IBACM SS 144

Chapter 144 

“Mary…”

“But your voice, Didi… that special tone of yours, I really love it.”

His soft whisper tickled my ears gently, as if he was holding back something inside.

Dedrick looked like he was craving a simple touch. He felt so weak and sweet that I couldn’t help myself.

Even though his face turned red and he quietly rubbed his neck, he didn’t let go of my hand. Instead, he pulled me closer and hid his face in my neck.

His warm breath on my skin made me feel hot, and I had to pull away quickly.

“The food’s here!”

“… Food really is important.”

Despite his regretful tone, he gently brushed his lips against mine.

“I made you wait after coming all this way. It would be rude to keep you waiting more.”

“You’re right, Didi…”

Even though he looked a bit sad, he said it in his usual way—he always agrees with me no matter what I say.

“Hah, Didi’s always on my side.”

“Because I’m always by your side.”

“And I am too.”

We laughed and looked at each other with love.

Dish after dish was served as the servants entered to set the table.

“The main course today is fresh lobster. If it’s not to your liking, please let us know.”

Matt, the villa manager, lifted a silver lid off a big tray, and the smell of warm butter filled the air.

Red shells opened to reveal fresh white meat, still steaming.

Matt carefully placed the meat on our plates. Dedrick cooled off a piece and gently brought it to my mouth.

The rich butter flavor mixed perfectly with the tender meat and melted in my mouth.

The taste was perfectly balanced—not too greasy.

“It’s delicious!”

“Eat lots of it.”

“Didi, you have to try it! I’ve never had anything this tasty!”

Since we were near the sea, the seafood was clearly super fresh.

I picked up a small piece with my fork and brought it to his mouth. He ate it naturally and nodded.

“It tastes great.”

“Right?”

I felt proud watching Dedrick enjoy the food—even though I didn’t cook it.

And it seemed like he felt the same way about me. He even looked at me with admiration just because I was drinking water.

After the servants left, I asked him while eating more lobster:

“What are we doing tonight?”

He leaned in and gently touched a bit of food near my lips with his tongue.

“Let’s try a night walk. The paths here are well made.”

“Have you been here before?”

“No, but I researched it ahead of time. Don’t you like that?”

“Actually, everything I do with you makes me happy!”

“Me too.”

Being together, far from the Duke’s mansion, just the two of us with no rules or people watching, made everything feel more special.

***

The Next Morning

Dedrick woke up early the next day and moved quietly so he wouldn’t wake Marilyn.

“Did they set up the umbrella? And the mat? No, I’ll do it myself.”

This day meant a lot to him, so he wanted to prepare everything himself.

Even though he paid attention to every detail, there was still worry on his face.

He splashed his face with water several times, then pointed at the servant.

“Don’t tell Marilyn anything, understood?”

“Of course, sir.”

“She stayed up a little late last night, but if she wakes up, let me know immediately.”

“As you wish.”

Dedrick carried the umbrella and mat to the beach himself. But he didn’t look at the sea—he just wandered on the sand deep in thought.

“The sun rises from that direction…”

He studied the wind and sunlight carefully, then stopped at a spot.

He fixed the umbrella in place and spread the mat next to it.

“Get the cold drinks and fruit ready before I come with Marilyn. And don’t let anyone else near here.”

“Don’t worry, sir.”

Matt looked at him with admiration as he checked everything again and again.

He’d heard about Dedrick’s past—how he suffered under the Duke’s ex-wife, and how much he changed after meeting his fiancée.

“I hope it doesn’t rain today.”

“It rarely rains in this area. Don’t worry.”

Dedrick made sure the umbrella was secure and checked the sky one more time before heading back to the villa.

As soon as he arrived, he asked one of the maids:

“How’s Marilyn?”

“She’s still sleeping, sir.”

This time, he didn’t go back to their room. Instead, he went to another room where a small box sat on the table.

He carefully opened the box, checked its contents, and closed it again gently.

Then he walked over to the wardrobe, where a row of pastel shirts and pants were neatly arranged.

He stared at them for a moment, then chose a light beige shirt and black pants, hanging them aside.

His lips were dry from nervousness, and he bit them repeatedly.

“Should I wear something more formal?”

But he shook his head after a moment, as if pushing that thought away.

He wasn’t doing this randomly—he remembered what Marilyn had told him before:

“I love being alone with you. I don’t like crowded places. Parties tire me out, and all that glamour hurts my eyes.”

She used to love fancy things, but after everything she went through in high society, she slowly got exhausted.

“I just wanted to show her the most beautiful things in the world…”

Dedrick sighed. A part of him even thought about giving up his title and running away with her.

But he stopped himself. He didn’t want to seem irresponsible.

“I’ll love her and protect her even more, so she won’t have to face everything alone.”

That was his purpose. 

For Marilyn.

After checking everything one last time, he entered the room quietly, where Marilyn was still sleeping peacefully, unaware of what he was planning.

He sat beside the bed gently and brushed her hair softly, listening to her calm breathing.

“So beautiful…”

He gently touched her cheek.

“So lovable…”

Sometimes, he still couldn’t believe she was by his side. It felt like a dream he was afraid to wake up from.

That’s why he always touched her—to feel her warmth and confirm that she was really there.

He couldn’t stop. He kissed her cheek, then her neck, her shoulder—like sealing her with his love.

He kept softly kissing her arm until she giggled quietly.

“S-stop—what are you doing? Hehe…”

“You’re awake?”

“You’re the one who woke me up!”

“Let’s have fun, Mary.”

She sat up quickly, grabbed his hands, and shook them excitedly.

“Yay! Can we take a boat ride before going to the beach?”

“Great idea.”

He kissed her sweetly. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and laughing, he lifted her gently.

As he kissed her again, she pulled her face back and looked at him joyfully.

“Ahh, how are you so handsome?!”

“Ha… ha…”

Dedrick chuckled softly. Her words made his heart flutter with joy.

***

Later That Morning

“We’re going to the beach, right?”

“Yes, we’ll be there soon.”

Marilyn walked beside him, blindfolded, holding onto his arm trustingly.

The closer they got to the sea, the cooler the breeze became.

She touched her braid—the one he had done for her himself—and smiled softly.

“You were right to tell me to tie my hair, Didi.”

He gently stroked her cheek and smiled.

But soon, his smile faded. He reached into his pocket and nervously fidgeted with a small box… swallowing hard.