Hearing the excited laughter of my companions and watching the food disappear in seconds, I suddenly felt a twinge of guilt. After all, I was usually the only one who got to enjoy a proper dinner. I really should create more chances for everyone to eat together like this. With that thought, I got up from my seat.
“Well, it looks like everyone’s had enough to eat, so I’ll go bring out the cake.”
When I came back from the kitchen carrying my pride and joy—a raspberry mousse—Kalz was the only one left in the dining room.
“Huh? Where did everyone go?”
“They said they were tired and went off to rest.”
“All of them?”
That caught me off guard. Even Mari? She’d just said earlier how much she was looking forward to the raspberry mousse. That’s when something unfamiliar caught my eye.
“What’s that you’re holding?”
“Butler Squawk gave it to me. Said it pairs well with dessert.”
“Did he give you the wine glasses too?”
“Yes.”
As soon as I saw the two glasses on the table, it all clicked.
They’d left us alone—on purpose. A rush of embarrassment and gratitude washed over me. I couldn’t help feeling a little bad for Mari, who’d probably been dragged away even though she wanted to stay.
“Are you going to stand there all night? Sit down. And put the cake down already.”
“Okay.”
I nodded and took a seat—right next to Kalz. He glanced over with a hint of disapproval.
“…Pretty sure your seat was somewhere else.”
“There’s only two of us. Sitting far away would be weird. And awkward to eat cake.”
“Wait… This cake, don’t tell me—”
Kalz stared at the cake, his eyes going wide with surprise. He looked genuinely excited—like a boy seeing his favorite treat for the first time. It was the first time I’d seen him make that face over food. Yep. I’d definitely made the right choice.
“Recognize it? This is the jewel strawberry cake Young Master Ian was desperately searching for.”
“‘Jewel cake’? How do you even know about that?”
“Butler Squawk told me. And I learned how to make it from Elizabeth.”
“Of course. That parrot’s beak is lighter than feathers. Wait—learned? So you actually made this yourself?”
“Yup. From gathering the ingredients to putting it together—this baby’s all mine. What, are you touched?”
I was used to him not answering, so I didn’t expect a reply. Instead, I cut a slice of the mousse and placed it on a plate. Then, picking up a forkful, I held it out to him.
“Here. Say ‘ah.’”
“What am I, a child? I can feed myself.”
“You said you wanted strawberry cake, didn’t you, Young Master Ian? Come on, just say ‘ah~.’”
“……”
I twirled the fork in front of his snout, grinning playfully. Honestly, I’d just done it to tease him. I thought he’d scowl or swat it away. But instead, Kalz silently looked at me— And opened his mouth.
“…It’s good.”
“…What?”
“What’s with that look? You offered it, didn’t you?”
“Well, yeah, but… I didn’t think you’d actually let me feed you like that.”
“You went through the trouble of making it. It’s not a big deal.”
His reaction was surprisingly calm. He didn’t get flustered or scold me for teasing him. He didn’t even blush. Instead, I ended up feeling embarrassed. I’d never done this before, but turns out—it’s way more embarrassing to feed someone than to be fed!
“…That’s it?”
“What?”
“There’s still a lot of cake left.”
Kalz tilted his head slightly, lips parted, a mischievous grin tugging at his snout. Judging by that expression, he definitely knew I was flustered—and he was doing this on purpose. I set the plate down in front of him with a huff.
“Didn’t you say you’re not a kid? Then feed yourself.”
“How cold.”
“If you really want me to feed you again, try calling me ‘Briel hyung.’”
“I’ll pass.”
Figures. Still, he wasn’t bluffing about how good it was—he kept eating, fork never stopping. Satisfied, I rested my chin in my hands and just watched him.
Apparently uncomfortable being observed that closely, he finally dished up a slice and handed it to me.
“Quit staring and eat.”
“I’m good.”
I instinctively tugged my scarf up over my face. Not that I actually didn’t want cake. I did. Desperately. I hadn’t eaten properly because I’d been too self-conscious about my swollen lip. On top of that, I really wanted to know how my hard-earned cake turned out.
Kalz raised a brow, clearly not expecting the refusal.
“I’ve been meaning to ask—what’s with the scarf? You wear it all the time.”
“It’s just fashion.”
“In late spring?”
“True fashion doesn’t follow seasons.”
“Maybe so, but you’re not the kind of guy who puts fashion ahead of cake.”
Ugh. He’s got me pegged. With nothing to say, I shut my mouth. Kalz chuckled softly.
“Wait. Don’t tell me—you wanted me to feed you, too?”
“Not even close.”
“Here. Don’t be shy.”
No. I couldn’t. I’d managed to hide it all day. But the cake in his hand was just too tempting. When else would I ever be fed cake by Kalz, of all people?
