Chapter 5: Breaking Off the Engagement (5)

Although Count Kraus held a high noble status, his morning menu was not as extravagant as his title suggested.

Being a noble didn't mean lavishing gold dust on every meal. Sure, they could if they wanted to, but why bother? Unnecessary extravagance wasn't favored among the nobility.

The attendant brought in the prepared meal. Today's breakfast consisted of a small steak seasoned with the chef's special sauce and perfectly cooked fried eggs. In addition, there were various dishes including warm soup, but everything was small enough to finish with one bite, so the amount wasn’t overwhelming.

Elena picked up a knife, and cut the meat into small pieces. After that, she dipped it in the sauce and put it directly into her mouth. It seemed Elena enjoyed the taste, as she had a satisfied expression on her face. It was only after seeing her satisfied face that I felt relieved and could start my meal.

Similarly, I also picked up my knife, sliced the meat, and put it in my mouth. The meat used was of the highest quality, and the juiciness that came out of the tender flesh was like art. Although it had been quite some time since my taste buds changed to seek high-quality meals, I couldn’t get enough of all the delicious food.

I was momentarily lost in the ecstasy of the taste, unable to pay attention to the people around me. However, Elena, who was sitting across from me, was looking at me with sparkling eyes, as if she found it fascinating how I was eating the steak.

"Yes, I do. To be more precise, I enjoy eating delicious food rather than just meat. How about you, Elena?"

Unless the quality of the meat was really poor, it was almost always delicious when properly cooked.

"It suits my taste as well. The chef at Kraus can literally make anything. Even the desserts here are at such a high level. I must admit, I almost want to live here for the rest of my life.”

"Haha. Thank you for the compliments. After the meal, I will show you around the castle.  I’m sure our chef will be really happy too if you say the same thing to them.”

'Don’t tell me, that's the reason she wants to get engaged to me?'

Watching her amazed expression as she clasped her hands together, I had a momentary thought that it might be her reason for the engagement. In fact, if that were the case, it would be a good thing. Although I might miss the chef's cooking, it would be better than directly involving myself in the conversation.

Even while eating, Elena couldn't stop marveling at the view of the garden beyond the glass wall that sporadically caught her eye. From my perspective, her face, which was delighted by the sight of the flowers, seemed more beautiful than any ordinary flower. But for her, who grew up in the cold land of Merohim, which resembled the icy lands of Russia, this sight in the southern region must have felt uniquely different.

"It's hard to see this kind of view in Merohim. My father enchanted the glass garden to regulate the temperature, but this is the first time I'm seeing flowers basking in the sunlight through the glass."

As far as I knew, Merohim had events similar to the Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan. If I had attended that festival, I wondered if I would have reacted the same way. As someone who grew up in a country with four distinct seasons, I find areas with snow throughout the year more exotic and fascinating than a place with the same four seasons.

It was completely different from yesterday. Was she really the Elena Edelweiss that I know?

Not only the engagement offer, but Elena's image also was diverging significantly from what I remembered in the original novel. Could it be that Damian was the one who completed her character as it was meant to be when the original plot started? It was a plausible possibility.

Whether her personality had changed compared to the original or not, it had nothing to do with me the current Damian. It might even be better for her. If she improved her introverted aspects from now on, it could reduce unnecessary troubles in the future. So, it won't have any adverse effects on her.

Later on, she talked about what she saw and experienced here in Sarham, as well as how amazed she was. I engaged in the conversation, responding to her accordingly.

Coincidentally, the dessert I requested to Ken had arrived, and the atmosphere was not bad.

 "Oh, Damian! On my way here..."

"I see. That must have been quite a remarkable experience. Well, here the macarons. Have a bite."

“Wow! Thank you.”

- Munch!

“…Ah, Damian! Speaking of macarons…”

“I see. To think there was such a famous store there. Why don’t we go together next time? Oh, and here, some macaron. Have a bite.”

“Wow! Thank you.”

-Munch!

“I see. Here, some macarons. Have a bite.”

“Thank you!”

-Munch!

It was as if I was caught in an infinite loop. Every time she finished one story, I handed her a macaron, and she continued talking after eating the macaron.

I didn't expect things to turn out like this just because I found it cute when I feed her like a child.

I couldn’t see this conversation ending. Elena's mouth kept flowing like a broken faucet that wouldn't stop.

Come to think of it, even in the original work, Elena did seem to become very talkative when she talked to her female friend.

That friend was one of the few people Elena opened her heart to. If that was the case, it meant Elena was comfortable enough with me. Although I didn't know the reason, it didn't feel bad that she thought of me that way.

Before I knew it, all the prepared macarons were gone. Other desserts were still available, but if we use them all, we definitely won't be able to leave this room today. It was the perfect timing to interrupt and take a look outside. I regain control of the conversation, intending to resolve yesterday's curiosity.

“Yes?”

'What is she talking about now?'

"Spring would be nice, wouldn't it? No, it should be held in spring!  I’ve always dreamed about having a ceremony surrounded by blooming flowers. Oh, for the wedding, it might not be bad for Damian to come to our house and do it. Even if Merohim is different, at least one beautiful scenery is worth seeing."

“Eh? What? Um, wait. Let’s settle down for a second. Elena.”

I barely managed to stop her from spitting out words like an unstoppable train. If I had been even a little late, I might have heard about her plans for our second generation when we haven’t even come of age yet.

Even though I wanted to point something out, seeing her smiling face made it impossible for me to figure out where to start. My heart, which should have been pounding, and the wicked desires that always emerged when I saw her face were overwhelmed and all that was left for me was confusion.

After much deliberation on how to talk to her, I decided to go back to basics. Considering Elena's personality, which seemed to have deviated a lot from the original work, it was unknown how she would react, but I thought it would be better to speak frankly for once.

“What?”

'How cold'

She only said one word, but the feeling it gave me was more than a blizzard blowing in from the Arctic.

The face that had been shining like sunlight until a moment ago turned into a cold moonlight, and just locking eyes with her made me feel frozen. A voice completely opposite to before called my name.

“Damian.” 

“Yes, Elena.”

Although the weather was clearly warm, her hand holding mine was as cold as ice. Elena continued to touch my hand as if seeking its warmth, and I trembled from the chill that traveled up my hand.

I was definitely not intimidated by her. Her grip became stronger, but it didn’t hurt. I only wondered why she was doing this.

"Damian, remember? You promised to respect my choice. And I chose to be engaged to you. Isn't that enough? Is it not sufficient?"

The ice that seemed like it would never thaw, melted, resulting in the downpour of water. 

Her icy face was now covered in tears, and water droplets streamed down from her violet eyes as if it were going to overflow.

“So then, why are you saying that?"

She resembled the thin ice which would crack at the slightest touch. 

Captivated by her seemingly vulnerable appearance, I found myself uttering words I had thought I would never bring up.

I clasped her hand that was holding onto mine with both hands. It was still as cold as if it would freeze, but I knew I had to hold it now. It seemed necessary.

"I didn't say those words to make you feel anxious. It was just so sudden. I was trying to say that we need time to get to know each other. That's all."

In that moment, a smile somehow formed on her face as she rested in my embrace, yet at the same time, a sense of unease washed over me. It was an inevitable feeling.