“Captain Marcus!”

Kyle shouted at the captain in exasperation.

What the captain pulled out of his inner pocket was Se Hee’s entry capsule.

“I’m sorry, sir. I sincerely ask that you allow us to safely get through that day for everyone’s sake.”

The captain showed no signs of backing down from his position.

“All events on board must be conducted fairly. Such unfair methods cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.”

However, Kyle’s unwavering voice was cold as ice.

“Sir! Can’t you please allow just this once? If you permit it, I’ll do my best to persuade the other party’s partner to participate.”

Marcus even brought up a partner he didn’t know.

Partner.

In fact, this was more reason for Kyle to prevent this from happening.

Because he couldn’t know who the partner written on that application was.

If by chance, that annoying guy’s name was written there.

He absolutely did not want to imagine Se Hee standing next to that guy.

“Methods that violate fairness are not permitted.”

Doing something that went against the rules was not his way.

The captain realized he could no longer insist in the face of Kyle’s sharp gaze.

Marcus looked to Dave, who was standing silently nearby, for help.

But Dave shook his head.

After taking a deep breath, Marcus shifted his gaze back to Kyle, thinking it would be the last time.

But he was immediately subdued by Kyle’s fierce expression that was fixed on him.

Realizing it would be no easy task to go against that chilling aura, Captain Marcus couldn’t utter his final words.

In the end, Marcus had to get up from his seat without accomplishing anything.

* * *

After checking all of today’s onboard programs, there wasn’t a time that really appealed to Se Hee.

“Is it because there are so many event parties? They’re all dance lessons or something?”

Moreover, the phrase stating that participants must be accompanied by a partner added to Se Hee’s piercing pain.

“It’s like they’re saying don’t even travel alone.”

With a sigh, as Se Hee was walking calmly, she spotted the dazzlingly lit sign of the grand theater.

Eureka!

Se Hee finally remembered the pamphlet given by the travel agency before departure, which introduced the spectacular performances held daily on the cruise.

How could she not have thought of the performances?

Come to think of it, she hadn’t attended any performances during her time on the cruise ship, as if she had been too busy.

Se Hee moved with light steps, feeling good.

Not having checked today’s performance schedule in advance, Se Hee headed to the desk to find out what performances were being held.

Originally, cruise performances were mostly held at night, but on the Decona, daytime performances were specially arranged for family travelers with young children.

As expected of Evans Cruise Line, doing their best for each and every passenger.

This is why people prefer first-class companies.

Unlike the variety shows for adults held at night, Se Hee thought the daytime performances for children would be simple, but her eyes widened as she checked the performance schedule.

The name of Europe’s best circus troupe was prominently listed.

‘Everything is the best, as always.’

Se Hee once again paid her respects to Mr. Evans, the CEO of Evans Cruise Line, for his generous treatment of Decona’s passengers.

She had seen promotions for this circus troupe several times before.

But Se Hee hesitated to decide on attending the performance.

Because she remembered a painful memory from a circus venue in the past.

During her childhood, a traveling circus had briefly stayed near the orphanage where Se Hee was living.

The circus procession happened to pass in front of the orphanage, and the tiger being transported in a cart and the elephant following behind were enough to captivate the soul of seven-year-old Se Hee.

And not long after, thanks to a kind sponsor, all the children at the orphanage had the opportunity to see a circus performance.

Se Hee was among the excited children.

In the shabby venue, several small portable chairs, like fishing chairs, were lined up.

Following the orphanage director’s instructions to take their seats, Se Hee also found a spot at the very end.

Finally, the circus performance began, and the excited children shouted and made a commotion.

How amazing and fun it was, seeing a circus for the first time in their lives.

But at that moment.

With a slapping sound, fire erupted on Se Hee’s back.

“Really, these kids are so noisy and ill-mannered, it’s because they’re orphans and haven’t learned anything. Tsk.”

The angry voice of a woman sitting behind her was heard.

The hit was so hard that Se Hee was in tears and dazed.

But the orphanage director stood up and made young Se Hee apologize.

Even though Se Hee was the one who had been hit while sitting quietly.

Se Hee bowed her head, sobbing.

Her voice didn’t come out properly due to the crying.

Not only the orphanage children but all the other spectators were shouting and watching together, and Se Hee had actually been so absorbed in the amazing performance of the circus members that she hadn’t even made a sound.

That’s why it felt even more unfair.

Was it because Se Hee was the smallest girl among the children who came from the orphanage?

Although young, she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong.

Se Hee, forced to apologize, could no longer focus on the circus performance.

She sat tensely until the end of the show, worried that the woman behind her might strike again.

Perhaps because it was a terrifying childhood memory.

It came back as if it had happened yesterday, making her heart ache again.

Although the situation was completely different from back then, and the venue and performance team were incomparably superior to that performance, Se Hee still felt reluctant.

After contemplating for a long time, Se Hee clenched her fist.

Let’s throw away not only Hyo Jun, but all the dark memories of the past.

With this determination, Se Hee decided to attend the circus performance.

If there was another person like that woman, this time she would turn around boldly and beat them back equally.

Eye for an eye, slap for a slap.

Of course, given the caliber of passengers on the Decona, there wouldn’t be such people.

Se Hee walked towards the performance hall with a solemn resolve.

As it was a performance for children, there were many adorable kids sitting next to their parents.

What happy children.

Se Hee envied these children who had met good parents and could enjoy such pleasant times.

Thinking that if she had a child later, she would definitely come to see such performances together, Se Hee tucked away her envious feelings.

As there were no assigned seats, Se Hee chose to sit in an area with many empty seats.

The announcer began the opening remarks, announcing five minutes until the start of the performance.

At that moment, a man plopped down in the seat right next to Se Hee.

