Episode 109. Honeymoon (4)

Honestly, I didn’t want to go. If what was described as a river turned out to be just a stream, how beautiful could a lake be? The map book had already lost its credibility as a source of information.

‘If we happen to see one firefly, they probably exaggerated it as a swarm. There’s no way there would be that many fireflies flying around.’

I’d already been deceived once. I didn’t want to get carried away by a few flowery words written in the book again. It wouldn’t matter if I were alone, but I didn’t want Percy to make the trip for nothing.

‘Should I suggest turning back now?’

I hesitated and tugged on Percy’s sleeve.

“Um, Percy…”

But just before I could ask him to stop, a wide lake appeared before us. My eyes widened in surprise.

“Wow.”

It was a large, clear lake. It was astonishing to find such a vast lake after pushing through the densely packed cedar trees.

As I stood there, holding onto Percy’s sleeve and staring at the lake, Percy gently took my hand from his sleeve and held it tightly instead.

“The lake is quite large, considering the size of the village.”

“Isn’t it?”

The disappointment I had felt earlier after seeing the village quickly vanished. Percy lightly pulled me forward, leading me closer to the lakeshore.

“Shall we sit here?”

“Yes, that sounds nice.”

Across the lake, I spotted a wild rabbit that had come to drink from the water.

‘It’s really a wild rabbit! Not a domestic one, but a wild rabbit!’

I wondered if there were squirrels or deer around too. As I looked around in fascination, Percy took off his coat and, without hesitation, spread it on the ground. I was startled and exclaimed,

“The coat will get dirty!”

“I don’t mind if it does.”

I know how meticulous he is! But Percy shook his head as if it truly didn’t bother him. Sensing that I might hesitate, he sat down on the edge of the coat and patted his thigh.

“I thought you might not like sitting on my lap.”

His gentle teasing made me feel a bit bashful. I rubbed my ear and responded in a slightly grumpy tone.

“…It’s not that I don’t like it. It’s just that it seems a bit over the top.”

“Isn’t being ‘over the top’ just someone else’s judgment?”

“Yes! That’s why I said it’s over the top. Lots of people are watching.”

“The Duchess of Stewart doesn’t need to worry about the eyes of subordinates.”

Easy for him to say, but how could I not care? So many people were following us around.

‘Even now, they’re keeping their distance, watching us so as not to disturb our date.’

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I sat down beside Percy. Noticing how I was glancing around at the attendants, Percy shrugged lightly.

“You must have had a hard time playing the villainess.”

“…”

His words were so spot-on that I couldn’t even come up with a response.

‘It was really painful.’

The first thing I had to do when I came to this world was to wield a whip. Even now, the memory was so horrifying that my face scrunched up automatically.

Seeing this, Percy pressed his fingers gently against my furrowed brow. I looked at him curiously, and he was smiling faintly.

“Why are you smiling?”

“I knew from the first moment I saw you that you weren’t someone who suited being a villainess. I wondered why you were forcing yourself to say things you clearly didn’t want to.”

“…Did it really show on my face?”

It was true that I had forced myself to say lines I didn’t want to, but for him to have noticed—it wasn’t something just anyone could pick up on. Not even Julius, Daniel, or the Emperor, who all spent so much time with me, had realized it, yet Percy, who had no direct connection to me, had noticed right away.

“That’s surprising. You don’t seem like the type to pay much attention to others, so it’s surprising you noticed my expressions when we first met.”

“Well, technically, it wasn’t the first time. I had seen you from afar before, but your face looked different when I met you up close….”

Percy trailed off, his eyes widening slightly as if he was taken aback by his own words. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then met my gaze again.

“I suppose I recognized you from the beginning.”

“Ugh, what are you talking about all of a sudden?”

His words made me cover my face with my hands. It sounded almost like a confession that he had fallen for me at first sight.

Seeing me openly embarrassed, Percy chuckled. His fingers brushed against the tips of my red ears and then tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear.

“When you were demanding that I confess my love for you, practically grabbing me by the collar, you weren’t embarrassed. Why are you getting shy over a single comment now?”

“I told you, I don’t remember that.”

Percy smiled as he tucked my hair behind my ear. Embarrassed by even this small gesture, I turned my body away from him. The plan I had been holding rustled as I moved.

Percy picked it up with interest and remarked,

“I didn’t realize you were serious enough to make a plan.”

“Uh…”

It wasn’t that serious.

Well, it wasn’t like I had no interest at all, but…

“I just got a bit excited, so I made a little plan.”

“Then let’s visit everything you’ve written down.”

“There’s no need for that!”

