Side Story, Episode 2
“So, what brings you here, running into my office like this?”
With his free hand, he gently brushed my hair back, tucking it behind my ear.
I naturally rested my hand on his shoulder and replied, “Oh, it’s nothing big. I just told Vivi about the wedding date, and she totally flipped out. Said a month is way too rushed.”
Ian blinked a couple of times at my casual response, then let out an understanding sound.
“Ah, her.”
“She scolded me so much, saying even half a year wouldn’t be enough to prepare.”
I exaggerated a pout, and Ian chuckled softly.
“That’s why I suggested we push it back by about a year, didn’t I? I was confident I could make you the happiest bride at the most glamorous wedding in the Empire.”
“…Enough. Just the thought gives me goosebumps.”
How would I even handle all that attention?
I didn’t have the energy or ambition left to pave a flower-strewn path for Diana anymore. All I felt now was the overwhelming pressure.
I looked at Ian with mock annoyance as he added fuel to the fire with a playful smile.
“What a shame.”
“But you said a month would be fine, too.”
“I’ll go along with whatever makes you happy.”
Another soft chuckle escaped him.
At some point, Ian had started laughing and expressing his emotions like this more often. I was starting to get used to it, but sometimes it still felt unfamiliar.
“…”
Without realizing it, I stared at him for a moment before lifting my hand, which had been resting on his waist, to poke at the charming curve of his smiling lips.
“…Eloise?”
Ian blinked in surprise.
Ignoring his reaction, I poked his lips again and responded, “It’s just… suddenly, I realized how lovely you look when you smile like that. Why didn’t you smile like this before?”
Ian stared at me for a moment before rolling his eyes slightly.
“Should I start smiling brightly from now on? If that’s what you’d like.”
His gaze was strangely sincere as he looked at me again.
If I told him to, he seemed ready to do it without hesitation.
Am I raising a large, obedient dog or something?
The thought made me chuckle softly, and I quickly shook my head.
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“But you said my smile is lovely.”
“Well, yes, that’s true.”
“Then maybe if I smile more, you’ll love me even more.”
“…What?”
Where on earth did this man pick up such lines?
Stiffening slightly, I looked up at him, only to find him gazing at me with an expression of genuine intent.
Snapping out of my daze, I shook my head again.
“No, now that I think about it, a moderate amount of smiling is good. If you always smile like that, my heart might not be able to handle it.”
“That’s something I’m happy to hear.”
His mischievous reply came back without a moment’s hesitation.
“I’m quite serious about winning your heart, as you can see.”
As he said this, he took my hand and planted a firm kiss on my palm.
His unwavering cobalt-blue eyes stayed fixed on mine, languid and intense.
“…Even more than now?”
“It still feels like I can’t express it enough.”
He kissed my hand again with a soft smacking sound, then chuckled lightly.
The breath escaping through his lips brushed against the skin of my palm, tickling slightly.
Correction: this isn’t a large dog; it’s a fox. A fox with nine tails.
Definitely trying to enchant me.
Just as I was acutely aware of how close he felt, Ian leaned in and kissed me deeply, without warning.
Before I could react, his breath intertwined with mine through my slightly parted lips, and I instinctively gripped his collar tightly.
“Ian, wait…”
Even as I stammered in surprise, he showed no signs of stopping. Instead, he pressed closer, his arm snugly wrapped around my waist.
I gasped unconsciously, the deep kiss drawing in more of my breath.
He nibbled gently at my lower lip before his lips trailed down toward my neck. Desperately, I pushed him away with all my strength.
“Ian!”
“Yes, Eloise?”
“No, you can’t.”
“Why not?”
Why do you think?
I let out a frustrated breath and pushed his face away again. Though he stubbornly kept me in his arms, it only resulted in my upper body leaning back awkwardly.
“You said you had a schedule. I came to send you off, remember?”
Weren’t you supposed to be busy today? You said you’d be back late.
Finally, he glanced over at the neatly arranged documents on his desk and sighed.
“…Oh dear.”
It was an annoyed reaction.
I couldn’t help but feel both baffled and amused.
Since when did Ian Cloud, the quintessential workaholic, start acting like his responsibilities were a nuisance?
They say love changes the way people think. Is Ian no exception?
Resolving myself, I firmly shook my head and pushed him further away.
“Anyway, no. Off you go.”
He glanced at the clock and then pulled me back into his arms with a sly smile.
“There’s still a little time left.”
“Ian.”
“Yes, Eloise.”
Why does he answer so well?
Does he think just answering like that solves everything?
Trying to suppress my growing embarrassment, I snapped at him, “…This isn’t a bedroom; it’s your office, you know?”
“Ah.”
Only then did he let out a small exclamation, as though he’d genuinely forgotten.
Watching him, I felt both exasperated and incredulous.
Where did the rational, logical Ian Cloud go?
If someone told me this man had been possessed, I might actually believe it.
“Are you going to keep doing this?”
“I don’t think it’s entirely my fault.”
“Oh, so now it’s my fault?”
I scanned him up and down with an incredulous look, but he remained unfazed.
“You were the one who first—”
“Stop, that’s enough!”
What are you trying to say now?
Panicked, I clamped my hand over his mouth and quickly slipped away while his grip loosened.
Lately, Ian Claude felt like a completely different person.
The man who used to stay up all night working in his office was now slipping into the bedroom well before midnight.
He used to skip meals constantly, rarely showing up at the estate, but now he showed up like clockwork at my office during meal times. It wasn’t even surprising anymore.
Well… I guess I do find it more comfortable this way.
Of course, it wasn’t as though he neglected his duties. Some things never change.
Because of that, poor Kyle seemed to be the one paying the price lately. That part was a little pitiful.
Vivi did say she hadn’t seen Kyle much and had been pouting about it.
After all, Ian would plow through his work, often cramming a full night’s worth of tasks into a single morning, then leave promptly at the end of the day. Kyle had no choice but to match his schedule.
He’s a great husband, but definitely not a great boss.
Breaking from my thoughts, I glanced at Ian, who was still staring at me persistently. I sighed.
“Anyway, go quickly. We can continue this after you come back.”
At that, Ian, who had been watching me silently, lowered his eyebrows slightly.
“Even though there’s still time?”
“Yes, no more.”
“You’re firm about this.”
He looked oddly dejected.
And I had to work hard to hold back a laugh.
Good grief, he’s adorable. Ridiculously adorable.
They say once someone starts looking adorable to you, the game’s already over. And here I was, squarely in that position.
I swallowed a silent scream to avoid blurting out something ridiculous.
Ian wasn’t the only one suffering here—this was torture for me, too.
Soon, Ian recovered his composure, shrugged lightly, and replied, “If my wife says so, I must listen.”
Then, he gently took my hand, which had been hanging awkwardly in the air, and pressed a light kiss to the bridge of my nose.
“In that case, please see me off. To the carriage.”
“…I was planning to do that anyway.”
“Well, that’s a relief to hear.”
As I watched Ian smile brightly again, a thought crossed my mind.
This man really was a fox.
• • •
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