Chapter 55
Ruan’s Jealousy
Marican took a sip of the water in front of her, then looked at Ruan.
“By the way, it’s been almost a month since you first told me this. How long do you plan on staying here? Don’t you need to return to the capital?”
“As I said before, I received six months’ leave from His Highness the Crown Prince. So you needn’t worry about me.”
“Six months, again… Your life was six months. Your leave is six months too.”
Hearing Marican murmur that, Ruan felt a chill of foreboding.
“Haha, I see. Well then… Was the food at least edible? I learned from Jang, but I’m nowhere near his level. Still, I practiced hard, thinking I’d like to cook for Rosaline someday. I’m sure it’s lacking, but… today, being able to cook for you—I couldn’t be happier. Thank you, truly, for eating it so well.”
His smile was bright, genuine.
Seeing it, Marican’s chest tightened.
He learned to cook… for me?
At first, when he said he’d bring food, she’d assumed he simply knew how to cook already.
But to think he had learned all this just for her…
The dishes had been surprisingly good.
Watching Ruan say how happy he was to feed her, Marican thought, Haa… what is this man?
Coming at me so directly like this… I can’t help but weaken.
Feeling she might say something reckless if she stayed longer, she rose from her seat.
Ruan immediately stood as well.
“Why, what’s wrong?”
“You got up, so I thought I should escort you to bed.”
“Ruan, this isn’t the Duke’s estate. It’s barely ten steps to the bed—I can walk on my own.”
“Still, your body doesn’t seem fully healed.”
“I told you, I’m fine. I rested plenty earlier, I just ate, and now I feel perfectly well. Besides, I have dishes to wash—and you should head back too.”
“Then at least go lie down. I’ll wash the dishes before I go.”
What? Why would you wash my dishes?
“A-ah, no. I’ll do it myself.”
Ruan began stacking the empty plates.
“Mer, you shared a meal with me. Let me at least handle the dishes.”
Marican sighed.
She was already exhausted from the day and didn’t have the strength to argue.
“…Fine then. I’ll leave them to you.”
But as she turned, intending to insist again, she collided head-on with Ruan as he reached for the plates.
The next instant she lost her balance.
I’m falling—!
But instead of hitting the ground, Ruan twisted his body beneath her.
He landed hard on the floor, cushioning her in his arms—her lips pressed against his.
Smack!
Thump, thump… thump-thump-thump.
Time froze.
Their lips lingered together in stunned stillness before both scrambled upright in haste.
A heavy silence stretched until Marican stammered first.
“M-my apologies. This is my house, but since you cooked, I should do the dishes. So… I’ll take care of it. Please, just head home now.”
Ruan, however, only looked at her with concern.
“Rosaline, I’m sorry. I should have stepped aside. Are you hurt anywhere?”
In truth, he had been the one to slam against the floor—yet he worried for her.
Marican’s lips trembled as she glanced at the back of his head.
“I fell on top of you. Of course I’m fine. But you… didn’t you hit your head because of me?”
Is she… worried for me?
Ruan’s heart swelled.
For the first time, he found himself grateful to Marican’s older sister, who had stormed the shop earlier—because of that chaos, he had carried Marican home, cooked for her, kissed her, and now, even heard words of concern from her lips.
He wanted nothing more.
“Yes, I’m fine. Then, Rosaline, please rest well.”
Blushing scarlet, Ruan couldn’t even meet her eyes as he rushed out of the house.
Marican stood frozen in place for a long while.
Woof, woof!
“…Ah. Right. The dishes. I should… wash them.”
Moving like an automaton, she cleaned the plates, then collapsed onto her bed.
“Come here, Ruan.”
She stroked the puppy curled against her.
His lips… softer, warmer than I expected.
I always thought they looked pretty, but to feel them…
“Marican, what are you thinking?” she muttered aloud, shaking her head.
It was an accident.
Just like bumping arms or shoulders.
Nothing more.
Still, as she buried her face against the puppy’s fur, sleep never came.
“Strange… Why did it feel so familiar? As if we’d kissed once before…? But no, that’s impossible. I’ve never kissed Ruan. Did I… dream it once? What am I thinking? Stop. Stop thinking of his lips.”