“Are you here to see the performance?”

Although the question was very polite, the gaze sweeping over Se Hee was unpleasantly gloomy.

Just the fact that he sat right next to Se Hee, despite many empty seats around, clearly showed what kind of intentions the man had.

Se Hee didn’t answer and moved to the next seat with a cold expression.

Then the man also stood up and sat down close to her again.

“I came alone, wouldn’t it be better to watch together?”

The man asked in a husky, sticky voice.

“I’m sorry, but I…”

As Se Hee’s icy voice was about to be directed at the man,

“Se Hee, did you wait long?”

Seong Jae suddenly appeared.

* * *

“This seems to be my seat. You! What are you doing?”

Seong Jae looked down menacingly at the man who was staring at Se Hee with gloomy eyes.

The man looked at Seong Jae in shock.

This Asian man who suddenly appeared had a completely different build.

Moreover, even while standing still, his bulging arm muscles were clearly visible.

The man’s gaze stopped there, and he quickly stood up, apologized halfheartedly, and disappeared as if fleeing.

“Are you okay, Se Hee? Even the best cruise line can’t screen passengers for character, it seems.”

Seong Jae sat down next to Se Hee, asking with a worried expression.

“Thank you.”

If it wasn’t for Seong Jae, an even worse memory of circus viewing might have been added.

Overcoming and healing past memories was certainly not an easy task.

This time too, she had reacted too passively out of shock.

She had only prepared for back-smacking, but her thinking was short-sighted.

It was natural that a different situation would occur for Se Hee, who was no longer a little child.

“It’s nothing.”

Seong Jae answered kindly.

“But are you alone? Where’s Jung Yeon?”

Se Hee naturally looked for Jung Yeon, as the two were always together like thread and needle.

“Ah, Jung Yeon doesn’t really like circus performances. She says it’s too nerve-wracking to watch. And this is just my old-fashioned opinion, but since we’re like family, I’d like you to think of us as just siblings.”

Seong Jae added, redefining his relationship with Jung Yeon for Se Hee.

Se Hee chuckled at Seong Jae speaking quite seriously.

“The performance seems to be starting. Wow. I really wanted to see this in person. So this is how we’re watching it. Just the two of us with Se Hee.”

Seong Jae’s eyes curved gently.

Who would have thought he’d meet Se Hee like this in such an unexpected place?

Seong Jae thought this must be inevitable fate.

Moreover, to appear and save Se Hee when she was in a difficult situation.

He had unintentionally become a dashing black knight.

Thinking that her fondness for him must have increased a hundredfold, the depression he had felt yesterday due to that incident seemed to fly away, replaced by happiness.

Starting with the appearance of amusing clowns that naturally drew applause from the audience, spectacular performances that were impossible to look away from began to unfold.

Seong Jae took in every detail of Se Hee’s cute reactions, like when she cried out in surprise at the tension of the aerial acrobatics.

‘Holding hands is probably not okay yet.’

Seong Jae suppressed the desire that was unknowingly blooming within him instead of acting on it.

Today, he had to be satisfied with just enjoying this pure date for the two of them.

Moreover, the face of that annoying human kept popping up in his mind.

The fantastic and beautiful performance continued, and as flower petals burst from the sky at the end, the curtain fell on the first act.

Se Hee looked up at the falling flower petals, clasping her hands tightly as if moved.

‘If an angel came down to earth, would it look like this?’

Seong Jae stared blankly at Se Hee.

From the first time they met, the feeling that came from her was different.

She was a transparent person with a bright smile that easily revealed her pure heart through just a few conversations.

That’s why he seemed to have fallen for her completely.

“It was amazing. What did you think, Seong Jae?”

Se Hee asked Seong Jae with an expression full of overwhelming emotion.

“What? Oh, yes. I can’t express it in words.”

Seong Jae, momentarily flustered, even stumbled over his words.

In fact, Seong Jae hadn’t properly watched the performance.

“The second act is a magic show. You’ll continue watching, right?”

Seong Jae wanted to stay with Se Hee for as long as possible.

“Second act? There’s a second act? Ah… I guess I only checked the circus performance schedule before entering.”

Se Hee, recalling her past memories, hadn’t even seen the content about the second act.

“This time, it’s also being prepared by the world’s best magician. That famous Korean magician.”

Seong Jae revealed information that might interest Se Hee.

“Ah, that person! Wow. Evans really is on another level.”

“I’m also in awe. You’ll watch, right?”

Seong Jae asked casually.

“Of course!”

“Then wait just a moment. I’ll go get some drinks. If another weirdo shows up, shout loudly. ‘Help me, Black Knight!’ Then I’ll appear with a bang.”

Seong Jae said jokingly as he stood up.

Puhah. Se Hee burst out laughing.

This moment of being with Se Hee, who was laughing towards him, felt like a dream to Seong Jae.

After leaving the performance hall, Seong Jae quickly made a dinner reservation.

The highlight of a date is, after all, dinner.

He thought he should attempt more serious conversation during that time.

Fortunately, Seong Jae was able to reserve a good spot and returned to Se Hee in high spirits, even humming a tune, carrying the drinks.

“Everything okay?”

Seong Jae asked, handing over the drink.

“Yes. Seong. Jae.”

Se Hee said, emphasizing each syllable of his name.

“Ah… I’m disappointed. You should have called me ‘Black Knight’ once so I could set some conditions.”

Seong Jae spoke with sincerity that sounded like a joke.

As they were talking, the second act, the magic show, began.

The magician, mysterious from his entrance, started to showcase a stage with a charm different from the first act.

Fireworks shot up by the magician burst like a fountain of brilliant sparks in the air.

It was a moment when hot sparks also gushed like a fountain in Seong Jae’s heart.