Kabir also glanced in the direction I pointed. There was just an ordinary restaurant there.

“…What?”

“Let’s have lunch there.”

“Do you need to make such a fuss about that?”

“Let’s go, quickly. I’m hungry.”

I grabbed Kabir’s arm and pulled him towards the restaurant. Kabir sighed quietly but followed me.

Being near the sea, the restaurant had a lot of seafood dishes. Since it was almost our first meal, we opted for a simple brunch menu.

After scooping up some potato salad, I smiled contentedly.

“The food’s not bad.”

“…Indeed.”

Kabir, without even touching his food, just stared at me as he responded.

Kabir didn’t like seafood, including fish, so he had just ordered a sandwich.

“Is that enough for you?”

“Well, I’m not usually one for heavy meals.”

True, but Kabir needs his protein.

Having become used to our shared dinner routines, I knew Kabir’s usual diet, so I couldn’t help but worry.

“There’s a lot being sold at the stalls too. How about we get some skewered chicken or something?”

“Do as you like.”

Surprisingly laid-back for someone who was born a noble. Or maybe he just gave up on trying to control my actions.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“Huh?”

“Just entering any restaurant and eating. I thought you were quite picky about food, but it seems you’re not that choosy.”

“……”

Maybe Kabir had the same thoughts I did.

Indeed, the real Anais would have been disgusted. I laughed awkwardly and said,

“Haven’t you seen enough of me by now? I eat pretty much anything.”

“Hmm.”

Kabir’s suspicion didn’t fade. His eyes narrowed.

“Indeed, I did think it was strange when I was with you. You were so different from the rumors.”

“……”

“Almost like a different person.”

“……”

I got up from my seat slightly.

“I’m done, let’s go.”

“But it’s still there?”

“There’s more delicious stuff outside!”

“…Okay.”

Kabir quietly followed.

We wandered around various stalls, mainly those selling food, but we also looked at souvenir shops. As expected of stalls near the seaside, there were many pretty and expensive souvenirs.

“Shall we get matching keychains or something?”

“Do we have to?”

“It’s customary to buy some useless thing when you visit places like this.”

Kabir didn’t seem to understand but followed my lead anyway. We each bought a keychain with a dolphin on it.

After that, we just kept eating. The food sold in the Celestial Realm was all so tempting. My fondness for the Celestial Realm seemed to grow with each bite.

Kabir watched as I held a plethora of snacks in my hands.

“You seem quite excited.”

“Does it look that way?”

It was inevitable. I always got excited when I came to the Celestial Realm.

I couldn’t be honest about that, so I made up an excuse.

“It’s nice to be on an outing with you.”

I threw out a blatantly insincere remark.

Predictably, Kabir didn’t buy it for a second. He dismissed it with a scoff.

“Rather than that, stop buying so much. You won’t be able to eat it all.”

“You’re right.”

Even with Kabir’s company, I had bought too much.

We returned to the seaside. As we wandered and played, the sun had begun to set.

‘The one-night itinerary is quite short.’

Due to Kabir’s busy schedule, the trip was planned for just one night. It felt like the trip was coming to an end after just having some meals and a brief stroll.

“Ugh.”

I plopped down on the sandy ground.

“What are you doing?”

“This is what you’re supposed to do when you come here.”

“This is the first time I’m hearing this.”

“You’ll experience it this time.”

Kabir looked at me as if I were absurd, but he sat down anyway. Despite his apparent reluctance, he was obedient.

The sunset was casting its glow over the beach. Kabir and I sat side by side, gazing at the scenery.

Even sitting in silence, just watching the sea was pleasant. This moment felt tranquil and peaceful. It was like a healing scene right out of a movie.

“It’s nice to do this once in a while.”

“…Yeah.”

Kabir quietly agreed with my remark.

“Have you ever spent this much time just watching the sea?”

“Wouldn’t think so.”

Indeed, someone who hardly ever left his own estate wouldn’t have had such leisurely moments.

“What about you?”

“Me?”

I pondered Kabir’s question for a moment.

I hadn’t really had such moments either. I never went on outings with friends and was always working.

“Just the same as you.”

Kabir and I were quite similar. Kabir and Anais were vastly different, though.

As we sat there, the sun finally set.

With the setting sun, a few more people started to gather. Still, it was quite sparse.

Then, with a loud bang, fireworks erupted.

It had been a long time since I’d seen fireworks.

“Is that magic?”

“Maybe? It’s a fascinating place.”

I replied nonchalantly.

The sound of fireworks continued to boom, and the dark sky was painted with colorful flames.