It wasn’t even a meticulously made plan, so his enthusiasm made me feel even more embarrassed. When I tried to snatch the plan back, Percy moved it out of reach with a smile.

“I was honestly happy, Sienna. It seemed like you had no interest or expectations for me.”

Did I really seem that indifferent?

‘I guess I did spend a lot of time lounging around.’

Come to think of it, Percy had changed completely after our marriage, but I had stayed the same, so I could understand why he might have felt that way. I scratched my cheek awkwardly and gave a sheepish smile.

“It’s just that the Stewart estate is such a peaceful place. Staying there makes you feel like a frog in warm water.”

“And what does that feel like?”

It means you feel so relaxed that you don’t even realize you’re getting too comfortable.

As Percy pondered the meaning of my words, he shrugged lightly and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, smoothly changing the subject.

“The butler mentioned that the bed might be a bit small. I hope you won’t mind too much.”

“If it’s really that small, I could sleep with the maids. Or even stay in the carriage.”

“…”

“Wh-what?”

Percy furrowed his brow at my suggestion. I flinched at his reaction, and he let out a long sigh before speaking.

“That’s exactly why you come across as indifferent. It’s also why I’m constantly anxious.”

“I just thought…”

Oh no, did I say something that could be misunderstood? I fidgeted with my fingers and lowered my head.

Just then, today’s events flashed through my mind.

Percy had said he was disappointed, and I had apologized. But then everything had gone Percy’s way.

This situation… doesn’t it seem a bit familiar?

‘Could it be?’

I narrowed my eyes and asked,

“Are you trying to stick close to me and annoy me again?”

“…”

I knew it!

Realizing that Percy’s disappointment was just an act, I pouted and turned my head away sharply.

“I’ve had enough physical contact for the day, thanks to the time we spent in the carriage. I’ll just spend the night with the maids. It’s only for one night, after all.”

“I won’t bother you.”

“Really?”

“Just a little… it can’t be helped.”

Percy murmured as he lowered his head, looking like a confused hunting dog unsure of what to do. His cold demeanor now seemed to be struggling with what to say.

“Pfft!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight.

“You’re so cute like this, so how did you manage to keep up that cold facade?”

Laughing heartily, I cupped Percy’s face with both hands. Only then did Percy realize that I wasn’t upset, and he gave a relaxed smile.

“I enjoy it when you find me cute.”

As I continued to caress his soft cheeks, a tiny speck of light flickered across Percy’s face. I widened my eyes in surprise.

“Wow, it’s a firefly.”

It was my first time seeing one. As dusk settled in, more and more tiny lights began to emerge. Excited, I jumped up from my spot, but my body swayed suddenly with a loud “crack.”

“Ah!”

“Oh no. Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine.”

I lifted my skirt to see the heel of my shoe stuck in the ground, completely broken.

“My shoe heel…”

“It’s difficult to walk on unpaved ground in heels.”

“I should have worn boots.”

Now my favorite shoes were ruined. I clicked my tongue in annoyance, and Percy held out both hands to me.

“Here.”

As he had done all day, he was asking me to let him carry me. I obediently allowed myself to be lifted into his arms, offering a sheepish smile.

“Sorry, Percy. I was being stubborn.”

“Sienna.”

His voice, now even closer, resonated through my entire being.

“I think I asked you for some praise.”

* * *

After admiring the lake, we returned to a small house that Percy had clearly rented out entirely through the butler. We spent the night there.

The next day…

“…I’m not falling for it anymore. I won’t be tricked, ever again.”

I grumbled as I pulled on a comfortable dress, my skin marked with faint red patches, as if stained by flower petals. From behind, Percy responded in a languid voice.

“I didn’t deceive you at all.”

“But you did! Look at the sun, it’s already midday!”

“There’s no need to rush.”

He claimed he wouldn’t bother me, but he was nothing if not persistent and annoyingly tenacious.

‘What will everyone think?’

As I fanned my flushed face, Percy tilted his head and remarked,

“I thought I told you that you don’t need to worry about what others think, my dear wife.”

“Ugh, I don’t care! Just leave me alone!”

After scolding him, I stepped off the bed. But then…

“…”

The moment my foot touched the ground, I had a feeling. I was certain I was going to embarrass myself by falling flat on my face. Glancing back, I saw Percy smiling with that all-knowing, leisurely expression.

It was a face that was both incredibly annoying and somehow… incredibly endearing.

Pouting, I said to Percy,

“What are you waiting for? Pick me up.”

“As you wish.”

Percy lifted me into his arms as if he had been waiting for this moment. I clung to his neck and let out a sigh.

‘Maybe this is what being newlyweds is all about.’

The honeymoon was just beginning.