Didn't Plan to Become a Companion - Chapter 61

“For doing such a thing on your own.”

“…”

“So I wanted to say I was sorry…”

But his warm touch silenced me again. When our eyes met, he was smiling leisurely. No, contrary to his naturally upturned lips, his pitch-black eyes weren’t smiling at all.

In that moment, I realized. No more words were needed.

Lienne Lowy Pennel’s trembling voice was very small. Even as she boldly stole his lips for who knows how many times now, she remained so consistent.

Did she steal his lips on that day he couldn’t remember? Is that why all the lids were finally opened?

What the saint couldn’t accomplish in three days and nights of crying, starving, and begging in the grand temple, achieved so simply like this?

The Ricardo before turning back time couldn’t awaken even after meeting the saint. Since it was heard from the crown prince’s mouth, it was undoubtedly the truth.

Ricardo looked at the woman sitting before him, her cheeks flushed red. Her eyes and the corners of her mouth were damp.

He chuckled at the woman’s innocence, thinking it would be fine since the world didn’t know.

After that, he too couldn’t think of anything. He had not a single will to reject the soft body nestling against him.

The body that seemed to be full of moisture as it carefully leaned in, the scent from that body, the small hand gripping his collar tightly – they all buried his reason.

Even though he already knew the answer, he couldn’t stop her.

It should have been time for a hollow laugh, but no expression could be made.

Ricardo knows. Despite that, not even a tiny crack appeared on his face right now.

“I realized just recently. That you had awakened at that time.”

“…”

“For doing such a thing on your own.”

But with her hands pushing him away, there was only one thing to do right away.

“So I wanted to say I was sorry…”

He grabbed Lienne’s chin as she made excuses without meeting his eyes.

His chest tightened at her too innocent gaze for a woman who had boldly kissed him several times. When their lips met again, Lienne took a small breath.

Even that made him impatient. As if the power she awakened in him might disappear like this, he only thought of snatching it away.

Though it was he who urgently devoured her body, he involuntarily let out a low moan as if suddenly attacked.

The thought of gently holding and then letting go disappeared the moment their lips met again.

As he tilted his head and burrowed inside, his tightly clenched hand applied more pressure. Ricardo gently took Lienne’s hand and wrapped it around his neck.

Just don’t take it to heart and it’ll be fine?

Who to whom?

He looked at Lienne after painfully detaching their bodies that had been pressed together without an inch of space.

Hair so light it shone transparently in the lamplight, blue eyes deeper and softer than the sea, a clear face deeply reflecting him.

Lienne, seen from a position where their breaths mingled, was breathtakingly beautiful.

In fact, she had been from the moment he first saw her.

When he saw this woman in the dusty winds of Lesotia, it was as if he had been hit hard on the back of his head, leaving him breathless.

As their gazes lingered, Lienne lowered her head. In that brief moment, Ricardo’s heart became urgent to the point he couldn’t bear it.

Since he didn’t remember, it would be fine if he just didn’t take it to heart?

Self-derision rose to the tips of his hair.

By whose decision?

Sometimes the incomprehensibly blunt emotions were so absurd that he deliberately didn’t seek her out. While recalling her at all times, the woman who wouldn’t miss him if he wasn’t nearby.

Lienne suddenly twisted her body as if frightened.

Ricardo gripped her waist more tightly, pressing her against him again. After briefly stealing her breath like that, he separated their lips and warned her teasingly.

“You are too fearless.”

Even as he spoke roughly, Ricardo gently kissed her neck and exposed collarbone. Anxious that she might change her mind and run away like this.

“You don’t know what kind of thoughts I might have.”

He could tell her face was flushed with embarrassment even without seeing it. Her body stiffened against his and her hand in his grasp tensed. But that was all.

Lienne stretched out her arms and embraced him more tightly.

As if to break all the stereotypes this world had set for women.

In this world where it was virtuous for women to hide their own desires under their skirts, to be delicate enough to be protected by men just the right amount, to not reveal what they wanted, Lienne exposed her longing without reservation.

