Tap the text to show or hide reading controls.
After finishing the suddenly-decided day of greeting visits, Cordelia relaxed on the sofa. Then came a knock at the door. Lily went to check, wondering who it could be at this hour — and froze.
“Prince Isaac! Please wait a moment, I’ll inform milady.”
(The prince at this hour?)
Isaac often visited Cordelia’s room, but rarely this late, when dinner was over and it was almost bedtime.
“What is it, Your Highness? Surely not another incident…?”
“No, not an incident… Sorry for coming so late. There’s something I must tell you today. Would you take a walk in the garden with me?”
His expression was even sterner than usual, but faintly nervous. Though puzzled, Cordelia quickly put on a shawl. The escort knights tried to follow — yet Isaac unusually dismissed them. They were completely alone.
Outside, the wind slipped through the shawl and chilled her.
(It’s colder than I thought. I should’ve worn more…)
She shivered — and a large coat wrapped around her. Isaac had draped his own jacket over her shoulders.
“You’ll get cold. Wear this.”
“Thank you… Hehe, this is the second time I’ve stolen your clothes.”
The first time had been the night of the great fire in Lakisen.
The culprit was now captured, and they could finally face the Founding Festival with peace of mind. Isaac nodded slowly as if thinking the same.
“No one died that night because of you. Allow me to thank you again. Truly.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
When she smiled, Isaac returned a breathtaking smile that seized her heart.
(Ah… I’ve been too busy lately to appreciate it, but his smile is still devastating…!)
Trying not to show her agitation, she took the hand he offered. They walked to the domed gazebo in the garden and sat.
Crickets rang softly. A crescent moon traced a beautiful arc in the sky, stars glittering gently in the autumn night. Cordelia sighed in awe.
Then Isaac spoke with resolve.
“…Cordelia. There’s something I’ve long wanted to tell you. Will you listen?”
Her heart jumped. She nodded — and Isaac stood, kneeling before her.
Under moonlight, his strong elegant hand held her pale one.
“From the moment we met, you were my sun. Your brightness and wisdom saved me countless times. Your smile became indispensable to me… and I came to wish to be the one who protects it.”
His blue eyes trembled with emotion as he gazed straight at her.
“Lady Cordelia Almonia — once more, I ask you to walk life with me as my partner… Cordelia, will you marry me?”
Cordelia smiled.
She meant to — yet tears streamed down her cheeks.
“Yes… gladly. Please let me stay by your side forever… Oh dear, I’m happy, yet I’m crying.”
Isaac’s fingers brushed away her tears. Slowly his face drew close — beneath the moon, their shadows overlapped, warm breaths enveloping them—
—And nearby in the bushes, Fenrir was lying in the night breeze.
Even Fenrir chose not to interrupt. After listening with half-open eyes for a moment, he snorted softly and closed them in satisfaction.
Reading Settings
