightly welling up.

“Wasn’t it me who suggested this trip in the first place?”

“…I mentioned before, didn’t I? That father might oppose your marriage.”

Clunk—

As soon as Alicia finished speaking, a noise came from the bathroom.

Alicia, who was continuing her sentence, abruptly stopped and stared wide-eyed at the bathroom.

“What was that noise just now…”

“I washed up a bit earlier. Something must have fallen because of the water.”

“Ah. That scared me. I thought someone was in there.”

She really had a keen sense.

“Not at all.”

I smiled casually and shrugged.

Only then did Alicia feel relieved enough to resume her halted words.

“I was thinking, because of what I said, that you might be forcing yourself to forgive Father to get permission for your marriage. And that you might’ve planned this trip reluctantly. I… I hope you’re not forcing yourself.”

“It’s not like that. You know me, I’m not the type to do things unwillingly.”

“…That’s true, but…”

“I really do want our family to get closer. We’ve been apart for quite a while, so it’s hard to bridge the gap all at once, but Father is making an effort, isn’t he?”

Throughout our teatime earlier, the hand that took notes of my words moved so quickly.

The burning zeal to not miss a single word was palpable.

Truth be told, although I say I had forgiven him, doubts occasionally resurfaced.

Have I really forgiven him?

Whether the emotion I felt was truly forgiveness or not, even I got confused sometimes.

However.

“We must give him a chance for his efforts.”

At my response, Alicia slowly smiled.

I smiled back at her.

As we chatted away, before we knew it, the appointed time had arrived.

 

* * *

 

Only after the two had left could Cassion emerge from the bathroom.

“Haa.” 

Stepping out into the empty room, Cassion took a deep breath.

Choosing the bathroom had been a mistake. He hadn’t expected it to be filled with Rosetta’s scent.

The moderate humidity and the strong fragrance made his head spin.

Not in a bad way, but rather impishly.

Was he always this easy to rile up?

With a self-deprecating sigh, Cassion sat down on the bed.

Soon, Rosetta and Alicia’s conversation came to mind.

Eavesdropping on other people’s conversation didn’t exactly leave him in a pleasant mood, but what could he do when he just happened to hear it?

“So that’s why this trip was planned.”

Somehow, he had wondered why it was a family trip.

Although he couldn’t speak on the matter given how his own family was as fractured as it was, he also knew that House Valentine’s situation was complicated and that the family members were distant from each other.

They seemed to have decided to untangle the tangled threads one at a time.

He was lost in thought for a moment.

Inevitably, the faces of his own family members came to mind.

No, it would be a stretch to even call them ‘family’. His father had not apologized to him even in his dying moments.

Focused only on cursing Leo and Eiane, he showed nothing but an ugly side until his last breath.

Despite being present at his deathbed, Cassion felt no sadness.

And he realized.

They had not been a family for a long time.

They were strangers—or perhaps even less than that.

As he continued his thoughts, night fell, and the dark sea looked endlessly deep and calm.

He felt a bit lonely as he closed his eyes.

Then.

Clunk, thump. 

The sound of a key turning was followed by the door opening, and the light from the hallway briefly entered the dark room before disappearing.

He turned around with a smile as the person who entered lit a candle.

In the dark and silent room, the sound of the candle burning crackled softly.

A bright flame flickered over a pale face.

“I’m back. Why didn’t you eat? The meal was left at the door, and my family asked what it was. I had to cover up saying it was a midnight snack… Everyone seemed surprised. Eating a midnight snack after dinner?”

Her voice sounded like waves breaking on the shore.

As Cassion quietly listened to Rosetta playful complaints, he smiled.

Though his eyes had been deeply subdued just now, life returned to them without fail.