I tried to hide my throbbing ankle as I walked along the vineyard, hands clasped behind my back.

Looking at the hanging grape bunches, I noticed that these genetically modified vines were much taller than ordinary ones.

“You don’t seem like someone who’d be swayed by just a bunch of grapes. How did you do it?” Edmond asked, following behind.

Hmm. I narrowed my eyes and tapped my cheek, then turned my head and smiled.

“It’s a trade secret.”

“…”

“Oh, you just thought I was cunning, didn’t you?”

“Quick-wittedness is a business strength, it seems.”

“I won’t deny that.”

As I turned to face forward, my forehead bumped into a hanging grape. Ouch. Rubbing my forehead and glancing sideways, I saw Edmond’s lips curved up in an unmistakable smirk. He turned his head away when our eyes met.

“The grapes are telling you to be more mindful. You should heed their advice.”

Really, his speech had gotten more mischievous since our first meeting.

‘As you sow, so shall you reap. Is this my fault?’

Perhaps this was my retribution for teasing him at the dressmaker’s.

I sneaked a glance at Edmond and then looked up. The pale pink grapes, round and plump, looked irresistibly sweet. Just imagining their taste made me lick my lips.

Edmond, who had been looking at me, suddenly scrunched up his face.

“Why?”

“Don’t do that, please.”

“Do what?”

I blinked, clueless.

“Looking at grapes?”

Edmond, looking awkward, flicked his lips repeatedly and then abruptly turned his head away, clearly ending the conversation.

“…You’re not very quick on the uptake.”

I heard a mumbled comment.

‘If only I knew what I shouldn’t do…’

Realizing something belatedly, I bit my lip.

‘Why… Why was he watching someone else licking their lips?’

Feeling embarrassed, I roughly rubbed my lips with the back of my hand and, to break the awkwardness, touched a grape.

“Can I try this?”

When it was time to embarrass me, he was all there, but now he had regained his composure. Edmond nodded indifferently towards the grapes.

“…Go ahead.”

I considered picking one with my hand, but then, inspired by a romantic foreign film, I rose on my tiptoes to bite one off directly. Just then, my twisted ankle throbbed.

Before my lips could touch the grape, my body swayed drastically. Edmond, reacting swiftly, grabbed my shoulder with a strong grip. I found myself burying my face into his chest before hastily stepping back.

I laughed awkwardly, gently rubbing my shoulder where the sensation of his large hand lingered.

“Thank you.”

“Did you really have to eat it with your mouth?”

“So, you think I’m foolish? Got it. If I don’t want to be banished from the estate, I should listen to the lord’s words.”

Edmond, looking unimpressed, then picked up a ladder that was leaning against a nearby tree and placed it in front of me. As he caught me off guard and grabbed my waist with both hands, he said:

“Excuse me for a moment.”

…!

Suddenly hoisted up like a tall tree, I was startled by the change in height.

Gasping for air, I clung to Edmond’s neck as the world seemed too high from the embrace of someone nearly 190 cm tall.

“What are you doing…!”

Edmond, surprised to find my face buried in his chest, stiffened his expression upon seeing my pale, shocked face.

“Countess?”

“It’s too high.”

I shivered, panicking. Edmond then slid one arm under my thighs to hold me securely.

“Don’t move, it’s dangerous. I won’t drop you, rest assured.”
As he said, the arm supporting me was as solid as a rock, and the back I clung to was broad and sturdy.

Only then did I feel his hair tickling my cheek and his breath, like a breeze, brushing against my neck.

I timidly lowered my gaze. Edmond’s ears were flushed, but for some reason, I didn’t feel like teasing him as usual.

Especially since I was probably redder than him.

Embarrassed, I slowly let go of the arm I had wrapped around him.

“Hmm, is this the usual view you live with?”

“If I startled you, I apologize.”

“…It’s okay, I was just a bit shocked. You were trying to help me up the ladder, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Well, then, can I eat some grapes like this?”

I preferred this over the ladder. His body heat, spreading through the thin fabric, was both uncomfortable and reassuring. Maybe it was his assurance of not letting me fall that made it so.

Edmond frowned, seemingly dubious about my condition.

“You were scared just a moment ago.”

“That was just because it was so sudden.”

I said so and then bit into a tempting grape that had been in my sight. The burst of cool, sweet-tart juice filled my mouth.

‘Mmm, delicious!’

The taste made my eyes sparkle. I quickly plucked another grape and offered it to Edmond.

“Would you like to try, Count?”

“I’ll pass.”

“Ah, right, you’re holding me. Should I feed you?”

“Seeing you joke around, you must be feeling better.”

His sharp retort made me swallow my laughter, but then I noticed something over his shoulder.

Oh my. I let go of a grape and slightly opened my mouth.

“What is it?”