Chapter 44
Seeing the couple practically glued together against the tree, I quickly turned my head in shock. Even without a full view, the passionate skinship they were engaging in was obvious—and enough to make my face burn.
As I turned away, my eyes unfortunately locked with Tirzen’s. It wasn’t me who had been doing anything embarrassing, yet my face flushed red.
Why am I the one embarrassed by some random couple’s public display of affection?
My cheeks were burning, and I couldn’t lift my head.
This is when having a fan would be useful…
I regretted not packing one, assuming I wouldn’t need it.
The carriage rolled past the crowded area and came to a stop.
“We’re here.”
As soon as it stopped, Roena jumped down first. Merbel followed, leaving only Tirzen and me inside.
The air was stiflingly awkward. I wanted to get out as fast as possible.
But I couldn’t.
Because he was stepping on my dress while leaning lazily on the window with his eyes closed.
He just made eye contact with me a few minutes ago—does he really think pretending to sleep will work?
I tried to gently tug my dress out from under his foot, but it didn’t budge.
No way this is accidental. He’s clearly pressing down on it on purpose, right?
Meanwhile…
If someone had pointed it out, Tirzen would’ve vehemently denied it—but objectively speaking, he was sulking.
All throughout the ride to the capital, Ellicia had avoided his gaze.
She chatted so cheerfully with Teus, yet always stiffened up around him. It annoyed him.
And it wasn’t just Teus. She’d smiled so brightly at Kais when they left the villa, her entire face glowing.
So she lights up at the sight of Kais, but avoids even looking at me?
Tirzen’s mood darkened. When she’d learned he, not Kais, had rescued her during the boating accident, her attitude had done a complete 180—how could he not feel bitter?
He hadn’t intentionally stepped on her dress. It had just fallen on the floor near his feet while he sat. He’d gently placed his foot on it, hoping it would force her to talk to him.
When she started to tug it back, he simply applied a little pressure.
How hard is it to just say one word to me?
He was quite miffed.
Frankly, he wasn’t even that eager to walk by the lake. He would’ve been fine just sitting in the carriage.
“Ellicia.”
“…”
“Ellicia.”
When he gave no response, her voice grew louder.
Tirzen lazily opened his eyes. She looked even smaller than usual, shoulders hunched under her delicate frame.
She doesn’t live off dew and sunlight, so why does she look so fragile?
Startled by his own thought, Tirzen quickly dismissed it.
“What is it?”
“Um… you’re stepping on my dress.”
Feigning ignorance, he casually lifted his foot.
Ellicia gathered her skirts and glanced at him. She wasn’t sure if she should get out first.
“Go ahead.”
“Ah, yes.”
Relieved to escape the awkward air, she reached for the door—only for his hand to get there first.
He stepped out before her. She sighed in relief—only for it to catch in her throat when he turned, holding out his hand.
“Aren’t you coming?”
Her gaze dropped to his outstretched hand. She hesitated.
“Take it.”
His voice was curt, not kind or sweet, but it wasn’t cold either.
As she extended her hand, his larger one wrapped gently around it.
When her feet touched the ground, he immediately let go but didn’t walk far ahead—just stayed half a step in front of her.
Roena was already running through the meadows, picking flowers near the lake.
As they got closer to the water, Tirzen removed his cloak and spread it on the ground. Sitting down, he patted the spot beside him.
“Sit.”
Ellicia hesitated, then quietly obeyed.
The clear sky was reflected on the lake’s still surface. The soft hills dotted with flowers painted a peaceful scene, unlike the ever-churning sea.
If only it weren’t for the tingling sensation on the side of her face from being watched, she could’ve fully enjoyed the peace.
She didn’t need to turn to know his eyes were on her.
Trying to shake the awkwardness, she spoke the first thing that came to mind.
“My family used to visit here often, back when my parents were alive.”
“Roena likes it too.”
“I see.”
Roena waved at them from the field. Ellicia waved back, and in the corner of her eye, she saw Tirzen waving too. Curious, she turned—and saw a gentle smile on his face.
She’d noticed it before—he seemed different when dealing with Roena.
“You must love your sister very much.”
“Love? How do you know that?”
“Your expression changes when you look at her.”
“How?”
He looked genuinely curious.
“Usually, your face is unreadable, and your eyes feel cold. But when you see Roena, you look… warm. You smile more too.”
“That’s love?”
“Most people are like that when they look at someone they love.”
“You look like that when you see Sir Drak.”
The atmosphere had been improving—until he brought up Teus out of nowhere.
“We’ve been friends since childhood. That’s not love; it’s more like friendship.”
“Friendship, huh…”
He stared at her, clearly thinking hard.
Ellicia suspected he was misunderstanding her relationship with Teus. His next words confirmed it.
“Kais doesn’t look at me like that.”
“Are you doubting me and Teus right now?”
Her voice sharpened with emotion. Whether it was suspicion or jealousy, it still irritated her.
“You smile more when you’re with him. Even your eyes are different.”
“How different?”
She already knew her eyes were probably glaring right now, but she asked anyway, ready to attack if he said the wrong thing.
Just then, his hand suddenly moved in front of her face. Startled, she flinched—and felt his fingers on her eye.
Using his index and middle fingers, he dragged down the outer and inner corners of her eye.
What he was aiming for was a smile—but it probably looked more like she was about to cry.
“You look like this when you’re with him.”
“What about when I’m with you?”
She hadn’t meant to ask that, but the words slipped out.
This time, he pushed the corner of her eye upward with his finger.
“When you look at me, it’s like this.”
If he hadn’t looked so serious, she would’ve thought he was joking.
“Pfft!”
Her laughter burst out involuntarily, and he raised a brow in confusion.
“What’s funny?”
“You look the same when you look at me.”
“Do you love that man?”
Ellicia was now curious what he was really trying to say.
Does he believe men and women can’t just be friends? Or is he just jealous of Teus?
Either way, she felt it was something that needed to be cleared up.
“You’re saying this because I smile when I see Teus?”
“You said that was love.”
Ellicia sighed loudly. How had they gone from talking about Roena to this?
“Well, friendship is a kind of love too, so you could say that.”
“I don’t allow that kind of love.”
“What?!”
She felt steam rising from her scalp. This man had written in their contract that she could have lovers after marriage—but now he was trying to ban friendship?
“That’s none of your business.”
“You’re mine. I can’t allow you to act outside of my control.”
“Don’t try to control my emotions. I’m not your possession.”
The air turned icy.
Tirzen was clearly angry, and Ellicia, seething, glared back.
They sat locked in silent confrontation—until a large bouquet suddenly blocked Ellicia’s vision.
“I picked these for you!”
Roena, crouching, held out the massive bunch of flowers.
Tied together with her own ribbon, the bouquet of white and yellow wildflowers wasn’t fancy like those from a garden, but it was charming and sweet.
Seeing the flowers helped cool her rage.
“I didn’t even think to do something like this…”
“As long as it makes you happy, that’s all that matters. That’s the best reward.”
Roena beamed and pushed the flowers firmly into Ellicia’s arms.
“Thank you.”
Ellicia felt the warmth of Roena’s heart in each blossom.
She buried her face in the bouquet and took a deep breath. The gentle scent of wildflowers filled her lungs.
“…You make the same face when you look at Roena.”
Tirzen, beside her, murmured quietly.
