Inside the carriage, it shouldn't be hot at all, yet the flush on my cheeks won't go away.
I tried to lower my head to hide my face, but Lord Cyrus was sitting right next to me. There was no way I could fool him.
"Marie, isn't your face looking a bit strange?"
Lord Cyrus, looking worried, furrowed his brows. He lifted my chin with his finger.
Our eyes met, his emerald green gaze locking onto mine.
"Are you feeling carsick? Or do you have a fever—"
"Nothing, nothing at all!"
I hastily stood up. However, the ceiling of the carriage was lower than my height, and I ended up bumping my head hard. I pressed the rapidly swelling bump and tilted my head back, waving my hands.
"It's a bit hot, isn't it? I'll open the window!"
Without waiting for Lord Cyrus's response, I opened the window, and a cool breeze rushed in, soothing my flushed cheeks.
The wind played with my red hair. The sky had turned the same color as my hair. A day that had been nothing but fun was about to end.
The streets of shops and goods were empty, while the streets of restaurants and bars were much busier than during the day. This place comes alive at night. Even though it was still evening, cheerful, slightly tipsy singing could already be heard.
"Many craftsmen love their drinks. As soon as the sun sets, they close their work and head to the taverns."
When I looked around as Lord Cyrus said this, it was indeed true. There were many men in dirty work clothes or coveralls. There didn't seem to be any women in the group.
"Are there few women among the craftsmen?"
"Few, or rather, almost none. If you're talking about shop assistants, that's different, but the craftsmen's district is a man's world. Besides, the shops here aren't of the best quality."
"Oh... On the main street, there were restaurants for noble ladies."
"Do you want to eat?"
Though it was a nice offer, I shook my head.
"I'm not that hungry yet, and I think Topo's cooking is better."
"Ah, that's true."
"Actually, I'd like to visit one of those 'not so high-class' places. They seem lively and fun..."
The craftsmen, who had finished their day's work, all looked fulfilled. I had never seen such expressions in the dilapidated rural areas of the Shadelan estate, let alone in the baron's household. Their faces, dirty with soot and paint, were very charming.
I laughed along with their bright laughter, watching the group of uncles walking arm in arm—
Suddenly, I felt a sense of unease at the edge of my vision.
...In the middle of the row of stalls, there was one spot that was sunken. One person's head was significantly lower than the others.
They were dressed in the same dirty work clothes, but they stood out strangely.
A child? No, they were too tall for that.
As the carriage slowly passed, I caught a glimpse of their face for a moment.
A small nose, a delicate chin, a slender neck—under a deeply worn hat, a gap revealed hair that was dazzlingly blonde—
"Dangerous!"
Suddenly, Lord Cyrus grabbed my arm and pulled me back. I must have leaned out of the window too far without realizing it. I sat back on the seat and let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm sorry, thank you."
"What's wrong? Did you see something so interesting?"
I shook my head.
"No, I just thought I saw a woman among the craftsmen. I was just surprised..."
I tried to end the conversation there, but Lord Cyrus wasn't convinced. He pressed me with a serious look.
"What's wrong? Is there really something that's bothering you?"
"Nothing, really."
"Is there something you still want to see in the market? What do you need? If you can't tell me, you can tell Wolfgang or Mio... Mio is still on vacation, though."
"It's fine. Really, there's nothing. Nothing at all..."
Lord Cyrus still seemed a bit unconvinced but fell silent. He realized he was still holding my arm and apologized, letting go.
The spot where he had grabbed me throbbed. He must have held me quite tightly.
...Come to think of it, during the day when I was harassed by a man, Lord Cyrus had lifted him with one arm. Could Lord Cyrus be very strong?
I glanced at him. He was dressed more casually than usual, and his exposed arm... up close, it looked thick and muscular.
His hand, resting on the seat.
From the wrist down, it was as beautiful as a woman's. No, it just looked that way because his fingers were long; they were actually bony and masculine.
I examined my own hand. It was large and unattractive, matching my height.
...We had held hands for half a day... How was it?
I placed my hand on top of Lord Cyrus's. Instantly, his whole body jumped.
...Huh? I just kept it there, palm to palm, comparing fingers.
Sure enough, Lord Cyrus's fingers were much longer.
