Episode 53

“Do you want to eat me?”

“What? Oh… I must be crazy…”

He was sweating, worried that Yvonne would distance herself from him. His hand, which was holding hers, was clammy with sweat, and Yvonne found his nervousness amusing.

“Kes, you must be hungry. That’s why you want to eat me.”

“It’s because I’m a madman. Please understand.”

“Alright.”

He spoke self-deprecatingly and watched her reaction. His eyes were so intense. Yvonne decided not to tease him any further as he seemed on the verge of tears.

“Wife, I was so hungry that I forgot what just happened.”

“Yes…”

He was delighted, feeling as though Yvonne had forgiven him.

“There’s a high-end restaurant nearby.”

“I want to try street food.”

“It’s not good for your health…”

Marquis Rohan knew Yvonne wasn’t very robust. She often fell ill for days even from minor injuries.

He was worried about whether she could handle eating unknown street food. And they had to board the ship in a few hours. Yvonne, having been a princess, had never ventured outside the imperial palace. Her only experiences outside were brief rides for New Year’s ceremonies or other rituals.

Could she eat uncertain street food and still manage to board the ship? Most people experienced seasickness, and Yvonne was sure to suffer without any hope of avoiding it.

He knew how much she had sacrificed to leave with him. He was afraid of her losing her health. He wanted to make her happy, but he wasn’t sure if she could endure seasickness on top of everything else.

Meanwhile, Yvonne sensed that Marquis Rohan’s serious expression and moving lips were leading to a lecture. He always seemed to negotiate with her.

“Instead of dining at the hotel, I will grant you one wish.”

Just as she had predicted.

“My wish is for you, Kes, to be my younger brother instead of my husband.”

“Let’s compromise on eating selective street food.”

Marquis Rohan quickly agreed. He was still worried about her but couldn’t bear the idea of being her younger brother.

“What’s wrong with being my younger brother?”

“I’m older than you…”

Marquis Rohan pleaded. If she insisted, he knew he would eventually give in.

“Hahaha.”

Yvonne laughed brightly, linking arms with Marquis Rohan.

“This is fun. Being with you like this, Kes.”

“I am happy too.”

Even though they hadn’t reached their final destination, Marquis Rohan felt joyful. He couldn’t tell Yvonne that he had restored Ebony’s memories and involved her in this escape.

Not yet.

“Let’s go over there.”

“Yes.”

Marquis Rohan followed where Yvonne led. As they walked, he made sure not to burden her and felt like time stood still whenever she glanced at him.

“This one.”

Marquis Rohan stopped thinking for a moment and looked at what she was pointing to.

“Two, please.”

“Yes, miss!”

Marquis Rohan paid the street vendor. He then watched Yvonne take the squid skewer. It looked delicious, but he was skeptical.

“Which strait was this caught from?”

“The sea just ahead!”

“When was it caught?”

“This morning!”

“What other ingredients besides squid?”

“Just pepper and salt!”

“Where are the pepper and salt from?”

“The salt is rock salt from the Meldere Mountains, but I don’t know about the pepper.”

“Let’s not eat it, Wife.”

“It’s from the Evangelin Company!”

“Oh, then it’s fine.”

Yvonne watched the exchange and took a bite of the skewer.

“It’s delicious. You should try it, Wife.”

“…Alright.”

He wanted to ask more questions but forgot them as he watched Yvonne’s small mouth munching on the food. Accepting the skewer from the vendor, he took a bite.

Marquis Rohan generally disliked such common food, and it didn’t suit his taste.

“Isn’t it delicious?”

“Yes. It’s the best thing I’ve ever had.”

However, he lied because Yvonne enjoyed it. They were having a good time, and there was no need to spoil it.

“Next, let’s go for a drink.”

“If you drink and then board the ship, you’ll feel unwell.”

“But I’ve heard sailors always drink rum.”

“You are different from those ruffians.”

“Why are sailors ruffians?”

“…”

Because of his experiences as a strategist, Marquis Rohan disdained sailors unless they operated large ships. He had once nearly drowned and distrusted those who worked closely with the sea. Pirates abounded, and many involved in maritime work were smugglers.

Moreover, they often brought strange plagues.

“It was a slip of the tongue.”

Marquis Rohan didn’t want to upset Yvonne. He didn’t mind admitting his mistake if it made her happy.

Yvonne wrinkled her nose due to the spices and laughed, and once again, he felt like time had stopped and stood still, forgetting to walk.

“Let’s go buy some alcohol.”

“Yes…”

Marquis Rohan realized he couldn’t refuse anything she wanted. He only hoped she would make choices that kept her healthy.

“I want to spend my life with you.”

“Me too.”

Her smile made his heart ache.

“Then let’s go.”

He let her lead him, delighted by how tightly she held his arm.

Without realizing it, they headed to the largest liquor store in the port city.

The moment they arrived, Marquis Rohan regretted it.

“I want this.”

“That’s too strong.”

“So what?”

“It’s strong enough to catch fire.”

“And what’s wrong with that?”

He was taken aback by Yvonne’s determination to drink. She had always disliked it when Hildebrandt drank, so Marquis Rohan thought she didn’t enjoy alcohol.

“Wife, do you like drinking?”

“Yes.”

Yvonne didn’t originally dislike alcohol. She enjoyed the tipsy feeling it gave her. However, she had restrained herself because dealing with Hildebrandt while not in full control was difficult.

Now, she saw no need to restrain herself in front of Marquis Rohan, who was more concerned about her well-being.

“Wife.”

“Yes.”

“Please, could you drink this instead?”

“That one has only half the alcohol content of this.”

The clear, golden liquor she held was strong enough to catch fire. The greenish liquor Marquis Rohan held had a lower alcohol content but was still potent enough to feel good.

“I’m worried about seasickness. You can drink as much as you want once we arrive.”

When Marquis Rohan pleaded again, Yvonne chuckled and took the bottle he offered. She then put her bottle back in its place.

“You’re going to drink the same thing, right, Wife?”

“Yes…”

Marquis Rohan took the green bottle she handed him and froze again. Today, every time he looked at her, he found himself stopping his thoughts and actions.

The thought of being able to see Yvonne continuously made him incredibly happy.

At noon, Yvonne was as beautiful as the sunlight. Even now, with the light from the setting sun, she looked more radiant than the twilight.

He found it overwhelming to fall for her several times a day because she looked different every moment.

However, he needed to stay rational. Only then could he avoid her hatred and ensure their escape went smoothly.

He couldn’t let his guard down.

“Kes?”

“….”

“Wife.”

Every time she called him and smiled, his thoughts vanished so easily that he felt foolish.

Yvonne lightly held his hand, and Marquis Rohan realized he was crying.

“Kes, why are you crying?”

“Because you keep making me feel like an idiot.”

“Why would you think that, Kes?”

“Because I’m the biggest fool in the world.”

He thought he was speaking normally, but his voice trembled like a goat’s.

Yvonne wiped the tears from his cheeks with her fingers and laughed. It was strange to see a grown man crying openly, not caring about others’ stares.

But seeing him cry and speak honestly, unlike the composed person she knew, touched her heart.

“Wife.”

“Please call me that again.”

“Wife.”

Marquis Rohan replied joyfully, and Yvonne smiled brightly again. He felt like he would never forget this moment.

“Let’s pay.”

However, Yvonne just wanted to drink as soon as possible.