novelraw Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Ch.57 “Is this your first time?”
—Knock knock!
[Yes, come in.]
When I knocked on Selena’s door, her voice answered, and the door opened.
“Hans?”
“Here, take this.”
I held out a vibrant bouquet of flowers.
“Huh? What’s this?”
“I saw it on the way and thought of you.”
“Oh… uh? Thank you.”
Selena accepted the bouquet with a dazed expression.
Handing her a bunch of red roses that matched her crimson eyes, she looked genuinely caught off guard—and slightly embarrassed.
“But why’d you buy this?”
“You seemed upset, so…”
Of course, this was just a small gesture of care for a woman who liked me.
Selena wasn’t as emotionally fragile as Scarlet, as intense as Leah, or as obsessive as Cecilia, the platinum-haired saint.
Nor did she have bizarre hobbies like Mia, who collected human skins.
In a way, among all the women close to me, she was the most normal—so I naturally wanted to treat her well.
“Oh… really? Thanks.”
A faint blush colored Selena’s cheeks.
“Have you eaten? Want to go grab dinner?”
She gave a small nod at my suggestion, and as I escorted her, I silently reaffirmed today’s plan in my mind.
We arrived at a fairly upscale restaurant in the port city of Nook—one I’d reserved in advance.
The manager had initially refused outright, but I demonstrated a life lesson learned in 21st-century Korea: money can solve almost anything.
It cost me a bit more than expected, but since I’d soon raise the sunken ship and secure a fortune, I decided to splurge without worry.
Behind the politely bowing manager, Selena frowned.
“What’s gotten into you? You said the inn food was fine before.”
“I just wanted something proper today.”
After we sat down and ordered, the manager returned with a special wine I’d bought in Icevine.
“This is from the Icevine Wine Festival—super delicious. Try it.”
Selena looked at the glass with interest.
“Icevine wine? Isn’t that expensive?”
Huh? How did she know it was pricey?
It wasn’t easy for someone to guess a wine’s value just from its origin.
And she sounded certain—was she from the Old Continent?
Icevine wine was costly in the Old Continent but relatively affordable in the New Continent.
“It’s expensive in the Old Continent, but not so much here. Have you tried it before?”
Selena shook her head.
“No. This is my first time.”
She took a sip—and her crimson eyes widened.
“Wow! It’s so sweet! I’ve never had wine like this.”
Seeing her brighten with delight lifted my mood.
I’d always heard women were weak for good food.
Since Selena had been in a bad mood all day, I’d planned this meal specifically to cheer her up.
“Really? I’ve got plenty. If you need any on our trip to the North Pole, just say so.”
I’d bought ten whole barrels at the festival—running out wasn’t a concern.
Soon, our food arrived.
A thick steak was placed before Selena.
—Clack, clack.
She took a bite.
“Oh? This is good.”
“It is.”
Our eyes met in mutual surprise—and I smiled softly.
“What… what are you staring at? Just eat.”
Flustered, Selena’s cheeks turned pink.
Earlier, she boldly declared she’d follow me to the North Pole—but now she was shy over a simple glance?
I’d thought she was quietly assertive, but this bashful side was unexpectedly cute.
“You’re cute.”
“Wha—what?! Stop talking nonsense and eat!”
Teasing her made her face burn completely red.
Afraid it might literally explode, I focused on my meal and savored the taste.
After finishing the steak, dessert arrived.
Served in a thick white porcelain dish, it resembled pudding.
At the center, deep brown and black hues swirled like scorched sugar, and beneath a translucent layer, golden custard gleamed.
“What’s this?”
“Crème brûlée.”
I gently pressed the center with a small spoon—
—Crack!
The caramelized sugar shattered, revealing the smooth, golden cream beneath.
“Crème brûlée?”
Selena, now mirroring my actions, scooped a spoonful and stared at it curiously.
“Is this glass?”
Clearly unfamiliar with it, she asked in astonishment.
I took a bite and answered,
“It’s not glass—it’s sugar. See? Perfectly edible.”
She eyed the dessert suspiciously, then cautiously tasted it—
—and her eyes flew wide open.
“It’s delicious!”
“Right?”
After finishing dessert, tea, and light pastries, we were both full.
“I’m stuffed. You too?”
Selena nodded.
“Yeah. That ice cream was really good.”
Outside, the sun had set.
Time to go?
Since Selena’s mood had clearly improved since earlier, I knew this was my chance.
“Want to take a walk?”
“A walk?”
She looked puzzled.
I hadn’t told her yet—but the real gift was just beginning.
Honestly, I was a little worried.
If I spoiled this slightly clingy Selena too much, would she ever let me go?
But surely she wouldn’t become as obsessively yandere as Cecilia… right?
“Well, we’ll be boarding our ship soon. After that, we won’t have much time on land.”
She nodded lightly.
“True. We don’t have anything else to do today anyway.”
