Chapter 111
Cairn had lied because he wanted Lilien to think well of him. She disliked that her father, the Count, smoked, and she had even complained about it to Cairn in private.
“I really hate the smell of cigars. Sometimes when Father hugs me, I feel like pushing him away.”
Lilien had said it crisply, even pretending to gag for emphasis.
“What lie?”
“You hid the fact that you smoke from me.”
“Lilien, I’ve never lied to you.”
“You never smoked in front of me. That’s a lie!”
“You said you hate the smell of cigars, so I didn’t smoke around you. How is that a lie? That’s a consideration.”
He knew that sometimes silence could become a form of deceit, but Cairn chose to brazen it out.
“That’s… that’s true, but… why did you hold back in front of me? You didn’t have to.”
In the Klatt Empire, people could smoke anywhere. Even crowded places were no exception, and hazy smoke naturally filled the streets and alleyways.
“I was afraid you might dislike the scent on me.”
“How could I ever dislike you, Cairn?”
In truth, Lilien had sat farther away because of the smell. Now, feeling suddenly guilty, she moved closer to him.
“Hmm… to be honest, I don’t love it. But I don’t hate it that much either.”
“You said you hated it before.”
“I hate the smell itself, but it doesn’t smell like that on you. Right now it’s a little smoky because the air hasn’t cleared yet…”
Light on his feet, Cairn immediately opened the largest window in the room and returned to her side.
“I know you carry many obligations in your life. So shouldn’t you at least be allowed to smoke a single cigarette if you want?”
‘I just wish you could send all those heavy thoughts away with the smoke.’
Lilien swallowed that sentimental ending and simply looked at him.
“But promise me you won’t smoke inside the room. I think I’d dislike a husband who smells like a raccoon’s den.”
“I promise.”
Now that she had found out, the secret felt trivial. He had half expected a fourth storm to sweep through the annex, but instead only a soft breeze slipped in through the window and stirred his hair.
If she had covered her nose and demanded he quit on the spot, he had been ready to toss the entire case and humidor into the pond without hesitation. Her reaction was unexpected.
Relieved, Cairn turned toward her and narrowed his eyes.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Because I’m being too generous?”
Lilien lifted and dropped her shoulders dramatically, puffing herself up. But only for a moment. At his next remark, her bravado quickly deflated.
“Still, Lilien. Didn’t we agree to warn each other before crossing into the other’s space?”
Overwhelmed by his presence, Lilien opened and closed her mouth like a goldfish.
“N-No, I mean…”
The advantage in the argument had shifted to Cairn. Unlike him, who could shamelessly talk his way out of things, Lilien admitted fault without much resistance.
“I’m sorry. I’ll knock next time.”
Cairn stared at her quietly before finally breaking into a smile.
“It’s fine.”
“No. I said it first, so I should keep my word. I’ll knock and wait for your answer before coming in.”
“Lilien, you can just come in.”
He tugged her toward him, and her small body yielded without resistance.
“You’re allowed.”
Her heart began to pound. Lilien fidgeted with her hair, then repeatedly gripped and released her poor handkerchief as though she might tear it apart.
“…Now I feel like the narrow-minded one who wouldn’t even let her husband into her room.”
“What woman could be more broad-minded than one who overlooks her husband’s little indulgences?”
“Smoking is an indulgence?”
“Let’s call it that.”
“…Fine.”
As she rested quietly in his arms, Lilien suddenly wrinkled her nose.
“Cairn, stay still for a second.”
She pressed herself against him and buried her face in his chest, sniffing like a puppy out on a long-awaited walk.
“W-What are you doing?”
Cairn asked, genuinely flustered for once as he tried to pull back.
“Hey, just—come here for a second.”
She grabbed his shirt collar rather roughly and pulled him closer.
“L-Lilien, my room can be seen from outside.”
“I know.”
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