“…Fine. But promise me first—you absolutely won’t laugh.”
“I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”
“Ugh. Then forget it.”
“I’ll try not to.”
After a moment of internal war, I cautiously lowered my scarf. Hopefully the swelling had gone down since this morning… But the second Kalz’s gaze landed on my lips—
“Pfft… HAHAHAHAHA!”
“HEY! That’s your idea of trying?! You didn’t even try!”
“Haha… I guess this is my limit.”
“Whatever. I’m cute anyway, so shut up.”
Burning with shame and betrayal, I tried to raise the scarf again— Only for Kalz to catch my hand.
“It’s fine. Don’t cover it.”
“What, didn’t laugh enough?”
“No. I want to see you.”
Wait—was he teasing me again? I stared at him, trying to gauge his tone.
But Kalz’s eyes were calm. No teasing. No grin. Just quiet sincerity.
“I don’t know why, but… not seeing you for a few days—I missed your face. It’s not like I forgot what you look like, but still.”
“…Is that why you’ve been giving me all those random errands lately?”
“Yeah. I got so caught up thinking of excuses to keep you close, I even forgot my own birthday. If I’d remembered, I probably would’ve gotten suspicious—‘what’s he planning now?’”
My chest ached a little. He meant it. Every word. See? I knew he liked me.
As I sat there, soaking in the moment, that teasing glint returned to Kalz’s eyes.
“Didn’t think the face I missed so much would look this different, though. But the more I look, the more I kind of like it. The swollen lips give you this… odd sensual vibe. Kind of sexy, actually.”
“Would you stop?! Don’t say stuff like that unless you can back it up! You’d just run away if I actually made a move!”
“…Just eat your cake. Here.”
As expected, he averted his gaze as he held out the fork. I played along and let him feed me.
The raspberry cake was everything I hoped for— Sweet syrup coating the tart mousse, the flavor was sharp and rich, melting deliciously across my tongue.
“Fork. Hand it over.”
Kalz rested his chin in his hand, watching me start in on the cake with full enthusiasm, and muttered,
“Figures. Look at you go.”
“I told you I was starving. Couldn’t even eat properly earlier because of that stupid scarf.”
“You and your pointless stubbornness… So, what happened to your lip anyway?”
“That’s… a secret.”
If I told him I got bitten by a snake while picking raspberries, he’d just crack up again. No thanks. I had to protect the last shred of my pride.
“You’re going to give yourself a stomachache at this rate. Slow down. You’re not seriously planning to eat all of my gift, are you?”
“The cake? That was the gift?”
“Wasn’t it?”
“There was something else… but not anymore.”
“Why not?”
“I was going to give it to you if you didn’t laugh. But you did.”
“…That was out of my control.”
“Too bad.”
“I was trying, you know. I really was.”
Kalz actually looked genuinely wronged. Somehow, that only made me feel more irritated. I glanced sideways at him, let out a long sigh, and gave in.
Ugh. The gift itself had taken way too much time and effort to just toss. With my cheeks still stuffed full of cake, I shifted around and pulled something from my coat. A neatly rolled piece of paper tied with a lace ribbon.
“Here. Take it.”
“What is it?”
“You’ll see when you open it.”
He raised a brow but untied the ribbon without question. As the paper unrolled, a drawing was revealed— A portrait of Kalz, sitting in his study chair, quietly reading a book.
His expression froze. He stared at the drawing, then at me.
“When the hell did you draw this?”
“Little by little before bed. Didn’t have any free time, thanks to someone giving me nonstop errands.”
“That’s because you kept running off and—ugh, yeah. Fair. That’s on me.”
Wow. One look and he was self-reflecting? Kalz really had grown. How touching.
“So… you drew this without even looking at me?”
“I see your face every day. It wasn’t that hard.”
I said it like it was nothing, but honestly, I’d surprised myself too. I never realized just how clearly I could picture him. Even without a reference, my pencil had flown across the page as if it already knew every line and curve of his face.
Was this… what they call the power of love?
Kalz didn’t say anything. He just kept holding the drawing, staring at it like he couldn’t look away. Then slowly, his fingers began tracing the lines of his face—like someone seeing themselves for the very first time.
I’d only made it because I saw him taking an interest in the drawings from the baby seniors before. I hadn’t expected him to like it this much. Pride welled up in my chest… but at the same time, I felt weirdly embarrassed, so I blurted the first thing that came to mind.
“Are you done with the cake?”
“In a bit.”
“If you’re not eating it, I will.”
“No way. I’m eating. Don’t touch it.”
The moment my hand reached toward his plate, Kalz finally picked up his fork again.
I wouldn’t discover that same drawing framed in gold and displayed like a treasure in his study— until a little while later.