Walking through the softly lit streets, I led her toward my destination.
“This was really fun today,” Selena said, stretching.
I chuckled.
“Yeah? Good.”
As I headed toward the harbor’s edge, she flinched.
“Where are we going?”
“The lighthouse.”
Being a port city, Nook had a grand lighthouse.
“The lighthouse? Why?”
I smiled.
“There’s a tremendous treasure there.”
—Gulp!
At the word ‘treasure’, Selena swallowed hard.
“Treasure?”
Still smiling, I replied,
“Yes. An incredible treasure.”
We soon reached the lighthouse. I gently pushed the door open—
—Creeeak!
Rusted hinges groaned as the door revealed a spiral staircase winding upward.
“Shall we go up, my lady?”
I joked playfully, as if I were a knight.
Without hesitation, Selena extended her hand with perfect grace.
“I’d be honored, Sir Hans.”
We climbed in silence.
—Thud, thud.
—Click, click.
Only our footsteps echoed in the hollow tower.
At the top, Selena gasped.
“Wow!”
Before us stretched a breathtaking masterpiece: the vast ocean, a huge full moon, and the glowing city lights below.
“It’s beautiful.”
“But this isn’t even the best part.”
Confidently, I stepped onto the railing and climbed onto the lighthouse roof.
“Where are you going?”
Selena gripped the railing, watching me.
“Here—give me your hand.”
Her face flushed softly as she reached out.
“Heave!”
Gently, I helped her onto the roof.
“What’s up here?”
She looked around, confused—until I pointed upward.
“Look.”
On this clear autumn night, cloudless and crisp, countless stars and the Milky Way scattered across the sky, crowned by the enormous moon.
But that wasn’t all.
Reflected on the pristine sea below, the stars shimmered alongside the quaint, charming houses lining the shore—a sight so moving even the least poetic soul would be awed.
This was one of my favorite views in the game.
Just as I’d hoped, Selena was utterly captivated.
“What do you think? Beautiful?”
“Mm… yeah.”
She nodded, keeping her head bowed.
My heart swelled with joy—my carefully laid plan had succeeded perfectly.
Heh heh… just don’t fall for me any more than you already have.
With that half-worry, I pulled a neatly wrapped gift from my pocket and handed it to her.
“Here. Take this.”
Selena turned to me slowly, revealing her stunning face—and now I understood why she’d kept her head down.
Her cheeks were so deeply flushed they were nearly crimson.
In a tiny, embarrassed voice, she asked,
“Huh? What is it?”
“Open it. It’s a gift.”
She carefully untied the ribbon and unfolded the paper—as if afraid to tear it.
That tenderness was unbearably endearing.
Inside a palm-sized box lay a black comb, inlaid with mother-of-pearl shells that shimmered in iridescent hues.
Crafted from dark, elegant ebony wood and adorned with exquisite shell patterns, it looked like a work of art.
“It’s so pretty…”
Recently, I’d noticed Selena’s hair often tangled or caught leaves—she must’ve lost her comb.
Her hair was naturally silky, so it wasn’t a major issue, but I’d seen her combing it on our first night camping… and not since.
“Thank you.”
The deep blush spreading across her fair face told me just how touched she was.
“Well, the view’s perfect—how about a glass of wine?”
I pulled a bottle and two glasses from my dimensional bag.
Selena eyed me with half-lidded suspicion.
“You’re such a playboy.”
I smiled gently.
“Me? Why?”
“You’re way too smooth. Hmph…”
Her little scoff was unbearably cute.
As I poured the wine, I confessed honestly,
“I’m glad you think so. Truth is… I’ve never been in a relationship before. I was really nervous.”
Selena blinked, her expression shifting to innocent curiosity.
“About what?”
“Whether you’d even like something like this.”
She looked skeptical.
“Really?”
“Yeah. Really.”
At that, her blush deepened.
She took a small sip of wine and whispered,
“Thank you… and I really liked it.”
Seeing her soft smile and flushed cheeks made my heart race.
***
Back at the inn after her date with Hans, Selena’s heart still fluttered.
At first, when he gave her flowers, she’d wondered if he’d eaten something strange.
Dinner had felt oddly awkward.
But…receiving that beautiful comb atop the lighthouse? That had made her heart skip.
It wasn’t just the painting-like scenery.
She’d lost her comb shortly after meeting Hans.
Though her hair was naturally smooth, sleeping outdoors sometimes left leaves tangled in it—annoying, but not serious.
Yet… had he noticed?
Hans had given her exactly what she needed—a refined, gorgeous comb.
‘How did he know?’
He must’ve been watching her closely to choose such a thoughtful gift.
“Now that I think about it… is this really my first time?”
Selena had grown up in an organization—never receiving gifts from outsiders.
So even simple presents like flowers and a comb left her strangely unsettled.
Tonight, her chest felt so warm and ticklish she couldn’t sleep.
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