~Chapter 32~
Nathan seemed to realize he’d misspoken and clamped his mouth shut.
No matter how boldly he spoke regardless of status, his life was probably still precious to him.
Hmph. I should learn some charisma from Etienne too.
“……I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult Lady Dalia. I only wanted her to stand out the most at the banquet, and I think I went too far.”
Even after Nathan apologized, the tension didn’t ease.
“It’s fine, Nathan. I could tell from the moment I met you that you’re an idiot who only knows clothes. And Etienne, that’s enough. What Nathan said wasn’t completely wrong, was it?”
At that, Etienne turned his head toward me. He clearly didn’t like my mediation at all.
“I’m not planning to terminate my contract with Nathan anyway. So let’s all get along. If you fight again, I’ll make you shake hands and hug.”
I calmly went back to chewing my meat as if it were none of my business. Both men stared straight at me. Judging by their expressions, it was like the words ‘irritated’ were plastered across their faces.
Come to think of it, they were kind of alike—both sensitive and prickly. Etienne was probably just as sharp-edged at that age.
I hurriedly stuffed the rest of my food into my mouth and returned to my room. I worried I might get indigestion, but fortunately my digestion skills were excellent.
Lulu! It looked like Etienne had forgiven my drunken behavior, and the dress issue was settled too!
Now all that was left was the banquet.
Rubbing my full stomach, I sprawled out on the bed and rolled around. You really have to lie down after eating for it to feel right.
〈I’ve heard people say you shouldn’t turn into a ham at the banquet.〉
Aaaah!
Nathan’s words stabbed at my conscience.
Ham, my foot. What kind of ham is this scrawny? If someone tried to sell a ham this pathetic, they’d get reported to consumer protection.
Even as I argued internally, I quietly got up from the bed.
“Fine. I’ll just walk around until I digest a bit.”
I slowly wandered around the spacious room.
Being able to take a walk indoors—what a blessed life.
That was when I heard a knock at the door.
“Penny? Come in.”
Creeeak. The sound of the door opening felt different from usual. Sure enough, the person who appeared wasn’t Penny—it was Etienne.
Oh no. Did he come to pick a fight about yesterday after all? Was he holding back earlier because there were people watching?!
I wanted to crawl into a mouse hole.
“Sorry for visiting so suddenly at night—”
Etienne stopped mid-sentence and quickly turned around.
Huh? What’s with him?
His ears, turned away from me, were red like freshly roasted sweet potatoes pulled from the fireplace.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were already preparing for bed. I’ll come back another time.”
“Huh? It’s fine. You can say it now. You’ll be busy starting tomorrow.”
“Then… please put on some clothes.”
Clothes?
I looked down. I was wearing a pure white nightgown. Sure, it was sleepwear, but nothing was exposed—my neck, wrists, and even below my knees were all covered.
“This is clothes, though… Just a moment.”
What is he, a puberty-stricken teenager? Why is he so embarrassed? We’re married.
I threw on some outerwear. I tried to copy what Penny usually did, but dressing myself wasn’t easy.
What kind of ridiculous outfit is this? Why is it so hard for a grown adult to dress alone?
“All done.”
At my words, Etienne turned back around—but something was still off. He couldn’t look me in the face and instead stared at empty air.
It’s fine though. Unexpectedly conservative. No Confucianism here, but definitely Confucian-boy energy.
I straightened my clothes again and asked,
“So… what brings you here this late at night?”
I should apologize first. Whoever strikes first wins—better to apologize early.
“Well—”
“Don’t cut it out.”
Before I could finish, Etienne cut me off.
“…Pardon?”
What did he just say?
Don’t… cut what out? We’re not talking about subtraction here, right?
I rubbed my eyebrow slowly while examining his expression, but his face gave no clues.
Seeing my confusion, he explained.
“Eat whatever you want. Don’t listen to that nonsense. We can remake the dress a hundred times if needed.”
Ah. So… that means?
Don’t cut it out—as in, don’t lose weight?
That must’ve been because of what Nathan said earlier.
“You don’t need to listen to a tailor like that.”
Thinking I still didn’t understand, Etienne added more.
“I wasn’t planning to lose weight anyway.”
“…….”
“…….”
“Fine. Then I’ll be going.”
He turned around abruptly. Hey—where are you going?!
I grabbed his arm.
The muscles under my hand hardened instantly. I discreetly squeezed his arm once and let go.
Oh. He works out.
“Is that all you came for? Since you’re already here, have a cup of tea before you go. Um, I also have something I want to say.”
“No. That won’t work.”
“Why not? We had tea together just a few days ago.”
