CH 26

On a sunny day, as they rode on a carriage, Earl Lockheart let out a groan.

“I feel like my arm is going to fall off already.”

Britia, who was sitting across from him in the carriage, chuckled at him as she watched him rub his arm.

“You haven’t even been rowing for long.”

“Just the thought of it makes me tired,” he replied.

Britia was puzzled. Wasn’t it him who brought up the subject of boating last night out of the blue?

“Are you just exaggerating because I suggested we go?” she asked.

“It’s not like I really wanted to go out. It’s just that somebody – who always keeps me cooped up at home – made me tired,” Crave said, showing signs of exhaustion.

“That somebody never asked you to take them out,” Britia retorted, giving him a suspicious look.

Crave met her gaze and smirked.

“Oh, Britia Turas. You don’t want to go out unless it’s to see Sig, do you?”

“Who said that?”

Britia glared at him as he playfully teased her.

“I never said it.”

“But I’m your older brother. I know you like the back of my hand.”

Britia rolled her eyes and turned her head away, not wanting to look at his arrogant face.

“The truth is, you haven’t gone out since the party.”

“Well, nobody has invited me out since then.”

“Lady Robley invited you.”

“That woman…,” Crave hesitated before finishing his sentence.

“Lady Robley is fine. But that man, Marcus, is not.”

“Oh, is that so? So you declined the invitation because you thought Marcus would be there and you didn’t want to see him?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Do you want me to go and meet that man?”

“Me? No way.”

“Do you want me to marry him or something?” Crave joked, folding his arms.

“No, not at all.”

Crave chuckled and patted his mustache.

“I would never let our child be with such a despicable man.”

“Then why are you joking about it?”

“I’m not foolish enough to miss out on the chance to tease you.”

“Ugh, you’re so annoying.”

Britia got annoyed, and Crave laughed.

“If the day comes when you say you want to marry that man…”

He trailed off, shaking his head at the thought.

“I can’t even imagine how terrible that would be.”

“That will never happen.”

“If it does happen, then you must have been possessed by a demon. I’ll call a priest right away.”

“Stop saying such ominous things. What if it actually happens?”

Hailey, Crave’s wife, who had been sitting next to him, scolded the two of them.

“Don’t joke about it anymore. Britia will never marry that man.”

“That’s right. He’s not my type. He’s not only unattractive, but also old,” Britia said, laughing heartily.

“Does he even have eyes on his butt?” Hailey exclaimed, causing Crave to laugh along with her.

“As if they’re properly positioned? How dare he insult our child like that!”

“Let’s stop talking about this man with eyes on his butt. It feels like tempting fate.”

Heiley quieted Crave with a raised finger. Although everyone went silent, the image of Marcus and Britia’s wedding continued to haunt their minds.

“I should give something back since I keep receiving things. I feel like I should give something as a token of appreciation.”

“What will you give?”

Crave raised an eyebrow at the thought of Marcus calling him “brother”.

“A token of appreciation to Duke Turas. What do you think people in the North need?”

“The North?”

Crave chuckled.

“Oh, Tia, my dear sister. That’s why you can’t do it.”

Britia was annoyed by his tone, but she opened her eyes and tried to listen to what he had to say. 

“Why do you want to give him something useful for the North after he returns there?” 

“Well, it would be nice if it’s something that he can use there anyway, since he’ll be going back soon.” 

“If it’s useless, then what’s the point? But what good does it do to make you think of him later after he returns to the North?” 

Crave sighed in frustration. 

“While he’s here, we need to compete with him before he goes back.” 

“Compete?” 

“Britia Lockhart, you’re so frustrating!” 

He raised both hands and shook his head. 

“Don’t you want to receive a proposal?” 

Britia’s mouth gaped open. 

“A proposal? Why are you suddenly talking about that?” 

“What? Your reaction is as if you never even thought about it.” 

“Well, that’s because I haven’t thought about it!” 

Crave laughed at her surprise. 

“You said Sig was cute, didn’t you?” 

“That was because I was drunk!” 

When Britia tried to dismiss it as a mistake, the Crave’s eyes narrowed. 

“Oh? Are you trying to back out now? Then you could say any man is cute even if you don’t really mean it?” 

“That’s not-” 

“You’re such a flirt!” 

“Well, if you saw his tail, you would understand my feelings too.” 

“Understand your feelings? So you really thought he was cute?” 

The more she spoke, the more awkward she felt. Britia decided to keep her mouth shut. 

“Tell me honestly, what are you trying to hide between us?” 

Although the Viscount tried to coax her, Britia refused to speak.

How could she expect a proposal from him? He was a Duke in the North who could tear apart demons, and he looked intimidating. It was hard to understand what he was thinking.

