Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Ash flew and was about to land on my shoulder when I heard a short chirp. And there he was, struggling in Ashuna’s hand.

She lowered her head and whispered, “Let’s not interrupt their date.”

[…!]

“Just talk to me today.”

[Hey!] Ash’s eyes grew as big as saucers, and it was highly likely that mine were in the same state. [How did she know?!]

“What, that the bird and you are talking?” she replied nonchalantly.

Ash was on the verge of passing out.

Were there no secrets in this household?

Lennox, fully dressed to go out, entered the room.

I grabbed his arm. “Did you tell her?”

“No.”

“Then how…”

“Ashuna has keen eyes,” he said simply, then turned to Ash. “And he’s still very sloppy, the foolish bird.”

[Who’s calling me foolish?]

Lennox ignored him, though he could not hide his annoyance. “Ashuna.”

“Yes, my lord.” She bowed. “I hope you two have a good time. I’ll be taking good care of him, so don’t worry,” she said, then whisked Ash away before I could reply.

Would things really be okay?

“I get along well with animals.”

I nodded. Ash had asked me to keep his true nature a secret, so I didn’t object. It was probably only a matter of time before Ashuna or Nishir realized it anyway.

There was one thing Olivia had overlooked when she was planning their outing.

She shouldn’t have brought Lennox along for clothes shopping.

“Are you serious?” She slapped his hand, making him drop the palm-sized slip of fabric.

He smiled. “I think it’ll look good on you.”

“What does that mean?” Olivia blushed and hit his chest lightly.

Not even batting an eye, he whispered, “It looks easy to take off.”

“…!” She glanced at the store clerk, sighing in relief when it seemed like no one else had heard, and clenched her teeth. “Are you considering the feelings of the person who will be wearing it?”

Lennox skillfully put on a blank, uncomprehending expression.

Olivia’s embarrassment spiked. She licked her lips and turned away, unable to say anything witty.

“If you don’t like this, that black lace robe looks good too.”

“I’ll choose, so you go over there and stay still!” she ordered him out of the store.

This time, Lennox obediently followed.

It was a virtue to know when to push further or turn back.

He grinned at the sight of his lovely wife, the scarlet spreading from her face to her nape and the tips of her pretty ears.

”Do you like it?”

Lennox had stopped when he heard those words. He was used to being indifferent to others and having high expectations of them. Most humans were classified as either troublesome or troublesome but useful

But Olivia Brienne, now Olivia Kravant, was a little bit—no—very different. She never annoyed him, and instead became a necessary presence in his life.

From the moment he decided to seduce her, he moved strategically. Every word, every look, every action was designed to shake her heart. He thought about her feelings, paid attention to what she needed, and treated them with the consideration and kindness that she had never received before.

His plan was to be a perfect husband. And strangely enough, putting it into practice was not difficult or uncomfortable at all. Rather, he only felt happy and amused.

Whenever he was able to do something for Olivia and saw how much she appreciated it, his day automatically improved.

Along with the feeling of pride, the affection in his heart grew. It was like the emptiness in it was being filled up little by little, as if erasing the traces of misery that had been carved into it after being abandoned so long ago.

Especially since he spent the night with her…

The one who started the seduction first was obviously him, but he ended up being enchanted even more.

He’d clearly experienced how quickly his patience crumbled before her.

Flushed cheeks, green eyes like dewy leaves, skin against his… Slender fingers, heated gaze, sweet scent and pleasure-drunk expression.

All of it was so alluring that Lennox hadn’t been able to keep his guard up. He’d been breathlessly eaten up by the sensations in an instant.

At some point, all of his plans and calculations had been blown away, leaving him like a galloping horse with no reins. It had been heaven and hell all at once, a feeling that he had hurtled towards despite the sinking feeling that he would end up in trouble after.

It had been his first time, too, so it was unforgettably intense.

Lennox flushed as he sifted through his memories.

He rubbed his face.

How would he keep himself in check? His inexperienced body was reacting in a way that was almost laughable.

’We’ve already gone as far as we can go.’

He couldn’t believe how lustful he felt in this public space just because he thought about what had happened last night.

“I’d like this one.”

Meanwhile, Olivia was already paying for her clothes. Lennox quickly approached her.

“Have you picked all of them out?”

At his interest, Olivia showed a subtle sense of vigilance. She hugged the paper bag closer to her as if protecting it from an enemy.

“I’ve bought everything I need. I can’t help it even if you won’t like what I picked. I’m the one who’s going to wear them, so I’ll buy what I like,” she said determinedly.

She looked adorable.

“There’s no way I won’t like them. They’re your choice.”

“What?”

Lennox slowly leaned closer, lowering his head so that his lips would brush against her cheek. “I’m confident that, whatever it may be, I can take it off well.”

“Lennox!”

Olivia’s face resembled a ripe apple.

If he bit her cheek, wouldn’t sweetness flow out?

He licked his lower lip, feeling a sudden surge of thirst. She flushed, distracted, and it was enough for him to snatch the paper bag away from her.

“Give it back!”

“It’s heavy. I’m just trying to hold it for you.”

“It’s not heavy, and we won’t have to walk far.”

Did she think he didn’t know what was inside?

Lennox went ahead and led the way. “Can I take a look?”

“No!”

“Why not? I’ll see it every night anyway. Is there any reason why I shouldn’t see it in advance?”

Olivia paused. She had to say something, but it was not easy. Pursing her lips, she sighed, then said something completely unexpected. “I want you to see it when I’m wearing it.”

“What?” Lennox briefly doubted his own ears at the bold statement.

“It’s packaged, so you won’t be able to see the design well now. If you want to see it properly…”

“What the…”

Did this woman even know what she was saying?

He clenched his fist and looked at her in bewilderment. The innocent blush on her beautiful face was an assault on his senses.

If he swallowed those sweet lips, wouldn’t his thirst be relieved.

His throat bobbed. Unbearable images rose up in his mind.

“Lennox, are you thirsty?”

“What?”

Olivia tilted her head, green eyes looking straight at him, and swept a finger over his throat with a smile. “This keeps moving.”