“Nice.”

I muttered to myself.

“Indeed.”

Kabir responded from beside me. He seemed to be immersed in emotions, much like myself.

“Is this your first time experiencing something like this?”

“…….”

“Say you’re glad to be here with me.”

Kabir looked at me with a bemused expression.

But that was only for a moment. Soon, he nodded.

“Being with you, it feels like I’m experiencing all sorts of things.”

“Right?”

“It’s also my first time venturing out of the Jekylhyde Empire.”

“That’s…….”

Uh……?

I looked at Kabir. His expression was as impassive as usual.

I had lied that we were visiting a port city within the Jekylhyde Empire. But now he’s saying he has been outside the empire.

As I stared blankly, Kabir continued,

“You and your escort knight moved me to the temple and did whatever you did—I’m aware of all that.”

“Tha―”

“That you even tried to poison me.”

“That’s…….”

Cold sweat broke out.

I managed to calm my confusion and asked,

“Ho, how did you……?”

“…….”

Kabir turned his gaze back to the sea and then said,

“You asked me once what’s different about those with demon blood, a long time ago during dinner.”

Indeed, I had asked Kabir that question once, and he had evaded answering it.

“Those who inherit demon blood have a resistance to poison.”

Ah.

I’m doomed.

That meant he had survived even when I had poisoned him. It was my mistake for not checking.

I was stunned for a moment, then, belatedly regaining my composure, I asked Kabir,

“Hold on. If you’re resistant to poison, how did you end up here?”

“I had to use a sword.”

This guy was even crazier.

I could only imagine how shocked and how much damage control the priests must have done. I felt sorry.

I held my head with one hand and muttered,

“This place is full of crazies.”

“You seem to be the worst of them.”

“Terrifying……. Save me, Kabir. I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

“That’s why I said, you’re the worst.”

Kabir said something, but I was too distraught to listen.

Kabir tilted his head slightly and met my eyes.

“Tell me what’s going on. You’re not planning to hide it after coming this far.”

“…….”

I had been prepared to be caught from the start.

I had even thought about how to explain it to Kabir.

Following the explanation I had prepared, I slowly explained to Kabir.

About myself, and about the Celestial Realm.

I tried to explain as simply as possible, but Kabir wore a puzzled expression.

“…It’s hard to believe, but if it’s not as you say, the situation doesn’t make sense.”

He seemed to be trying to trust what I was saying, for which I was grateful.

“Why would you take such a risk to bring me here? If you didn’t want to, I wouldn’t have insisted.”

Even the manager couldn’t understand why I insisted on bringing Kabir, knowing we could be caught.

“I just wanted you to have some fun.”

There was no particular reason. I just wanted Kabir to enjoy himself. That was it.

“Always working, and the fiancée you finally get is nothing but trouble, with nothing going right. You’ve always been alone.”

Just like I used to be.

I looked at Kabir and gave a smile.

“Did you have fun?”

“…….”

Kabir nodded.

“Then that’s enough. Besides, even if you figure everything out, there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“…That’s true.”

It wasn’t something Kabir could handle. As long as he didn’t spread rumors, it didn’t matter, as he hardly met anyone anyway.

“Still, keep it a secret. Can I trust you?”

“You trust people quite easily.”

“I don’t just trust anyone blindly. But we’ve built quite a trust, you and I.”

I said it playfully.

“We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“…….”

Kabir’s face was filled with dissatisfaction.

“You often seem to forget that we’re engaged.”

“That’s been called off.”

“That doesn’t mean it’s completely over.”

Kabir said gruffly.

“It can be proposed again.”

“…What?”

I tilted my head slightly, not understanding what he meant.

Kabir picked up a seashell that was lying nearby.

With his other hand, he took mine. I was so flustered that I let him guide my hand without any resistance.

“Let me formally propose, Anais.”

Kabir placed the seashell on my hand.

It was neither a gem nor a ring.

Just a seashell that had been rolling around on the sandy beach.

“I don’t have anything to give right now except this…”

Under the light, Kabir’s cheeks were faintly blushing.

“…I would be glad if you would engage with me.”

This proposal was definitely different from the previous one. The arrogance I had seen before was completely gone.

“It’s not just because I need a companion.”

Not because of need.

“I want to be with you. In the future too.”

Hearing that, I was stunned.

A murmur escaped my lips almost involuntarily.

“…Why?”

At my words, Kabir smiled faintly. It was the clearest smile I had seen from him.

“Let’s just say I’ve grown fond of you because you’re so peculiar.”

It was a confession I had never heard before.