"Marie...?"
When he called my name, I looked up, but he was staring off into the distance. Since he didn't resist, I continued.
I squeezed his fingers.
Wow, they were not only long but also thick, and his nails were big.
I didn't know men's hands were so hard. Was everyone like this? Thinking about it, I had only touched Lord Cyrus's hands. My father's hands were a bit rounder. Johan, Topo, Wolfgang, Thomas... Hmm, I couldn't remember what their hands were like. But they all seemed very different. I would ask to see them when we got back to the castle.
It was curious and interesting.
While thinking about this, I continued to squeeze his hand, and suddenly he squeezed back strongly. He intertwined his fingers with mine and pulled me closer.
I looked up at Lord Cyrus in surprise.
He was still looking far away, turning his head to the side, just holding my hand tightly.
"...Um...?"
I tried to pull away. It didn't move. I couldn't lift it. Lord Cyrus was using his blessed grip strength to hold my hand tightly. ...I couldn't break free.
I asked.
"Lord Cyrus, is something wrong?"
"Huh!? What's wrong!?"
He called out in a strained voice and finally turned to look at me. He was still holding my hand, and I looked up at him in confusion.
"No, we won't get separated in the carriage, and the road isn't bumpy enough to fall, so why are we holding hands...?"
"What? What do you mean by that?"
"That's what I want to know."
"That's what I want to know! Why did you grab my hand, eh, what is this? What's going on!?"
"Wait, that's what I want to know!?"
Even as we argued, Lord Cyrus didn't let go of my hand. I tried to wiggle my fingers as much as I could and explained the situation as I saw it.
"I was just curious... about which hand was bigger between Lord Cyrus and mine..."
"Hand size? Why would you care about that?"
"Just out of curiosity. I've never met anyone with bigger hands than mine before. I just wanted to compare them."
Lord Cyrus let go of my hand. He placed it on his knee, propped his cheek on his hand, and looked away.
"So, it's curiosity and a desire for knowledge. I don't quite understand, but I get it."
I looked down at my newly freed hand. Though it was free, I didn't want to pull away. I longed for the warmth and pressure that had been there just a moment ago.
Feeling this, I told him.
"I was happy that Lord Cyrus held my hand."
He turned to look at me with just his eyes.
"It's been a long-standing complex. I have big hands, which aren't feminine or cute. They got even dirtier from work... My father was particularly picky about such things and didn't like to touch them."
"The complex is on the Baron of Shadelan's side. He doesn't dislike big women; he just doesn't like being seen as smaller than his daughter."
"...Is that so?"
"Definitely. You only look like a woman, and your hands are warm, soft, and beautiful. The scars and dirt are proof of hard work. There's nothing to complain about; they're very attractive hands."
Lord Cyrus answered immediately. He always spoke with a strong, assertive voice.
"At least I really enjoy holding your hand."
He said the words I wanted to hear, straight to the point.
...I was happy.
A warm light settled in my chest. It was a different kind of happiness from gratitude for kindness. Just happy.
...It's curious. When people feel warmth, they become more honest about their desires.
An empty palm is lonely. I reached out and, this time, took his hand myself.
"I like you too."
In my hand, his fingers trembled.
—I was going to say, "I like holding hands with you"—but my lips uttered different words. I immediately realized the mistake but didn't correct it. I thought it probably meant the same thing.
Lord Cyrus didn't squeeze my hand this time. Instead, he grabbed my shoulder and pulled me closer.
My face buried in his chest.
"If I'm hearing things, push me away right now."
His voice was above my ear.
"If not, stay like this."
I laughed. Lord Cyrus's embrace was strong. I couldn't even move my arms to push him away.
So I just stayed there. I pressed my forehead against his chest and nodded.
He hugged me even tighter. I could hear his heartbeat. What a broad, warm chest. What strong, gentle arms.
I felt a sweet, sweet comfort and was enveloped in drowsiness. I relaxed. His embrace was gentler than my father's or mother's, and I felt my strength drain away.
—What a wonderful person. I don't know of a more attractive man than him. I doubt I could find one even if I searched the whole world.
At first, he was a bit scary, and I heard some bad rumors, but once the misunderstanding was cleared, it was nothing. Lord Cyrus is a broad-minded