“Episode 21”
Surface lovers
Keisha’s chin dropped for a moment before quickly snapping it shut. ‘Saying this to me.’
Her employer certainly had a tendency to excessively express love. Daphne, who imported shoes, treated the greetings like treasures, whispering “I love you, darling” every night.
Separate from that, there were the romantic affairs of her employer that Keisha absolutely didn’t want to know about. Keisha tried to think as shallowly as possible about what it could mean.
“It must mean they grew up never hearing the words ‘I love you’ for a lifetime. Because they’re a bastard child.”
Keisha decided to listen selectively to the Duke’s words, choosing only what she wanted to hear. Achieving mental victory, Keisha suddenly felt a desire to tease the Duke. Running her fingers through the hair that had fallen behind her neck, she raised the corners of her mouth.
“Our lady sure loves a lot, doesn’t she? I mean, she greets people saying ‘I love you.’ And objectively speaking, our lady is quite beautiful. That’s probably why her romantic relationships… are a bit complicated.”
Keisha said so and then looked intently at the man. His green eyes, which had been downcast, didn’t rise again. His fidgeting feet moved jerkily.
“Exactly.”
The last assumption Keisha had thought of seemed the most plausible.
“Would you like me to send a letter to Miss Denver? I’ll send it secretly for you.”
Keisha dangled the letter paper. Celestian narrowed his eyes. His face, gradually turning more uncomfortable, surprisingly seemed tolerable. It seemed like he might know why the lady was so fixated on this man’s irritated face.
“Thank you for the offer, but I’ll decline.”
It was an answer that seemed to say, “If someone doesn’t stand him up on the edge of a cliff and tell him that, he’ll push them off.”
The last owner of a desolate island in the northwest, also known as the eternal winter, was referred to as “Therios” by the current generation as a place where mythical creatures like mermaids lived.
Until she entered the orphanage, Keisha sailed the seas with her parents. So she knew where this man and his place were.
I wonder why he doesn’t run away, but his real intention was unexpected.
“Miss Denver isn’t interested. In fact, she seems more interested in the lady. Why is she so fixated on this man’s angry face?”
Keisha turned her gaze to the letter that had been cut off since “dear”. For some reason, she felt like her relationship wouldn’t last long.
“I didn’t want to pretend to know him since last time.”
She realized that the affection between her employer and the Duke was mutual. And the Duke’s affection, unlike the lady who only thought of him as a trophy, clearly had a different nature. Moreover, wasn’t she unnecessarily involved in that love?
After living with Daphne for a few years, she had clearly become like that annoying curiosity.
“Your Grace, what I just said was just a joke. Our lady has narrow interpersonal relationships and finds men annoying…”
Keisha raised her head belatedly to try to rectify it.
“Wow, are you really a ghost? I’m scared. How can you do this?”
But the seat next to her was empty.
❖ ❖ ❖
Widrow Department Store was located in the center of 21st Street, adjacent to the capital train station. As a result, the foot traffic was immense. Keisha’s outing, with several bodyguards positioned on the rooftop of the tallest building, was quite an event.
While usually she only called a few salons when shopping, when she visited the department store, Daphne took full responsibility for the day’s sales.
Especially during ominous times like these, shopping centers could only welcome big shots like Daphne. The merchants had designated today for reserved visitors only. As soon as word came that Daphne had arrived, someone even came to the lobby to greet her and waved their hand like a Parisian.
Daphne was dressed in a yellow tweed two-piece suit. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and her ears, neck, and hands were adorned with aurora opals. And to protect her swollen face from yesterday’s drinking, she wore black sunglasses.
Celestian, who had come out from behind the curtain after measuring every inch of the body, plopped down beside Daphne. Their thighs touched. Daphne slightly shifted her hips to avoid contact and leaned back. Then she gazed out the window at the passing carriages.
“Why?”
Celestian tilted his head and asked.
“Why move away?”
“Because the prince doesn’t like it.”
With a rough reply, Daphne returned her attention to the catalog. The indoor lighting was dim, and with sunglasses on, it was hard to read, but Daphne decided to buy it anyway and signed on the check.
Shopping didn’t take long. Just tell them the sizes you need from here to there, and it’s done.
