episode_0095

95. The Outcome of the Bet

Somehow, I successfully summoned Cain.

Though he let out an unbecoming, childish scream at one point… in the end, the tension melted away pleasantly.

There was just one issue—Cain actually inspected the piano I had used as my excuse earlier.

“No problems here.”

“Oh… r-really?”

“Yes.”

Of course, there was no fooling the eyes of a genius like him.

My heart pounded wildly, terrified he’d discover I’d called him with ulterior motives.

But I couldn’t tell—was he genuinely unaware, or was he teasing me on purpose?

Cain then spoke to me.

“Want to give the piano a try?”

“Huh?”

“Well, sometimes issues aren’t visible to the eye.”

“Uh…”

I couldn’t tell if he was serious.

But the whole situation was so confusing, I felt like an idiot…

My voice came out as barely more than a whisper.

“I… I’m not very good yet.”

“Aw, it’s fine. I’m not great either.”

Cain smirked cheekily.

“But it sounds weird when I play…”

“Really, it’s okay.”

“Ugh…”

In the end, heart pounding, I sat down on the piano bench.

The black and white keys stretched out before me.

Suppressing my nervous, shame-filled heartbeat, I pleaded with him.

“It’s really, really… really strange.”

But Cain just nodded in response.

Finally, stiff with embarrassment, I placed my fingers on the keys.

And just as I’d practiced… I played a song that sounded off to anyone listening.

This was the first time I’d performed in front of someone other than family like Vivian or Adele.

My fingers, frozen stiff from nerves, made a few mistakes…

But as time passed, they began moving on their own, as if rewarding all those hours of solitary practice.

Like they were savoring the moment, my fingers loosened and danced across the keys.

By the three-minute mark… my self-composed piece came to an end.

I’d played with excitement, but now the embarrassment rushed in…

“Wow… rock music here…”

“Huh?”

“A-Ah, no!”

It definitely hadn’t been good.

Unlike the smooth, calm, cheerful performances he must have heard, mine was rigid, fast, and loud.

To him, it must’ve sounded like the worst thing ever.

As I was about to bow my head in shame, Cain spoke.

“That was great. Honestly.”

“Don’t bother with empty compliments.”

“I mean it!”

It had to be a lie.

But Cain, seemingly sincere, stepped closer.

“Mind turning around on the bench?”

Following his words, I pivoted on the cushion-covered seat, which had no backrest.

Now facing away from the piano, Cain spoke again.

“I’ll prove that it really was good.”

“You don’t have to lie…”

“Close your eyes and wait. Don’t open them.”

I obeyed, shutting my eyes.

In the pitch-black darkness, I heard rustling and metallic clinking.

Too embarrassed to argue, I complied, but my mind raced with anxious thoughts.

Was he really going to prove it? A mix of nervous worry and shameless anticipation.

This bet had started with Vivian and Adele’s teasing, fueled by my own desires.

I had to make him kiss me first—that was the wager.

How could I get him to kiss me?

Around the time that thought surfaced, Cain’s voice returned.

“Okay, open your eyes.”

Slowly, I obeyed.

Before me was something crudely assembled—a metal tray perched on a straight pole, resembling a military marching drum placed on a table.

I had no clue what it was for.

How was this supposed to prove anything?

But Cain, grinning, handed me two sticks.

“Hit it.”

“You?”

“N-No! The instrument… It’s rough, but…”

At my teasing, Cain flustered.

Chuckling, I gripped the sticks and moved them uncertainly.

Where should I strike first?

Nothing to lose, so I hit the drum first.

—*Thud*

A dull, resonant sound filled the room.

Next, I struck the metal tray.

—*Clang*

A bright, noisy jangle.

Instantly, my heart raced.

Awkwardly—even I knew my posture was odd—I kept going.

But despite the discomfort, my hands moved on their own.

The stiff, fast, chaotic noise that had sounded wrong on the piano…

Clearly, pounding the tray and drum produced something utterly unlike music.

Yet instead of serene, youthful melodies, it was a rhythm that punched straight to my heart!

