How to Tame That Gentle Hero - Chapter 9.4

At his whisper, Resena nodded with a flushed face. Finding her compliance so adorable, Vernas smiled with curved eyes and grasped Resena’s hand that rested on the table.

Rising from her chair, Resena followed his lead outside. Time had already flown by, and it was 7 o’clock. A gentle breeze ruffled her hair. As the faint sound of bells from afar brushed past her ears, Resena followed Vernas into a deserted alley.

“Resena.”

“Vernas…..”

Vernas kissed her deeply, clearly intent on exploring her thoroughly. As she responded to his refreshing yet deepening kiss while interlocking fingers with him, Vernas slowly caressed her neckline and stroked her back.

As she surrendered herself to his strength that pulled her slender waist toward him in one motion, Vernas’s kisses reached her neckline. Soft lips descended several times with gentle kisses. When Resena flinched and backed away, Vernas raised his deep-set eyes and gazed at her quietly.

“I won’t go any further than this, Resena.”

“……”

“Are you afraid of me, Resena?”

She slowly shook her head.

And Resena herself approached him and tightly embraced his waist. In the deep embrace, Vernas stroked the black hair at the back of her head and inhaled her subtle yet rich edelweiss scent.

Ah, there truly seemed to be no greater intoxication than this.

Like that, he could feel ecstasy.

The two, who had been embracing for quite some time, only separated when the street lamps in the alley turned on.

“It’s time for dinner now.”

“Are you hungry, Resena?”

While still keeping their hands intertwined.

Resena, whose heart was pounding, smiled brightly and leaned her forehead against his smiling arm.

“A little. Ah. Would you like me to take you to a restaurant I know this time?”

At that, Vernas chuckled.

“I would like anywhere Resena takes me. But right now, there’s somewhere I want to take you. So, Resena, would you give me a bit more of your time?”

“I’d like that, Vernas.”

Then Vernas looked down at her and led the way. Resena clung to his arm and began walking to where he wanted to go.

The sound of her light flat shoes touching the ground echoed slightly. Resena soon stopped in front of a small yet clean restaurant. Vernas, seeming familiar with the place, opened the blue-painted wooden door and guided her in.

“Welcome! What would you like to order?”

While Resena gazed at Vernas with a smile, Vernas spoke in a calm tone.

“Two bowls of Bellanic small white.”

“Yes! Understood.”

They sat across from each other at a clean table. It was a seat with a good view where people passing by could be seen through the glass window. Soon, Resena enjoyed the sunset time when the street lights began to turn on one by one.

“It’s pretty. It’s beautiful how the lights turn on one by one.”

“I was waiting for you to admire it like that. I’m glad you like it, Resena.”

Soon, a waiter came and served a dish with potatoes floating on a snow-white stew. Resena looked down at the stew curiously, then took a spoonful and brought it to her mouth. After tasting it, her mouth was filled with a savory flavor she had never experienced before.

“……! This is incredibly delicious. It’s my first time trying it….. So delicious…!”

“Haha. I’m glad. That you like it. Thank you for enjoying it, Resena.”

Vernas gazed at Resena with captivated eyes. Resena diligently moved her spoon while maintaining proper etiquette as she finished her meal.

Looking at the empty plate, Vernas asked kindly.

“Would you like another bowl?”

“Ah….. I’m fine. I’m full. I need to save room for dessert, you know.”

Vernas smiled and rubbed his chin.

“You’re only thinking about staying with me longer.”

“……”

His finger tickled Resena’s reddened cheeks.

“That look is so beautiful, Resena. Truly.”

“Vernas……”

“A beautiful woman looking at me so directly. I can’t help but fall for you. Moreover, you are a wise person. It’s natural that I can’t escape.”

Vernas playfully touched a stray strand of hair before tucking it back under her hairpin. After wiping her lips with a napkin, he gently asked.

“What kind of dessert would you like?”

“For dessert….. first, a kiss.”

“Haha.”

Vernas’s lips stole a kiss from Resena’s lips. Leaving a sweet sensation lingering on her lips, he whispered affectionately.

“Let’s go eat slightly frozen mangosteen. It’s a place where they sprinkle a bit of dried strawberry powder on top, and when the two harmonize, I think you’ll enjoy the taste.”

“Yes. I’d like that, Vernas.”

As Resena stood up with Vernas and waited while he paid the bill, she quietly looked up at the moon shining coyly in the sky. The scenery of people passing by in the night streets embedded itself in her vision, making the time spent with him even more enjoyable. When she went outside, held by his hand, she smiled slightly while taking in the light of the slightly distorted moon from its round shape.

“Now, soon the time will come when I must part from you.”

“Vernas……”

“That moment will be regrettable, but I’ll be looking forward to our next date, unable to sleep for several nights. Sometimes I might think of visiting the ducal house because I want to show you more diverse things.”

Resena quietly looked at Vernas. Did he know that the Arnasus family had bought all of his works? It wasn’t just out of interest in him that they bought the sculptures. They bought them all because they judged that there were no sculptures as good as his in the ducal house.

“How much do you like me, Vernas?”

To Resena’s question, he only smiled faintly.

“When we’re alone, I like you so much that I can’t stop kissing you.”

“……”

Her face turning red again was truly lovely.

He cupped her small cheek with one hand, turned her toward him, and kissed her pretty lips. As that soft sensation was vividly transmitted, Resena felt both a thrilling sensation and embarrassment, parting her lips and looking up at him dreamily.

“Vernas is honest. Do you often hear that you’re honest?”

“I don’t hear such things when I’m working, but I tend to hear it often in private settings.”

Perhaps Eldis would say such things to him while spending time comfortably.

Resena was grateful to Vernas for taking Eldis’s side, and she also loved how deeply he had fallen for her. Because of this, her lips approached him again and gently pressed against his.

“I like you, Vernas.”

“I like you too, Resena.”

Waiting for the words “I love you” to fall from his lips.

Resena felt an emotion like a blazing fire as she placed her hand on his cheek. He covered her hand with his own and kissed her palm. Then, gently curving his eye corners, he filled his clear blue eyes only with her.

“This way, Resena.”

That’s why she was happy to be led wherever he took her.

The time spent together was comfortable, and she easily let her emotions guide her to fall into his arms. Each time, the scent from his embrace calmed her heart.

‘I wish I could always be with Vernas.’

Walking under the moonlight while chatting softly with him was blissful. Resena laughed a lot and sometimes rubbed her forehead against his arm. As she walked with her head leaning on him, he would occasionally bring up slightly odd topics, which made it truly enjoyable.

His gentle, beautiful voice tickled her ears, and his close body heat seemed to seep into her. Before she knew it, Resena found herself standing in front of a carriage with a bright smile.

“I want to stay together longer.”

At those words, Vernas stroked Resena’s hair and then kissed her forehead again. That soft touch made her feel as if she were flying through the sky, and Resena looked up at him with moist eyes.

“The day will come when we can be together, Resena.”

“Vernas……”

“Then, looking forward to that day.”

Vernas’s lips drew a beautiful arc.

“Sleep well, Resena.”

“You too, Vernas, get home safely.”

Vernas stood there watching until Resena’s carriage disappeared into the distance. He wasn’t anxious because, although their bodies were apart, their hearts were closer than before.

‘Someday, the day will come when I reveal my true identity.’

He quietly let the words flow.

“I love you, Resena.”