The island was buzzing with excitement for the festival. It was a celebration for the common folk, so the further away from the nobles’ quarters you went, the more you saw walls adorned with flowers and young women wearing flower crowns.
Charlotte’s eyes sparkled with curiosity and joy as she gazed out the window, mesmerized. Richard, watching her, had a faint smile on his lips.
She had been so nervous when she was first pulled into the carriage. Despite his kindness of informing her that morning, she looked as if she was being kidnapped by a stranger.
‘If anyone saw us…’
‘The servants are all busy.’
‘What?’
‘I’ve informed the housekeeper.’
He had gone through the trouble of reassuring her in detail because he was impressed that she had already prepared her outdoor clothes. If she had pretended not to know and stayed in her room, his dwindling patience would have finally snapped.
Well, that might have been interesting in its own way.
He thought about her trembling and crying face beneath him. He liked women more when they were crying than when they were smiling. The best moments were when they eventually gave in to temptation or exhaustion after futile resistance.
Though she had marked herself as a member of the working class, her chastity was more akin to that of a high-class lady. That was why he had proposed to her. If he treated her as he wished, she would certainly break.
The unexpected part was that she had turned him down.
‘I’m not ready to be someone’s wife yet.’
‘Not ready?’
‘I’m still young.’
Twenty was the perfect age for marriage for a woman, not an age to call oneself a child. He had accepted her weak excuse because it piqued his interest.
He was curious to see how long she could continue to reject him. When she would abandon status, face, and reputation to follow her overwhelming desires and emotions.
But that was a gross miscalculation. His patience was wearing thin first.
Watching Charlotte Hegel blatantly avoid him since arriving on Corlen Island was infuriating. Maybe it would be best to break her once. Whether or not she could be fixed was a problem for later.
“Where are we going?” Her sudden question brought his dangerously spiraling thoughts to a halt. She had turned from the window and was looking at him with wide eyes.
“We’re heading to the beach, I think.”
“We’re having a meal. I’ve rented a beachfront restaurant.”
As soon as he spoke, the carriage jolted as it left the village and headed downhill. The emerald sea began to come into view. Richard rested his elbow on the window sill and gazed outside, blinking slowly.
“Then we’ll go to the village festival.”
The newly forming pink sunset bathed his smooth jawline and side profile in a dreamlike glow. Charlotte stared, entranced, feeling as if he might disappear into the light. Without thinking, she reached out.
It was the first time she initiated contact.
Surprised, Richard’s calm eyes flickered with light. Before she could withdraw her hand, he covered it with his and brought it to his lips.
“Oh…!”
He kissed her pale hand sensually, then bit the soft inside of her wrist lightly, like a lazy predator toying with its mate, infusing the gesture with unmistakable sexual tension.
“And after that?” Charlotte whispered, her fingertips tingling with warmth.
“There is no ‘after that,’” he replied, kissing the tender skin below her wrist.
“……”
“We won’t be going back tonight.”
It was a clear statement. Mesmerized, Charlotte nodded. Richard smiled in satisfaction. Before long, the carriage stopped in front of a restaurant.
“…This place…”
“It’s better to fill our stomachs first.”
The dim light of the evening cast a glow over the flickering candles in their silver holders. The spacious restaurant was empty, with just the two of them as its guests.
The manager led them courteously to the best spot on the second-floor terrace. The walls, decorated with lisianthus and lilies and trimmed with gold, were made of smoothly finished cream-colored limestone, softly illuminated by the moonlight.
With the sound of waves crashing in the background, a variety of dishes were laid out on the white tablecloth. The appetizers included grilled tomatoes topped with balsamic sauce and scallops, followed by thick, juicy beef steak slices from the center cut of the tenderloin.
As the main course was set on the table, the waiter explained, “For dessert, we have cherry clafoutis, baked with a mixture of whipped cream and almond flour, and topped with pitted cherries.”
Throughout the meal, two waiters attended to them, refilling their glasses as soon as they were empty and bringing the next course at the appropriate time.
It was strange being on the receiving end of the kind of service she was used to providing. Instead of feeling excited, she felt like she was wearing clothes that didn’t fit. Nonetheless, her hungry stomach welcomed the delicious food, which melted in her mouth. Having not eaten such luxurious food before, she ate quickly and almost got indigestion.
Then she noticed the white waves crashing outside. As Charlotte fixed her gaze on the sea, Richard, setting down his utensils, abruptly asked, “Is something wrong?”
“No. It’s just that the view is so beautiful. And the food is delicious…”
It was too much luxury, almost excessively so. She thought of her mother, Cynthia, who was bedridden. She felt like a bad daughter for leaving her mother’s side, even though her condition had improved. Yet, being here with her lover, spending time alone together, made her genuinely happy.
Richard, who had been watching her quietly, raised his hand to call a waiter. Shortly after, the waiter returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses. Charlotte watched as the red wine filled the glass in front of her and belatedly reacted.
“I don’t drink…”
“It’s not strong. Just have a glass.”
“……”
“I won’t make you drink more.”
Since turning of age, the only alcohol she had consumed was light sherry. She was about to refuse again when Richard’s large hand covered hers, guiding her to hold the glass. Under the unspoken pressure, Charlotte finally brought the glass to her lips.
“This…”
It was different from what she expected. It was a bit bitter, but also sweet. Quite drinkable. She had intended to take just one sip but ended up drinking half of it. Though it was just one glass, her face quickly flushed. Charlotte spoke honestly with her heated face.
“It’s nice. Different from what I’ve had before…”
Without replying, Richard raised his glass and drank. After sending the waiters away, leaving them alone, he asked, “What were you thinking about earlier?”
“Nothing…”
“I thought you knew you weren’t good at hiding things.”
He never let anything slide when it came to her. Though usually stubborn, the alcohol made Charlotte want to be honest.
“You might find it boring, but I’ve never been to a place like this before.”
“You mentioned the beach.”
“Yes. But it wasn’t a tourist spot or a resort, so there were no fancy restaurants. Just a small village where people have lived for generations.”
It was a barren land with rugged cliffs against the rough sea and no suitable soil for farming.
“It wasn’t as beautiful as this place, and the climate wasn’t good either. Looking back, I don’t even have many fond memories, but I still think about it often. Because…”
The warmth flushing her cheeks had reached her eyes. Charlotte took a deep breath and continued.
“When my whole family was together…”
Even if they weren’t always happy, being together made them feel whole. Her silent but caring father, her sister who always thought of others, and her strict but kind mother.
“I wonder if I deserve such luxury, leaving my mother behind.”
“Charlotte,” Richard began heavily, having listened silently until now.
“You’ve done more than enough as a daughter. More than anyone could ask.”
Charlotte, with her head bowed, shook it slightly.
“My sister died last year after slipping on a mountain.”
“…….”
“It’s actually my fault. If it weren’t for me…”
It was her first time sharing this confession. A truth she hadn’t even told her mother, Cynthia.
“I had taken some time off and was visiting home. She must have wanted to treat me to something, so she went to pick some fruit. …Stupidly.”
The guilt that had been pressing down on her heart rose up to her throat. Tears fell onto the white tablecloth.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring this up.”
As Charlotte hastily wiped her eyes and forced a smile, the sound of a chair being pushed back echoed.
“Let’s skip dessert.”
Richard stood up and walked over, extending his hand to her.
“The festival should be in full swing by now.”
“What if someone sees us…”
“Don’t worry.”
There were no empty lies or clumsy reassurances. Instead, Richard wrapped his arm around her waist and replied,
“I’ll be wearing a mask.”
🍉🍉🍉
