Ophelia’s voice trailed off with a rising lilt. That rare touch of coquettishness fell on Klein’s ears like a feather brushing against his heart, leaving him thoroughly captivated.
He was just about to respond when an unguarded yawn rolled out of his throat.
The perfect romantic atmosphere was abruptly shattered.
A hint of helplessness replaced the softness in Ophelia’s eyes. She withdrew her hand from his and gave the man’s warm arm a gentle push.
“If you’re tired, go to sleep early,” she urged softly. As she pulled her hand back, her fingertips accidentally brushed against his sleeve, sending a faint tingle through him.
Klein didn't move. Instead, he leaned back, resting his spine completely against the soft headboard pillows, exuding an air of easygoing laziness.
“I might be tired, but closing my eyes now doesn't mean I'll fall asleep.” He adjusted to a more comfortable position and turned his head, gazing at her warmly. “It wasn't easy getting the Knightess to open her door tonight; it would be a waste to just lie down and sleep after only a few words. That would be a loss.”
Ophelia was left speechless by his somewhat roguish yet frank reasoning.
She shot him a mock-glare, but her golden eyes were shimmering with light, and her attempt at intimidation was greatly diminished under the gentle moonlight, making it look more like she was pouting.
“As you wish,” she said, turning her face away as the temperature of her ears began to rise again.
Klein watched her habitually straight back, a subtle smile playing in his eyes.
Now that the conversation had started, he found himself quite interested. Nightlife in the manor was inherently monotonous; aside from meditation and tinkering with alchemy in the laboratory, such leisurely and intimate moments were rare.
“To be honest, I never imagined life would turn out like this,” Klein said, interlacing his hands behind his head and relaxing completely.
This piqued Ophelia’s interest. She shifted half an inch toward him, leaning sideways as her golden hair slid down her shoulder. “Then how did you originally plan to live?”
“As an inconspicuous rural baron. I'd manage the fief just enough to ensure everyone was fed and clothed. The rest of my time would be spent in the laboratory, battling complex alchemical arrays and bizarre alchemical materials to the end. Perhaps one day, I'd accidentally blow up a crucible and end up covered in soot,” Klein answered casually.
The image instantly formed in Ophelia’s mind. She turned her head and couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
After the laughter subsided, the room fell silent for a few seconds.
Ophelia looked down at her right hand resting on her knee, while her left hand—the one contaminated by the sea monsters—was habitually and cautiously hidden in the deep shadows of her skirt. A question she had been holding onto for a long time finally reached her lips, carried by the cool night breeze.
“Klein,” she called his name, her pace slow and carrying a trace of imperceptible tension. “What were you thinking when you first saw me?”
Back then, she had arrived burdened with sea monster pollution and the empty title of an honorary knight, tossed to this remote countryside like a hot potato by the big shots of the imperial capital. She had expected to be met with fear, disgust, or hypocritical sympathy.
Klein took a deep breath and turned to meet her beautiful golden eyes with a serious expression.
“Do you want the truth or a lie?”
“The truth,” she answered decisively.
“Very beautiful.” He didn't pause for even half a second, answering with such confidence that his gaze was clear and sincere. “So beautiful that it was love at first sight.”
Ophelia had been prepared for a long speech—perhaps something about “admiring your sacrifice for the Empire” or “sympathizing with your plight.” Who would have thought this man would speak such blunt words that left her unable to respond?
She was completely stunned. The heat in her ears rose sharply, spreading a noticeable blush across her fair neck and delicate collarbone.
Klein didn't give her a chance to dig up old scores or avoid the subject. With a smile on his lips, he threw the question back.
“Your turn. What were the Great Knightess’s first impressions of me?”
At his question, Ophelia’s thoughts drifted back to the day they first met.
A casually dressed young baron standing at the manor gates, looking a bit restless, as if he had just stepped out of an alchemical workshop.
“Silly,” she pursed her lips and gave her evaluation.
Klein immediately protested, “I call that being approachable, without the pretension of a noble.”
Ophelia ignored his defense, the corners of her mouth curling slightly as she continued, “But a good person. We have a good understanding of each other; being around you isn't exhausting.”
Having been given a “good person card” for no reason, Klein curled his lip and was about to retort when he heard a very faint addition from beside him.
“And of course, you’re decent-looking.”
The whisper drifted over, tinged with a hint of prideful bashfulness.
Klein’s retort got stuck in his throat, and he forced himself to swallow it back. He looked over to see Ophelia already turning her face toward the window, leaving him only with a bright red ear and a slightly trembling, slender back.
The moonlight outside the window shone on her long golden hair, creating a sacred and soft halo.
This evaluation left Klein in a rather good mood. He didn't push his luck by calling out her shyness, instead giving the Knightess plenty of time to regain her composure.
Rate on N.U.
