He glanced at Leonard. He was wondering if he was okay. Surprisingly, Leonard seemed completely fine.
Given his noble status as a lord, Yellian had thought Leonard would find such a shabby carriage even more unfamiliar, but he adapted to it quite well, unexpectedly.
“By the way, how long do I have to keep wearing this robe? It’s so stuffy I feel like I’m going to die. And doesn’t walking around like this make us look even more suspicious?”
“That’s a valid point. If it’s uncomfortable, take it off.”
“Yep!”
As soon as permission was given, Yellian hurriedly took off the robe’s hood, brushing his flattened hair with his hands. Leonard also removed his hood. As his handsome face was revealed, Yellian inwardly marveled.
Not long after, the carriage carrying the two arrived at their destination. Yellian could tell even before the carriage stopped that this was near the pie shop Larissa had mentioned. Everyone passing by was holding a pie box, and there was a long line of people waiting for something. They were probably waiting to buy pies.
“Keep the change.”
Leonard handed over the money with a brief remark and got off the carriage. Then he extended his hand to help Yellian down. Yellian took his hand and carefully stepped off the carriage.
“Hello. May I ask something? Is this line for the pie shop? Lena’s Pie Shop?”
Yellian politely asked someone standing in line. The person nodded and confirmed that it was.
The line was so long that they struggled to find the end of it. Finally, the two managed to locate the end and stand in line.
“Wow……. It’s like a holy bakery or something.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a bakery from where I used to live. You had to wait in line just as long there. Honestly, I only went once. I bought something called Mangoshiru there, and I traveled all the way to Daejeon just to eat it. I lined up from dawn, you know. Oh, now that I think about it, I never tried their Strawberryshiru. That bakery is actually famous for Strawberryshiru. I want to go again…….”
Yellian, who had been chatting cheerfully, suddenly hardened his expression. He wasn’t sure if he could ever return to his original world, South Korea.
Moreover, the thought of what would happen to him and Leonard if he did go back made his heart sink.
It was quite strange. Before, he had been busy plotting ways to escape from Leonard, but now the thought of parting from him made his heart ache.
“I’m not sure, but there are plenty of delicious bakeries in the capital. Not just the capital, but famous bakeries can be found all over the Lapelsnia Empire.”
“Huh? What’s this about all of a sudden…….”
“I’ve never gone out of my way to eat at such places or stood in line for them, but Elton often does. If you ask Elton, I’m sure he’ll tell you about some tasty bakeries. They might not be as good as the holy bakery you mentioned, but if we try different ones over time, you’ll find a place you like.”
“Are you suggesting we go on a bakery tour together?”
Yellian tilted his head at the tour proposal, which seemed completely out of character for Leonard. He couldn’t understand why he was saying this.
“So, I’m telling you to stay here. I’ll let you eat as much delicious bread as you want. I promise to let you live just as well as you did in your old home.”
“Ah…….”
Yellian let out a small exclamation at Leonard’s words. Only then did he seem to understand why Leonard, so unlike himself, had suggested a bakery tour.
He was probably anxious. Worried that Yellian might want to return to his original world. Yellian hesitated for a moment before rolling up the sleeve of his robe and gently taking Leonard’s hand.
“I don’t even know how to go back anyway. So don’t worry.”
“……Alright.”
He intertwined his fingers with Yellian’s, locking their hands together. It was a moment when their body heat merged into one.
* * *
After waiting for a long time, they bought pies. It seemed they bought every kind available, as if to make the long wait worthwhile. It didn’t matter since Leonard, who had more money than he could ever spend, was paying anyway.
Yellian worried that carrying everything might be a problem, but since they bought so many pies, the pie shop clerk asked first if they’d like it delivered.
“If you give us your address, we’ll deliver it within the day.”
“Duke Abrams’ estate. Is that enough? Or do you need a detailed address?”
“That’s more than enough. There’s no one who doesn’t know Duke Abrams’ estate. I never imagined my lord would order our pies. I hope you enjoy them, and if there’s a banquet or something, it’d be great if you could place a large order. Please put in a good word with my lord.”
“Yes! I will! Thank you!”
The clerk didn’t seem to realize that Leonard, standing right in front of them, was the lord himself.
Yellian quickly interjected before Leonard could say anything. Then, after bowing to the clerk, he led Leonard out of the pie shop.
“So, where should we go now?”
At Yellian’s question, Leonard smiled and extended his hand toward him. Yellian, thinking once again that Leonard’s smiling face was absolutely stunning, took his hand.
* * *
They walked wherever their feet took them. They wandered aimlessly, not knowing what was where or having any particular destination in mind.
Whenever they came across a street vendor selling snacks, they stopped to buy something to eat. During their walk, they had freshly squeezed orange juice with toast, fresh flat peaches, and some chimney-shaped bread whose name they didn’t know. They ate heartily.
Of course, they walked just as much. Though their legs started to ache at times, the joy of exploring every corner of the alleys while walking was greater, so they couldn’t stop. Leonard followed Yellian without complaint.
“Leonard, aren’t you tired? I feel like we’ve walked too much because of me…….”
“Does one get tired on a date?”
At Leonard’s counterquestion, Yellian was at a loss for words. It seemed Leonard considered all of this a date and didn’t even think of feeling tired. Despite his stern appearance, Leonard, who was attaching so much meaning to their first date, was incredibly cute.
“I’m glad. If you get tired at any point, tell me right away. I’ll let you know if I’m tired too.”
“Alright.”
Only after hearing his reply did Yellian feel at ease. Holding Leonard’s hand tightly, he started walking along the path again.
Before they knew it, the sun was setting, and the surroundings grew dim. They thought they should head back before it got too dark, but then they saw a bright light in the distance.
“What could that be? It’s so bright over there.”
“It’s probably a night market. I’m not entirely sure. I think I heard from Elton that it opens every few days, but I can’t quite remember.”
“A night market? Let’s go check it out!”
Yellian, who had just been thinking it was time to head back to the duke’s estate, completely changed his mind at the mention of a night market.
Yellian loved night markets. Even in his original world, whenever there was a chance to go to a night market, he never missed it.
Of course, daytime markets were lively and fun too, but night markets had a charm of their own. Yellian practically dragged Leonard along, quickening his pace.
Leonard found it quite enjoyable to follow behind Yellian and deliberately walked slower. Then Yellian would hold his hand even tighter and pull him along.
Finally, the two reached their destination. It was noisy even near the entrance, and sure enough, a bustling night market was in full swing.
Twinkling lights, delicious food, crowded people……. everything felt romantic. Yellian usually disliked brushing up against strangers due to his personality, but at night markets, he made an exception.
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