# Chapter 33
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"Wait a minute, ma'am!"
Peltz caught me trying to grab the door handle and quickly climbed to the second floor.
When he finally returned, he was holding a small square glass bottle in his hand.
"Are you sleeping well lately?
This is the lavender that Ahn and I dried.
Although it is not comparable to the tea leaves handled by the Ezelot family, it has a rich and gentle aroma, so I saved it to give to the young lady."
The glass bottle was filled with dried, light purple flower petals.
It's been a long time since I tossed and turned at night because I couldn't sleep.
When I remembered the past when I drank lavender tea regularly, I couldn't help but smile.
"I'm sleeping much better than before.
Do you still remember that?
Thank you for your concern."
As always, when you receive an unexpected gift, not only your steps but also your complicated mind lighten.
It would be good for Nezar to feel this sense of happiness too.
It would be a good idea to think a little more about what kind of gift to give.
I walked out of Peltz's antique shop carrying a glass bottle that, although not antique, was elegantly and elegantly decorated.
Meanwhile, the red sunset turned the sky pink.
Contrary to what I thought, the victory celebration festival was still taking place on the islands.
The city center was packed with lively people, street performances and horse-drawn carriages racing across the ground.
As I watched the lively scene in the dark shadows, I suddenly felt dizzy and dizzy.
Oh shit.
It's like that again.
From the day I skipped meals to prepare for the party, the period of anemia that occurred became very short.
After all, I shouldn't have suffered with that damn corset.
This is what it means to be autonomous.
The dizziness lasted strangely long, perhaps because I ate the madeleine in such a hurry.
It was difficult to tell if it was anemia or a headache.
I tried to go into the hotel and rest comfortably, but the hotel itself was so big that it would take more than 5 minutes just to get back.
"Come on, come on, chicken skewers are only 20 shillings!"
"I'm buying a commemorative victory coin!"
Will things get better if I use my head?
I remembered the feelings I had when I received lavender tea leaves as a gift from Peltz.
There was no specific reason why the gift made me happy.
This is because Peltz's feelings for me were conveyed clearly.
In this case, the gift to give Nezar is also...
...
.
"30 minutes later!
In 30 minutes, there will be a victory puppet show in the fountain square!
Please come and see us!"
"Mom, I have juice too!
Juice!
"Him?
You drank earlier too.
"If I keep eating only sweet foods, I won't be able to use them."
For Nezar...
...
.
What was I thinking?
The sound of my heart beating covered my head.
As my heartbeat accelerated, my anxiety increased, and the strength of my palms resting on the wall slowly relaxed.
Should have listened to Rockherd.
Or at least I had to go to the hotel first and hire someone to serve as a servant.
"Young lady."
I'm dizzy.
Now I had no idea how long it would take to get to the hotel.
"Mistress Katrina."
I'm sure you won't faint here, will you?
It was something that would never happen.
If you pass out, you won't be able to go out, and if you can't go out, you'll have to live in a stuffy castle, dealing with three even stuffier brothers!
It was the worst, worst thing I could have imagined.
"Mistress Katrina!"
At that moment, a strong force grabbed my shoulder and I had to hold my breath and lift my head.
The first thing I saw was a face rigid with tension, followed by a clear but low voice.
“Forgive me for touching you without permission.
Are you well?
Cold sweat like this...
...
."
I feel my dizziness slowly calming down due to my embarrassment.
The man was none other than Pansion Entera.
Upon hearing his words, I rubbed my forehead with the back of my hand.
Only after the cold touch touched my skin did I realize that my hands were tightly gripping the hem of his clothes.
"I don't think it's going to work.
I think you should at least get out of this busy area.
"Is it okay if I help you?"
I nodded enthusiastically, without even thinking about rejection.
Pansion immediately grabbed my arm and straightened my slightly bent back.
Then he picked me up, held me in his arms and walked down the crowded street as if I were running.
I forgot my anxiety and looked up in shame.
"Boo, it's definitely a help...
...
."
"Yes?"
"It's called support...
...
."
"I'm sorry, but the environment is so noisy that I can't hear you well.
Please speak a little louder."
You clearly said you were supportive!
I didn't have the energy to say anything else to Pan Shion, who made eye contact with a confused expression.
I was so embarrassed that I lifted the glass bottle and covered my face, feeling like I was going crazy.
Time passed so slowly that in my mind it seemed like about 10 minutes had passed, but I had barely passed the fountain square.
The island's busy streets, full of laughter, applause, music and dancing, slowly disappear.
I gently twisted my chin, which was trapped under the hat and glass bottle.
The calm and refreshing air flowed deep into my throat.
Before I knew it, Pansion and I were passing through the middle of the lake park at the end of the island.
After a few more steps, he placed me on a park bench.
I was proud of myself for living a shameless life, but when I made eye contact with Pan Shion, my heart pounded like it was going to explode.
It was a strange feeling filled with shame and trembling, not anxiety.
"Thank you, thank you...
...
."
It's so hard to say thank you when my heart is shaking so much.
Pan Shion calmly waited for me to speak, and I, who felt embarrassed for him once again, quickly calmed down.
Before I knew it, the dizziness and nausea disappeared without a trace.
"Thank you.
"If it weren't for Duke Pansion, I might have fainted on the spot."
And he must have been trapped in Ezelot and unable to smell the outside air.
Despite my thanks, Pan Xion's expression was still stiff.
He knelt down and made eye contact with me, who was sitting on the bench.
