Seeing Colin at a loss over the current situation, Riamy let out a delicate hum, eyes drifting to the side as she pretended not to care and said,
“Don’t get the wrong idea! It’s just that today’s walk was all because you paid and put in the effort, so I wanted to give you this as a little token of appreciation. Don’t go thinking anything strange, okay?”
Listening to Riamy’s awkward words and seeing her slightly embarrassed little face, Colin’s previously dazed expression gradually shifted into a smile.
He ran his hand over the longsword pendant hanging beneath his collarbone, feeling the material—which was actually not very good, even somewhat cheap—like something bought from a small street vendor.
It didn’t compare at all to what he had spent today. Yet, for some reason, he could sense a trace of Riamy’s presence from it. It was a kind of aura that brought him peace.
Seeing Colin smile fondly as he touched the pendant, clearly liking it, Riamy couldn’t help but smile herself.
“Well? Do you like it?”
“Thank you, I really do. I’ll take good care of it!”
At his words, Riamy was momentarily stunned, then let out a light laugh. “How could you take good care of something so cheap? It might accidentally break one day.”
“I won’t let it break,” Colin said firmly. “And it’s not cheap at all—it’s something you gave me. To me, it’s a treasure far beyond any jewel!”
Hearing Colin’s sincere praise, Riamy felt her heart suddenly skip a beat. Her little face flushed slightly.
“…Treasure? How could it be? If you really like it that much… I can give you another one next time we go for a walk, can’t I?”
“Next time?” Colin’s surprise and anticipation were clear.
“Of course! It’s just a walk—how could it be only once? Normally, after eating or when you have free time, people go out for walks, right? Let’s go out for more walks like this from now on! What do you think?”
Looking at the hopeful girl before him, Colin couldn’t reconcile her with the silent assassin he once knew. In the end, he stopped imagining that quiet assassin and instead focused on the beautiful girl before him. He smiled gently and said with quiet determination, “Alright.”
After speaking, Colin added,
“But that doesn’t mean I won’t cherish this pendant just because you might give me more in the future. Like I said, I won’t let it break easily!”
“Hmm,” Riamy clicked her tongue, smiling helplessly. “Fine. Suit yourself. It’s already yours anyway—you can do whatever you want with it. But just so you know, even if you do break it, I won’t be mad!”
“I know.”
Colin looked at Riamy tenderly, his tone soft.
“You’re not the kind of person to get angry over something like this. I’ve always known that.”
Hearing Colin’s gentle tone and gaze, Riamy felt her cheeks flush even deeper.
She cleared her throat, diverting the topic quietly, “Alright, alright. That’s enough for today. The walk’s over, we should head back.”
“Okay.”
Colin didn’t object. It was getting late—it was time to return.
“Next time, I’ll prepare a better walking route.”
“Really? Then I’ll be looking forward to it!”
—
Back at the manor, Riamy and Colin exchanged goodnights before returning to their rooms.
Lying on the big bed in her room, Riamy stared blankly at the ceiling, her mind replaying the day’s walk.
Each event with Colin brought a flush of embarrassment, but as more memories surfaced, that embarrassment gradually faded.
Instead, she grew happier thinking about the day. Her cheeks were still rosy, but now it was not from shame—it was from a feeling of happiness quietly stirring in her heart.
Carrying this wonderful feeling, Riamy eventually drifted into a sweet sleep.
In her dreams, she and Colin experienced countless walks—or rather, dates. They admired all sorts of beautiful scenery, tasted various delicacies, traveled through many places. After many such dates with Colin, she closed her eyes happily and sweetly, sinking into a deeper dream.
When she opened her eyes again, she found herself in a sea of flowers, surrounded by beautiful blossoms. She looked at Colin, who had been by her side all along, and her face blossomed into the happiest smile.
Together, they wandered through the flower sea, enjoying the floral fragrance, gazing at the vast blue sky, and watching the beautiful butterflies dance.
When they finally collapsed from exhaustion in the flower sea, Colin gently but firmly took her hand. She happily returned his grip.
In the blink of an eye, she was no longer in the flower sea but inside an unfamiliar small chapel. Sitting around were their close friends and family, the knights of the sanctuary, and Riamy’s colleagues from the Shadow Secret Society.
Hifni, Eireno, and Lavinia stood as bridesmaids, congratulating them.
Colin’s master was also present, giving blessings for their ceremony.
Behind the pulpit stood Ivy, president of the Shadow Secret Society, acting as the officiant. She smiled at Riamy and began reading the vows she held.
Riamy wondered why the president was the officiant, but seeing Ivy about to start, she didn’t dwell on it.
When the vows were finished, Riamy and Colin turned to each other. Riamy’s gaze was soft, and Colin looked at her with deep affection.
Finally, amid everyone’s blessings, Riamy and Colin shared their vow kiss.
Riamy suddenly opened her eyes, awakening from the dream. Although awake, her mind still lingered in that beautiful dream, unaware that a tear had silently slipped from the corner of her eye.
After a long time, Riamy finally came back to reality, looking at the unchanged surroundings. She felt no shame over the strange dream but instead a longing—a yearning for that happiness she had felt in it.
But in the end, Riamy shook her head firmly, deciding not to indulge herself any longer. After all, a dream was just a dream—it wouldn’t come true.
After freshening up, Riamy left her room, preparing to go downstairs for breakfast. Before leaving, she glanced back at her room, seemingly still savoring that wonderful dream—or perhaps lost in other thoughts.
In the end, she simply smiled and closed the door behind her.