Subliminal Wayfarer

Were five nights and six days always this long?

Over the past four days, I couldn’t count how many times Cassion and I nearly got caught.

Goodness. Hiding Cassion in my home disguised as Maxwell wasn’t even this nerve-wracking.

Just you wait, Blanca.

I won’t let this slide.

Ironically, amidst all this fearful sneaking around, Cassion and I were diligently fulfilling our roles as lovers.

Staying in the same room meant our eyes met constantly.

Initially, we both questioned, ‘Have I always been such a slave to instinct?’ But now, we didn’t even ask such questions.

Oh, whatever. A good thing is a good thing.

Once these five nights and six days are over, Cassion will return to the duke’s manor to bury himself in work again.

Having realized the sweetness of sharing a room, he might work even harder.

So, enjoying these five nights and six days wasn’t a bad choice after all.

Thus, on the morning of the fifth day, we were enjoying a lie-in together.

“Today’s the day of the shipboard ball, right?”

I propped my chin on his chest and nodded.

“Ah, right. That’s today. Aren’t they doing fireworks too?”

“It’d be nice to go together. Too bad.”

“Yes, it’s a shame. It would’ve been nice to watch the fireworks together.”

Fireworks on a cruise ship.

It certainly wasn’t an experience one could easily have.

“If I can come back early, we can do it. Let’s watch them from the room.”

“No, don’t do that. You’re here on a trip with your family, after all. You should watch the fireworks with them.”

Ah, that’s true too.

I quickly agreed, but then a clearing throat came from above.

“We can watch to our heart’s content after we’re married.”

“Yeah. That makes sense.”

After giving a compliant response and looking up, I caught sight of Cassion, his head turned away, his neck flushed red.

Really. He’s the one who said it first.

Smiling, I pressed my cheek against his chest, and I could feel his tensed body slowly relax.

“After we’re married, let’s travel a lot together. Let’s go see the world we haven’t seen together, Cassion.”

“Yes, I would love to do that.”

We embraced each other and closed our eyes.

Not sleeping, nor continuing our conversation, but somehow, it felt enough.

It was a very peaceful silence.

 

* * *

 

For the Valentine family, their golden eyes were a sort of their business card already.

Without even mentioning the ‘Valentine’ surname, the sparkling golden eyes were enough introduction.

Attending a ball meant being surrounded by people without wanting to and becoming the center of high society without trying.

But.

“This is a first, isn’t it?”

“Right? Was a ball always this relaxed?”

Damian chuckled wryly at Rosetta’s question, sipping his champagne.

After Blanca’s magical device changed their eye and hair color to ordinary brown, nobody recognized them at all.

Even though their facial features remained the same, the silver hair and golden eyes were so distinctive that no one could make the connection.

Conversely, there were a few familiar faces in the crowd.

“Isn’t that lady someone we know?”

“Yes. She’s the one who eagerly approaches us at every ball…”

Damian trailed off, the corners of his mouth slightly tugging up.

Now that Damian has reached the age for marriage, women queue up to him at every ball.

That woman was one of them.

The funny thing was, she now had another man by her side.

“It seems she has a lover now.”

“Indeed. A lady who clearly separates her personal and professional life.”

Damian murmured amusedly, sipping his champagne.

“H-High society is truly terrifying…”

Alicia added in a trembling voice.

Watching from a step back from the crowd, it was incredibly entertaining.

The three siblings stood on the deck, sipping their drinks and observing people.

Truthfully, until we embarked on this trip, I hadn’t expected to spend time so comfortably with Damian.

To think we’re standing side by side, exchanging jokes.

The trip seems to have been quite effective after all.

Eating three meals a day together, frequently having tea, and touring around, we gradually became closer.

Meanwhile, from a distance, some were watching the three of them.

These three were also siblings—one young woman and two young men.

And to clear up one misunderstanding, the three Valentines were still the center of attention here.

Even with ordinary hair and eye colors, their striking appearances remained.

“Should we try talking to them?”

“Hey, aren’t two of them a couple though?”

“Stupid. They all look alike. They seem like siblings, just like us. Tom and I will aim for the girls. How about you try your luck with the guy?”

“Then, maybe…”

Those whispering from a distance closed their mouths as they felt a gaze from somewhere.

The source of the gaze was a man standing behind the trio they were targeting.

He too had brown eyes and brown hair.

A handsome middle-aged man…

“I-I’m scared.”

The gaze was so fierce that they thought they might collapse if they accidentally made eye contact.

No wonder.

So that’s the reason these beautifully adorned people were without company.

“Let’s give up.”

“Yeah.”

“Agreed.”

There’s a saying that the brave wins the beauty, but they didn’t have enough courage to withstand that brutal glare.

Creak, creak. 

As the three awkwardly turned their backs and pretended to be elsewhere, Duke Valentine showed a satisfied expression.

He looked at his children with a gaze as tender as if it had never once been ferocious.

‘I can’t let their time together be disturbed.’

He was pleased to see his children happily chatting together.

Perhaps, they could have been like this much earlier…

The duke sipped his wine with a bittersweet sense of reflection and regret.

Then, someone approached and sat down in front of him.

“Rosetta?”

“You looked bored, so I thought I’d join you. May I sit here?”

“Of course.”

At the duke’s stiff reply, Rosetta let out a slight laugh.

“I brought some champagne to drink with you, but… Do you dislike champagne?”

Glancing at the wine in the duke’s hand, he shook his head and pushed the wine glass away.

“No, I was just trying to quench my thirst. Champagne is better than wine anyway.”

Saying this, the duke took a sip of the champagne Rosetta had brought for him.

A fine line of discomfort appeared on his otherwise smooth forehead.

‘Ah, it’s not to his taste.’

Thinking about it, she had never seen their father enjoy anything sweet.

Ah, but he did try a bit of shortcake at Alicia’s urging the other day.

That expression was exactly the same then, trying to hide his distaste.

Having watched him finish a slice of cake, she remembered thinking to herself, ‘Wow. That’s impressive.’

Considering that, it did seem like wine would suit his taste more than champagne…

But she didn’t feel like trying again and offering wine this time.

As one of the most pitiable children in this household, Rosetta supposed she’s allowed to be a bit petulant.

A mischievous smile formed on Rosetta’s lips.

Finally, after the duke grudgingly finished his glass of champagne, Rosetta spoke while looking at the gently rolling waves.

“It’s already the last day of the trip.”

“Indeed. Was the trip… enjoyable for you?”

His face was tense as he asked, like a child seeking approval from an adult.

Rosetta slowly nodded.

“Yes. It was really enjoyable.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Only then did a relaxed smile appear on the duke’s lips.

But then, the next moment.

“Do you remember the conversation we had before leaving for the trip?”

His expression stiffened again at Rosetta’s question.

If it was the conversation they had before the trip, it must have been when he sought forgiveness from Rosetta.

Though she hadn’t received a proper answer then.

“I wanted to give you the answer I postponed back then.”

Moonlight reflected in his brown eyes, making them sparkle like gold.

Facing Rosetta’s direct gaze, the duke straightened up and looked back at her earnestly.

“You see…”

Just at that moment, large fireworks began to burst, decorating the sky.