Chapter 28

Why had Major Isaac Rodriguez come to visit?

Grabbing her parasol, Cynthia followed Dahlia to the garden where he was waiting.

“Hello.”

The major, dressed in casual clothes and speaking in his characteristic gentle voice, approached her.

With a pleasant expression, he held something out to her.

“The macarons I received that day were really delicious. I was wondering how I could repay you and chose this gift. I hope you like it.”

Cynthia checked the gift he handed her.

Seeing that it was a ruby brooch similar in color to her eyes, she looked up at him in surprise.

“Holy cow, isn’t this way too expensive compared to what I gave you?”

“Is that how you express your surprise in the language of the Republic?”

‘I was so surprised that I accidentally spoke in modern terms.’

Cynthia gave an embarrassed smile and explained.

“It’s a complex term that expresses different emotions depending on the situation… Anyway, thank you. I really like it.”

Gifts must never be rejected, after all.

She extended her hand beyond the parasol and held it up, admiring the ruby’s brilliance in the sunlight.

“Wow, it’s so pretty. I’ll treasure it and pass it down to future generations.”

“It’s not that great of a gift, but I’m glad it made you happy.”

Major Rodriguez, who looked like the protagonist of a romance fantasy novel, gave a bright, sparkling smile.

Do all Esahts look so pure and radiant? Cynthia thought as she carefully observed his appearance.

“Major, let me serve you some warm tea. Let’s go to the reception room together.”

“No, it’s all right. I just stopped by for a moment on my way somewhere, so I’ll simply accept the thought.”

“Oh! You must be going on a date. No wonder you’re so nicely dressed.”

He scratched his silver-white hair and gave an awkward smile.

“I don’t have a lover.”

“You’ve got that kind of handsome look that no one could possibly ignore though. You do give off a cold aura, but there’s this underlying warmth to you, Major.”

In short, he gave off the vibe of a warm-hearted ice mage.

“And you, my lady, are beautiful both in appearance and heart. When I first saw you, I almost mistook you for an angel who came to take me.”

“Isn’t that more like a grim reaper?”

After that, the endless battle of compliments between the sunny woman and gentle man continued. The atmosphere grew so warm it felt like it could melt all the snow around them.

Having poured out every compliment she knew, Cynthia reached out her hand to offer a handshake.

“For some reason… I feel like we could be good friends.”

They were unmistakably similar to each other—both driven by sentiment and a romantic spirit.

On top of that, they shared an understanding from having experienced discrimination.

The major gently took her gloved hand.

“Are you saying you want to be friends with me?”

“Yes. I lived in the countryside, so I don’t know many people. That’s why I’m trying hard to make friends these days.”

“It would be an honor for me. But your eyes are red—did something happen? As a friend, I’m concerned.”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Cynthia shook her head. She felt a little embarrassed to admit that she had come over right after peeling onions when they’d only met twice.

Major Rodriguez looked at her kindly and said—

“Please let me know anytime if there’s anything I can help with. I’d be happy to lend an ear if you ever need to talk about something.”

‘Wow, it’s been a long time since I met someone so kind. By now… he must already know that I’m a fallen royal.’

Her heart felt warm at the unconditional kindness she had received after such a long time.

After all, people always looked at her with a look that said, “Ugh, the evil royal who ruined the country! She must have a terrible personality!”

Having only dealt with someone like Massera, who hissed and swiped like a cat, meeting someone like a sweet golden retriever who licked her hand and wagged his tail, even though they’d just met, felt like a pleasant surprise

“Can you chat with me like a friend too? Everyone seems to get tired of my chatter.”

“I’m usually the one listening, so I’m confident I won’t get tired.”

The two shook hands up and down energetically. In any case, it felt like something only the two of them knew had just been sealed.

Just then, Massera happened to catch sight of the two together as he passed through the garden.

***

Seeing Cynthia and Major Rodriguez shaking hands so vigorously, Massera’s brow furrowed.

‘What is going on?’

Since he still didn’t completely trust Cynthia, he watched the two from afar with his sharp eyesight.

He reminded himself again that it didn’t matter who Cynthia met.

However, it was a different story if it was Major Rodriguez, a direct subordinate of Brigadier General Steve.

