OVHC Chapter 12

Chapter 12

 

Everyone in this place believed in the goddess, but Anette didn’t.

The only things she believed in were her hard work and the money she earned from it. A true worker bee mindset.

Still, like the others, she enjoyed rainy days.

Some people found the gloomy weather depressing, but not her.

She preferred the heavy downpour of monsoon rains over bright, sunny days or drizzles.

The reason was simple—fewer customers.

Especially after working in cafés for so long, rainy days felt like heaven to her.

When it rained in the morning, most people stayed indoors. And those who did come to the café tended to linger at their tables, meaning slower turnover.

The owner might not have liked it, but for an employee, it was a blessing.

She secretly wished for a long monsoon season every year.

“Huh?”

While peacefully watching the rain, Anette suddenly saw something shocking.

“What the—?! Are you kidding me?!”

Her face twisted in frustration as she swore under her breath.

“No way! I told them it was going to rain! Who the hell left the sheets outside?!”

Those sheets were her responsibility.

It seemed like some maids had put them out in the morning to help her.

Anette jumped to her feet in a panic.

They were probably already soaked, but she had to bring them in before they worsened.

If the rain left stains, it would be a disaster.

At that same moment, Lucas had just finished his morning training and showered.

Now, he was in his office, handling paperwork.

The room was still spotless, thanks to Anette’s cleaning.

Everywhere he looked, he could see traces of her touch.

For some reason, it made him feel embarrassed.

It was just cleaning, but it felt like he had exposed something intimate.

Maybe it was because of the way she always looked at him—like she was undressing him with her eyes.

Just then—

“Captain!”

“What is it?”

“Captain! Have you looked outside? It’s raining! It’s raining!”

“Rain?”

A knight barged in without knocking, shouting excitedly.

Lucas was about to scold him but stopped.

Turning toward the window behind him, he saw—

“Hah…”

It was raining.

It had been so long since the last rainfall that he couldn’t even remember when it was.

“We should go to the main hall, Captain! Everyone’s gathering there to offer a prayer of gratitude!”

“A prayer, huh…”

“Yes! I was just on my way!”

“Go ahead.”

“Alright! Don’t take too long!”

The excited knight rushed out, closing the door behind him.

Lucas turned back to the window.

“It’s coming down…”

As he watched the rain pour, memories from his childhood surfaced.

When his mother was still alive, they used to take walks in the rain.

The Duke of Roiental disapproved.

His mother was frail, and the servants whispered behind their backs, mocking them.

But Lucas and his mother loved rainy days.

She would hold out her hand, letting raindrops gather in her palm.

Her once-delicate hands, now rough from labor, cupped the water gently.

“Lucas, my dear, I love the rain. Others say it’s cold and gloomy, but… This rain is a blessing from the goddess Hella.”

“Yes, Mother. I love it too.”

“Why do people think the rain is cold? Look, Lucas, doesn’t it feel warm?”

She took his tiny hands, curled them into a cup, and poured the collected raindrops into them.

“Yes! It’s warm, Mother!”

Just like she said, the rain didn’t feel cold—it felt warm.

And a year later, on a rainy day just like that, she passed away.

On a day when the rain felt warmer than ever.

“Pointless memories…”

Maybe because it had been so long since he’d last seen rain, but he found himself lost in thought.

Lucas clicked his tongue and closed the window.

He had no intention of joining the others in prayer.

Instead, he wanted to stand in the rain.

To see if it still felt warm.

Or if it had become as cold as his heart.

Without hesitation, he stepped out of his office.

Anette let out a scream.

Once she got outside, she realized it wasn’t just the sheets—

All the laundry had been left out.

Even though she had warned them at breakfast, no one had believed her.

Now, every piece of laundry was getting drenched.

“Ugh…”

The rain was so heavy that she was already soaked to the bone.

Still, Anette stubbornly continued gathering the laundry.

The downpour made it hard to see, and she had to keep blinking to clear her vision.

Some rainwater even made its way into her mouth.

Instinctively, she licked her lips.

“Huh? Why is it… sweet?”

The rain tasted sweet.

Maybe it was because the air was so clean.

She was used to acid rain full of dust and pollution, so this was shocking.

It reminded her of childhood—had rain always tasted this sweet back then?

“Well, at least it feels nice.”

Sure, she’d have to change clothes, but she had spares.

Might as well enjoy the rain while she was at it.

Feeling playful, Anette spread her arms, tilted her head back, and let the rain fill her mouth.

Then, she spat it back out like a kid.

Before she knew it, she was laughing.

The rain felt intoxicating, like a warm buzz of alcohol.

But as she reached for the last sheet, she suddenly noticed a blurry figure ahead.

‘Who is that?’

She blinked and rubbed her eyes, but the rain blurred her vision.

Making a visor with her hands, she squinted through the downpour.

“Huh…?”

Before she could fully register the figure, the person moved.

They strode forward—quickly, forcefully.

Then, suddenly, they grabbed her wrists.

Their hands were strong but trembling slightly.

“You…”

“Huh?”

“Why are you out here alone in this rain?”

“I’m collecting the laundry.”

“Why?”

His voice was hard to hear over the rain, but she recognized it instantly.

That cold, sharp voice—

It was Lucas, the captain of the First Knight Order.

“What about you? Why are you—”

Before she could finish, he yanked her forward.

In the next moment, she was crushed against his chest.

Lucas held her tightly—so tightly it almost hurt.

His entire body was drenched.

Through his firm chest, she could hear his heart pounding loudly.

It was the first time she had ever been this close to a man.

Her own heart started racing even faster.

‘Damn… His chest is rock solid.’

Despite the shock, she felt a thrill.

His muscles were even firmer than she had imagined, and his broad chest completely enveloped her.

She had always wanted to experience being held by a man like this.

She savored the moment for a second—until the hug became suffocating.

“I-I can’t breathe!”

His grip loosened slightly.

She finally looked up at him.

His expression…

He looked like he was about to cry.

“Why… why are you…”

She wanted to ask—

Why did he suddenly hug her?

Did he like her?

Did he want to date her?

But before she could, he scooped her up into his arms.

She was lifted effortlessly, cradled like a princess.

Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck.

‘I swear, I’m just avoiding the rain. I’m not doing this on purpose.’

She tried to convince herself.

His chest felt too firm to resist touching.

Before she realized it, they had already entered the building.

Climbing the stairs.

“W-wait, where are we going?”

No answer.

He just kept walking.

A moment later, they reached his room.

‘Oh, shit. No way. Does he… want to sleep with me?’

Her heart pounded wildly.

They weren’t even dating yet.

Could she do this?

She hesitated.

But then she remembered—

He was gorgeous.

His body was incredible.

And he was probably very, very good in bed.

And most importantly—

He was a virgin.

And she was about to take it.