CHAPTER 078…………………………………………………
“Hey, are you playing with my ring finger?”
Before I could even finish speaking, the hand that had been touching mine just disappeared.
Right now, because someone is touching my hand, I can’t even focus on the lesson.
“I’ve always liked playing with your hands. Soft and squishy hands are amazing stress relievers.”
“I know that. But you keep playing with the fourth finger on my left hand in particular.”
“I don’t know anything about that. Aren’t you just overthinking it?”
Seeing him sit there, pretending to be oblivious while sticking out his duck feet, made me want to pick a fight. But if I brought up the topic of the proposal now, today’s lesson would be ruined.
He’s not just touching my hand—he was measuring my finger size with his thumb and index finger!
I wanted to shout, but I couldn’t, and it left me frustrated.
I would explain why I rejected the proposal, but not now. I want to talk seriously after the lesson.
His shamelessly brazen expression was infuriating, but I decided to hold back.
I straightened up to focus properly on the lesson. Feeling my glare, Ferredil refocused seriously.
“The speech you mentioned about the countryside estate… I heard Matthias is having a harvest festival soon. How about giving a congratulatory speech on stage then? Since Matthias belongs to Seymour, everyone would surely welcome you warmly.”
“Do as you like. But you’re an actor by profession, right?”
I thought he was ready to take the lesson seriously, but he was clearly more interested in testing the waters.
“Oh?”
“So you prefer meaningful life moments to be in public? Surrounded by acquaintances, or even an audience?”
“Huh?”
I answered as if to ask why he would even bring that up. He, however, seemed to think I didn’t understand the question and proceeded to explain his personal preference while expecting my answer.
“I personally dislike crowds. But I wonder how you’d feel—someone not used to no audience.”
“I don’t really care either way.”
“I see.”
As soon as he achieved his point, he subtly turned his head, as if the question had just popped into his mind, whistling lightly to avoid my gaze.
It’s obvious when he’s acting weird. But we agreed to go sightseeing in the capital afterward, so I decided to hold back until then.
After the lesson, we strolled through the streets of the capital like any other couple. Linking arms with him once seemed like a distant thought when I slapped his cheek—but now it felt stranger not to be pressed close to him.
We wandered under the beautifully lit lanterns and were drawn to the sound of a song. Although only the street musician’s voice filled the corner, it beautifully filled the street.
“Your voice is really sweet. Of course, it can’t compare to the Duke’s.”
He didn’t respond to my compliment, staring blankly ahead, clearly enjoying the performance. I decided not to disturb this rare moment of leisure.
I held his hand and turned back to focus on the performance.
“The song…”
He once again ominously set the stage.
“How would you feel about having your name inserted into the lyrics and sung?”
“You mean putting my name into the lyrics?”
“Yes. For example, changing ‘my beloved’ to ‘my beloved Joyce.’ Would that seem affectionate? Or tacky?”
Because he even sang the melody and acted out the example, I couldn’t dodge the question.
I answered reluctantly.
“It… feels a bit embarrassing…”
“I see.”
Sigh. He’s been acting awkward all day. I can’t tell if he’s scheming something.
Oblivious to my uneasy mood, he held my hand and led me somewhere.
“There’s a place I think you’ll like.”
Ha. Is this really a place I like? Seeing his excited face, I couldn’t help but smile. He looked more thrilled than I was.
“Is this a bakery?”
Proudly, he led me to a bakery crowded with people. Even in the capital, it was rare to see such a long line in the evening.
Now I understood why Ferredil looked so confident—if the line is any indication of the taste, it must be incredible.
“You brought me here because you know I like sweets, right?”
He nodded with a beaming face.
“It’s a bakery opened by a former royal pastry chef. As soon as they released their chocolate cake, word spread across the capital.”
I wasn’t much of a sweet tooth, yet he went out of his way to bring me here. I appreciated it, but…
The line is ridiculously long!
“Are you really okay waiting? I don’t mind, but I’m worried you might find it hard.”
“I cherish even this time standing in line with you. Honestly, I wish it lasted longer. Time flies when I’m with you.”
He asked trivial questions all day but seems perfectly sane now. Or maybe he’s still being shamelessly affectionate.
Unlike my confused mind, his expression remained pure.
Yes, don’t doubt a handsome man. If I’m going to be fooled, let it be by a handsome man…
As we chatted, the line dwindled quickly, just as he said.
We ordered the famous chocolate cake and hot tea, finding a quiet corner. Occasionally, I could feel the gaze of nobles recognizing Ferredil, me, and us.
Once, he might’ve been uncomfortable with the attention, but now he just met my gaze, focused entirely on our conversation.
I was delighted by his newfound confidence when a massive cake arrived.
“Did you just order a whole cake for me?”
“Why? Don’t you like it?”
“Of course I like it! I’m touched!”
Excitedly, I waited for the staff to place slices on my plate. Even though I could’ve eaten straight from the pan, I restrained myself for propriety.
“Is it good?”
Without tasting it, he looked at me, pleased, brushing crumbs from my lips with a smile.
Sure enough, he came for me, not himself.
“I should’ve had a proper meal first. You barely touch food, Duke.”
“But if you ate first, you’d be full and couldn’t enjoy this cake.”
He skipped a meal so I could enjoy the cake? Someone marrying Ferredil is lucky…
As I absentmindedly ate, I remembered I needed to say something to him.
I had to tell him the word “engagement” slipped out because I was too flustered. That I knew his proposal was just a spur-of-the-moment thing, and I wanted to act like it was nothing.
Then Ferredil would likely play along, thinking the engagement was just a casual thing. If he weren’t crazy enough to want to marry me immediately, that is.
I took a deep breath, ready to bring up last night.
“The cake…”
This was the third time. He asked in the same ominous tone as before.
“Nowadays, people sometimes hide jewelry or rings in cakes instead of boxes. Do you think that’s romantic? Or unhygienic?”
My rational mind snapped.
Even pretending not to notice has its limits.
I stood up and led him into a quiet alley. The dead-end alley was perfect—not to harm him… but to talk.
He looked flustered, dragged along after stopping mid-cake. Understandable—but I had lost my reason.
I pressed him against the wall, my face flushed.
“Do it here?”
“Wha??”
What a dreamer!
Unable to restrain myself, I shouted at his cluelessness.
“No!”
Looking slightly disappointed, he asked innocently,
“If not, then why bring me to a secluded alley?”
Unable to hold back, I blurted out a line different from what I’d imagined.
“You’re going to propose again, aren’t you?”
Sigh. I wanted a calm, serious conversation in a nice place.
Caught off guard, he stammered.
“Ah, no, I’m not.”
“Ah, no? Nobody would believe that.”
Sweating, he finally confessed.
“I know my proposal last night was clumsy. So even if you weren’t inclined to accept, I understand. I just wanted to make it right. I was trying to figure out what your ideal proposal would be.”
He looked downcast, but his harmless eyes shone as he asked,
“Was it… that obvious?”
