Bearing witness to her foolishness over the years, he felt sorry for her. Sometimes he wanted to open that pretty little head of hers and shout. He was merely using her and looking for a chance to betray and run away. He wanted Aran to stop that stupid love she had for him.
Enoch coldly shook off Aranâs hand. Still, she grinned at him.
âDid you say that Lord Claude would arrive soon?â
âYes, weâre having dinner together.â
Frowning, Enoch suddenly became grumpy and impulsively said, âDonât meet him.â
âWhy do you say thatâŚ?â Aran asked back, a little embarrassed.
âIâll play with you all day long instead.â
âReally? Really?â Aran opened her eyes even wider.
âYes.â
âUhm⌠but what should I tell Claude? We were supposed to meet a month ago?â
âIf youâre not interested in hanging out with me, then donât,â Enoch said bluntly.
Aran shook her hurriedly. âNo! I like it⌠but why all of sudden?â
âBecauseâŚâ Enoch didnât know why. Why didnât he want her to meet Claude? If he didnât like that b*stard, he could simply stay away from him. After thinking for a moment, he soon found a suitable excuse. âBecause your birthday is just around the corner.â
âI see. Thank you! I didnât know you remembered my birthday.â Aran laughed.
It was the brightest smile heâd ever seen. When he saw her pretty face, he felt something tingling inside his heart. It was unfamiliarly uncomfortable, but he didnât hate it and he didnât want it to go away.
Before Enoch could think in detail what the strange feeling was, Aran hurried around and headed into the palace.
âI have to write to Claude that I canât meet him. If I say Iâm sick, heâll understand.â
It would have been better if Claude had been blown to death, uninformed. But Enoch, who knew the character of Aran, said nothing.
Despite her immense excitement, Aran had done nothing but trivial things with Enoch. They ate, drank tea, played dice, and picked a book to read in the library, and the day was almost gone. Enoch, who was determined to meet all the demands of the princess today, was dispirited.
It was night before he knew it was time for Enoch to return to his quarters. Aran held Enochâs hand with a look of regret.
âThank you. I wonât forget today.â
This was no different from usual, but Enoch could tell from her eyes and voice that her words were true. The strange sensation that heâd been feeling for a while deepened.
âIâm sorry I couldnât bring you a gift,â Embarrassed, Enoch answered bluntly.
Neither last year nor this year was Enoch able to give Aran a gift. As a servant of the imperial palace and a low-class citizen, he was not allowed to own any property. The clothes he wore and the writing instruments he used were all the property of the imperial palace.
âYou donât have to bring me anything. Iâm telling you this now, but you as a gift is more than enough.â
Aran carefully leaned her head against his chest. Her sweet-scented hair tickled Enochâs chin.
âI hope today wonât end,â Aran murmured in a quivering voice.
Unknowingly, Enoch wrapped Aranâs soft cheeks in his hands.
She seemed a little embarrassed. Her lips are slightly wide open. Enoch swept over her lips with his thumb as if he were possessed. He could feel her cheeks beneath his palms getting hotter and hotter.
âExcuse meâŚâ
Aran called him with an embarrassed face. He belatedly realized what he was doing and hurriedly withdrew from the princess. There was an awkward silence.
When Enoch tried to apologize for his rudeness, Aran hugged his neck. She put her lips on his.