‘That must be why I’m getting this unpleasant feeling. If the two of them only have pure, romantic feelings for each other, then it wouldn’t matter.’

At that moment, he saw Major Rodriguez rub his eyes and lower his head.

Cynthia looked at him with genuine concern as she checked on him.

Looking closely, Cynthia’s eyes were bloodshot red.

‘Did she cry?’

Without realizing it, Massera took a step closer.

But then he saw that the major’s eyes were also red and stopped in his tracks.

A single tear ran down from the major’s blue eye.

“I’m sorry… for hurting you because of me.”

“No, it’s fine.”

To anyone watching, it looked like a situation where one person was rejecting the other’s feelings, and both were hurting.

Contrary to what he thought—that if the two shared only pure, romantic feelings it wouldn’t matter—he felt even more unpleasant.

It was like a burning sensation in his throat, as if he’d swallowed a heated stone—a feeling similar to when he saw Cynthia’s brother Carlos.

And as if bringing shame to all soldiers, the major clumsily wiped his tears, gave a farewell, and left the scene.

Massera stood still even after turning around.

Soon, he heard her familiar light and lively footsteps, and Cynthia’s voice came from behind him.

“General, what are you doing here?”

Her voice was as if nothing had happened just moments ago.

Massera turned his head and looked at her calm expression.

Shouldn’t a woman with a fiancé show at least a hint of surprise or embarrassment?

‘Does she not care about me at all?’

Somehow, he felt his mood twist. When he thought about it, it was always him who got swept up in his emotions.

Even when he acted indifferent, behaved coldly, or said hurtful things, that pure white and harmless woman remained bright and unchanged, like the midnight sun.

Had she built an unshakeable fortress in her heart?

“Why were you crying?”

Massera asked.

But why did she cry in front of that man, as if she’d taken off the smiling mask she always wore? That was what disturbed him the most.

“Ah.”

Cynthia belatedly panicked, then stepped back, hiding her hands behind her.

“It’s just that the onions I had earlier were too strong.”

What kind of excuse is that now? Massera’s expression hardened.

But Cynthia had her own reasons.

‘I can’t exactly say I came here after peeling 38 onions as a princess.’

After all, she’d had a competition with the servants to see who could peel the most.

And she was sure only the kitchen servants would get scolded for it.

On top of that, poor Major Rodriguez had rubbed his eyes after shaking hands with her and ended up tearing up.

The problem was that she had forgotten and gone out with the same hands she’d used to peel onions.

‘If it’s discovered that I basically onion-attacked an officer…’

I must never let that get found out. Like a culprit hiding her crime, Cynthia watched Massera’s reaction.

Seeing her like that, Massera’s fierce gaze grew even sharper.

“It doesn’t matter to me who you meet. There’s no reason you have to stay loyal anyway.”

At his chilling tone, Cynthia, not understanding the context, looked at Massera with a soulless expression.

“Yes, sir.”

Since she heard that every cooldown period, she just let it slide.

Then it suddenly struck her—this was like that “sweet potato element in romance fantasy novels with a regretful male lead”—so she quickly spoke up.

TL/N: “Sweet potatoes” are often used to describe frustrating developments in romance novels

“But I hope you won't take in a mistress. If you do, make sure it's a man. I'll do the same and choose a woman for myself, but only after a strict interview process. Not as a mistress, but more in the sense of a soulmate...”

Honestly, he didn’t seem like the type of man who’d take in a mistress and shout, “Cynthia! How could you do this to my delicate and innocent darling?” But you never know with life.

Hearing Cynthia’s words, Massera’s lips twisted noticeably.

‘Why is he getting all mad by himself? Did I miss something?’

She quickly ran through the possibilities in her head.

As unbelievable as it was, Major Rodriguez was the only one who fit what Massera could’ve been talking about. He had been nearby, after all.

“Are you saying this because you saw me talking with Major Rodriguez just now?”

“No.”

Massera denied it rather firmly.

So that’s why.

It seemed he was a Confucian boy who wouldn’t even allow her to talk to another man.

Didn’t take him for that type… He’s pretty narrow-minded.

Cynthia looked at Massera with hazy eyes.