“Wait, excuse me.”

“Huh?”

Then Cain stepped behind me and reached around.

His chest pressed lightly against my back as he guided my wrists.

Slowly, his hands took over where mine had weakened.

Cross your arms to hit the tray.

Not too hard, not too soft… just fast.

—*Clang-clang-clang!*

Faster, stronger each time.

In that moment, my eyes sparkled.

I wanted to shake free and move on my own.

But Cain wouldn’t let go, shifting our hands toward the drum.

This time, he positioned both hands properly and struck.

Light but blindingly quick.

—*Thud-thud-thud-thud…*

A sound small yet powerful, like a heartbeat.

That rhythm, almost synced with my heart, grew faster, louder.

Was it the thrill of discovering something new that fit me perfectly?

Or the fluttering from the man braced against my back?

Whatever it was, my hands moved faster…

Until Cain released my wrists.

Freed, my sticks flew independently.

Those chaotic noises—the ones I’d imagined but failed to reproduce on piano—

Now unleashed like a mad beast, as if the piano had been the problem all along.

For ten full minutes, I went wild, pounding the makeshift instruments.

Hit after hit left me panting slightly, sweat forming.

“Haa… haa…”

Cain still hovered behind me.

He looked stunned, then smiled when our eyes met.

I should’ve been the happy one, yet he beamed as if it were his triumph.

“See? Told you it was good.”

“……”

His expression radiated smug sincerity.

I stared blankly.

Turning slightly, I found his handsome face inches from mine—close enough to touch noses.

Yet even at this distance, he just kept smiling.

“The piano was the problem, not you, Luna.”

Those words bordered on dangerous.

The item Sister Erika had ordered was a *perfect* instrument.

If the piano itself had flaws, he’d effectively lied to his liege.

And really, my unorthodox playing was flawed—the piano wasn’t to blame.

“But the piano…”

He just smirked.

Like he knew what I’d say before I spoke, cutting me off with his own words.

“Progress is built on doubt and denial. Nothing’s truly perfect!”

“……”

“Without doubting how people rode horses, would saddles and stirrups exist? Without rejecting the status quo, would tactics evolve?”

I fell silent.

A hundred—no, a thousand—times right, yet he’d still disobeyed orders.

But Cain, grinning knowingly, added:

“Let’s keep this our little secret.”

“But…”

“Why not? I didn’t tell anyone about you screaming like a kid earlier.”

His mischievous grin was infuriating.

Ultimately, I sealed my lips.

As awkward silence lingered, Cain spoke again.

“After this war, I’ll make you a proper instrument.”

“…Okay.”

Hidden guilt gnawed at me for betraying my liege’s trust.

Yet disgustingly, unfaithfully, my heart leaped at his promise.

Slowly, I met his eyes again.

His dark pupils fixed on mine.

Cain, who’d shattered his finest achievements and reputation just to *prove* I wasn’t the odd one.

Was someone secretly drumming? The beat pounding through the room matched my pulse.

I broke eye contact to study his whole face.

His lips looked irresistibly soft.

Would he suddenly press them against mine? I hoped…

“I…”

“Yeah?”

I closed my eyes again.

He’d never make the first move.

So I steeled myself.

If he confessed or kissed me first, I’d win the bet.

Originally just a dare, a joke spurred by Vivian and Adele’s teasing…

Even if I lost, I’d just grumble over drinks with them and move on…

Eyes shut, I whispered to wherever Vivian and Adele might be eavesdropping.

No clue if they heard.

“I lost.”

Then I kissed Cain, our faces already inches apart.

Not him—*I* initiated it.

Our first kiss.

My tongue, numb with nerves, bungled slightly…

But with time, it moved naturally, instinctively.

Yeah, just like playing piano.

“I love you.”

I’d prepared all sorts of seductive tricks…

Knew they were clumsy, but I’d tried so hard…

Seems a real fox can’t be outfoxed.

“I love you… more than life.”

Guess I got bewitched by the fox after all.