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*Thank you to Beatrice for the Kofi~ [3 of 4]*
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Rattle. Rattle.
In the moving carriage, Rachel turned her head towards the window.
Even though there was nothing to see on the already dark streets lined with houses, she still stubbornly looked out the window.
Otherwise, she felt like the man sitting next to her would talk to her. In addition, she was worried about moving her body that was so close to him, so she was being careful.
Neigh
After some time, the carriage stopped after a short horse cry when the reins were tugged.
“Let’s walk from here.”
There were still only houses outside the window, but Ian said he wanted to step out of the carriage.
“If we arrive in the carriage, all eyes will be on us. Let’s walk from the entrance of the square.”
Rachel nodded to Ian, who explained kindly as usual. Even if he didn’t explain, she would’ve done what he said.
Rachel stepped down from the carriage using Ian’s hand, then quickly let go of his hand.
“Wait a minute.”
“Ah…”
Rachel couldn’t help, but blink at Ian’s sudden action.
She braced herself for a moment against the hand that moved to her neck. Unable to lower or raise her gaze, she waited patiently for him to finish his action.
“Finished.”
“I could’ve done it.”
Ian, who had been casually looking down at Rachel, raised his hand suddenly. She ran her fingers down the cord that was tied tightly around her hood to keep it from coming off.
[Baset: So… in the last chapter, the maid placed a hooded cloak out for Rachel, not a dress. Sorry for the mix up. (ノдヽ;)]
This was something she could’ve done. She felt awkward having Ian take care of her.
Rachel glanced up, and looked at Ian.
She didn’t know what expression he was making right now since he was wearing a hooded cloak. For some reason, she felt fortunate that she couldn’t see his eyes.
“…Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
As they approached the entrance to the square she heard several sounds, musical instruments, laughter and conversations.
Rachel somehow felt good hearing the noisy square. She didn’t like noisy things, but maybe it was because she hadn’t been out in a while?
She started to feel excited by the smell of street food spreading on the wind.
“….”
At that time, Ian stopped walking.
He looked back slowly, and Rachel also stopped walking.
“Rachel, come here.”
He pointed with his chin next to himself since Rachel was walking behind him.
“Ah…”
“Because there are many people, and you could get lost.”
At Ian’s words, Rachel walked beside him. Finally, Ian nodded his head in satisfaction and went back to walking.
She grabbed both of her hands, feeling that they might brush against Ian’s since their proximity was so close.
The square was as bright as day with all the glittering lights. Stalls lined up along the street, and people filled the street.
There were children who’d come with their parents, lovers, and friends. She couldn’t see their expressions in detail, but they looked busy and seemed to be enjoying themselves.
“Do you want to eat something?”
As if to turn Rachel’s gaze back to him, Ian bowed his head and whispered in her ear.
“Oh, yes.”
Rachel nodded hastily at the voice near her ear. She’d tensed when the distance between them became closer than normal.
“Which one?”
“No, I’m fine with anything. Whatever His Majesty wants…”
She’d forgotten to watch her words, so she glanced around them and quickly closed her mouth.
“Ah…”
Rachel bit her lip in embarrassment. He’d come out wearing a hooded cloak so he could hide his features from people, but she’d made the mistake of calling him His Majesty.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
Ian replied as he shrugged slightly. He looked around the stores again as if he didn’t care.
“Do you want octopus skewers?”
“…Yes.”
Rachel answered Ian indifferently, and looked back at those they passed a while ago. No matter how much he said it was okay, she still couldn’t help feeling bothered by it.
She thought they’d heard her. Was it okay?
“Oh?”
Rachel, who’d been looking back for a while, faltered slightly by the force that pulled on her.
It was Ian pulling on her shoulder.
Rachel opened her eyes in surprise, and looked up at him.
“You have to be careful.”
Ian said, then glanced back to check what Rachel was looking at.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
She almost bumped into someone else while trying to be overly cautious. She had to be more careful because there were so many people.
Rachel bit her lip, she didn’t enjoy appearing foolish.
“Rachel, if you can’t pay attention, we’ll have to hold hands.”
Ian kept his hand on Rachel’s shoulder while she regained her balance.
She flinched slightly at the gentle touch on her shoulder.
“Of course, I’d prefer it that way, but I don’t want you to hate me.”
“….”
“Since there will be more people now.”
Because of the hood, no matter how much she looked up, she could only see his neck.
“If you don’t want to hold my hand, then pay attention.”
Rachel nodded quickly, and Ian walked back towards the stall selling food.
She followed him and tilted her head. Somehow, his voice seemed to be mixed with laughter.
Then Ian’s words came to mind, and she shook her head.
“Rachel, shall we take a break?”