“Do I really need to explain the reason to you in detail?”
His face remained stiff.
What is this—hot and cold?
“Well, I’m not saying you have to explain…”
I’d praised him a little in my head earlier for telling me not to lose weight. I take it back. He’s still a weirdo. Living up to that handsome face.
Etienne pulled his arm out of my grasp. My hands, which had been kneading it moments ago, suddenly felt empty.
“Fine. Since you say there’s a reason you can’t explain, we won’t have tea. Then should I say what I wanted to say standing here? My legs hurt a bit, but it’s fine. I don’t care if my legs break.”
At my politeness-disguised sarcasm, Etienne thought for a moment before responding.
“Let’s talk outside. I’ll be in the garden. Put something proper on before coming.”
Leaving behind those words like a favor granted, he staggered away.
“What kind of stroll is this, under the moonlight? So dramatic!”
I called Penny to help fix my clothes. She nearly fainted when she heard I’d met Lord Etienne dressed like that.
It looks the same to me.
Grumbling, I headed out to the garden. The cool night air carried the damp, fresh scent of grass.
Lanterns scattered throughout the garden swayed softly in the breeze. Etienne approached. Maybe because it was dark, but his already large build felt even bigger.
This man suits darkness better.
That thought crossed my mind as I looked at his hair reflecting the moonlight.
Etienne began walking, and I hurried to follow. Because of our difference in leg length, I had to move nearly twice as fast to keep up.
Are you flexing your long legs right now?
I must’ve been breathing hard. Etienne glanced at me with a puzzled look.
“Huff… c-can you slow down a bit?”
Only then did his pace ease. I finally caught my breath.
Watching him consciously slow his steps for me filled me with emotion.
He’s become much more considerate than before. Compared to his monastery days…
Ugh. Even thinking back, that was too much.
For a moment, I felt the urge to smack the back of his small, round head—but remembering yesterday, I shook my head.
I already hit him enough while drunk. That was enough venting.
“What’s making you so happy?”
“Walking around like this—it feels like we’re a real married couple. Or maybe secret lovers meeting?”
I laughed deliberately. Etienne averted his gaze and looked straight ahead.
“Nonsense. What was it you wanted to say earlier?”
“Oh, that… um… I’m really sorry about yesterday. I drank too much, so I don’t remember clearly, but… I figured you must’ve had a hard time. Haha. If I made any mistakes, please forgive me. I didn’t mean any of it.”
“You didn’t mean it?”
“…Yes.”
My conscience pricked me, but I couldn’t very well say hitting his head with a fork was intentional.
“Hm.”
Etienne looked displeased.
“That doesn’t seem likely. The servants struggled to wrestle the steak out of your hand. You’re stronger than you look.”
“…….”
“You were sincere about the steak.”
“I’m sorry.”
“And you probably meant it when you treated me like a dog.”
“…Please spare my life.”
“And what you said in the dining hall—you meant that too, didn’t you?”
Damn it, what did I say? Worse than treating him like a dog? I don’t know—just beg.
“Please forgive me.”
“Alright.”
“…Huh?”
His reply was so short and clean that it threw me off.
“I said I forgive you.”
“Uh… okay.”
I wanted to ask if he really meant it, but I quickly accepted in case he changed his mind.
Is he really okay? He’s not sulking, is he? It wouldn’t suit that huge body of his. Though… maybe it’d be kind of cute.
But Etienne truly looked unbothered.
Since when did this guy become so generous?
He asked if that was all I wanted to say.
“Well… what happened to Bichter?”
I hadn’t planned to bring it up, but since it came to mind, I asked.
Bichter was the man I’d met when I was kidnapped some time ago.
He’d said he knew me—meaning he could be the key to tracking the item I’d stolen.
“He’s a hired hand. Apparently, he’ll do anything for money.”
“Figures. He looked like the type.”
“We don’t know his whereabouts yet, but it shouldn’t take long.”
“I wish I could remember how I communicated with him.”
“Nothing new coming to mind lately?”
Saying no here would feel strange. It had already been over two weeks…
I put on a resolute expression.
“It’s not that I remember nothing at all. Unfortunately, my recent memories still haven’t returned. But I feel like I’ll remember everything soon.”
Etienne, who had been staring straight ahead, turned to look at me.
He gazed down at me quietly with his blue eyes. Not understanding the meaning behind his look, I stared back blankly for a moment.
Etienne lowered his gaze first. His long lashes hid his eyes as a light breeze stirred. Then he moved ahead again.
“…Alright. Try to remember.”
His voice was lower than usual.
Did I mess up somehow?
I don’t think so.
