Chapter 2.4

Mary added firewood to the fireplace, checked that it was burning well, and then left the parlor. Now that they were alone, Rizle thought it was time to start the conversation. Just as she was about to speak, however, something unexpected happened.

At first, she noticed a shadow falling over her. When she looked up, Heizen, as if he had been waiting for this moment, leaned in and captured her lips.

Startled, Rizle flinched, but Heizen’s tongue soon filled her mouth. His hands, which gently caressed her cheeks, ears, and neck, contrasted with the roughness of his kiss. His lips and tongue were so hot they felt like they might melt her, and even through their clothes, his chest radiated the same heat.

As Rizle closed her eyes and accepted him, his tongue began to retreat. She thought it was over and leaned back against the door in relief, only for his tongue to invade her mouth again, biting and sucking on her lips.

Heizen continued to kiss her as though he could never be satisfied. Despite it being the middle of winter, Rizle felt as though her head was foggy from heat, as if she had a fever. The fireplace, already blazing thanks to Mary, made the room warm, but Heizen’s body heat was overwhelming. His chest pressed against hers, making her feel both stifled and strangely ticklish.

“C-Count!”

Rizle gasped for breath and called out to him. In response, Heizen kissed her once more, making soft, wet sounds, before resting his forehead against hers.

“Please call me Heizen.”

Kiss. He kissed her lips, her forehead, and her nose as he spoke. His tone had softened, almost as if he were pleading.

“Heizen.” 

Rizle whispered, exhaling a warm breath. A faint smile tugged at Heizen’s lips. She barely had time to marvel at seeing him smile for the first time because he suddenly bit her neck and placed his hand on her chest. Panicking, Rizle pushed against his chest with her hands.

“Y-You’re quicker with your hands than I thought! First, you kiss me out of nowhere, and now you’re touching my chest!”

“But you said you wanted to finish what we couldn’t earlier…”

“I meant the conversation!”

It was only then that Heizen realized he had misunderstood her intentions. His expression stiffened, and he quickly stepped back.

“My apologies.”

“So this is what you meant when you said you couldn’t stop at just a kiss. It was sudden, and I was very surprised… but I didn’t dislike it.”

Rizle blushed as she spoke, and a look of relief crossed Heizen’s previously pale face.

“And I feel reassured.”

Rizle fidgeted with her feet and glanced at Heizen. He seemed puzzled about what she meant, but she didn’t elaborate.

How could she admit it? She had once wondered if Heizen’s lack of interest in women meant he had… certain issues. But judging by the hard object pressing against her stomach during their kiss, it seemed her suspicions had been entirely unfounded.

“So, you’re capable of feeling that way about me?”

She hadn’t meant to say it, but her curiosity got the better of her. The words slipped out before she could stop herself.

“…I’m sorry.”

Heizen gritted his teeth as if blaming himself. Rizle, her cheeks burning, covered them with the back of her hand while stealing glances at him. She wanted to ask him something, but it felt too embarrassing.

“Is that how all men are?”

But her curiosity wouldn’t let her stay silent. If she were the type to suppress her curiosity, she would never have earned the nickname “the eccentric young lady of Troskan.”

“Or… do you like me?”

Rizle’s face turned as red as it possibly could, but she still asked the question directly. Heizen gazed at her quietly before letting out a bitter smile.

“You don’t remember anything from yesterday, do you?”

“Well… I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, as long as you don’t say you want to annul the proposal.”  

Rizle was relieved that he forgave her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something pointed in his words.

She awkwardly walked over to the sofa and sat down. Heizen soon followed and took a seat across from her.

“Since I don’t remember anything, could you propose to me again as if it never happened?”

“I cannot.”

She tried pleading with him in a playful tone, but his response was firm. Now that they were set to marry, Rizle couldn’t help but feel a lingering regret. She pestered him, but Heizen showed no signs of relenting.

“I’m curious about what kind of face you made and what words you used to win me over…”

“I cannot.”

