Chapter 112. Something I Do Because I Like You
2023.12.21.
Having finished a satisfying dinner as usual, Blair gazed out the window, which had grown completely dark before she knew it.
Even though it was quite late, the outskirts of the village were bustling. It was because they were busy preparing for the harvest festival that would take place in a few days.
Drawn by the sounds, Anna placed a cup of steeped tea in front of the distracted Blair.
Looking at Anna sitting across from her, Blair suddenly seemed to remember something and asked.
"Anna. Is there a mask-related event during the harvest festival?"
"Masks?"
"Yeah. The children at school were talking about a masquerade ball today. The village shops are selling a lot of masks too."
"Ah, that."
Anna clapped her hands together as if she'd just remembered.
"During the ten days of the harvest festival, a masquerade ball is held in the plaza every night."
"In the plaza?"
"Yes. Usually it's a pastime only nobles enjoy, but during Nerha's harvest festival, the villagers also enjoy the masquerade ball in the plaza."
Blair's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she listened to Anna's story.
A masquerade ball where many people enjoy together in the plaza.
A new village, new people, new customs. To Blair, who knew nothing of life outside the imperial palace, everything was unfamiliar and wondrous.
"This masquerade ball originated from a legend of Nerha."
"What kind of legend?"
"You know that 'Nerha' is a city named after the god of the sea, right?"
Instead of answering, Blair quietly nodded.
Anna chuckled at Blair's appearance, which resembled that of a curious child, and continued her explanation.
The legend that became the origin of the masquerade ball went like this.
Long ago, in the vast sea before the city, there lived a sea god named Nerha.
Rather than a guardian deity, he was a cruel tyrant, and the sea under his rule was always angry. Because of this, many people who went out to sea died.
The people who lived facing the sea and had no choice but to go out into it decided to appease the god by offering a maiden as a sacrifice every year.
Then one day, when maidens were being sacrificed year after year, a woman named Loen was chosen to be offered as a sacrifice.
However, having lost her father and brother to the angry sea, Loen did not meekly accept her fate as a sacrifice. Instead, she pointed her sword at Nerha for revenge.
Sadly, there was no way a human's attack could deal a blow to a god, and the revenge ended in failure.
Instead, her courage created a major variable.
Intrigued by the human who dared to reject her given fate and stand against him, Nerha took interest in her and spared her life.
That small interest turned into affection, and affection soon became love.
It seemed as though Loen also came to love him under the god's boundless love, but she could not forget the grudge of her dead father and brother....
In the end, she fled from Nerha and hid herself in the city.
Nerha, who chased after her and came to the city, was enraged at her for betraying his love and laid the city waste.
Watching this, Loen set a condition to calm him down.
'If you find me among the many people wearing masks before this night passes, I will accept your heart and return to the sea with you.'
Desperate to find Loen by any means, Nerha accepted the condition and began searching for her among the masked villagers.
And just before the dawn's twilight settled, he succeeded in finding her.
When he succeeded in finding her, Loen returned to the sea with Nerha as she had promised at first.
After that, the city regained its peace, and the angry sea that had swallowed countless people grew calm.
People believed that Nerha and Loen were protecting the sea, and they named the city 'Nerha' and began to revere him as their guardian deity.
"...It's a story with the theme that true love can find someone no matter what appearance they take. That's the game that originated from it."
"That's an interesting story. So do couples usually enjoy it by wearing masks and finding each other?"
"Yes. Even between people who have mutual feelings, they sometimes set the condition that if found, they'll accept the other's confession. Since it's a promise made before a god, it cannot be taken back."
"How romantic. Sounds fun."
"For married couples, they say the condition is granting a wish if found. For example, not being allowed to leave the bed tonight, or being tied up and having your way......"
"Anna!"
Blair hastily cut off Anna's words as she casually spoke such embarrassing things. Blair's face had turned as red as a ripe apple.
Anna's eyes gleamed with mischief as she looked at Blair.
When she, who already knew everything, acted like a shy girl who knew nothing and became flustered, she found it so endearing that she wanted to tease her even more.
"You're already carrying a baby in your belly, why are you so embarrassed?"
"The baby might hear."
