Chapter 91……………………………………….
“What wish did you make?”
“That’s a secret. Do you remember what I said when we released the lanterns during the Harvest Festival? If you say your wish out loud, it won’t come true.”
“Is that so? I was curious. That’s too bad.”
Ibellina let out a soft giggle.
Then she slyly asked Arsen,
“What wish did you make, Arsen?”
“It’s a secret.”
He winked playfully.
They only stopped gazing at the stars and rose from their seats when the bonfire had burned down to a small glow.
“Mother, sweet dreams.”
“You too.”
Karina’s room was on the first floor, while Ibellina and Arsen’s room was on the second.
They parted at the stairs, and Ibellina slowly climbed up with Arsen supporting her.
The end of the day, after all, was best finished with a warm bath.
After helping Ibellina lie down on the bed so she could rest, Arsen busily prepared the bathwater.
If she so much as showed signs of trying to get up to help, he firmly insisted she stay put, so in the end Ibellina had no choice but to lie quietly in bed.
Before long, Arsen came out of the bathroom.
“The bath is ready.”
“Thank you.”
As he helped her up, Arsen said,
“It would be difficult for you to bathe alone, so I’ll help.”
“Pardon? But…”
She hesitated, unsure what to do.
After fidgeting for a moment, Ibellina cautiously spoke.
“Th-then… let’s bathe together.”
“…Excuse me?”
“W-well, you need to wash too anyway! If we bathe together, we’ll save time… and we’re married…”
She trailed off awkwardly.
Arsen, who had been staring blankly, suppressed a laugh and replied,
“Very well. Let’s bathe together.”
“Th… thank you…”
She had been the one to suggest it, but now that he agreed, she felt overwhelmingly embarrassed.
Her face turned bright red as she gave a small nod.
Arsen entered the bath first, and Ibellina followed.
The warm water carried a fragrant floral scent from the bath oils.
Naturally, she leaned her back against his chest.
“Is the water temperature all right?”
“Yes. It’s perfect.”
Her body relaxed languidly.
Arsen carefully massaged her arms and legs. Lately, she had been complaining more often that her limbs felt numb.
Soaking in warm, fragrant water while receiving a massage from Arsen felt like heaven itself.
A satisfied sigh escaped her lips.
“If you’re sleepy, you may nap. I’ll wake you at the right time.”
“Mmm… but…”
“It’s fine.”
Arsen placed a hand on her belly and gently patted it.
Her blinking gradually slowed.
Before long, her eyes closed completely.
After confirming she was asleep, Arsen carefully washed her hair so as not to wake her.
Pregnancy alone was exhausting, so Ibellina slept soundly.
When the bath was finished, Arsen gently shook her awake.
“Ibellina.”
“Mmm…”
“We need to get out now. Staying too long in the heat might make you dizzy.”
“All right…”
Still drowsy, she yawned softly and slowly stood up.
Half-asleep, she had completely forgotten she needed to wash her hair.
Once they were out, Arsen dried her with a soft towel and helped her into her dress.
Only when she sat before the vanity did she suddenly remember.
“I didn’t wash my hair!”
“I already did, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Really? I didn’t even notice…”
She murmured shyly, giving an embarrassed smile.
Arsen chuckled, finding her adorable, and carefully dried her long hair with a towel.
“Isn’t it bothersome?”
“What do you mean?”
“Just… everything. You’re doing all the things a servant would normally do.”
“It’s for you. How could that be bothersome?”
Her cheeks flushed slightly at his sweet words.
As if agreeing, the baby kicked against her belly.
She flinched, and Arsen quickly steadied her.
“The baby kicked again?”
“Yes. I’m glad the baby’s lively.”
It was time for bed.
After Ibellina lay down, Arsen lay beside her.
She glanced at him and spoke.
“When Anais examined me last time, she said my belly is larger than most pregnant women’s.”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“No, not that. I mentioned it to Mother earlier, and she said it could be twins.”
“Twins…”
At her words, he stared blankly at her belly.