…
And so she lay awake until dawn.
By morning, bleary-eyed, Marican dragged herself to the shop.
As she entered, she caught sight of Ruan already sweeping inside.
“Oh? Ruan? You’re here so early?”
“Rosaline? Why did you come so early?”
“Ah… I just woke up early.” Well, because I didn’t sleep at all.
“And you? Why are you here so soon?”
“I woke early as well.”
…
“…Would you like some tea?” she asked after a pause.
“Yes, please. But Rosalind, could you wait outside a moment? I’m almost done sweeping, and there’s dust.”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll help finish up.”
“…If you say so.”
Side by side, they tidied the shop as though nothing had happened.
“Are you still taking sleeping pills?” Marican asked as she set chamomile tea before him.
Ruan gazed at the steaming cup.
“Not every day anymore. With a more regular routine, there are nights I sleep without them.”
“Oh? That’s a relief. Then perhaps I should bring you another kind of tea?”
She reached to take his cup, but Ruan held it.
“No need. Thanks to you, I’ve grown fond of this. I even drink it sometimes at home before bed—it helps me sleep.”
Marican’s lips curved faintly.
So he’s healthier now.
Maybe it’s the fresh air here, the lack of burdens compared to the capital.
“That’s good. I’m glad.”
A quiet silence lingered, broken only by the soft sound of them sipping tea.
“…Ruan, thank you. For yesterday. For the shop, for carrying me home, for cooking, for… all of it. And I also learned something yesterday—that you’ve been bathing the puppy before sending him back, fixing Clea’s house, cleaning Charles’s chicken coop. I’m late in saying it, but… thank you.”
Ruan shook his head, embarrassed.
“It’s nothing. I’m here only for you. These things are natural. Besides… I’ve grown fond of Ruan as well. I like spending time with him.”
“Mm. I thought so. Still, you don’t need to do it all.”
“I enjoy it, so please don’t think twice. These moments with the puppy are precious. At first he hated me, but now… I find him quite adorable.”
Marican chuckled softly.
Yes… he’s cute when he’s playful.
Seeing her smile so warmly, Ruan’s heart thundered.
I thought I’d never see this smile again… Yet here it is, shining at me once more.
If I could keep seeing it forever, I’d sell my soul to the devil.
He felt as though he might burst with happiness.
But Marican, sipping her tea, found herself stealing glances at his lips.
Why… Why can’t I look anywhere else? And why does he seem utterly unaffected?
Did last night mean nothing to him?
Was it only me who lay awake, heart racing?
Surely Ruan has kissed before.
With a face like his, could he really never…?
She cleared her throat.
“…And lastly, about last night.”
“Ah, Rosaline, that—”
She cut him off.
“Ruan, it was an accident. The sort of accident anyone might have. Just like bumping shoulders or elbows. The same with… with lips. So let’s both think of it that way. All right?”
“…An accident. Very well. If that’s what you wish.”
Even as he nodded, the sight of her ducking her head, face flushed, nearly drove him to lean in and kiss her cheek.
But he restrained himself.
Instead, Marican blurted, “You must have kissed before, haven’t you? You were awfully calm yesterday.”
Ruan thought back to their first kiss—long ago, one she did not remember.
She’s forgotten…
With a mischievous smile, he replied, “Of course. Do you think I’ve only kissed? I’ve gone further than that.”
Her mind reeled.
K-kisses? With someone else?
But he said I was his first… Who was it, then?
A childhood friend?
No, impossible. His only friend was Sir Tablo, and that’s certainly not it… Then who?
Watching her expressions shift rapidly in confusion and jealousy, Ruan thought she had never looked more endearing.
He gripped his teacup tightly, forcing down the surge of desire that threatened to overtake him.
But Marican, unaware of his thoughts, felt a wave of inexplicable disappointment.
So he has kissed another woman… Not just kissed, but more…
“…I see,” she murmured.
Then she raised her chin defiantly.
“Surely I wasn’t your first kiss, was I? Of course not!”
At that, Ruan’s gaze turned suddenly cold.
