Episode 107. Honeymoon (2)

‘So that’s why there were rumors that we were moving to the Stewart estate!’

Honestly, even though Percy and Julius often casually mentioned “independence,” I knew it wasn’t a simple matter. That’s why I didn’t believe it when the maids talked about moving. I couldn’t imagine Stewart’s duchy actually becoming an independent state without my knowing.

‘But there was a reason! The maids just instinctively thought we were moving because of all the luggage!’

I mean, do we really need to pack this much for a brief honeymoon?

As I stood there with my mouth slightly open in shock, Percy smiled faintly and kissed the back of my hand.

“I must ensure that nothing is lacking in serving you.”

His words were smooth, but they did nothing to ease my anxiety. I shook my head vigorously.

“Part of the fun of traveling is managing with less! Cut it all in half and repack! It’s because of things like this that strange rumors start!”

“Strange rumors?”

“There’s a rumor going around that we’re moving permanently to the Stewart estate.”

“…Hmm, an interesting rumor.”

Before I said anything, I thought it was just a ridiculous rumor, but Percy’s delayed response made me suspicious.

‘His tone is odd.’

I looked at Percy with suspicion. Then, Percy’s eyes softened, and the corners of his mouth turned down. I’d never seen him with such a sad expression before, and it made my heart drop.

“I’m starting to feel a bit hurt, Sienna.”

“Wh-what do you mean, all of a sudden?”

Percy’s long fingers, no longer gloved, gently wrapped around my wrist, holding it firmly like a pair of handcuffs.

It felt as if my chest was tightening. I forgot to breathe as I stared at Percy. His red eyes curved into crescent shapes, and his soft peach-colored lips whispered in a voice full of longing.

“I’m so eager to leave on this trip with you, but it seems like you’re not excited at all…”

When someone who never usually complained said something like that, it made me feel like the bad guy. I quickly reached out and grasped Percy’s hand tightly, speaking in a loud voice.

“Of course that’s not true! I just thought that moving all this luggage was a bit excessive, that’s all.”

Even after I said this, Percy didn’t seem convinced. Instead, he looked even more forlorn.

“I only have eyes for you, but it feels like you’re distracted by everything else…”

“Ugh.”

What am I supposed to do?

I was sweating nervously, hyper-aware of every finger of Percy’s hand holding mine.

‘Was I really that insensitive?’

To the point where this ice-cold man, Percy Stewart, would feel this down?

As I was looking around in distress, Percy’s lips curled into a sly smile. His expression changed in an instant as he asked in a playful tone,

“Is it okay if I get a little jealous?”

“What do you mean by that? Eek!”

Before I could adjust to his sudden change in expression, Percy lifted me up with both hands, as if I weighed nothing, and carried me into the carriage, saying,

“Then, let’s get going.”

“Percy!”

Didn’t I tell you to reduce the luggage? Was that sad expression just a trick to avoid unpacking?

Realizing I’d been fooled, I started hitting Percy’s shoulder with my fists, but the carriage door had already closed behind us.

The carriage wasn’t tall enough for Percy to stand while holding me, so he naturally sat down. But he didn’t let go of me, so I ended up sitting on his lap.

Finding myself unexpectedly perched on his thigh, I let out a small laugh of disbelief. Percy didn’t seem to notice my scolding expression as he spoke in a nonchalant tone.

“Now we’re finally alone.”

“You…”

“You have no idea how much work I had to do just to make this honeymoon happen.”

“…”

I wanted to reprimand him, but hearing that made me hold my tongue. After all, until today, he’d been coming home late at night and leaving early in the morning.

‘Percy is the captain of the Imperial Knights, after all.’

And one of the dukes. He held the most significant voting power in the Imperial Council.

‘And now he has to take more than a week off for the honeymoon. He must have worked overtime to get everything done.’

While he was working so hard, I was lounging around the Stewart estate, debating whether to roll to the right or the left.

Thinking about it made me feel guilty. I shrank my shoulders a little and looked up at him with wide, round eyes like a cat.

“I’m sorry for being difficult. I didn’t consider how much of a burden it would be for you to leave the capital. Was the honeymoon too much of a strain?”

“That’s not the answer I’m looking for.”

“What?”

I had just apologized, but Percy silenced me. Blinking in confusion at his words, I saw Percy give a faint smile as he whispered,

“Hurry up and praise me. I’m starved for affection and always thirsty for compliments.”

I never imagined that his striking appearance could look so adorable. My fingers itched to run through his soft, golden hair. Instead of patting his head, I wrapped my arms around his neck.

“Thank you. I love you.”

I thought this would satisfy him, but Percy responded in a teasing tone,

“Is that all?”

“…”

This man. He’s becoming more and more cheeky.

Pouting, I closed my eyes tightly and planted a quick kiss on Percy’s cheek. It was a short, childlike peck, but doing it made me feel incredibly embarrassed.

“Happy now?”

“Nope.”

“…What exactly are you expecting?”

A confession and a kiss aren’t enough? What more could he want?

“We’re both adults and a married couple.”

As I glanced at him sideways, Percy’s fingers traced a gentle curve down my back.

“And it’s just the two of us here.”

Realizing what he was hinting at, I bowed my head in embarrassment.

“…Please be patient.”

People often say that traveling by carriage is boring. At first, you’re excited, gazing out the window, but at some point, the passing scenery all starts to look the same, your backside gets sore, and the seating becomes uncomfortable.

‘But I didn’t even have time to get bored! Honestly, I wish he would just leave me alone!’

Forget looking out the window. I didn’t even have the chance to lift my head to glance outside. During the brief rest stop before entering another territory, I got out of the carriage, feeling as limp as a jellyfish that had just been in warm water, and let out a series of heavy sighs.

‘Ugh, my lips hurt.’

Percy had been so relentless that my swollen lips stung. When I glared at him, Percy had the audacity to look at me with an innocent expression and ask,

“Would you like to stay with the maids? If so, I’ll step back. Although, I must say, I don’t want to be apart from my wife.”

“You…”

Does he really have the right to say that? All the way here, he didn’t let me out from under his grasp.

I had a lot to say, but as I caught sight of the maids watching us with twinkling eyes from a distance, a thought crossed my mind.

‘They’re definitely going to tease me!’

They would ask in the most irritating way, “My lady, what happened to make your lips swell like that?”

‘Ugh, that’s the last thing I want!’

Even if the whole world knew that Percy and I were in the honeymoon phase, I didn’t want to be so obvious about it. I quickly shook my head.

“I’ll just stay with you.”

Percy smiled broadly at my response. Then, he suddenly swept me up into his arms and said,

“That’s a wise choice.”

“Eek! Put me down! Why are you picking me up? I can walk on my own.”

“The mountain path isn’t suitable for walking in heels.”

He had a point. The ground still looked wet, as if it had rained recently. If I tried to walk on it, my heels would likely sink into the mud.

‘But being carried like this is embarrassing.’

As Percy carried me, the maids’ smiles grew even wider. Feeling self-conscious, I lowered my head.

“Still, put me down. It’s too embarrassing.”

“I’ll put you down when we find solid ground. How about we take a walk around and see if there’s a suitable place?”

“…Ugh.”

In the end, everyone here would see me being carried around like this. I grumbled softly,

“You treat me like a child.”

To this, Percy replied in a gentle voice,

“Please don’t take away my joy.”