The walk to the lake wasn’t long, but it was quiet.

Ella walked beside me, keeping her hands clasped in front of her like she was holding something fragile.

Her eyes would peek at me every so often, only to dart away the moment I looked back.

Cute.

She didn’t speak much, but she didn’t exactly need to.

The breeze was gentle, the path lined with soft grass and wildflowers, and up ahead, sunlight glinted off the calm, silver-blue surface of the lake.

Trees surrounded it like a natural curtain, hiding the world away.

And just like Ella had mentioned, it was very quiet, with us two being the only ones here.

It’s strange to know that she’s only been here for a few hours and has already found a place like this.

Not even I knew about this.

When we reached the edge, Ella stopped, her gaze drifting to the water.

“It’s beautiful,” she said softly.

“I’ve seen prettier,” I replied, glancing at her.

She caught that—and blushed again, lips twitching into a helpless little smile.

“You’re… annoying.”

“That’s the first time a princess has said that to me,” I said, feigning a sigh.

“Truly, my pride is shattered.”

“You don’t have any pride,” she mumbled, crouching near the lake’s edge and touching the water gently with her fingertips.

Ripples spread outward, tiny waves dancing across the surface.

“Do you come to places like this often?” I asked, crouching beside her.

“Not really…” she murmured, eyes still on the water. “I just felt like exploring a little. I like quiet places.”

I gave a small nod.

“They suit you.”

She blinked and looked at me.

“…You think so?”

“You get loud when you’re flustered, sure,” I said with a grin, “but when you’re like this? It’s… quite calming indeed.”

Ella looked down quickly, trying to hide her face behind her hand. Her other hand stayed in the water.

“You keep saying things like that…”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re trying to make me fall for you more,” she whispered.

I leaned in slightly, resting one arm on my bent knee.

“What if I am?”

She slowly turned her face toward me, cheeks burning bright pink. Her lips parted, as if searching for something to say… but nothing came.

Pop!

Instead, she gently flicked a bit of water at me.

“…Tease.”

I let the water hit me, and didn’t even bother to blink.

“Oh, Princess,” I said, smirking. “You’ll need to do better than that if you’re trying to start a war.”

She splashed again.

“Maybe I am.”

This time, I reached out and caught her wrist mid-motion.

She gasped, eyes wide.

Now, our faces were close.

Too damn close.

And yet… she didn’t pull away.

“Careful,” I whispered, gaze locking with hers.

“I might win.”

For a moment, she just stared at me. Her lips quivered slightly, like she was on the edge of saying something—anything.

But then she looked down, her voice as soft as the breeze.

“I wouldn’t mind losing.”

The words lingered between us, delicate and quiet and far too sincere.

I let go of her wrist gently, like I was releasing something precious.

“…You’re not what I expected,” I said.

She tilted her head, smiling faintly.

“And what did you expect?”

“…A lot colder”

She giggled.

“And you’re not what I expected either.”

“Oh?”

“I thought you were arrogant.”

“I am.”

“And cold.”

“Still true.”

“And reckless.”

“Definitely true.”

She leaned her chin on her knees, staring out at the water again.

“But also… kind. When it matters.”

I looked at her a moment longer, then settled back onto the grass beside her with a small sigh.

“Don’t let that ruin your impression of me.”

Ella smiled to herself.

“Too late.”

We sat by the lake a bit longer, discussing everything that crossed our minds. The kind of chatter that made time pass too fast.

Like… a weekend during the school season.

But it didn’t stay peaceful for long.

Splash!

Because someone got bold.

“Oops~”

Ella’s soft voice came right before the cold splash hit my chest.

Water soaked into my academy uniform, darkening the fabric. I blinked slowly at her as she giggled, trying and failing to look innocent.

“You did that on purpose.”

“Did I?” she said, standing up with a grin far too proud for someone so small and cute.

“You’re dangerous, Princess.”

“And you’re all wet, Moonlight Swordsman.”

I was about to retaliate—just a little splash of revenge—but before I could move, she stepped forward suddenly, grabbed both my wrists with surprising firmness, and—

“Come on!”

“Uhh? Wait, where are we goi—”

“To fix this, of course!” she said brightly, bringing me to my feet with strength that betrayed her gentle-looking figure.

“I’m not letting you walk around looking like that.”

Her eyes sparkled mischievously.

And before I could even protest, she dragged me away from the lake, her hand gripping mine like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“To where?”

“You’ll see~!”

“…You really don’t act like a Princess sometimes, you know that?”

She only giggled more as we walked.

Or rather—she walked.

I was being pulled like a reluctant pet.

Eventually, the tall trees opened into cobblestone paths, and the signs of the Silverleaf Academy began to peek into view.

Students occasionally glanced our way, some even whispering as they noticed our joined hands and my dripping clothes.

Then, as I noticed the familiar path… I sighed deeply.

“…We’re going to the mall, aren’t we?”