"So what if they hear? The baby came into existence through that very process too."
As Anna laughed playfully while teasing the embarrassed Blair, the sound of someone knocking on the front door was heard.
Anna went to the entrance and came back a moment later with Mikhail. Seeing him, Blair brightened and stood up.
"Mikhail? What brings you here at this hour?"
"I have something to give you."
Instead of answering, Mikhail brought in a box from outside as Blair looked at him with puzzled eyes.
"This is......?"
Inside the box was a long, shaped pillow.
"I heard that when your belly grows, sleeping becomes uncomfortable."
"My, men usually don't know about these things. The Master will make a good husband."
Beside Blair, who was blinking in surprise at the unexpected gift, Anna made an even bigger fuss.
Blair, who was about to thank him a beat late, hesitated at Anna's words. Of course it wasn't the case, but the remark felt like it was referring to her and Mikhail, which made her feel burdened.
Noticing Blair's change in demeanor, Mikhail quickly changed the subject before she could feel burdened and refuse the gift.
"By the way, what were you two talking about? I could hear your laughter from outside."
But it was the wrong choice.
At the same time, Blair's face flushed explosively again as she recalled the earlier conversation with Anna.
On the other hand, a mischievous smile appeared on Anna's face.
It was a perfect opportunity to tease both Blair, who was normally very shy, and Mikhail, who became completely clueless only in front of her.
"Oh, we were talking about the masquerade ball held in the plaza during the harvest festival......"
"M-Mikhail!"
Realizing what Anna was about to say, Blair urgently led Mikhail out of the house.
"Let's take a walk for a bit."
Once outside with Mikhail, Blair realized his gaze was directed at her hand that was holding his, and she quickly let go.
"Ah, I'm sorry. I was in a rush."
"It's fine. I was actually wanting to take a walk with you too."
The two walked along the village road.
Walking in peaceful silence, Blair cautiously spoke first.
"Thank you so much for the gift. It's exactly what I needed. I'll use it well."
"If you do, that would be my pleasure."
"But from now on, I'll just gratefully accept your sentiments."
At Blair's words, Mikhail's brow slightly furrowed.
"......May I ask the reason?"
Blair hesitated for a moment before answering.
"Anna will misunderstand. Not just Anna, but other people who see us too. From your position, it would be unpleasant and uncomfortable."
"It's not uncomfortable. Nor is it unpleasant."
"......What?"
Meeting the eyes of Blair, who was looking up at him with questioning eyes, Mikhail paused for a moment before answering.
"......Because it's something I do because I like you."
Blair froze at that.
Under the moonlight, his green eyes that met hers held a deeper light than usual. The moment she saw those eyes, her heart dropped.
Blair stealthily avoided his gaze.
It must be pity. A favor born of compassion.
He was a deep-hearted person, so it must mean that he found it pleasing to offer kindness out of a sense of responsibility toward her.
Blair tried hard to convince herself of that. Facing a feeling she couldn't return would be too painful.
"I appreciate that sentiment—"
"I mean it's something I do because I like you."
Mikhail drove the point home as if to grasp Blair, who was trying to ignore his feelings.
Blair's eyes, no longer able to avoid his feelings, shook in confusion.
Why hadn't she noticed? That this endless kindness could be mixed with other feelings.
No, perhaps she had unconsciously noticed but pretended not to know. Afraid of being alone, wanting to receive only help while ignoring his feelings.
Blair scoffed at her own selfishness. She had to draw a clear line, even now.
"......I'm sorry. I'll probably be a disgraceful fugitive for the rest of my life, and I was even married to another man. On top of that, I'm carrying his child. I'm not someone who is worthy of you."
"I didn't say that to belittle you. Such things could never dare diminish your worth."
"......"
"It's just...... if I didn't say it, it seemed like you would never know for the rest of your life."
How was she supposed to react at a time like this?
There had occasionally been men who confessed their love to her, but none of them had approached her sincerely and respectfully.
So she didn't know how to reject someone without hurting them.
Looking at Blair, whose face was full of apology, Mikhail chuckled and asked in a much lighter tone than before.
"Then if I find you at this harvest festival's masquerade ball, would you formally go out with me?"