The Kiss

After my conversation with Marie ended, I stood dazed in the garden for a while.

Saying I wouldn't run away had come easily, but my feet wouldn't move.

I hadn't gone far from the mansion, so technically I hadn't run away, but…

I could find my way to the kitchen with my eyes closed.

My body knew the dining hall's layout by heart too.

I knew which noble guests felt uncomfortable at which tables, and which tables required their sauce to be warmed for a few extra seconds before they left.

But the path to Elysia's study felt strangely long.

Even though it was in the same mansion.

I eventually stopped in front of the study door.

Only after steeling myself for a long while did I finally manage to knock...