Towards the Winter Cabin of Serenity and Madness, Cinderella Runs - Chapter 118
Roel felt she should greet everyone, bowing earnestly every time their eyes met, but Kyden clicked his tongue and grabbed her head, turning her gaze back to him and instructing her to stay quiet.
“Stop trying to act like you know everyone. Just stay still.”
“…Yes.”
The knights were dining around Count Serley, keeping close to him as they ate. Kyden waited until Serley finished his meal and entered the carriage before approaching the commander.
“Commander.”
“Hmm?”
Dyson looked up, his eyes widening in surprise.
“Oh, oh! Good to see you! Roel? Is it Roel?”
“He, hello. I’m Roel.”
Roel fumbled as she shook Dyson’s large, thick hand. He grasped her small, soft hand firmly and raised his eyebrows in a smile.
“We met once before, didn’t we?”
“Yes, I was a bit flustered then…”
“Haha. I was flustered too. I never imagined I’d run into Kyden in such a rundown inn.”
“Indeed.”
Roel nodded and smiled at Dyson’s friendly demeanor, feeling her tense body relax a bit.
“So how did you two meet? Who fell for whom first?”
“Um, well… the first time I saw Kyden was on my way back from doing laundry in the valley village.”
Should she talk about the moment she first saw Kyden? Or should she start with what happened at the cabin? If she tried to explain everything, it would take quite a while. Roel could hardly formulate a vague response and instead recalled the moment they first met.
“Where’s this valley village? I guess it wasn’t in the capital?”
“It’s a small village, so you might not know it. We did reunite in the capital, but we first met there…”
Kyden glared at Dyson, who was still holding Roel’s hand.
“Let go of her hand.”
“No, we’re having an important conversation. You can just step back.”
“Seriously, let go.”
Between the two of them, Roel’s face paled in worry.
“I’m fine! Please don’t fight!”
While Roel didn’t appreciate Kyden’s jealousy, she felt it was rude for Dyson to keep holding her hand. So Dyson cleared his throat and released her hand.
“So, are you doing okay? This guy has a terrible personality, right? He’s so self-centered and doesn’t listen to anyone…”
“No! He treats me so well that I don’t feel any burden at all. Even though Kyden seems gruff, he’s actually warm-hearted and kind… he’s very good!”
Roel jumped in protest at her teasing words, trying to defend Kyden.
Sure, he could be self-centered and ignore others, and his first impression had been rough. She had been afraid of him for the first few days at the cabin because of his stoic demeanor.
But that was just the surface. It didn’t take long for her to realize how warm-hearted he really was.
He would wake up early to light the fireplace on cold days when Roel might be chilly, and even when their food supplies were low, he always filled her bowl first.
He helped carry heavy things without her asking and always offered her the warmest seat. If he noticed she looked downcast, he’d become flustered and worry about her.
The imposing physique and gruff tone were only temporary. Roel felt his kind-hearted nature, and she was no longer afraid of him.
He treated her with warmth when she could have been ignored or mistreated, and for that, Roel was only grateful.
“Kyden is truly an angel; he’s such a good person.”
Dyson blinked in disbelief. He found it hard to agree with the idea of this person being kind and warm-hearted like an angel.
The knights eating around them stopped to perk up their ears. All of them had incredulous looks on their faces.
Kyden, standing behind Roel with one hand on her waist and covering his face with the other, had the tips of his ears turning red.
“…Are you serious?”
“Of course! I’ve never met anyone as kind and warm-hearted as Kyden!”
Dyson turned his gaze to Roel, glancing behind her at Kyden, who was hiding his face with his hand.
“What have you done? How can you make someone think this way?”
Though Kyden was usually mild-mannered among the knights, when combat began, he became one of the most threatening and cold-hearted people.
Those who had seen his sword became wary and fearful of him, knowing he was merciless in battle.
Yet, to be described as an angel? The other knights gasped in shock at Roel’s declaration.
At that moment, the firmly shut carriage door swung open, and Serley stepped out, placing a hand on his chest.
“Ah, it warms the heart.”
