CHAPTER~28
Scattered Under the Moonlight
Why is that person here of all places.
While Yvonne froze at the unexpected situation, Cedric Glaston strode closer.
Seeing his gaze touch the shoe rolling near her feet, Yvonne finally snapped back to her senses and whispered.
“P-please move aside.”
But Cedric did not move aside at all, instead stepping even closer.
Then, looking up at her, he said:
“Jump. I’ll catch you.”
Yvonne’s face turned pale.
She had tried to run away after realizing Derrick Glaston was searching for her and impulsively climbed over the railing, but she definitely did not want anyone seeing her like this.
Especially not that man.
The moment she saw his vivid blue eyes, the haziness of the alcohol evaporated and her mind cleared.
She belatedly realized she had acted recklessly under the influence, but it was too late for regrets.
With a trembling voice, Yvonne said:
“I’m heavy…….”
But Cedric didn’t seem to hear her at all, his eyes fixed on Derrick drawing closer.
“……He’s coming.”
The door to the adjacent balcony opened.
If this continued, she’d be caught by Derrick in this ridiculous position, and even worse — the fact that she was with Cedric would be revealed.
Hesitating, unable to go up or down, Yvonne ultimately jumped into Cedric’s arms.
‘If I get hurt, that’s on him.’
Gravity pulled her toward Cedric.
The moment she touched his arms, his large hands and arms wrapped around her completely as he fell back with her.
There should have been impact or pain, but none came.
All she felt was the solid warmth of the man holding her.
‘I need to get off quickly…….’
A beat late, Yvonne tried to pull away from his arms.
But her movement was stopped when his hand cupped the back of her head, holding her close.
At the same moment, the balcony door she had been hanging from earlier burst open.
Yvonne held her breath.
Only then could she hear it clearly — the man’s low breathing as he held her.
And the pounding heartbeat through their pressed bodies.
Or maybe that was her own heartbeat.
“Where did she go…….”
Fortunately, Derrick did not look down from the balcony.
Soon the door closed again.
A nearby door opened and closed once more, then silence returned.
Only then did Yvonne awkwardly try to sit up.
At that moment, their eyes met.
Blue eyes holding nothing but her reflection.
His gaze did not waver at all, as if she was trapped inside those eyes.
Frozen under that stare, instinct warned her.
You must not get caught by those eyes.
Looking away quickly, Yvonne pulled herself from his arms in a hurry.
Cedric sat up slowly, unhurried.
After steadying her dizzy mind, Yvonne checked his condition belatedly.
“Are you all right……?”
Her eyes shook intensely as she spoke.
Yvonne hurriedly felt along his waist.
The firm body she had felt in his embrace was unmistakable beneath her fingertips.
But nothing seemed wrong.
Was it strange that she could feel no broken bones? Or……
Just as she began to realize something was off, a soft laugh came from above her head.
Only then did she understand — he had been teasing her.
Flustered, Yvonne lifted her head sharply.
At that moment, Cedric’s face was suddenly close.
Yvonne unconsciously held her breath.
At a distance where she could feel his breath, he looked deeply into her.
With the same eyes that had trapped her just moments ago.
“Are you drunk?”
His breath brushed her lips, making them tingle.
Feeling like crying, Yvonne bit down on her lips and tried to put distance between them as subtly as she could.
It was too late to hide the smell of alcohol, but she tried anyway.
Her effort was for nothing — a hiccup escaped through the small gap between her lips.
Silence.
“Hrk…….”
Cedric burst into laughter.
This time it was not a smirk but genuine, unrestrained laughter.
Yvonne’s face flushed red.
She couldn’t tell him not to laugh — she knew her own behavior had been ridiculous, and more than that……
It was the first time she’d seen him laugh like that.
Unlike his usual composed smile, he was sincerely laughing.
The man who always seemed to shine looked beautiful even now, scattered under moonlight.
Yvonne stared blankly at him, forgetting that she was the reason for his laughter.
The embarrassment returned only when their eyes met again as he finished laughing.
Yvonne hurriedly tried to stand, but the dizziness worsened, maybe because of the commotion and the alcohol spreading through her body.
A hand appeared before her eyes.
“Escort.”
He had already returned to his composed, flawless demeanor — unbelievable considering he had just rolled on the grass with her.
Feeling embarrassed, she didn’t want to take his hand, but looking worse would be even worse, so she relented.
Yvonne took his hand and stood.
Cedric picked up the shoe she had thrown and placed it at her feet, offering his arm to support her.
She held onto his arm and put on her shoe.
Her vision still swayed, but his firm arm kept her steady.
Cedric said as he held out his arm again:
“Go straight back to the hall and don’t come out.”
But Yvonne shook her head.
“I can’t go back right now.”
Cedric did not ask why.
He simply looked at her.
“If I go back like this, I’ll probably make a fool of myself in front of everyone……”
With half-lidded eyes, she let out a deep sigh, and a faint scent of wine floated out with it.
Indeed, she looked dangerous like this — far too defenseless.
“Like when you jumped off there?”
Cedric gestured toward the balcony rail.
Yvonne’s already flushed cheeks puffed out with indignation.
She clearly wanted to protest but couldn’t, which only frustrated her more.
Cedric let out a small laugh.
“Then are you all right in front of me?”
Her green eyes showed trust — a stark contrast to the wary, guarded girl she always was before.
“It is an honor to share the lady’s secret mischief.”
Cedric decided to lend her his arm until his drunken shipmate sobered up.
They walked together until they reached the flowerbeds.
Cedric finally spoke.
“Have you thought about what you’ll do once you find your mother?”
“I’ll leave. As far as possible. Somewhere no one can recognize me.”
“And after that?”
Yvonne fell into thought.
Her eyes had cleared again at some point.
The hand holding his arm quietly slipped away.
Cedric’s gaze lingered on her hand.
“I used to work at an herbal shop. I know a lot about herbs, so I could probably get a job at another herb shop wherever I settle.”
Her green eyes sparkled brightly as she imagined her life after leaving this place.
Cedric’s gaze deepened as he watched her.
“But…… Cedric. Do you think we’ll find my mother soon?”
When it benefited him to sway people, Cedric gave vague answers.
When he needed to overwhelm someone, he gave confident ones.
The woman before him was neither.
Even so, Cedric answered vaguely.
“Assuming the Duke hasn’t hidden her too thoroughly, probably.”
A confident answer would let her dream of a future.
Her eyelashes fell helplessly at the unsteady answer.
Cedric looked at her for a moment before turning his gaze to the blooming flowerbeds.
Flowers fall quickly.
This spring would fade soon.
Just like countless seasons that had passed before.