“Technically, it’s your fault I don’t remember anything since you proposed to me while I was drunk. This is on you.”

“Even if it’s my fault, I cannot.”

Was this really the same man who had kissed her so passionately? He was so cold now that she began to doubt it.

So petty.

Rizle muttered under her breath. Hearing her small complaint, Heizen responded again with, 

“I cannot.”

“But I want to know more about you, Heizen!”

“If you’re curious about something, ask me. I’ll answer.”

It seemed he had no intention of ever proposing to her again.

Rizle pouted in disappointment as she glared at him. Still, this was a chance to learn more about him.

He had invited her to ask questions, so at least he wouldn’t brush her off like before. Filled with anticipation, Rizle asked her first question.

“What’s your favorite food?”

“I don’t have one.”

“Then what food do you dislike?”

“None.”

After two unhelpful answers in a row, Rizle’s hopeful expression fell. Judging by how miserable he looked while eating earlier, he clearly disliked something.

“Do you have no more questions?”

He was answering her questions, but they weren’t satisfying her curiosity at all. What was the point of asking if she learned nothing?

Frustrated, Rizle glared at Heizen. He blinked slowly and let out a small sigh.

‘Did he just sigh?’

That only made Rizle angrier.

“Count, do you dislike talking to me?”

This time, he didn’t answer at all.

A husband who dislikes conversation but only wants the physical aspects of a relationship? Rizle doubted whether someone as talkative as her could get along with such a man. She feared a dull and stifling life awaited her.

In Boeur, a place she had never visited, there wouldn’t even be a single person she knew, let alone family.

“Do you dislike talking, or do you dislike me?”

“Neither.”

Rizle didn’t believe him and turned her head away. Seeing her reaction, Heizen confessed with a troubled expression.

“I don’t know what to say to keep the conversation going or what would make you happy.”

“What do you mean by ‘keep it going’?”

Rizle tilted her head in confusion. She couldn’t understand why a pleasant conversation would require embellishment.

Of course, stories could sometimes be exaggerated in the course of a conversation. But judging by his serious expression and tone, it didn’t seem like that was what he meant.

“Instead of embellishing, why not just talk about real things? Be sincere.”

“I just spoke sincerely, but it wasn’t entertaining for you.”

“That’s because you kept saying you have nothing. So, is it true you don’t have a single favorite food?”

“If you give me more time, I’ll come up with something.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to hear lies.”

When Rizle firmly cut him off, Heizen parted his lips slightly as if caught off guard. She found it fascinating—he was the first person to openly admit he would lie.

Leaning forward, Rizle moved closer to observe his changing expressions more closely. Heizen glanced at her nervously as if her approach unsettled him.

“Instead, I’ll ask about something else.”

“Alright.”

“What do you like to do? Any hobbies?”

Rizle’s blue eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Heizen was at a loss. He wasn’t usually this bad at talking. Just because they called him “The Black Rock” didn’t mean his tongue was also made of stone.

But under the gaze of those twinkling blue eyes, it was as if he had turned into an actual rock. Since childhood, he had always gone blank in the head and frozen up in situations like this.

“‘Nothing’. Are you going to answer like that again?”

Rizle mimicked his stern expression and voice as she asked. Heizen bit his lower lip before finally managing to respond.

“Could you give me more time to think? I’ll… come up with a hobby.”

But his tongue seemed to stiffen, and he couldn’t finish his sentence.

Rizle rested her chin on her hands and quietly observed his frozen face. She didn’t know what he was thinking, but his face was gradually turning red.

“You’ll come up with a hobby…”

Was it really so hard to answer a question about hobbies? First, he said he’d lie, and now he said he’d create one. His replies were both absurd and strange.

Still, it was much more interesting than simply ending the conversation with “nothing.” She began to wonder what kind of hobby he would create, what he would start with, and why he would choose that. Her curiosity seemed endless.

But if she asked all those questions, she thought he might sigh again.