Of course, he looked a little cute when he made pretty handkerchiefs and wagged his tail happily when he saw her, but that didn’t mean she dreamed of marrying him. She firmly denied it in her heart, but she couldn’t help feeling nervous around him and pushing him away.

“What are you thinking? Your face is all flushed with excitement,” Crave chuckled.

“Should I give him a hairpin? Even if it’s like that, it won’t work.”

Britia turned her head and changed the subject slyly.

“How about cufflinks? It wouldn’t be a bad choice. You could stop by the shops on your way back to buy them.”

“You said you received a handkerchief he made himself, and you want to just buy something for him?” the Viscount asked.

“But my sewing skills are too embarrassing to make something myself.”

“You’re usually so confident, but suddenly you’re losing your confidence?” 

“He’s much better than me at making things. You’ve seen the handkerchief he made.”

“Isn’t it obvious that he’s better than you?”

He closed his eyes and shook his head.

“Your skills are actually pathetic. I still can’t forget the shock I felt. I thought a flower that should have bloomed in hell had bloomed wrong at your fingertips.”

Hailey sharply poked her husband’s side.

“Honey, we came out together, so don’t upset Britia’s feelings.”

Although she said something, Britia’s feelings were already hurt.

“If I can’t buy it or make it myself, what should I do?”

After muttering, she turned her head stubbornly and tightly shut her lips.

He raised his index finger and flicked it left and right.

“Well, then you can learn from someone who’s good at it.”

“Are you suggesting I ask the Viscount to teach me how to sew?”

She sent him a suspicious gaze. Crave pursed his lips and shrugged his shoulders. He had told his family that Sig Turas had fallen completely for Britia, but he kept it a secret from the two of them. Why? Because it was more fun that way!

“If you learn from him and make something to give as a gift, wouldn’t he be happy as your teacher?”

“Well, maybe, but…”

After pondering for a moment, Britia shook her head.

“Are you sure he’ll like it?”

Just being able to spend more time with him was enough. Crave looked at Britia with a slight smile, swallowing his unspoken words.

“We shouldn’t cause him any trouble.”

“Why can’t you just trust me?”

Crave crossed his arms and said, “Do whatever you want.”

“Cufflinks wouldn’t be a bad choice,” said Heiley. When her husband looked at her with a pained expression, she smiled.

“Let them be. I want to watch them naturally fall in love.”

Britia and Sig were already exchanging gifts until the next dinner party. For now, that was enough. Britia was more worried that she might accidentally ruin things by pushing too hard.

“Whatever Britia wants to give is the best gift,” said the Viscount’s wife with a grin. She wanted to watch over the two of them cautiously, unlike her husband who sometimes acted grumpily.

In the end, Britia couldn’t make up her mind about what gift to give him, and the carriage arrived at the riverside.

“The weather is so nice today,” said Hailey as she linked arms with her husband. Britia followed slowly behind, watching them.

The twins who usually grumbled about everything looked affectionate when they were with Hailey.

“Britia!”

Realizing that she was falling behind, the couple called out to her.

If she hadn’t followed them today, the couple would have spent a good time together. Britia felt a little guilty for interrupting their time together. She didn’t think they would blame her for interrupting, but still.

“Why are you standing there? Give me your hand,” said Crave, extending his hand to her after helping his wife onto the boat.

“I thought of a good idea,” said Britia with a grin.

She undid the rope that tied the boat and set it free.

“What are you doing? Britia!”

“Britia!”

The two of them called out to her in surprise, but Britia just laughed.

“It’s my kindhearted gesture as a little sister to let my brother and his wife spend some quality time together.”

With that, she pushed the boat out into the river and waved goodbye as she drifted away from the two of them calling her name.

Feeling satisfied with her decision, Britia enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her back as she walked along the riverbank. She didn’t need to ride in a boat to have a good time. Just walking and enjoying her thoughts in peace was enough to make this outing a success.

As she strolled along, she watched other people enjoying various water activities. Then, she recognized some familiar faces.

“Kyra.”

The name sounded familiar to her. Britia stopped and looked to see who it was.

“Ugh.”

When she realized who they were, she couldn’t help but grimace. It was the group of people she had met at the Slanforf Marcuis’s party. Of all places, she had to run into them here. Britia gritted her teeth and tried to quietly turn and walk away.

“Excuse me, miss.”

But the Marquis called out to her. Britia denied that he was calling her and tried to run away.

“Britia, right?”

But the Marquis was faster. It was just her luck to run into such unpleasant people on such a beautiful day.

Her feeling of satisfaction in giving the Earl and his wife a good time was suddenly flipped upside down. Why did she have to do something like that? She should have just ridden in the boat with them and quietly stayed out of their way. 

“As expected of Britia,” said the Marquis with certainty, causing Britia’s fleeing footsteps to falter.