No, cold sweat swept across my half-chilled skin.
"If you're not feeling well, I'll take you to the doctor."
I was surprised by the word "deputy" and quickly raised my hand.
"No, never do that!"
At that time, I didn't know what kind of criticism I would face if it reached my mother's ears.
"It was because my anemia was a bit severe.
It's not a big problem, so you don't need to worry too much. see!
"You're completely fine now, aren't you?"
I can't believe my voice shook on the last sentence.
But I pretended nothing was wrong, put my arms around my waist and looked at Pansion.
After studying me for a while, he sighed softly and stood up.
"For some reason, the day I meet Mistress always seems like an uproar.
Of course, in today's case, I'm glad I could help."
As I reflected on the past through his words, Pansion sat beside me, far away.
"Indeed.
The first and second meetings were very ordinary.
Of course, I didn't know at the time that you were the Little Duke of Pansion.
...
...That's impressive in a very ordinary way."
Obviously, I was holding a vase at that moment.
I couldn't remember the details of why I was holding the vase, but I could clearly remember Pansion's face as he casually approached me and placed the flowers.
Because those soft and elegant violet eyes from back then were right in front of me at this very moment.
It was fantastic.
I never thought I would have a casual conversation with a man who made such a strong impression on me at the time.
"...
...Was it impressive?
"You?
Of course.
I was only fifteen at the time and it was the first time I read an article that made me feel as complete as a duke.
As you know, Brother Lockherd is a far cry from the imperial knight I vaguely imagined.”
Perhaps because it was by the lake, the wind was cool, even though the beginning of summer was approaching.
"As a precaution, the expression 'impressive' did not have a negative connotation.
Instead, it looks a little strange.
Well, that doesn't mean I'm in love with the Duke.
I felt like I added more words for no reason, but I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, so I added that as an excuse.
I didn't open my mouth in a chatty manner, but as I continued to speak, my mind gradually calmed down.
As if Pan Shion had read my thoughts, he silently made eye contact and slightly raised the corners of his mouth.
"I thought I was the only one who felt that way.
I guess that's why hearing those words from the young lady made me feel a little...
...
."
He turned his gaze to the lakeshore, unable to continue speaking.
The slightly distorted eyes were clearly visible from the picturesque sideline, as if spitting out an uncomfortable truth.
"I'm a little upset."
Did I make a mistake?
After blinking foolishly, I also turned my head towards the edge of the lake.
It wasn't intentional, but it was silent, as if everything had stopped, except for the occasional footsteps and noise.
Not that there was unbearable awkwardness or that there was no conversation between him and me.
I just kept my mouth shut because the atmosphere was like that.
The lake reflecting the Milky Way under the dark night sky wasn't such a bad sight.
It was that moment.
The moment when golden fireworks decorated the vast sky.
Whack!
I was startled by a loud sound and my shoulders shook.
Golden light was reflected off the surface of the lake, turning the surrounding area white, as if dawn had broken and day had arrived.
"Now that I think about it, today was the last day of the victory celebration festival.
"It seems like you've been busy with work and lost your mind."
Every time the fireworks exploded and emitted colorful lights, Pansion's face also glowed in the darkness.
While looking at him without responding, I made eye contact again with Pan Shion, who turned her head.
I was even more shocked than when the firework exploded and turned my face.
I wasn't even caught stealing, but I felt like I had committed a serious crime.
"Well, I didn't know either.
"I knew the festival would be long, but I never imagined it would last almost two weeks."
"If the purpose wasn't the festival, why did you come to the island?"
"To go out, to buy gifts...
...
.
"It literally goes both ways."
Since the distance from where the fireworks exploded was not that far, even if I muttered a little softly, my voice was completely muffled.
He raised his head for a moment and saw a light more colorful than a flower, and then he opened his mouth a little louder than before.
“I was already thinking about it, but I think I got to know the Duke well.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"What kind of gifts do men like?"
Pan Shion's face became serious, as if he was worried about my words.
"It depends on the type of relationship you have.
"Are you family?"
"Anyone."
"Anyone...
...
."
Is the scope too broad?
However, it was unbearably strange to identify him as Nezar.
However, everyone in the empire knew that Nezar and I were engaged, so they must have noticed.
Her narrowed eyes showed a delicacy that could not be matched by the statues placed in the garden here.
Soon, amidst the bustling sound of fireworks, Pan Shion opened her mouth.
"Miss Katrina, I...
...
."
However, his voice couldn't overcome the sound of exploding light and disappeared.
I furrowed my eyebrows and pulled my shoulders forward a little.
"Can you say that again?
"I can't hear you clearly because it's drowned out by the sound of fireworks!"
At that time, the distance of two spans suddenly decreased.
The sound of my breathing, or rather, the breath that touched the tip of my nose, went down my cheek and stayed in my ear.
His low voice, which had disappeared into the distance, was heard clearly right in front of my nose.
"Look at me."
Pan Shion grabbed my hand and brought it to her mouth.
The lips, which hovered lightly over the back of the hand as if greeting, slowly descended and touched the knuckles.
I felt her tightly closed lips open slightly.
Breath hotter than water vapor entered between my fingers.
Eventually, I started experiencing tinnitus and couldn't hear any sounds.
It was as if all my senses were focused on the finger he touched.
Warm lips gently bit my finger.
At the same time, I lowered my hand with a slower movement than before.
"Do you understand?
"Usually men like that kind of thing."