Ricardo’s heart burned every time he saw it.

“What if I make a decision that ruins you?”

His vision heated up so much he couldn’t even judge what he was saying. He inhaled a sweet breath as he curled his fingers through her hair that felt cool to the touch.

The determined thoughts that had filled his mind swirled around.

“I’m not afraid of anything.”

No, you should be afraid. But he couldn’t say anything in response to her words choked out with sorrow. For fear that she might really take fright and run away from him at this moment.

Even though his mind became a hot mess just from seeing her shyly smiling at another man under the moonlight.

Even though his stomach turned every time he reminded himself of the countless realities of having to let her go.

His feelings for her always resembled certain emotions.

Things like… despair resembling anger, irritation resembling anxiety, obsession resembling love.

So just for now, just in this carriage. Because today was the day he declared war on the emperor.

Wasn’t it alright to sully your safe future a little?

Wasn’t it alright to indulge in your soft yet firm lips for a while, in the way you awakened me?

The night was deepening.

The carriage sped up following the distant lights on this road like an endless darkness.

A month had already passed since I leaked the secret of awakening to Ricardo Gardarelli Rochester.

During that time, dresses had become thinner and skirts shorter, revealing ankles. Der Meier’s summer was completely different from Lesotia’s summer.

Unlike Lesotia where you could escape the heat by just stepping into the shade even under the blazing sun, Der Meier’s summer was humid and sticky.

Of course, all the buildings of the Duke of Rochester’s residence, the epitome of this era’s finest architectural technology, were in much better condition compared to other places.

Doors that allowed wind to pass through were open on all sides and shade to cool off the heat existed everywhere.

Nevertheless, Sabrina Pennel and I were a bit tired from experiencing this humid summer for the first time.

Clink, the ice that melted faster than usual slid into the clear glass.

Though it was a winter region, summer had arrived without fail, turning the entire garden green.

The time spent lying on long chairs, drinking cold drinks and chatting idly was so peaceful, quite unlike the anxious future that was about to come.

“So? Did you meet the young lord Parquin again after that?”

“How can you call that meeting? I’m Sabrina.”

I put the cold glass to my forehead and clicked my tongue.

‘Old habits die hard, indeed.’

The winter region of the duke’s residence had a separate gate leading to the city, as it was quite far from the main building, requiring a long carriage ride.

Sabrina, who didn’t need anyone’s permission, often went out through that back gate to meet the young lord Parquin. With just one maid she had recently befriended tagging along.

I glanced at Sabrina. Of course, she was beautiful.

But who was her counterpart?

Julian Beau Parquin, heir to one of the three great ducal houses of the Der Meier Empire. A person who had only existed as printed words in books before coming to Der Meier.

“Don’t you know the rumors about young lord Parquin?”

“What? Everyone’s lover?”

“That’s just the nickname women call him.”

Men referred to him as a historic playboy with a lower body as light as air. Was it really okay to leave Sabrina to meet someone like that?

From my ignorant perspective, it seemed Julian was quite desperate for Sabrina, but that was only on the surface.

“Well, what does it matter? I like that he’s fair and kind to everyone.”

Watching Sabrina gulp down her drink in one go and smack her lips, I carefully put away the worries I had for a moment.

I couldn’t decide whether I should protect Sabrina from the young lord Parquin, or protect the young lord Parquin from Sabrina.

“The sun and moon are rushing me.”

“What does that mean?”

“Days pass by so quickly like this, how am I supposed to spend this one and only youth?”

“Sophistry.”

“It’s not sophistry, it’s my firm philosophy. I’ve bet everything on Julian this season. He’s my one and only love in Der Meier.”

I was seriously worried she might end up planting ‘one and only love’ on every continent in the world.

“You really…”

I was about to unleash a storm of nagging but suddenly felt deflated and laughed. Who am I to worry about others right now? At least what Sabrina was doing was better than the foolish things I was doing.

“Why are you laughing? Have you been inspired by my philosophy?”

“As if.”