She threw a cheeky grin over her shoulder.

“Bingo~! I’m buying you new clothes. Something cooler… or less… soaked.”

“I could dry them with magic, you know.”

“But where’s the fun in that?”

“Your definition of fun is suspicious.”

“That’s rich coming from you, Mister Moonlight Swordsman.”

“…Touché.”

She dragged me around for a few minutes until we reached the mall, where she immediately dragged me to a boutique.

“Here!” she chirped, spinning toward me. “Go inside. Pick something.”

“You’re paying?”

“Of course I am. I splashed you, didn’t I?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“So you admit it now?”

Ella winked at me with a faint smile.

“Only because it was worth it.”

I sighed, running a hand through my wet hair.

“…Fine.”

I stepped inside, the soft chime of the bell above the door announcing our entrance.

The boutique was… pink.

Everywhere.

Lace, ruffles, silky shirts, and fitted jackets.

Dammit.

I hate shopping.

Ella accompanied me, and as soon as the attendants saw her, they bowed with a smile.

“Princess Ella,” one of them said.

“Back so soon?”

Ah.

She must have come here with Rose and the others.

“I need something for him,” she said with a proud grin, pointing right at me.

The staff turned, then looked at each other with very interested smiles.

“Ohhh~”

“Couple style?”

“Matching outfits?”

“…No,” I said quickly.

But Ella was already flipping through racks of sleek jackets.

“Hmm…” she murmured. “You’d look good in black… but also this dark crimson…”

Then her eyes lit up.

“…Or maybe this?”

She held up something… dangerous.

A slim, open-collar shirt that clung tight at the waist and arms, with silver threading along the edges.

“Absolutely not.”

She pouted.

“Why not?”

“I’d look like a walking invitation.”

Her grin turned sly.

“Exactly~”

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“…You’re impossible.”

“And you’re shy,” she teased, stepping close. “But you won’t reject it, will you?”

“…”

I took the shirt from her fingers, eyes narrowing.

“I’ll try it on.”

She clasped her hands with a pleased sparkle in her eyes.

“You’re the best.”

I stepped into the changing room and took out my wet shirt.

‘Wait a second…’

I suddenly halted as I looked at the mirror.

Why does it feel like our roles have suddenly reversed?

I was the one teasing her, and now she’s teasing me…?

I can’t let that continue.

With that in mind, a faint smile appeared on my lips as I changed my clothes, and then, a few minutes later, I stepped out of the changing room.

And the moment Ella saw me—

Her breath caught.

“You…” she whispered. “…You look…”

“…Like bait?” I offered.

“Like trouble,” she muttered.

Her cheeks turned faintly pink again.

And then—

“Keep it. I’m buying it.”

I leaned against the wall, smirking.

“Trying to dress me up like your fantasy?”

She looked away, pretending to admire a pair of gloves on the wall.

“…Maybe.”

I stepped a little closer, lowering my voice just enough.

“Should I pick something for you next?”

Her eyes darted up.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“I’d dare,” I said, picking a soft lavender scarf from the display. I walked up behind her and gently wrapped it around her neck.

“Looks good on you.”

She didn’t speak.

Her face was red again.

Adorably so.

“…D-Don’t flirt so openly in public,” she mumbled, trying to tug the scarf off.

“Why not? You already dragged me here.”

Her hands froze.

“…You’re not mad about that?”

I chuckled.

“No.”

“…So… you’re having fun?”

I paused, looking at her.

Then, I smiled.

“…Yeah. I guess I am.”

She smiled very widely at my words, her face flushing slightly.

Grabbing my wrist, Ella practically dragged me to the counter.

“I’ll take this,” she declared, pointing to the shirt I was wearing.

The cashier looked at me.

Then back to Ella.

Then smiled like she knew exactly what was going on.

“…Lucky,” she murmured under her breath while leaning the scanning tool closer to me to scan the shirt.

Meanwhile, while Ella paid for the shirt, my eyes drifted to a display near the register.

A sleek pair of dark gloves caught my attention. Matte black, with silver lining on the seams and a faint glow where the palms met the fingers—just barely visible.

[Mana-Conductive Gloves – Allows smoother mana flow and enhances elemental spell weaving precision.]

‘Mhm…’

That could come in handy.

Especially with some of the spell combos I’ve been working on.

I picked them up and turned them over in my hand, flexing the fingers.

A good fit.

“How much?” I asked the cashier.

“Ah, those? Limited edition. Only a few were enchanted properly. But for you…” She gave me a small grin.

“Special discount.”

“Wrap it up.”

Ella tilted her head.

“Gloves?”

“They’re useful,” I said, already sliding them on.

The material clung comfortably, the magic coursing softly against my fingers.

I clenched my fists once, then twice.

“And they look good.”

She hummed.

“It suits you.”

“I know.”

“…Narcissistic.”

“I also know that I am.”

“Fair enough.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep