Chapter 103
Kin stiffened at my unexpected embrace. He was always like this. He approached me with the slyness of a seasoned rake, yet the moment I made a move, he became as awkward as a schoolboy with his first crush.
“…I’m only going to wear this from now on.”
“Try other scents. I think they’d all suit you.”
“I don’t want to.”
With him held close, I tilted my head up to see Kin’s face directly. He slowly returned my embrace, a blush creeping up his cheeks.
“I’m not changing it because it’s the same scent as you.”
How can a person smell like lilacs? I gave him a disbelieving look, but Kin answered seriously.
“It’s true. You smell like lilacs. Now that I think about it, you really resemble lilacs. Especially your eyes when they catch the sunlight.”
This was a severe case. I sometimes thought Kin resembled a sparkling jewel, or a clear sky, but I wouldn’t compare him to a flower. …Probably.
Kin looked at me with an earnest expression. It was so absurd that I chuckled. Then, Kin laughed along with me, his face still flushed as he leaned closer.
“If you like it, smell it closer.”
Why are you looking at me so intensely if you want me to smell you? A bashful face with seductive eyes isn’t attractive at all.
As Kin’s face drew nearer, I grabbed his cheeks with both hands. His handsome features scrunched up. Why is he still handsome even like this?
“This is close enough. I don’t think I want to smell it any closer.”
Kin looked down at me with a disgruntled expression. Unfazed, I pushed his face away. My task complete, I lowered my hands. The imprints on his smooth, flawless cheeks faded quickly.
“Why? What’s wrong with it?”
Grumbling, Kin pulled me back into a tight embrace, caging me against him. I was the one who initiated the hug, but I ended up trapped. The scent of lilac tickled my nose.
I was about to make up a reason why I didn’t like it when I stopped myself. Thump-thump, a heartbeat, I couldn’t tell whose, filled the air. I knew the quickest and most effective way to escape this situation.
I poked my head out from between our intertwined arms.
“Kin, I’m hungry.”
As expected, my words worked.
Kin narrowed his eyes, giving me a look that said, “Really?” before releasing me with a sigh of resignation.
“We have plenty of time. I’ll definitely ask you later tonight, wife. What’s wrong with it.”
“Yes, you do that.”
“…You’re cute.”
Even after letting me go, Kin reached out and played with my hair. He twisted it, twirled it around his fingers, and just before lunch arrived, he gently combed it with his hand.
Lunch was brought to the room, and we had our usual lunchtime. I worried about the pain returning, but thankfully, it didn’t worsen.
As we finished eating, Kin sidled up to me and started saying ridiculous things.
“Why don’t we just play around until tomorrow morning? I’ve been thinking, and we shouldn’t waste time just because we have a lot of it. Time is money, you know.”
And who was it that left so busily this morning? I simply stared at him without replying, and Kin, sensing my mood, added,
“We have to practice our dancing, too.”
I shook my head firmly.
“Aren’t you busy?”
Just yesterday, Kin had declared that all that work could just go to ruin. Today, however, he couldn’t say a word, only twitching his eyebrow slightly. Soon, a sullen expression settled on his face.
“I am busy.”
Every morning and lunchtime, I had to argue with Kin as he pleaded to skip his duties. I assumed he was doing the same now and was preparing my usual arguments. But today, it seemed unnecessary. He admitted he was busy so readily. He must have been genuinely busy since this morning.
How did he even find the time to have a leisurely lunch with me? Should I thank him, or tell him not to worry about me and to come back after he’s finished his work? What expression should I even make right now, seeing him be so considerate of me? I couldn’t figure anything out.
Meanwhile, I hated how my heart fluttered at the sight of Kin being so thoughtful and caring.
Looking at the dejected Kin, I stood up from my seat. Then, I took his hand and helped him up. For once, he rose without protest.
Normally, he would have clasped my hand with an innocent smile, pulling me back down. And then he would have spouted nonsense like, “Oh, were you offering your hand so I wouldn’t leave?”
Seeing him looking so worn down by work, instead of his usual attempts to shirk his responsibilities, it suddenly hit me that Kin was a Grand Duke.
He trudged along, hand in hand with me, to the door. I was about to let him leave just like that, but I lifted my hand slightly.
He’d be fine on his own, but seeing him like this made me feel concerned for some reason… Making excuses to myself, I straightened his clothes.
I could feel his gaze on me from above, making my cheeks burn. After I finished, I awkwardly withdrew my hands from his body and took a step back in embarrassment.
“Go on, then.”
Kin lifted my hand again. Bending slightly at the waist, he pressed his lips to the back of my hand as if stamping a seal.
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