CH 27.2

“The separate room is under construction and will be completed in a few weeks. I think you can use it around that time. And….”

With his chin resting on the palm of his hand, Cade watched as he ate the fruit served during dessert.

“Cole’s coming-of-age ceremony is fast approaching. It’s a big event, so the children look forward to Ms. Cherryl’s attendance.”

Cherryl smiled as she ate a piece of peach in her mouth.

“Coming-of-age ceremony sounded fun. I guess it’s like a debut celebration.”

“It’s similar. However, much blood will be spilled during a Balkan’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony. If you feel uncomfortable, you don’t have to attend.”

“They wouldn’t die, would they? I think it’ll be fun, so I’ll attend.”

“There have been no deaths yet, so that you can relax.”

Since Cade became the head, no one has lost their lives at the Coming-Of-Age ceremony.

Many men died across the border a long time ago during a Balkan’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

Now, they only had fun losing one eye or a few fingers.

Cherryl smoothed the fork innocently, not knowing exactly what to expect.

Cherryl was looking forward to it since it was the first event she would attend after being sent to the North.

Just in time, Cade’s gift for her was also scheduled to arrive that day.

It was a gift that not only Cherryl but also the youngest, Lecter, would like.

When he saw her chewing on a piece of fruit without expecting his surprise gift, mysterious greed seemed to pop out of Cade’s head.

What else could she do for him in exchange?

Could he be greedier and ask her for what he wanted?

A strange craving he didn’t know where it originated gripped him so tightly that he had to rein in his wild imagination.

A desperate desire pushed Cade beyond the distant limits, even if he scratched, beat, cried, and shouted to get rid of it.

He savored this dark possession inside his heart that he couldn’t bring himself to reveal.

***

Time flew, and Cole’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony had come.

The event would be held at an outdoor arena owned by Blkanov, and they had to ride a carriage to get there.

Later that evening, Cade visited the spire where Cherryl used to live.

He came to pick her up since the event happened before her scheduled move to the main castle.

Since it was a long-awaited event, Cherryl dressed up nicely.

Her bright-colored bonnet matching her bluish-gray dress looked more elegant than fancy.

She looked like a spring flower, swaying alone in the cold, dull north.

Cherryl’s glorious appearance caught everyone’s eyes in an instant.

The maid, who was passing by, forgot her manners and stopped to stare at her.

Cade, leaning against the carriage, stopped moving his feet idly the moment she came out.

“Did you wait that long, Your Grace?”

Despite Cherryl’s bright greeting, he only cast her a mysterious glance.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?”

“Come closer, Cherryl.”

She approached him according to his demand, and Cade reached for her out-of-the-blue.

She assumed he wanted to act like an escort, so Cherryl extended her fingertips toward him.

Their fingertips touched each other instead.

“?”

As if he had noticed something, he loosened the lace strings on her bonnet.

He gently untied the ribbon underneath her chin and the hat suddenly fell behind her back.

When the shadow on his handsome face vanished, Cherryl gave him an absurd look.

“Why did you take my bonnet off, Your Grace?”

“I don’t like it when it covers your face.”

“I want to wear it on the event.”

“You can wear it to your heart’s content. Just don’t do it when I’m not around.”

“No. What are you talking about? I purposely chose a color that goes well with my gown today—-”

Without warning, Cade bent his upper body and gave her a quick peck on the lips.

When his soft lips landed on her mouth and quickly withdrew, Cherryl had no choice but to shut her mouth.

Cade opened the carriage door as if nothing had happened.

“Get in.”

Fascinated by the unannounced contact, she forgot to pour out complaints.

Their physical contact seemed more frequent these days and it was as natural as the flow of water.

Did they finally overcome the awkwardness of their earlier relationship?

In addition to that, all the servants were watching them act like a real couple!

The maids, who saw them off at the door, turned silent at the sudden public display of affection.

“How can you kiss me out-of-the-blue, Your Grace?!”

“Why are you so surprised when you’ve done much more than that? Get in. Quickly.”

Behind her back, she heard the maids exhaling their held breaths.

After Cade told her there was no room for misunderstanding, he casually urged her to ride.

While she glared at him, Cade lifted her in his arms to help her climb into the high carriage.

“You’re so cute.”

Cherryl reminded him of a kitten showing off her tiny claws, making Cade burst into laughter.

She was convinced that Cade had laughed a lot since they were together.

Cade had secretly spread his overpowering influence as the head of the largest bandit group across the border.

Moreover, his long-time ancestors were high-ranking nobles who made outstanding contributions to the nation as war heroes.

Although erased from history, their ancestors also originated from the Balkans.

The strong heritage flowing in Cade’s veins, which also caused Cherryl to tremble sometimes for no particular reason, easily weighed on their surroundings.

However, every time he smiled like this, the ferocious beast inside of him would disappear and in her eyes, he was only a normal man.

She didn’t think he was capable of a being a brutal murderer in the battlefield.

As her thoughts continued, the carriage carrying the two headed to their destination