Chapter 11
In Greenwood, where time seemed to flow slowly, everything was leisurely and unhurried. Though she hadn’t yet written a single word of her thesis, Sephine didn’t feel any urgency—there was plenty of time.
Ah, yes. The letter.
Sephine added her final signature to the letter addressed to Felix and considered when to head to the post office. There was no rush, but she needed to send it soon so that a reply could arrive promptly.
He was the only one here who could inform her of the Academy’s class resumption, and likewise, he was the only suitable person to request the books she needed for reference.
After checking the list of requested books at the end of the letter, Sephine sealed the envelope. She popped a grape from the basket full of clusters into her mouth just as a rustling came from the grass nearby.
Had everyone returned from the distillery?
As she considered borrowing a carriage from Lucas to run a quick errand in the square, she casually glanced toward the sound—and nearly jumped in shock.
It was Hisshark. An uninvited guest. The man, dressed in ivory-colored uniform, leapt over the low fence and strode straight toward her.
Hiss had returned to Greenwood that very morning.
A journey that would normally take a full day by carriage, he traversed as easily as coming and going from his own home, just as the Tailored Duke had said.
His purpose was more than just business. That woman, staring at him wide-eyed…
A grape would surely get stuck in his throat.
Sephine, cheeks puffed out as if she had seen a ghost, turned to check the house behind her before glancing back at him.
No chance for a polite cheek greeting. As a consolation, he smiled broadly.
“Swallow it first.”
Only then could she smile at him in return.
Hiss lifted his chin and motioned for her to swallow.
Realizing what she had in her mouth, Sephine quickly moved her lips. The red juice of the grape stained her lips with a glossy sheen.
“Now, Hanna is… how is it here, and why—”
“Did I come?”
Sephine shook her head as he cut her off. After finally swallowing properly, she replied eagerly.
“I know why you came. You’ll talk about the usual things, won’t you? But Hanna is very busy right now, so it would be best if you left. Lucas isn’t here, and even if he were, he wouldn’t meet you.”
His low voice wasn’t unpleasant. Dealing with someone conscious of others’ eyes was already half the battle.
“That’s not my business. Regardless… the Beringheims seem very busy right now.”
When he echoed her words indifferently, Sephine rolled her eyes as if noting his absurdity. He smiled and reached toward a plump cluster of grapes.
“I have business with the lady here.”
Sephine’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected words. She couldn’t tell if she was startled by his biting into the grapes or by the claim that he had business with her.
Preparing to leave, she hastily picked up a book from the chair. In the meantime, an envelope fell to his feet with a flutter.
Felix Rohuman. The recipient’s name was written in neat handwriting.
Hiss casually rested his shoe on the envelope and stuffed a fresh grape into his mouth. Though the juicy sweetness burst in his mouth, knowing who had written the letter tempered his enjoyment.
Sephine shifted her gaze from his frowning face to the letter at his feet.
“My letter…”
As if noticing it belatedly, he slowly bent down and picked it up. The envelope was wet from accumulated rainwater.
“Oh dear. It’s all crumpled.”
It couldn’t be sent in this state.
Still, Sephine reached toward the mud-smeared envelope. Before her hand touched it, he slid it slightly toward himself and slipped his hand inside.
“Let me check if the contents are unharmed.”
As he pulled out the soggy paper to unfold it, Sephine lunged and snatched it from his hand. Determined not to show a single word, she grabbed the letter and turned to walk away.
Hiss followed her with a step, then let out a small laugh. Her flushed face was worth seeing before they turned toward the back of the house.
A love letter perhaps, whispered in secret?
The voices from inside the house continued uninterrupted. They seemed unaware of the small commotion at the entrance. Whoever came out or witnessed the scene, it did not matter to him—so far.
But that would change now.
Sephine staggered slightly at the pace of his brisk steps. Likely due to her slender frame.
Watching the hem of her skirt sway, revealing and hiding her ankles, was amusing. It was less so that she was clearly trying to escape him.
She didn’t stop walking but glanced back to warn him.
“It would be best if you stopped.”
Her voice remained calm, though her eyes scanning the entrance betrayed her tension. What was he so concerned about? It seemed a little ridiculous.
Seeing her slightly upturned lips, he shook his head and continued walking. In the distance, the stable came into view.
Was she planning to escape on horseback?
Hiss, chasing the woman with a waist delicate enough to snap, suddenly changed his mind and grabbed her wrist.
“What are you doing?”
She shifted her gaze from her held hand to his serious eyes. Her look was one of defiance, though he had anticipated at least some resistance.
“I said I have business with the lady. Don’t you want to hear it?”
Her pale face turned even whiter.
Standing in the sunlight, he looked down at her mint-green eyes, squinting. His gaze measured her, as if to discern her intentions—but it remained captivating.
The ten days in Belot. It was then that her young lady’s face had overlapped in his mind.
“You know me.”
Whispering low, she stared at him without blinking. Her arm, held tightly, trembled faintly despite the effort to resist.
“And… what then?”
“Then? Why are you pretending not to know?”
Pretending not to know?
Sephine, flustered, didn’t even notice her arm aching from his grip.
It was not she who was pretending not to know—it was him.
When had he realized it? He had returned her hat, pretending not to know her even after seeing her name on it. Was he pretending now? That was the question she wanted to ask.
Yet, now… did it really matter?
“We met years ago in Belot, didn’t we? Besides that, do we have anything to say to each other?”
She spoke calmly, but her voice trembled slightly.
Watching her glare, he released her hand. His bright, intense eyes seemed to bind her.
The leaves swayed eerily in the wind.
The click of the front door opening sounded just as Sephine considered whether she should issue a warning.
Having come around the back of the house, she didn’t know who it might be—but if it was a neighbor visiting Hanna, they would not appreciate seeing this. Pulling her hand free, Sephine quickened her pace.
It hadn’t been long since villagers’ attention had returned to normal after the incident at the hall.
“…Miss?”
Hanna’s voice came faintly as Sephine passed the stable. Startled by Hanna’s call, she slipped into the open door of a nearby barn.
“…Where did you go leaving all the books behind?”
She could hear Hanna pacing outside the entrance. Sephine tugged at the man’s sleeve, glancing coolly at him.
Though dragged along, he moved at an absurdly leisurely pace, almost forcing her to scold him aloud. As he stepped into the barn, Sephine pushed the door closed.
Catching her breath and peeking outside, she couldn’t help but laugh at the irony: she had tried to escape the intruding man, only to end up hiding with him.
At any rate, she did not want Hanna to be troubled on her account.
She knew Hanna was carefully managing the curiosity of the villagers, who were prying into whether she had some connection with this uninvited businessman.
It was purely Hanna’s effort to protect Sephine’s reputation and dignity. Soon, Sephine would return to the capital, and she did not want Hanna and Lucas being scrutinized by the village because of her.
Because of that man.
Sephine glared at him, standing before her. Slender sunlight pierced through the wooden planks, highlighting his broad shoulders.
“If I had known we’d be alone like this…”