Celestian extended his hand as if to grab hers. When Daphne shook her head, he nodded towards the people.
“If we’re not affectionate, they might think it’s strange.”
As he said, a few rare guests were staring in their direction. Putting a rebel in the role of a “surface lover” and socially distancing themselves? If done wrong, it could unnecessarily attract the attention of the gossips.
Daphne didn’t take his hand. Instead, she grabbed his wrist and pulled it towards her, crossing her arms. His arm trapped against hers felt solid. Not only solid, but she could also feel the distinct texture of muscles through the tight shirt.
“Fascinating…”
Unconsciously, Daphne squeezed it a couple of times. It was so thick that even holding it with both hands wouldn’t catch it all. Celestian wondered what this woman was up to, but Daphne just stared at the jewelry showcase in front of her.
“Miss Beaucater.”
A pale-faced rookie clerk approached, though Daphne didn’t seem to see him clearly.
“On the front side, so… ”
The clerk’s voice trembled like a sheep’s cry. Novices found big shots like Daphne very intimidating. Daphne lifted the corner of her mouth and listened attentively.
It was a report that the knights who had been dispatched upon receiving a tip that Celestian was here were setting up camp. Daphne grabbed Celestian’s arm and flicked her tongue against him.
“Could you tell the knight to come to the back? It’s a brown Ford.”
“Yes, I’ll relay that message!”
Since they had a little time until the knight came, Daphne toured the jewelry store and then walked out the back door.
The shopping trip was fruitful. Women fanned their mouths in admiration at Celestian, who covered his mouth with a fan, and even though they pretended not to, men also peeked at Celestian and shook their heads.
After pulling off her gloves by pulling the ribbon strap on the back of her hand, she tossed them into the car. The shopping bags brought by the attendants were piled on the seats.
And suddenly, the driver’s seat was empty.
“Did he go to the bathroom?”
Daphne tilted her head. Sitting in the back seat, she watched Celestian approaching from afar.
He seemed even more noticeable among the crowd. He appeared to have grown since the days when he used to roam the banquet halls. His shoulders were broader, and his face strangely seemed smaller.
Celestian’s hair was dyed reddish by the sunbeams falling on the square. At the same time, Daphne felt a flutter in her chest and upper abdomen.
“Why is my stomach… Oh, am I sick?”
Daphne patted her chest.
What other ways were there to escape this ridiculous love triangle without personally promoting it? After crossing her arms, she flicked her fingers.
“Engagement?”
But Daphne didn’t want to entangle herself in that madness again. Moreover, her mother’s pressure for marriage and urging him to become king would only intensify over time.
However, in a corner of her mind, the ominous epithet “Fiancé of the Rebel” seemed somewhat appealing.
“An interview with the press?”
As Celestian played with the babies who came running to him, calling him “Prince, Prince,” he became immensely joyful.
Daphne’s mind was preoccupied with thoughts about herself and that man swirling on the gossip mill, but she relaxed briefly at the scene that was quite affectionately staged.
“Celestian.”
Daphne nudged him with her index and thumb as he slowly approached. But his complexion darkened at her calling.
“Why call me like that?”
“I just wanted to remind you that I know your name very well.”
“Your mind is truly unfathomable.”
Celestian smirked.
“Are you curious about my mind? You’re quite the emotional and compassionate prince.”
Daphne took off her oversized sunglasses and squinted.
At that moment, a commotion erupted from the quiet square across. Upon listening closely, it turned out to be shouts urging the king to execute the rebels.
Celestian stopped walking and looked in that direction. Daphne reflexively grabbed his wrist and led him towards the car.
Seating him in the open back seat, she stood in front of him as if hiding him. Daphne glanced back briefly.
“Are those the people who are going to tear me limb from limb?”
Celestian raised his eyebrows and chuckled incredulously.
There were barely a dozen of them, and they were poorly dressed. They must have finished their work and come out for a drink, only to be alarmed by the news of rebels appearing.
“Celestian Terios, for the sake of honor, take your own life!”
The terrifying words pierced their ears.
The men with reddish-purple faces were glaring as if they would pounce on them any moment.
