Chapter 50
“Mr. Hunter.”
“What is it.”
His gaze remained fixed on the fence he was working on.
Even that indifferent look pleased her, and Prina could no longer deny what she was about to say. The moment she felt sure, she wanted to tell him right away.
“I don’t care what kind of person you are.”
At her words, he lifted his bright yellow gaze.
His eyes always seemed empty, yet at the same time, they pierced straight through her.
At first, that relentless stare had felt burdensome and uncomfortable, and it had been hard even to meet his eyes. But now, she felt no embarrassment. Her feelings were firm, so of course she could say them while looking into his eyes.
No, these were words she wanted to say while looking him in the eye.
“How frivolous.”
“I mean it.”
She had just confessed her feelings, but Hunter treated it as nothing important and turned his gaze away again.
Why wouldn’t he believe her?
Did he not even consider the possibility she was being serious? She knew she might not seem convincing to him—she hadn’t been able to do much herself—but for him to just cover it up and ignore it felt unfair.
Prina sprang to her feet, marched right up to where he was securing the fence, and crouched down in front of him. She leaned in, staring until he would look at her.
“Mr. Hunter.”
“What.”
“I’m serious.”
“You’re an odd one. Good at saying strange things.”
“I said I mean it.”
Prina snatched the hammer from his hand and added,
“I really will like you no matter what kind of person you are. I just wanted to tell you that.”
“Well.”
His reply was ambiguous.
“The truth isn’t always pleasant. Sometimes it’s better not to know.”
“I don’t care.”
Prina answered firmly.
“You took me in when I was in trouble. So I’ll take you as you are, too. That’s enough for me.”
Even after her heartfelt confession, his expression was unreadable.
Unlike her, whose thoughts were transparent for anyone to see, he was always like that, either wearing an emotionless face or faintly curling his lips into a small smile.
Even though they shared a bed, spent time in the same space, and often looked into each other’s eyes, moments like this made Prina feel a distance from him.
“So, even if it’s not now, please show me your true self someday. Because I like you, I want to know what you’re really like, whatever that may be.”
Hunter had always given her what she wanted, even the smallest things.
Back when she hid away in her room to avoid him, Lucky had been sent to her when she was uneasy.
If she was thirsty, there was always a cool glass of water.
Even this little garden had been created because it was her wish.
Should she say it more clearly? Then maybe he would agree.
She knew it was a shameless sort of pleading, but with him, she wanted to try.
“That’s my wish.”
“Is it truly?”
He asked again, looking at her with a serious gaze that sought the truth.
She could answer that without hesitation.
“Yes.”
He leaned in and kissed her lips briefly, like stamping a seal, then tucked her hair behind her ear.
“Alright.”
He had accepted.
Did that mean he was finally taking her seriously? She was glad she had emphasized it.
She didn’t know when it would happen, but someday, he would show her his unadorned self.
“You’ll have to prove it with actions, not words.”
“…Yes!”
Prina answered brightly, her face flushed.
I like that you blush over little things.
That you’re weak to pity, that you give deep meaning to small things, that you depend on my kindness for your whole life, and that you’ve begun to act spoiled with me.
But Prina… even with how fragile you are, could you really still like me after knowing the truth?
“Alright, that’s enough. Let’s stop.”
“Huh? Stop what?”
“This silly little make-believe.”
He dabbed the mud from his hand onto her face.
“Ah…!”
Prina’s brow furrowed into a pout. Her fair face getting dirtied because of him was quite a sight.
Hunter loved sullying pure white snow.
By any means, with anything.
It was strange, wasn’t it? That someone as white as snow could belong to someone as filthy as him.
“Want me to wash you?”
She nodded.
“Let’s go.”
Tossing aside his work, Hunter took her hand and led her into the mansion.
Prina’s blue eyes sparkled like a midsummer lake.
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