“If they are twins, I hope it’s a son and a daughter. And of course, they must both resemble you.”
“Why?”
“I want to see your childhood again.”
She giggled softly at his words, then suddenly paused.
“You want to see my childhood… again?”
“Ah…”
Arsen rolled his eyes and abruptly pretended to be asleep.
Ibellina shook him lightly.
“Arsen, what does that mean? Hmm?”
“…”
“Please tell me. I’ll be too curious to sleep.”
At her insistence, he finally opened his eyes again.
“I was going to tell you later…”
Her eyes sparkled even in the darkness.
After a moment of thought, Arsen began.
“Do you remember when I told you about the first time I skipped lessons and went out?”
“Yes… I remember.”
With her excellent memory, she could hardly forget.
“I went out with Jonas that day. There was a night market in the shopping district.”
“Yes.”
“I never liked going out much, but for some reason, that day I really wanted to. It was impulsive, but I don’t regret it.”
She blinked, watching him attentively.
Encouraged, he continued.
“As Jonas dragged me through the market, I saw a very young child being threatened by a much bigger boy in an alley.”
“…Ah.”
“I normally hate getting involved in other people’s business. But that time, for some reason, my body moved on its own.”
Her eyes widened.
“Don’t tell me…”
“Yes. That child was you.”
“Ah…”
She stared at him blankly.
“I was wearing a hood then, so you probably didn’t see my face.”
“No… I remember.”
“What?”
She slowly sat up, and Arsen quickly did the same.
“You remember?”
“It would be strange if I didn’t. That was the happiest day of my childhood.”
She smiled faintly.
“As you said, I didn’t see your face. The last thing I remember is blue eyes meeting my red ones.”
She reached out and touched the corner of his eye.
Even in the darkness, his eyes seemed to shine.
“I must have forgotten… because I was so busy trying to earn my family’s love.”
“…I see.”
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Even if I told you later, you wouldn’t leave my side.”
He took her hand and rubbed his cheek against her palm.
The gesture, like a puppy’s, made her fingers twitch.
“I’ve remembered only you since then.”
“Since then?”
“Yes.”
She looked dazed.
If it was truly since then, he had been thinking of her for over ten years.
Hearing that made her feel even more apologetic. Even if she hadn’t seen his face, she had still forgotten.
“It’s all right. You remembered now. So don’t feel sorry.”
Arsen lowered his head and briefly kissed her lips.
“I think I understand now why I wanted to go out so badly that day. I must have wanted to meet you.”
“I also had an unusual urge to go out that day. Maybe we were destined from the start.”
She smiled brightly.
Bathed in moonlight streaming through the window, her smile shone clearly.
The next morning, she woke early.
When Ibellina stirred slightly, Arsen immediately opened his eyes.
“You’re awake?”
“Did I wake you?”
“No. I just opened my eyes as well.”
He answered calmly.
“We need to go out early today for fishing, don’t we?”
“Yes. The charm of fishing is in the waiting.”
With Arsen’s help, Ibellina prepared herself simply.
When they went downstairs, Karina was already seated, waiting for them.
“Mother, have you been waiting long?”
“No, I just came out. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes. Did you sleep well too?”
“Of course.”
Ibellina sat across from Karina while Arsen went inside to make sandwiches.
Before long, he returned with a tray.
Fresh tomatoes, lettuce, savory bacon, and perfectly fried eggs filled the sandwiches.
Ibellina took a big bite.
The sweet-and-sour sauce spread through her mouth deliciously.
Watching her eat so heartily, Arsen and Karina smiled fondly.
After finishing breakfast quickly, Arsen gathered the fishing gear.
They headed to a small boat to go out to sea.
“I hope we catch at least one fish.”
“Of course we will. It’s my first time fishing too—I’m looking forward to it.”
With calm waves and clear skies, it was a perfect day for fishing.
The small boat glided smoothly across the water toward a promising fishing spot.
They cast their lines and waited for a bite.