Ian noticed Rachel’s slightly sluggish gait and adjusted his speed. Maybe it was because she had been walking around for so long? She looked a little tired.
“Yes.”
Rachel nodded her head slightly.
“If we leave this street, there will be a park, so let’s go there.”
Ian looked around and dragged Rachel into a deserted street. They’d only moved a few steps, but the bright lights in the square had disappeared behind their backs.
Even on a dark narrow road, Ian walked skillfully. Rachel was surprised, he was more familiar with the geography of the capital than she thought.
Just as he said, when they exited the road, they arrived at a park.
Streetlights were all over the park, but it wasn’t as bright as the square. Maybe it was because everyone was enjoying the festival in the square, the large park was quiet and empty, without anyone passing by.
“Let’s sit down.”
Ian led Rachel to a nearby bench.
“Are you having a hard time?”
Ian sat Rachel down on the bench, bent down and untied her hood. He looked at Rachel’s face and pulled back the hood.
“Are you okay?”
Rachel’s voice had been sounding uncomfortable for a while. Ian looked at Rachel carefully to find out why.
“Is it uncomfortable? Are you sick?”
Rachel slightly pulled away from the large hand that approached her face. For a moment, Ian’s hand stopped in the air.
“Wait, let me check if there’s a fever.”
“I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt.”
As if Ian’s touch made her feel awkward, Rachel looked down. She couldn’t see his eyes because of the cloak he wore, but she could clearly see his firm mouth.
Ian slowly put his hand on Rachel’s forehead, and soon let out a small sigh.
“You don’t have a fever. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
She still seemed uncomfortable somewhere, but Ian frowned as if he was frustrated by Rachel, who kept replying that she was okay.
Ian looked down at Rachel silently. She quickly spoke up, as if she wanted to get rid of the awkward silence.
“I’m a little uncomfortable, but it’s really okay.”
“Really?”
Glancing down, Ian looked at Rachel’s feet.
“Your Majesty?”
Surprised when he kneeled down without hesitation, Rachel tried to stand up as she called out in surprise.
“Your Majesty…”
However, with Ian kneeling in front of her, she couldn’t stand up properly, and could only look down at him from an awkward crouched position.
“What are you doing?”
Rachel looked on the verge of tears.
“Sit down for a second.”
Although she sat down when Ian told her to, Rachel couldn’t stay still and moved her hands self-consciously.
“I’m really fine…”
Rachel wanted to grab Ian’s hand, but she couldn’t touch him, so she pleaded with him instead.
What was she supposed to do? Rachel couldn’t understand this incomprehensible situation where Ian was kneeling at her feet.
She knew that there was no one around, but she was afraid that someone would see it.
Rachel didn’t want to leave her foot in Ian’s hands, so she made a small effort to move it, but she eventually gave her foot to Ian.
“Tsk. What do you mean it’s okay?”
Ian clicked his tongue as he grabbed Rachel’s ankle, and pulled off her shoe. His voice was a little cold, but his hands were very gentle as he removed her shoe.
“Ha… How long has it been like this?”
Ian couldn’t hold back and sighed as he looked at Rachel’s heel.
Her heel was bleeding quite a bit.
“It doesn’t hurt that much. It’s okay.”
Rachel said awkwardly as she pulled her foot towards her body.
However, even with Rachel saying it was okay, Ian still looked at Rachel’s feet silently.
Black shoes.
Rachel’s black shoes had quite a bit of a heel.
Thinking of Rachel, who would’ve been uncomfortable walking because she was unfamiliar with the city, but she also had to walk in heels that hurt her feet. He wanted to sigh again, but he bit his lip and held it back.
He didn’t want Rachel to feel self-conscious again.
“I’m sorry.”
However, Rachel apologized quietly while checking his expression, since she wasn’t sure what Ian was thinking.
“What are you sorry about?”
“That…”
Rachel couldn’t easily answer that question.
It was obvious that Ian was in a bad mood, but she couldn’t easily answer his question because she didn’t know why he was upset.
Rachel couldn’t give an answer, so she just watched him with her head bowed.
Something was strange. The way he was looking at her foot, and the way she looked down at him.
He was kneeling in front of her, his hands carefully checked her feet, everything was weird and uncomfortable.
At the careful touch, as if he was dealing with something precious, her heart tingled as if he really liked her.
“I’m sorry.”
“Oh, what?”
Even though she vividly heard Ian’s low-pitched voice, Rachel couldn’t help but ask the question.
Why was he sorry? Those words couldn’t have come from his mouth.
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“You were hurt this badly because of me, and for no reason.”
“Ah…”
However, Ian apologized again for his actions. He sighed and his voice sounded very sorry.